Once a month or so, Que Syrah Sue and I sit down with our calendars and a glass or two of wine, we pull out the wine samples, and much like a chess game, we move the bottles of wine around the table as we try to figure out what we’re going to taste, and when, and how, and most importantly, what’s the story we want to tell through the wine. And yesterday was that day we put on the sticky notes for December. Heads up: Sat Dec 3 is gonna be crazy good!
First off, did you know Continue reading
Happy birthday, Carménère!
And yes we’re celebrating another “wine day” in November! Following Merlot Day, Tempranillo Day, and Zinfandel Day comes Carménère Day on November 24 which is also Thanksgiving in the United States.
And wine is definitely something that I am grateful for this Thanksgiving!
But why is Carménère Day on Thanksgiving? Had you even heard of Carménère wine or Carménère Day? Continue reading
As the nights get longer, and the days darker, we draw our friends and family closer to us. We gather together over feasts, acknowledging that we are here for each other, and that we will get though these dark dark days and again celebrate in the light. We pile high our tables with food, and we give each other gifts, some tangible and some less so. A hug. A smile. A loaf of bread. A bottle of wine.
And that bottle of wine just might be Beaujolais. Continue reading
Because you know I’m all about that Zin,
‘Bout that Zin, from Lodi
I’m all ’bout that Zin, ’bout that Zin, from Lodi
I’m all ’bout that Zin, ’bout that Zin, from Lodi
I’m all ’bout that Zin, ’bout that Zin
What do you think I’ll be drinking for Zinfandel Day today? If you guessed Zinfandel from Lodi, you guessed correctly! Yes, Sue and I are going to Cantara Cellars to taste 15-20 wines from Lodi with winemaker Mike Brown who’s family grows grapes in Lodi.
According to ZAP, “All other significant wine varieties have their reference points in Europe, but Zinfandel established its own tradition in California and has become known as America’s Heritage wine. Zinfandel’s history is a classic All-American success story—transforming from a little-known grape into one that has achieved such tremendous popularity that it has grown on more than 50,000 acres in the United States.”
Zinfandel Day gives Zinfandel fans a chance to tell the world about the grape and the wines made from it. Wineries, wine bars, and restaurants host special #ZinDay events like the event at Cantara that Sue and I are going to.
Harvest a bottle or two of Lodi zinfandel for your fall feast!
Below you will find out more about #ZinfandelDay festivities plus reviews of seven Lodi zinfandel that I’d recommend for this year’s #ZinDay as well as #TurkeyDay! Continue reading
For November’s #WinePW: The Feast Nearby – Grateful for Local Vintners and Seasonal Foods hosted by Culinary Cam, I arranged to meet with winemaker Bruce Freeman at his South Mountain Winery near Santa Paula California where he grows estate fruit for his Clos des Amis label (750 cases this year) which specializes in grapes from Ventura County. Continue reading
Veteran’s Day is always celebrated on November 11–to remember the last day of the “Great War,” and those who fought in it, and wars before and since. Like Independence Day, it is not and should not be one of our holidays that we insist on turning into a three day weekend… even though this year it is!
For Veteran’s Day, Continue reading
Join us in a toast to Tempranillo today on #TempranilloDay! Continue reading
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 