The Wine List: Next Destinations

October 17, 2020October 17, 2020 by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The wine list is my new take on a bucket list, but for wine destinations. A list of places that I’ve dog-eared in Travel + Leisure or fantasized about while drinking a wine from the region. The perfect way to pass the time until we can travel around the world again. Experiment with new regions, buy travel magazines and taste exciting wines while you daydream about the airbnb’s you’ll stay in! If you’re like me, travel is on your mind. The moment international travel is safe and supported, I’ll be booking my flight. My current wine list includes three high altitude and mountainous destinations with such incredible wines you may never want to come home.

1. Trentino, Italy

Trentino-Alto Adige Region

_{Source: New York Times “In Teroldegos, the Thrill of the Obscure“ – A piece on Elisabetta Foradori and the teroldegos grape from Trentino}

The Italian Alps, yes please. Italy is an obvious choice, I know. But throughout the last six months I’ve caught myself daydreaming about drinking wine throughout Northern Italy from dawn to dusk. Instead, I’m drinking it on my balcony in Central Los Angeles. Quite a different experience but good wine all the same. My favorite part about the wine drinking experience is taking a sip and allowing your senses to travel to the region. Exploring the world through aroma and flavor.

Trentino is in Northern Italy, along the Southern edge of the Trentino-Alto Adige wine region. While Trentino is an Italian speaking province, Alto Adige is largely German speaking. Vineyards are high altitude and alpine terrain receiving ample sunshine and a powerful breeze, producing wines with Italian charm and incredible structure.

A Taste of Trentino

Cantina Furlani ‘Alpino’ – Sparkling Vernaccia, Lagarino Bianco, Nosiola, Verderbara

Available at Melody Wine Bar in Silverlake via Toast Tab for takeaway. The 2018 vintage seems to be sold out most other places.

Foradori ‘Manzoni Bianco‘ – Manzoni Bianco is a clone crossing Riesling and Pinot Blanc

Available at Eataly in Century City

2. Cafayate, Argentina

Along the Salta Wine Route

_{Source: Wine Enthusiast – Best Wine Destinations 2017 Cafayate, Argentina}

I recently discovered Cafayate in the August 2020 issue of Travel + Leisure in the travel piece “In Search of High Culture” written by Karen Catchpole. Not only is she an incredible writer, but she has me mesmerized with Argentina. She travels along the Salta Wine Route during her four-day road trip through the mountainous region of northwest Argentina. This wine region is high up in the mountains growing grapes at high altitudes with terrain that looks out of this world. Wines produced in the valleys surrounding Cafayate are a pandora’s box of bright fruit and gorgeous flavor profiles. The quote from the print article that brought this destination to top of my wine list? “I savored its velvety finish as the late afternoon sun dappled through the vines.” Now that, is the way I would like all of my evenings to end.

A great resource for wine tasting your way through Cafayate can be found here. Cafayate was also featured as one of the Best Wine Destinations of 2017 in Wine Enthusiast.

A Taste of Cafayate

Piattelli ‘Malbec Grand Reserve’

Available at Total Wine

I am also trying to get my hands on a bottle of Dos Minas wine from Cafayate. Help!

3. Arbois, France

Jura Mountains

_{Source: Visit French Wine Jura: The smallest wine region in France}

Alright, so I’ve been to Arbois before. It was the summer of 2016 and I had an instant love affair with Poulsard. It’s a red wine with striking dried meat, soft berry and very subtle tannins. I loved the savory complexities of this wine. Arbois is back on my wine list of destinations because the wines are down right outstanding from this mountainous region in Eastern France. It’s hillside villages and flourishing vegetation gives visitors a warm welcome, while the entire wine route through the mountains feels like a fairytale from start to finish.

The Jura is making a name for itself among wine lovers around the world. More information on the region, terroir and varietals can be found in this article from The Wine Society.

A Taste of Arbois

Les Matheny Arbois Poulsard – YES! Poulsard has my heart.

Available at Domaine LA on Melrose

Since I’ve been home more than ever before, I’ve been spending most of my fun money online. Redoing the dining room, buying too much wine on Drizly or showering my new puppy with enough bones to last him his entire life. As shopping has become almost predominately online, why not spend your money with a purpose? Believe it or not, it might actually be a good time to consider getting a travel credit card (depending on your current financial situation). I’ve been wanting to apply for a travel credit card for the last year or so because I will always spend the money, but might as well spend it while also receiving points and miles? I fly Delta and no foreign transactions fees are important to me, but some people have other priorities!

Interested in also applying for a travel credit card? Find out the Best Travel Credit Cards for 2020 by comparing sign up bonuses, annual fees and more in this article on Money. A great resource for financial information for the wanderers who also want to make sure they are saving smart and keeping good credit. Cheers to that!

