Most people know that Sicily is the ball at the tip of the toe of the boot of Italy. While only three miles separates the island of Sicily from the mainland of Italy, Sicily has long had its own separate culture — and
Sicily has 68% indigenous vines that thrive along the coasts and on the slopes of the most active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, which set off a plume of ash on February 18, 2019:
As I learned during from Vinitaly’s Italian Wine Ambassadors course in Los Angeles this February, Continue reading →
Today, March 31, is the birthday of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. Long commemorated in California, where Chavez did much of his important work, in 2014 President Barack Obama named March 31 as a federal holiday honoring him for his service. Because this year March 31 is a Sunday, tomorrow Monday April 1 will be a holiday with some schools, federal offices, and other sites closed for the day.
mixed media portrait of Cesar Chavez by Dianne Bennet
Among his many accomplishments, Chavez founded the United Farm Workers, and he led marches and boycotts to bring national attention to the plight of the farm workers which led to protective legislation across the United States. The leadership, strength, and sacrifices by Chavez made people pay attention to farm workers who eventually gained many rights that otherwise they may not have achieved.
These three wines from Matsu pay homage to those working in the vineyards. The labels use real-life photos of the viticulturists to showcase and represent the essential character of the wines. While not certified biodynamic or organic on the label, these practices are prevalent in these 80-100 year old vineyards and Bodega Matsu chose these vineyards in the D. O. Toro for their age but also for
Winter in the vineyard means pruning — it has to be done while the vines are dormant and before the buds break.
So now that the pruning is done and it’s spring, what’s next?
There’s much important work to be done in the winery as well as in the vineyard.
On a beautiful early spring day during the midst of an amazing wildflower season, friends gathered at the South Mountain Winery above Santa Paula, California, to help Clos des Amis winemaker Bruce Freeman and his partner Gretel Meys Compton bottle the 2018 rose Continue reading →
Mikey Napier shared this on Facebook on March 17: Because the international media is not really showing this to the world. I would like to share as a proud kiwi standing by our Muslim brothers & sisters what I am seeing on my newsfeed & from my country’s media after this tragedy.. I ask that we all share these images and show the world how this horrible event has only brought all of nz out as a nation and stand together in our Muslim communities time of need and made us stronger and more loving. EVERYONE that considers NZ home no matter what religion, race, faith, colour, they may proudly be is considered and loved as a Kiwi in our culture, and that is how our people and values will forever remain.
As I’ve listened to the news this week, I’ve also reflected on the stories of New Zealand that I know, and most of them reflect the beauty of the country, the haka of the Maori tribe, and of course, the wonderful wine, particularly the Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. I’ve never visited NZ but I’d love to and I’ve even considered moving there, more so now than ever as the world watches how they are responding.
Instead, speak the names and tell the stories of those who died and are impacted.
Tell the stories of the good being done in the country.
And that takes me to the story of Erica Crawford of New Zealand’s Loveblock Wines, because Erica is doing a wonderful job making wine that takes care of the planet and people Continue reading →
What is the best way to expand your culinary experiences? If you can’t travel to another country, the next best way is to search for foods from the same region as the wine! Continue reading →
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 