ZOOM BOOM and an invitation to VeroTalk featuring Ventura County’s Clos des Amis Winemakers

There’s definitely been a ZOOM boom the past few months. During these crazy COVID days, when getting out to go wine tasting is fraught with challenges, wineries and wine educators have gone crazy with ZOOM.

At first, it was easy to keep track of the various offerings I learned about from emails, twitter, facebook, etc. But now there are so many amazing opportunities to learn from the experts about wine in free or reasonably priced ZOOM, Facebook live, Instagram and other online sessions that it’s hard to know which to do!

Of course, I’ve been participating in online wine sessions for years with Snooth, #winestudio, #ItalianWFT, #WinePW, #Winophiles, and so many more where I’ve been sent samples of wine and learned about wines from all over the world using twitter, facebook, and other platforms, public and private, to communicate.

Since the pandemic, I’ve also joined in Zoom chats. Just like any educational opportunity, much depends on the facilitator. This is where people like Elaine Chukan Brown, with her background as a college professor, have excelled. I’ve also been impressed by:

This week, out of all of the choices that have proliferated, both live and available on YouTube, I have calendared five sessions:

  • today from 5-6pm, blind wine tasting with David Glancy
  • today from 6-7pm  #winestudio’s session on Lugana’s Geography
  • Weds from 5-6pm with Clos des Amis (details below)
  • Thursday at 2pm with Nick Jackson on discerning three red wines
  • Saturday at 8am on New York’s Finger Lakes with #WinePW

On Wednesday, I will be on the other side of the ZOOM chat! Please join me virtually for the next VeroTalk when I’ll join winemakers Bruce Freeman and Gretel Compton in Santa Paula for “Old World Style Wines from the New World in an Undiscovered Part of California” on

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5 Sangiovese, 4 Terroirs, 3 Producers, 2 Regions, 1 Country #ItalianFWT

It’s a countdown: five Sangiovese, four terroirs, three producers, two regions, one country, and one importer — Verovino– for this month’s Italian Food Wine Travel group of wine writers! Here’s the invitation from host, Wendy Klik.

Sangiovese is the grape in that ubiquitous Chianti bottle, you know the one in the straw basket. They used those baskets, called fiasco, (seriously!) to help with shipping back in the day. Learn more about Chianti here.

Sangiovese is grown in other areas of Italy in addition to Chianti, with most of it grown in the central parts of Italy and in Sicily. Today we’ll be looking at five wines: two from Tuscany, home of Chianti, and three from neighboring Emilia-Romagna. One is actually from Chianti, and four from other areas worth exploring.

I’ve been on a deep dive into sangiovese this week, starting with sangiovese based blends from the west coast (read it here), then a focused tasting with a vertical from Ranchita Canyon Vineyard (read about it here), and now, back to the homeland with these five from Italy imported by Verovino.

The common denominator for wines imported by Verovino founder Sheila Donahue? Continue reading →

Sangiovese from Paso Robles? Certo! A Ranchita Canyon Vineyard Vertical Paired with Spiced Lamb Stew

While Chianti is only made in one small area of Tuscany, Italy, the main grape in Chianti –Sangiovese– can be grown anywhere people want to try to grow it. Surprisingly, this very popular Italian grape is not grown that widely outside of Italy.  Sure you can find small pockets of it here and there in the old and new world: for example Continue reading →

Italian Style Comfort: Food and Wine for Uncomfortable Times

These past few months have been difficult, uncomfortable times. Continue reading →

Ventura County Vineyards May 2020: Blame it on…

My Drink Local Wine Day selection: 2018 syrah from Clos de Amis. Order here.

  • Blame it on COVID and stay at home orders.
  • Blame it on KITTENS and taking care of them.
  • Blame it on the teen and trying to stay sane.
  • Blame it on May Gray and my own overgrown yard.
  • Blame it on other troubles and I do not wish to name them.
  • Blame it on other writing projects and Oregon Wine Month.

But really the blame is on me.

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#RoséAllMay? #RoséAllDay! Three Rosé from Oregon with sushi, salad, seafood skewers for #AirportRules

Three Rosé from Oregon’s Willamette Valley I purchased with an industry discount on a sponsored press trip.

With so many of us at home due to COVID-19 “shelter in place” policies and practices, I hear there’s been more day drinking going on!

One winemaker says that COVID-19 means “airplane rules” — you don’t judge day drinking in an airport because you have no idea what time zone people are from and what time it feels like to them! What’s breakfast time for you could be time for a night cap for them!

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Willamette Valley Visit for Pinot Noir: Sustainable, Biodynamic Estate Wine from Antiquum, Brooks, Cooper Mtn, Left Coast, Montinore

Biodynamic and sustainably grown Oregon Pinot Noir paired with fresh wild salmon from Monterey Bay and strawberry salad

As the country awakens from slumber, so does the countryside grow green and fragrant with flowers.

Wineries and vineyards, however, have not been sleeping: vines and wines have been cared for, and now winery owners and staff across the country are evaluating how they can reopen to the public and still keep everyone safe.

On Friday, May 15, Oregon’s governor opened up the state, but no gatherings more than 200 are allowed, which postponed the 2020 Wine Media Conference slated for late August in Eugene; it will now be in early August 2021.

“The timeframe for tasting rooms reopening still remains uncertain,” said Executive Director of the Willamette Valley Winery Association (WVWA) Morgen McLaughlin in a May 13 press release. “The Willamette Valley’s individual counties must submit a plan to the state government for final approval. Most importantly we are encouraging a gradual and thoughtful reopening of our region.”

In addition to frequent cleaning and social distancing, some changes to expect include:

  • Reservations.
  • Expanded outdoor seating areas.
  • Greeters to manage customer flow and monitor distancing.

The WVWA has created a new resource page related to COVID-19 where you’ll find wineries which have provided new protocols, contact details, and consumer information on their websites.

“When wine tasting rooms do open, we encourage consumers to call each winery for further information and details before visiting,” continued McLaughlin. “As much as the first few months may be far from business as customary, I have no doubt each winery will work hard to create the most authentic Willamette Valley experience as possible, with safety of guests and personnel our top priority.”

With vineyards, farmlands, coastline, volcanoes, desert, rangelands, and more, I look forward to visiting again because Oregon’s diverse landscapes make it one of the best places to experience spring, summer or fall! Continue reading →