How To Market Wine To Millennials: The Millennial Wine Competition

September 22, 2020 by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

The Millennial Wine Competition

The new generation of wine consumers pay little attention to what a wine scores out of 100. While I understand the importance and tradition of submitting wines to be tasted and scored based on quality – I don’t believe that those ratings carry as much weight as they used to when it comes to young wine drinkers.

The Millennial Competition is changing the way wine, beer and spirits are scored and tasted. By focusing on the millennial generation (approx. 1981-1996 according to the Pew Research Center), this competition gives industry professionals, influencers and celebrities the opportunity to score wines. Wines are submitted by producers and put into blind tasting flights based on varietal. It’s giving wine an entirely new rating system focused on the sensory experience of judges that represent a wide variety of consumers.

By forcing the generation of label-lovers to blind taste and rate wines on a Bronze, Silver or Gold scale – the founders Olivera and Amanda are gathering the most important information of all. Do people enjoy your wine?

As explained in more detail in this Market Watch Mag article, E. & J. Gallo Winery has been investing in the research behind how to successfully market to millennials. According to the article, the generation must be broken down into subsets based on consumer behaviors and beliefs. An attempt to market to all millennials is like trying to market to all Americans. Your marketing will be too broad to truly find your niche.

What the Millennial Wine Competition has succeeded in doing is separating millennials into different consumer subsets, which may overlap for some people, but include wine, beer and spirits. Each alcoholic beverage competition includes judges from a range of backgrounds that may include Sommeliers, Wine Bloggers, Actors, Models or wine nerds with a degree in Viticulture & Enology (me). This business model reaches a range of audiences that may not be the target for wine marketing, but are influenced by the recommendations and scores from the judges. Oli and Amanda have revolutionized the wine rating system and expanded the audience of wine consumers. It’s genius and it was a blast. I had an incredible time trying red wines for my flight virtually with the other judges, as we tasted Cabernets and Syrah/Shiraz from around the world.

How it works

Producers submit their wines to the competition to be judged among blind tasting flights of similar varietals and will receive a score by the hand selected judges. More details on the process can be found on their website here. The wines are scored on a Bronze, Silver and Gold scale individually by each judge and then all of the judges decide on a score that best reflects the group. The labels are hidden to prevent any bias based on if you like or dislike the branding.

Marketing to Millennials

The Wine Experience

Being a millennial, I have focused my career on developing strategic marketing and branding to target this new generation of wine consumers. This dynamic and curious group of wine drinkers wants to enjoy the wine experience. This is how wine bars have drawn in cult followings, because they developed a fine tuned brand and focused on a niche market (check out Melody, Los Angeles and Madalena’s, Perth).

For wine bars this translates into your wine list, the events you host, the producers you highlight on your social media and more. For wine brands and producers, this means communicating your story and what makes your wine special. Define what makes the experience so enjoyable when a consumer opens your bottle of wine. Chisel down your business and define your purpose. Then market the HELL out of it.

How To: Successfully Market Your Wine Brand on Social Media

Defining your target audience is the first step, or else all other tactics will be overlooked. You want to find the audience that every time they come across your posts, they feel that it was created for them specifically. Thoughtful communication is the key to developing brand loyalty.

Keep your branding consistent across all platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Website & of course your wine labels and tasting room marketing materials)

Focus on communicating the wine experience, how does opening your bottle of wine or sitting at your wine bar improve the drinking experience for the consumer?

Engage with your audience on all platforms, consistently

INVEST IN GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY! As a business, make it a top priority to put out high quality content and invest in a photographer if you need to. iPhone cameras are also pretty incredible nowadays

Check out the winners (with prices!) of the 2020 Millennial Wine Competition here.

Of course these marketing tactics can work on all generations, but there is an appreciation for authentic and thoughtful branding among the younger wine consumers. That generation may not be the right target audience for your brand, but understanding what kind of consumer defines your audience and targeting them specifically will create more brand loyalty in the long run.

Happy sipping!

This is just SBS! The beauty of the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend

February 1, 2020 by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It really is just complete BS that I have never heard or tried a Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend before I moved to Perth. The wine world NEEDS more of this balanced and bright wine with a touch of oak (no not you Chardonnay). These varietals seem to compliment each other so well, I can’t drink them by themselves anymore!

So where do they come from? What’s the SECRET?

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: Old World

Do you ever go to research something and find exactly what you were looking for? For example a timeline covering the complete history of the SBS blend from Wine Australia? Never usually happens to me, either. But here we are.

To go back further, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends originate from France (of course). According to Wine Searcher, both white varietals are predominant in the Graves district within the Bordeaux region of France. Both Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon can also be used in dry and sweet wines. Usually involving botrytis, these varietals can be used to make Sauternes – also from Bordeaux. Sauternes are sweet dessert wines usually with strong honey notes and a gold colour.

