A great trip stays with you long after you've returned. Several months ago, I had a soul satisfying adventure in Provence and memories from that journey still provide moments of joy when I'm feeling stressed by my daily Manhattan grind. Two places that make frequent appearances in my rosé tinted daydreams are Château La Coste and Le Château des Demoiselles. (So many châteaux, so little time!) One is contemporary, the other is classic but both of these beautiful locations are quintessentially Provence. And you'll never go thirsty, rosè and other local wines flow in abundance at both! Provence has no... Continue reading

"Building texture is what elevates good wine to a great wine." Jesse Katz, Founder & Winemaker, Aperture Cellars A conversation with Jesse Katz could easily make you feel like an underachiever but he's so humble and charming that you feel inspired instead of diminished. Jesse has achieved major success very early in his career -- the first winemaker included on the Forbes "30 Under 30" list, recognized by Wine Enthusiast as a "40 Under 40 Tastemaker", and the recognition of his Aperture Cellars as a "Rising Star" by Wine Spectator are just a few of this 35 year-old's impressive accomplishments.... Continue reading

Has Tuscany been keeping a secret from us? One of Italy's most visited and beloved regions, Tuscany has been so generous in sharing their iconic red wines, like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino, with the world. But have they been keeping the charming white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG for themselves? image courtesy of Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine consortium I'm happy to report that on my recent visit to San Gimignano that I met many producers who were eager to share their wines and implored me to spread the word. Located between Siena and Florence, San Gimignano... Continue reading

Meet 2GV (Second Generation Vintners)! Alison Sokol Blosser, Adam Campbell, Luisa Ponzi, Maria Ponzi, Anna Campbell, and Alex Sokol Blosser. No 2GV isn't a hot new pop band, it's the acronym for Second Generation Vintners -- an exciting collaboration between three of Oregon's most respected wineries. Known as the Oregon Originals, Elk Cove Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, and Sokol Blosser Winery were all started in the Willamette Valley in the 1970's with a desire to produce world-class Pinot Noir. By all accounts they have succeeded. Not only has each winery garnered acclaim for their wines but they have also played a... Continue reading

When your family has been making wine for 700 years, no one would fault you for sticking to the tried and true wines that have earned you endless accolades. But that's not the Frescobaldi way. True icons of Tuscan culture, the Frescobaldi family has an exemplary commitment to crafting wines that are authentic expressions of the terroir of their seven estates. There's no shortage of beautiful Italian wines but even the most jaded drinker gets a bit giddy when they see the name Frescobaldi on the bottle. "Great wine is about the site. That is the step from where you... Continue reading

In a world where few places live up to the hype, Provence elegantly exceeds it. From the breathtaking natural beauty of lavender fields in the Luberon to the glitzy yacht culture of St. Tropez, there really isn't one Provence. A captivating tapestry of diverse landscapes, moods, and people; wine is the perfect vehicle for discovering Provence's many charms. image courtesy of Wines of Provence It would not be exaggerating to deem Provence the rosé capital of the world. It is the only region to dedicate 90% of their wine production to rosé. The United States is second only to France... Continue reading

I’ve never ever called a Pinot Grigio sexy until now! Peter Zemmer “Giatl” Pinot Grigio Riserva DOC 2016 ($38) will make you reconsider everything you think you know about Italy’s most famous white wine. Alto Adige, located in the northeast of Italy on the border of Austria and Switzerland, is truly one of Italy’s finest regions for Pinot Grigio; the Alpine climate and terroir produce superb grapes. But even in a land renowned for excellent white wines, Zemmer's Giatl ups the ante. Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio Riserva “Giatl” vineyard in Alto Adige. Giatl means “little property” or “little vineyard” in... Continue reading

"Science and sensitivity, great wine is always a balance between the two. Technology is not against tradition." - Benoît Gouez, Cellar Master, Moët & Chandon Someone recently asked me what I enjoy most about wine writing. Aside from the obvious delights of drinking wonderful wines and traveling to vineyards near and far, the greatest joy continues to be the people that wine brings into my life. Some of my richest new friendships have been formed over a shared passion for wine. Wine has a way of breaking down barriers and slowing down time that fosters a connection. Share a bottle... Continue reading

