Around the World with 5 Skin Contact Wines: Mighty Fine For Valentines

Valentine’s Day is all about skin contact, am I right? Lips to lips– and more? So how about choosing a “Skin Contact Wine” for Valentines paired with a luscious lobster mac n cheese, with a side salad and lava cakes for dessert! What’s even better is lobster Mac n cheese can be done in advance and then finished in the oven. The lava cakes may seem fancy but with a microwave Sue says they are super easy!

SKIN CONTACT WINES aka “orange” wines are made from “white” grapes all over the world, and while they may seem like a new phenomena, they are actually made in the most ancient technique where, instead of being immediately pressed off, the grape juice stays in contact longer with the skins, and that imparts color, texture, and flavor. Often these are known as “orange” or “amber” wines. 

For this excursion into the world of orange wine, we have four from around the world — two from the old world countries of Germany and Austria, and two from the New World: Mexico and California. Continue reading →

Get Sideways in Santa Barbara County at Garagiste Festival 2/8 and at World of Pinot Noir Feb. 28

After a dry January (in more ways than one), I’m ready for a WET February! How about you? Tis the season for wine festivals and festivities and yes I am here for it! Here’s a few events on my radar — including a series of creativity workshops I’m leading that are inspired by books and include guided wine tastings! 

First, Feb. 8! Who’s headed to the Garagiste Festival Continue reading →

Celebrating the New Year the Armenian Way: Ghapama and Lamb Kebabs Paired with Areni Wine from Yacoubian-Hobbs

As we head into 2025, this New Year we encourage you to try new wines and new regions! Recently we featured three wines from Georgia’s Zurab Gvaladze made biodynamically in amphora from indigenous grapes; this is a region of the world I look forward to learning more about in 2025 and hopefully visiting as long as it is safe. Below you’ll find a wine made by Paul Hobbs from rare Armenian indigenous grapes from newly planted vines and grown sustainably paired with regional dishes for the New Year: Ghapama and lamb kebabs.

“The soul of a wine is when it speaks to a place. If you don’t have that, then you’ve missed everything. And that quest is why we’re so fired up to be here.”— Paul Hobbs

These wines are made near the oldest known winery– a cave that dates back over 6,000! Nothing like starting the New Year with something that’s new and actually very very old! Continue reading →

Laurie

What pairs with Mexican food and the celebration of your sister’s life? That was my challenge when we returned from a walk to the beach at sunset where we tossed stones into the sea with messages. We were hosting a celebration of life for my sister who would have turned 60 on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Throwing a stone into the sea for Laurie, my sister; photo by Claudia Miklas

We grilled tritip, we made beans and rice, heated tortillas, had chips and salsa, and friends brought enchiladas, tamales, and more. We had Mexican beer and limes, plus tequila, and margarita mix.

But what did my friends want? Wine! Wine chosen by their friend the wine expert! Specifically red wine to go with tritip with Mexican chili seasonings, and all the fixings for burritos or tacos.

So what wine? It felt like a momentous decision. It felt like a monument decision. Trying to decide what wine really brought her loss home to me in a way that nothing else had yet. And that we drinking a toast to her and not with her.  Continue reading →

Champagne Veuve Clicquot and Nicolas Feuillatte

Happy New Year’s Eve! If there’s any day out of the year that calls for sparkling wine, this is it! In fact it’s even National Champagne Day — whatever that means! Sparkling wine is made in every wine region of the world– and since wine is made in every state in the union, I bet you can find a sparkling wine made everywhere in the US also– and one for every budget!

rockfish and cava from Spain

In 2024, we published MANY articles featuring sparkling wines and pairings! (I knew we like to write about sparkling wine, but wow, so many!) In review, here are some ideas for you– sparkling wines from around the world and the foods we enjoyed with them!

Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Réserve from France

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Drink like a Georgian: Zurab Gvaladze Winery; eat like a Georgian!

The country of Georgia is on my mind these days — and not just the biodynamic wines of Zurab which come from Georgia. On Christmas Day in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, Armenians and Azerbaijanis joined protesters who filled the streets with hopes to turn Georgia toward Europe instead of Russia. On Friday, Dec. 27,  the United States released a statement committing to promote accountability for those undermining democracy and human rights in Georgia.

Zurab (in Georgian ზურაბ) is a Georgian man’s name that derives from the Persian name of a legendary warrior associated with the acts of  bravery and courage. Today that bravery and courage is expressed by these protesters. At Zurab Gvaladze Wine Cellar, a small family winery in Imereti (Western Georgia), Zurab Gvaladze took the eco-warrior’s role to turn the winery founded in 1900 by his great grandfather into a commercial one in 2016 that stays true to traditions

Continue reading →