The Bordeaux Region

The Graves AOC is notable for red varietals and the blend of Sauvignon Blanc Semillon. The Bordeaux region has a temperate and Mediterranean climate, with maritime influence from it’s close proximity to the ocean. Sunlight during the day on the growing vines and cool nights to break up temperatures throughout the canopy make this region something very special.

The SBS blend is the modern twist on what used to be a classic white varietal blend from the region. Adapted to changes in the consumer palate and demand. White wine blends that are crisp, dry and fresh have become predominantly more popular among wine drinkers around the world.

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: New World

DO YOU KNOW WHO ELSE HAS THIS CLIMATE? The temperate and Mediterranean climate with ocean influence and ample sunshine? Margaret River, Western Australia. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends have erupted throughout the New World, gaining traction with unparalleled quality and popularity in Wine Paradise. The Australian sunshine ripens the grapes, yet ocean breezes in the afternoon cool the canopies down throughout the evening leaving natural acidity and powerful flavour accumulation.

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, separately, have been predominant white varietals in Australia throughout it’s winemaking history. According to Wine Australia, it was around 1831 that Semillon was introduced in the Hunter Valley and the early 1800s for Sauvignon Blanc. They also do not put the accent on Sémillon, which takes some getting used to. The Margaret River region was pioneered by Dr. Tom Cullity in 1967, after he studied the reports written from Harold Olmo, from the University of California Davis (!!!), describing the wine grape potential of the south-west region of Australia. Tom Cullity founded Vasse Felix (!!) and kickstarted the discovery of a region that has maintained a consistent climate year after year and is producing world renowned wines.

Described as “inherently complimentary” these two varieties can produce a blend of wine that takes the desirables from each varietal and creates the seamless fusion now nicknamed SBS (Wine Australia).

Sauvignon Blanc Semillon: The Blend

Sauvignon Blanc is a white varietal with bright flavours, green grass and subtle tropical fruit notes. Semillon is also a white varietal with typically light/medium body, delicate honey notes and citrus. Together? Usually involves oak maturation, producing a medium bodied wine with the perfect array of tropical fruit, citrus and good acidity. The SBS blend is predominately Sauvignon Blanc whereas another popular interpretation is the SSB, predominantly Semillon.

It really is one of my favourite blends. As I have only ever had it from Margaret River, I would highly suggest any SBS from this Wine Paradise. All dynamically different but involve innovative and unique winemaking processes.

What to try!

Vasse Felix 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon $26 AUD
Howard Park 2018 Miamup Sauvignon Blanc Semillon $28 AUD
Wise Wine 2019 Sea Urchin Sauvignon Blanc Semillon $20 AUD

But I also have not had an SBS that I don’t like. Explore this incredible blend and support this special region, happy sipping!

Welcome to Wine Paradise: Cellar Door Guide to Margaret River

December 8, 2019January 2, 2020 by Wander For Wine ♥ 3 Comments

My love letter to Margaret River. Not to be dramatic but I did move across the entire world because I fell in love with this region. Sometimes you see photos, read interviews and taste wines and you firmly believe that you belong in that place. That a region is so special that as a traveller and wine lover, if you don’t go, you’ll never reach your full potential. This was my obsession with Margs and can I just say, it was everything I wanted it to be. From the Boranup forest, with thousands of karri trees towering over you with elegance and poise or the most beautiful coastline in the world with pantone swatch blues that clash with the pure white sand beaches. The wine, the people and the best farm to table food (& SEAFOOD) I have ever had! The perfect destination to add to your bucket list.

This region is the Southwestern most point of the Australian continent. It’s a cape that on the Northern end meets the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean at the other end, providing drastically different climates and coastlines from North to South. Formed millions of years ago when India and Australia collided, the cape has ancient soils that provide a region with so much biodiversity and potential. Known as a biodiversity “hotspot,” aka a wonder of the world for people like me. If I were a grape, I’d grow here too!

Why ‘Wine Paradise’?

With some of the most pristine grape growing conditions, maritime climate and warm Australia sunshine, this region provides grapes with idyllic conditions to grow. The isolation of the region provides unique terroir that is only found in Margaret River. The wines are cool climate but ripen to perfection. The best grape varietals from the region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay. Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends.

Fun fact: This region has never had an outbreak of phylloxera

Here are my favorite cellar doors on the cape! Wake up in the morning, walk on the beach and be drinking a wild ferment Chardonnay by noon. Is this heaven?

