My husband is Irish on both his mom and his dad’s side. His last name Sheridan is actually anglicized version of the Irish surname O’Sirideáin (or Ó Sirideáin), which originated in Co Longford, Ireland, which translates simply to grandson or descendant of Sheridan. Some sources say it means seeker or searcher. His mom collected Belleck, the famous shamrock decorated china, and their wedding ring, now mine, was the claddagh.
Not only is his Irish heritage important to my husband and his family, but so is cooking: Continue reading →
Happy Birthday Riesling, you’re another year older today!
On March 13, Riesling celebrates its 586th birthday– and we’re celebrating with five wines from around the world!
Why March 13?
Riesling’s first mention in a written document occurred on this day in 1435 in an invoice from Klaus Kleinfisch to his lord, Count Johann IV of Katzenelnbogen, for the purchase of Riesling vines to be planted next to the fort he was building, according to Wines of Germany.
While Riesling is grown around the world, most people associate the grape with Germany where Riesling grows in 25% of the vineyards, and 45 percent of all Rieslings in the world grow there– 56k acres! Riesling spread quickly in Germany due in part to the long maturation period and frost resistance. In the Rheingau and on the Mosel documents show Riesling growing there dating back to the years 1435 or 1465.
In last night’s dream, I’m caught in the Missoula Flood. In my dream, I’m a rock tumbling when the ice that dams ancient Lake Missoula breaks. At the peak, the flow rate is almost 108 million gallons per day or 13 times the Amazon River and up to 80 mph. These cataclysmic floods occurred several times during a 2,000-year period between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago.
Never heard of Nebbiolo? Not surprising because there’s so little of it grown in the US — only 1% of all of the Italian grape vines in California are this ancient Italian grape– and only 1% of the grape vines in California are Italian at all! Source: ENOFYLZContinue reading →
We all know and love wines from France that now grow all over the world. But why is it that Italian wines are not so well known and widely grown? Continue reading →
That was Wine Future 2021 held virtually last week with speakers and attendees joining in from around the globe. While topics were wide ranging, they frequently touched on important issues we face worldwide– inclusivity, sustainability, and climate change– that are important whether you are in the wine industry or not. (Scroll down for a complete list of the session titles). Find my notes from Wine Future Days 1 and 2 here.Continue reading →
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 