A bottle of wine is my go-to gift when I want to say “Happy Birthday,” “I love/miss you,” or “Thank you for hosting us.” But shipping that gift across state lines can be a source of frustration. I cannot, for instance, send wine from a California retailer to my sister in New Jersey, as I …
As I sit at my desk writing, I hear the whirr of a helicopter overhead, in response to the latest breaking news story in Los Angeles. This harkens back to my early days in LA, when the choppers raced up the 405 Freeway in hot pursuit of the white Ford Bronco driven by OJ Simpson; …
In looking into organic wines last week, I was reminded of something else that’s relevant to a large group of wine drinkers – vegetarians and vegans. While not fitting into either category myself – I love a good steak here and there – I don’t often think about the peripheral products used to make the …
Living and working in New York City in the 1980s, my girlfriends and I often took weekends “upstate” to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life. On one such weekend, we decided to explore the Finger Lakes Wine District. Not really known as a major wine region, New York State nonetheless offered some …
Last week, at the first Wine, Women & Wednesdays Networking Salon (http://www.meetup.com/winewomenandchocolate/events/122062882/) I had the pleasure of talking about and sharing a lovely white wine from Spain that I enjoy all summer long – Albariño. Most of the approximately 60 women at this event were having their first tasting of this indigenous Spanish varietal. “Albariño …
A single bunch this year. I live on a lovely street in West Los Angeles, where the 50+ year-old Chinese Elm trees provide a beautiful canopy that adds to the charm of our neighborhood. Sadly, these trees are reaching the end of their life, and many of them are simply falling down, as their aging …
In Classical Greek literature, there are abundant references to wine, drinking, drinking vessels, and drinking games. They even had a god of wine, Bacchus, from whose name the word “bacchanalia” is derived, which loosely translated means “drunken revelry.” They really knew how to party in ancient Greece! But modern-day Greece does not usually come to …
Rhone Rangers LA Tasting at Vibiana The Rhone Rangers rode into Los Angeles on Sunday, June 23rd, and brought with them some wonderful American wines. The tasting event, held at the astoundingly beautiful Vibiana – a 130-year-old restored cathedral in downtown LA – provided a splendid afternoon of sipping, cheese tastings, and an appearance by …
Last week, we talked about International Varietals and Noble Grapes. In addition to Italy’s Greco grape, which fits both categories, there is the Spanish “Tempranillo” grape, which is currently the most popular red wine grape in Spain. This varietal produces young wines that pair well with meat and olive oil – think Tapas – but …
Greco grapes in vineyard in Italy. Walk into any wine store and ask for a bottle of Chardonnay, or Cabernet, or Pinot, and you will get a variety of choices, with offerings from many different countries. But ask for a bottle of Greco, you just might get a blank stare. That’s too bad, because Greco, …