Vasse Felix

Cowaramup, Margaret River

#1 in my heart and #1 on this list too, of course. The founding wine estate of Margaret River provides the ultimate wine experience in Cowaramup. The most beautiful cellar door that I’ve ever tasted in, with wines that keep up the elegance & style. A feast for any interior designer, this modern log cabin-esque cellar door feels like it belongs seamlessly among the grape vines and marri trees surrounding it. It quietly sits within landscape without interrupting the natural motion of the region. They are in the process of becoming Certified Organic, already implementing organic processes in the vineyard and winery. The wines are magnificent and give you a taste of the history of the region. It also just so happens that the best restaurant in the region is also here. The food is created and developed to complement the wines and not vice versa. The wines are what lead Head Chef Brendan Pratt to discover new locally sourced dishes. The best of the best and worth the entire 22 hour flight from the States.

Open daily, 10-5pm.

If you want to know more about my journey moving to Western Australia to work for Vasse Felix, find out more here!

Stormflower

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

From the wines to the cellar door, Stormflower executes minimalist and sustainable practices flawlessly. The woodwork in the cellar door is from a marri tree that fell down years ago. It’s homey and absolutely lovely. The Stormflower labels also happen to be my favorite in the region. They remind me of a fairytale. It’s a welcoming environment and the perfect place for a picnic. Right off Caves Road is this gorgeous oasis with easy drinking and Certified Organic wines. A must see!

Open daily, 11-5pm.

Marq Wines

Yallingup, Western Australia

A 10 minute drive from my favorite beaches in the world. Located under the trees and among the vines, the Marq Wines cellar door is inviting and one of the best in the region to grab a book, order a cheese platter and enjoy the serenity. I first had the ‘Wild Ferment’ (a wine that is not inoculated with yeast and is instead allowed to ferment using the wild yeast found on the grapes/in the winery) Chardonnay in Perth. Loved it so much I needed to meet it’s maker. With the most creative and eclectic wine list I have ever seen, Mark was there himself to talk me through the gorgeous wines on the list. I tried every single one of the varietals that I had never heard of before.

Vermentino (Sparkling and Still) – Native of Sardinia White Varietal

Fiano – Native to Southern Italy

Petit Manseng – Native to the Juracon in France

Yes, I bought a bottle of the Fiano and I am drinking it as I write this. It’s beautiful. It takes to the cool climate with such poise. It’s delicately floral with savory notes and balanced acidity.

Open Friday-Sunday, 10-5pm.

A website content shoot for Marq Wines new cellar door. — Source: Your Margaret River Region

Domaine Naturaliste

Wilyabrup, Margaret River

Nestled among the gorgeous vines of Wilyabrup, Domaine Naturaliste carries the name of one of the ships used by the French when mapping out the cape, called the Naturaliste. With a beautiful philosophy to winemaking and a gorgeous cellar door, this is one of the greats of the region. Winemaker, Bruce Dukes, aims to “leave the land in better health for the next generation.” Also – again with the labels! Get charcuterie and explore the history and future of winemaking in Margaret River.

Open daily, 10-5pm.

DN_Cellar_Door_Photo_copy1_1024x1024 — Source: Domaine Naturaliste

Blind Corner

Quindalup, Western Australia

Drive through the vines to find the most iconic sign in the Margaret River region, a skate ramp and the most lovely spot for a picnic in all of Western Oz! I first tasted the Blind Corner Sauvignon Blanc from Wise Child wine shop in Perth. Love the label and love the wine more! With a gorgeous array of wines that give you a sense of immense creativity and personality behind the wines. AND HELLO PET NAT!! I’ve missed you! This cellar door feels like Margaret River wrapped up like a present with a bow on top. It’s cozy. bright and the wines are worth staying awhile. I left with a bottle of the Orange *as in the colour* wine that is a white blend, fermented wild on the skins to get the color and tannins. Find yourself a skater boy and enjoy a chilled Beaujolais Nouveau, LOVE.

Open daily, 10-4pm.

& many many many more! Happy sipping and enjoy Paradise!

For the love of food & wine!

August 26, 2019January 2, 2020 by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Life may not be perfect, but your food and wine pairing CAN BE. There is this beautiful thing that happens when the wine you are drinking compliments your meal. There are the basic food pairings that are easy to navigate, but what about the more complex dishes? Here’s a list of some of my favorite unique food and wine pairings!

Indian Food

My favorite cuisine is Indian food, I love prawn Tikka Masala, Saag (or tofu!) Paneer and typically a coconut based chicken dish. I recently tried a green curry coconut chicken dish from an Agra Cafe Indian Cuisine in Los Feliz, California and it was spectacular. Pairing wine with Indian food is similar to other spice and herb based dishes so this pairing can be referenced for other dishes that ignite the senses in the same way.

Pairing:

White Wine

Joel Gott Pinot Gris

2017 Willamette Valley, Oregon

Source: Total Wine

Where to buy:

Total Wine $12.99

Albertsons

Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Pinot Gris

2017 Willamette Valley, Oregon

Where to buy:

Trader Joe’s $6.99

Artichokes

I don’t know about you, but I could enjoy a full globe artichoke and a side of shrimp cocktail any day of the week, sans the shrimp if you desire. The warm artichoke dipped in butter (or lemon mayonnaise) cooked Julia Childs style in boiling water with vinegar & olive oil. Artichokes, when they are in season, are one of my favorite vegetables. Getting to the heart of a perfectly cooked artichoke may be one of my top 10 favorite dinner moments. Next time you make an artichoke, try pairing it with these wines and watch your palette come to life!

Pairing:

White Wine

Louis Jadot Chardonnay

2017 Bourgogne, France

Source: Wine.com

Where to buy:

Gelsons Supermarket*

*Some Gelsons now have a WINE BAR in the store. At select locations, shoppers can have a glass of wine and a Gelsons employee will complete your shopping for you following your grocery list while you enjoy a perfectly chilled glass of Burgundy Chardonnay. YES, you read that correctly.

Wine.com $16.99

Rosé Wine

Chateau Miraval Rosé

2017 Cotes de Provence, France

Source: Total Wine

Where to buy:

Target $25.99

Total Wine $18.97

Ice Cream

More specifically, McConnell’s chocolate covered strawberries ice cream. TO DIE FOR. This food pairing can work for almost all ice cream choices, unless you get crazy, rainbow sherbet might be strange. BUT WHO KNOWS. This McConnell’s must-have can be found in their stand alone ice cream shops, local grocery stores (Gelsons is the only store I’ve looked in). But to paint the palette, try a chocolate or berry ice cream with this food pairing to have the perfect dessert.

“Trust me, you deserve the pint of ice cream” – Wine (and me)

Pairing:

Red Blend

Cooper and Thief Red Blend

California

Source: Total Wine

*Aged three months in Bourbon Whiskey Barrels!

Where to buy:

Total Wine $24.99

Whole Foods

Pinot Noir

Francis Ford Coppola Pinot Noir

2016 Diamond Collection Monterey County, CA

Source: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Where to buy:

Delivery in Los Angeles via the Saucey App $25.99 ($10 off your first order and FREE DELIVERY!!!)

Francis Ford Coppola Winery $21.00

Food pairings can be so fun to explore, what are some of your favorite pairings? Happy sipping!

Beauty and the Bottle

August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 by Wander For Wine ♥ 2 Comments

The beauty and the beast behind one of the most readily consumed alcoholic beverages in the world. A universal gift given to us by the earth that demands nothing of it’s consumer besides appreciation.

Why wine? What makes this timeless alcoholic drink so intriguing? Well, if you ask me, EVERYTHING about it makes it the most enthralling agricultural product that has ever been grown.

The Past

According to National Geographic, the first known winery was found in an Armenian Cave near the village of Arnei dating back about 6,100 years. Providing the first “complete archaeological picture of wine production” taken by the researchers at UCLA in 2007. Evidence dating back 7,000 years that links wine chemicals and archaeological proof have been discovered but not a winemaking facility.

The discovery includes what appears to be a grape press and fermentation vessel. Researchers found that the grapes were pressed by foot and the grape juice following pressing was drained into the vessel to undergo fermentation. Traces of ancient grape vines, skins and seeds were also found in the cave.

After testing the clay vessels, they were radiocarbon dated back to 4100 BC. These tests were positive for Malvidin, an anthocyanin pigment that is found in red wine color. This anthocyanin is determinate of the intensity of the red pigment of red wine as well as the potential for oxidation (browning of wine).

Patrick E. McGovern, ancient wine expert and bimolecular archaeologist at the University of Philadelphia Museum and author of Uncorking The Past: The Quest For Beer, Wine and Other Alcoholic Beverages describes the discovery of wine in ancient Georgia being the birthplace of present day Pinot Noir.

Grapes were domesticated thousands of years ago and the early years of its production remains a question researchers are still actively looking to answer. While centuries of human evolution have taken place, grape vines have maintained a steady place in society.

The Present

In an article written by The Week, analyzing data found by Impact Databank, the United States was the largest wine consuming nation in the year 2013. Wine has been continuously increasing in popularity and sales across the globe. But why?

The wine industry in the United States is changing and adapting to the new consumer. Natural wines, Pét Nat, Orange Wine, chilled Reds, etc. The exploration into the wine world is taking turns and igniting the long lost flame of many ancient winemaking practices to cater to the new wine drinker. Rare varietals are making waves across shelves and wine lists are becoming more creative. Tradition continues to be the infrastructure of the industry but new methods, organic and biodynamic practices and funky flavor profiles are sparking trends around the world.

In my OPINION, the most recent generation that has started working and earning money is becoming increasingly focused on the accessibility and affordability of “luxury goods.” There is a need for grandeur without the bank account to accompany it. Wine has and will continue growing in popularity because it has historically been exclusive to a certain demographic. But here comes an influx of producers, wine shops/bars and the ability to buy a fantastic bottle for cheap. The more diluted the industry, the more access there is for everyone to be welcome in it (producer and consumer side).

Don’t get me wrong. I think the desire for cheap wine is alive and thriving, but I think there will be a need to continue increasing the market share of ones wine knowledge, wine access and palette. There seems to be a patient manifestation within every wine drinker to expand their niche. The peaked interest will eventually send them into the world of fine wine. The industry has provided the affordable training wheels for a new consumer to be involved in the wine world and to continue exploring the industry as we know it now.

The Future

“Millennials are changing the wine industry” – Business Insider

While I may not know what the future holds, no crystal ball yet, I do think that the current generation will continue being the fuel for the fire. The industry needed a fresh perspective to show how strongly it could root into society.

According to Business Insider, Millennials consumed 42% of the wine consumed in the United States in 2015. 42%.

The future is looking bright for the wine industry and I am here for it. Wine has withstood time beyond the ages of any wine drinker in the market today, it was consumed throughout the timeline of human history. It knows the tales of development and speaks the ageless language of mother nature.

The experience of drinking wine has changed. Consumers are still buying the wine with the best label, but they are also drinking with more purpose. They are analyzing their likes and dislikes while slowly but surely developing a preference for the wine they consume.

Cheap wine, expensive wine, at a restaurant, on your couch, you are drinking history.

Happy sipping and I can’t wait to see where the industry takes us.

Napa? Never heard of her

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 by Wander For Wine ♥ 1 Comment

Have you ever heard of a place with endless vineyards, hot air balloons and tons of grapes that sell for some of the highest prices in California? Surely you have never heard of such a place!

NOT.

Napa oh, Napa. The crown jewel of California wine country. A little bit North of Napa is Calistoga, home of Chateau Montelena from Bottleshock, Chris Pine playing Bo Barrett is on my list of top 10 favorite casting decisions. Napa is the birthplace of California Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Think BIG, BOLD and OAKY. Napa, California has over 400 wineries and counting. But with so many choices, how do choose?! While I have not been to all 400 wineries (that would be concerning), I do have a few favorites and classics that are a must see! Taste a little, explore a little and eat a lot. Enjoy!

Ashes & Diamonds

If you follow me on Instagram you know about my love affair with Ashes & Diamonds. We are talking LOVE AFFAIR. With an art deco, Palm Springs-esque tasting room right off St Helena highway. Yellow doors, incredible natural light and an open air winery that you can walk through. They have homemade foccacia bread served with salted butter and a tasting menu that navigates you through the different varietals that they have at the winery. The A&D Cabernet Franc is my favorite. Cab Franc is a spicy, flirty and smooth parent varietal of Cabernet Sauvignon. Reserve a tasting and consider joining the wine club! They have incredible events that take place at the tasting room that you won’t want to miss.

P.S. I am a SUCKER for good glassware. A&D wine glasses have been some of the most impressive in Napa! Make sure to take a second and admire the little things!

Restoration Hardware – Wine Vault

Yountville, I love you. Yountville is quite possibly one of my favorite areas in the Napa Valley. With some of Northern California’s most impeccable culinary scenes, the tasting rooms step up to the plate. My favorite tasting room/wine bar in Napa is the Restoration Hardware Wine Vault. As an interior design and furniture company, RH has revolutionized “good taste” and developed a such a pristine vision on what beauty is. The wine vault that is in a historic ma(i)sonry building and right next door to the RH restaurant that embodies luxury and elegance. With a wine menu consisting of a variety of winemakers and vineyards around the area, this tasting room represents many different facets of the wine culture in the area. The variety allows for the wine taster to explore their palette. Make a reservation and ENJOY!

The Hess Collection Winery

Oh, an art museum AND tasting room? What more could you want. Housed in a modern and reconstructed barn, the Hess Collection wines are from elevated vineyards on Mount Vedeer in the Napa Valley. When founding the winery, Donald Hess curated his own art collection and showcases it to the visitors trying the historic and iconic California wines. Reserve your tasting and be sure to see all three floors of the collection. His eclectic art and traditional winemaking processes mark one of my favorite wineries in Northern California.

What are your favorite tasting rooms in Napa? Comment them below!

SPRITZ ME!

July 19, 2019July 19, 2019 by Wander For Wine ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

You know it’s summer when you see an Aperol Spritz being enjoyed by almost everyone in Los Angeles who is above the legal drinking age. They are FRESH, TANGY AND BUBBLY. A triple threat, if I do say so myself. But, what is Aperol and why does everyone love it?

a8f603fc9a24d521aa0573a4001a07b4 — Source: Aperol

Aperol

Aperol is an Italian aperitivo that was created in the early 1900’s. The Straight Up, a great resource for all cocktail details and background behind our sipping favs, describes the ingredients to be an “infusion of herbs and plants.” These include rhubarb, herbs and other natural ingredients. According to VinePair, the flavor of this bright orange and stunningly consistent maintains a bittersweet orange and herbal undertone. The alcohol content on Aperol is approximately 11%.

HEY LADY CAN I GET A SPRITZ HERE?

I know, I know. What we’ve all been waiting for. The SPRITZ! I imagine using jazz hands every time I say the word Spritz. Cue Napoleon Dynamite.

The Aperol Spritz is taking Happy Hour menus by storm and cooling down the residents of the current heatwave. An Aperol Spritz, most commonly served in Northeast Italy (before Los Angeles got its paws on it). Similar to Lillet, if you remember my favorite French apéritif:

Apéritif (or Aperitivo): An apéritif is an alcoholic drink typically consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite

Sounds like dessert before dinner, if you ask me. Yes please.

An Aperol Spritz is made with Aperol (I hope you aren’t surprised), Prosecco traditionally, a “dash” of soda water and a slice of orange for decoration (and a snack).

“WHAT MAKES APEROL SPRITZ, APEROL SPRITZ

The orange is unmistakable, a vibrant color which lights up your toasts and adds joy to the moment. Everything else is brought to the table by the inner lighthearted spirit of the Aperol Spritz: the spirit that makes people spontaneously come together and sparks nothing but good times. This spirit is also unstoppable: it’s hard to hold back from enjoying a toast with friends, one orange sip at a time.”

– Aperol

No truer words have ever been spoken.

Delicious, refreshing and absolutely GORGEOUS. You’ll be making all the other cocktails jealous! Cheers and HAPPY SPRITZING!

df7241ad583e8183740399b4ac32a848 — Source: Aperol

Understanding a Champagne Diet

March 17, 2019March 17, 2019 by Wander For Wine ♥ 1 Comment

It is assumed that I mean a Champagne diet PAIRED with food, good food. This is not the next keto, whole 30, paleo diet, the title is definitely a joke. Just in case that needed to be explained?

The Champagne diet is the glitz and glam of the wine world. I am going to help you understand what Champagne is, where it is made, a little history lesson, and some buying tips. I hope I am not the only person who instantly remembers Jay Gatsby holding up his, obviously vintage crystal, glass of champagne at his unbelievably incredible estate full of the 20’s elite. The Lana Del Rey montage throughout the entire Great Gatsby (2013) adaptation still gives me goosebumps. WHO KNEW we all needed to hear an entire film score of Young and Beautiful. Lana embodied the relentless hope and passion that Jay felt towards Daisy. A film we will be adding to Wine & Watch, let’s say with a bottle of Veuve? Yes, please.

Let’s set the scene. According to Le Comité Champagne, it was 496 AD in Champagne. In Northern region of France, Champagne was producing wines with the utmost elegance and prestige. The bubbles crafted from the Champagne region were from vineyards controlled and owned mostly by the monasteries of the area and following it’s creation, Champagne exploded like fireworks within the circles of French royalty. As wine is for the gods and goddesses, Champagne is the beverage of kings and queens.

“It became the practice to offer Champagne wines to any royal visitors to the region. Francis I, King of France, and Mary Queen of Scots both left Reims with several casks of the local wines. Louis XIV, was apparently presented with hundreds of pints of wine on the occasion of his coronation in Reims.” – From Vine to Wine, Comité Champagne

map-champagne-region-c-wikipedia — Source: WriteOpinions

The Appellation of Champagne permits the growth of only the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grape varietals. The terroir of the region is where the beauty comes from.

ter·roir

/terˈwär/

noun

the complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.

The terroir of the region is the sole contributor to the complexity and unique sensory that the Champagne winemaking process brings to life. The soil, climate and geography of each vineyard play their part in the Gatsby-esque production of these special bubbles. The winemaking process of Champagne is a natural primary fermentation, meaning there is no yeast added (in the beginning) to initiate primary fermentation. The yeast that is a resident to the grapes and the sugar filled grapes will produce the alcohol in the finished wine.

Le Méthode Champenoise or Traditionelle, is a process of a multi-fermentation process involving a secondary fermentation after bottling to create that results in carbon dioxide and “bubbles.” This secondary fermentation is encouraged using the addition of a tirage, sugar and yeast, to newly bottled wine.

The only wine that can be labeled Champagne, must be grown and produced in the Champagne region of France. All other wines with bubbles are region specific and can typically referred to as Sparkling wines. Italy’s sparkling wine is Prosecco. Spain’s sparkling wine is Cava. More posts to come about those!

If you want to learn more about Champagne, Le Comité Champagne is a spectacular resource, in English, to learn all your heart desires about this wonderful wine!

Now. Let’s talk shelf selection.

You are looking to buy a Champagne to “celebrate” or maybe it’s just a Sunday? Buying sparkling wine, or Cook’s “California Champagne,” can suffice if you are hoping to make your own bottomless mimosas. But I do recommend indulging in a classique French Champagne, personally I love Veuve Clicquot. It’s a median budget, decadent and wonderful choice. Also – follow their instagram, they have great branding. Maybe even taste Cooks and Veuve side by side? There is NO judgement for buying a bottle of wine, on my blog at least, but what I do recommend is understanding and appreciating the difference. NOW, go and pop some champagne. I hope it makes you feel young & beautiful.

What is your favorite Champagne? Any recommendations? Cheers!

Drinking Rosé in December

December 24, 2018December 24, 2018 by Wander For Wine ♥ 2 Comments

Oh, the holidays. Christmas Eve is tomorrow and I have in fact started in on a bottle of rosé. Sitting next to the Christmas tree with the fire ablaze, Seahawks game on mute with Micheal Bublé playing in the background while I am drinking pink. It’s dumping rain outside, welcome to winter in Washington. It may seem confusing, as the normal narrative is to drink rosé in the summer. But the heart wants what it wants! If you want rosé the night before Christmas eve, why not! I am here to give you my two rosé’s to drink THIS WINTER. A bold and chatty red wine will be your main course for the season, but at 4:00pm on Christmas Eve Eve, a rosé sounds quite nice! Wherever you are, put on your snow boots or flip flops depending on the current weather and grab a bottle of rosé for your next holiday party.

Go-To Winter Rosé:

Côte des Roses 2017, Gérard Bertrand

Gerard_Bertrand_Cote_Des_Roses — Source: White Horse Wine and Spirits

The best of the best! This is my favorite rosé. With a bottle with breathtaking detail, affordable price tag and enjoyable dry taste, it’s a must have. It’s fresh, light and upholds flavors of peach, lemon and honeysuckle. Some may call it collecting trash, or “hoarding” but I do save (and clean) the bottles. The beautiful rose detail on the bottom of the bottle does not belong in the trash can. I’ve wanted to make candles out of it for years, but yet no candle in sight and ten empty bottles in my closet. A thing of beauty, a drink of grace, a delicious drink for the holiday season. Pair it with peppermint bark or a red velvet cupcake and you’ve got a great pre-holiday party snack.

How’s it made? Well I thought you would never ask!

Cote des Roses is made in the Languedoc region of France. Famously known for the Pont de Gard. A famous roman aqueduct used to bring water to the French city of Nîmes. Still standing to this day and now a famous tourist destination. The famous grape varietals found in this region include but are not limited to; Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. This work of art from the winery and estate of Gérard Bertrand, as per the website, is grown in a semi-Mediterranean climate. The red varieties used in this rosé are Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Rosé is typically made from red grape varieties that have minimal skin contact before fermentation. Stay tuned for a post entirely on rosé!

Where to buy: Costco!! Buy in bulk and save. World Market. Easy to buy around the country and also available online.

The Vincent Rosé 2017, Board Track Racer, Mark Ryan Winery

Just perfect. A rosé Evel Knievel might even enjoy. My favorite tasting room in the Pacific Northwest. This will be a more difficult wine to acquire if you are not on the West Coast of the United States. But keep yours eyes out. Mark Ryan is changing the Washington Wine World and creating a comfortable and enjoyable wine drinking experience that you could see the Wild Hogs enjoying quite nicely. This Mark Ryan rosé, The Vincent, is a crisp, balanced and tart wine. While perfect for the summer time, it’s a bright and colorful rosé for the winter as well. I would love the take the label and make a t-shirt out of it. It’s a rad rosé and would be great with a garlic and lemon based pasta dish or cheese board. For the holiday season, pair this wine with a holiday meringue or cranberry sauce dish to bring out the berry flavors.

How’s it made?

This Mark Ryan wine is of the Columbia Valley Appellation. In the Southeast of the state of Washington, this is an ever growing wine region. The Columbia Valley grape varietals grown at the highest planting percentage are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Chardonnay. Being the largest winemaking region of Washington, it’s fairly popular to have wineries within the valley and also tasting rooms within the Greater Seattle Area. The Mark Ryan tasting room that I could rave about until the end of time, is in Woodinville, WA. A thirty minute drive outside of downtown Seattle.

washington-wine-country-map-excerpt — Source: Sacred Drop

The grape varietals used in The Vincent rosé are Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Again, all red grape varieties grown in the Columbia Valley. A delicious and festive drink for the holiday season (and every other season!).

Where to buy: While I just spent the last few paragraphs convincing you to buy this wine, it may not be available anymore. The best bet is to stop by the tasting room to inquire about a new vintage! Some online websites have this wine available as well. Worth the wait and a great introduction to Washington pink wines.

Happy holidays to all! Leave Santa a glass of YOUR favorite rosé to switch it up for him this year. What’s your favorite rosé?