Los Vascos Carmenere Grande Reserve 2016 ($21.95) is complex and sultry with rich flavors of cherry, ripe berries, and plum with hints of black pepper, bell pepper, dark chocolate, and black olive. "Carmenere is not a wine, it's an adventure," said Claudio Naranjo, managing director of Los Vascos in Chile. Like the long-suffering yet indomitable heroine of a telenovela, Carmenere experienced a dramatic case of mistaken identity. Originally a Bordeaux variety, Carmenere came to Chile in the mid-1800's and was accidentally classified as Merlot. But the grape's true identity was discovered in 1994 by a grape classification expert from France... Continue reading

A beautiful bottle of wine is the perfect way to express your feelings for someone special. Whether you're having a romantic dinner or catching up with your circle of friends, add some magic to the moment with a special wine. Sipping la vie en rose is elegantly easy with superb Champagne Palmer & Co. Rosé Reserve ($80). A beautifully balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier; this unique bubbly has a special touch of magic -- an infusion of Pinot Noir from a forty-year-old solera from Les Riceys. The Pinot Noir from the solera enhances this vibrant wine... Continue reading

Brothers, business partners, and the nicest bad boys you'll ever meet, Alessandro and Riccardo Pasqua. Brothers Alessandro and Riccardo Pasqua are rebels with an admirable cause: save a historic family winery that was floundering. Disruptive in the best sense of the word, when they took charge of Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine in 2014, they knew that defying convention would be the secret to their success. And they were right. Under their leadership, Pasqua has been garnering attention and accolades for their innovative and high-quality wines. In 1925, the first generation of Pasqua brothers ventured from their homeland of Apulia in... Continue reading

"Wine needs time and patience. That's not something in my DNA." - Paola Lanzavecchia Patience may not come naturally for 4th generation winemaker Paola Lanzavecchia but she is certainly a woman of passion and persistence. The patience will come, as it must for all winemakers. Paola accepts that "the land gives the rhythm" and sets the pace for winemaking. The soaring hills of Serralunga d'Alba in Piemonte, in the north of Italy, provide the gentle yet busy rhythm to Paola's life at Villadoria winery. Founded in 1959 by her grandfather Pietro, Villadoria is located in the heart of Barolo. The... Continue reading

image courtesy of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance I was determined to write my wine story about Paso Robles without mentioning their famous neighbor to the north, Napa Valley. As you can see, I failed in the first sentence. When talking about California wines, it's almost impossible, and perhaps unforgivable, not to recognize Napa's contributions to elevating the quality and reputation of American wines around the world. The story of modern-day California winemaking may indeed start with Napa, but Paso Robles is not only adding some exciting new chapters, it stands on its own as a world-class wine region. The... Continue reading

"We're not taking over a fancy name, or a fancy brand, or a fancy vineyard; we're taking over a terroir." - Philippe Guigal, third generation winemaker, E. Guigal Always charming and gracious, I recently discovered that winemaker Philippe Guigal is also very skilled at keeping a big secret! In spring 2018, we had a laughter-filled tasting of his family's famous & fabulous E. Guigal wines from the Rhône Valley in the south of France. A few months later, I was invited to meet with Philippe again because he had some major news to share -- in July 2017, almost a... Continue reading

"We make wine where the wine in the glass speaks about the terroir where it grows." Federico Cerelli, Chief Winemaker, Cavaliere d'Oro Imagine a grown-up fairy tale where a dashing knight clad in a golden suit of armor, gallops up to you on a glorious steed and whisks you away to a medieval Tuscan castle where each glass of wine is more wonderful than the last. Sounds like heaven! Well, my daydream essentially came true on a recent visit to Castello di Gabbiano for a celebration of their new collection of Cavaliere d'Oro wines. No, I did not get swept... Continue reading

Moscato d' Asti with a view of the Ceretto estate in Piedmont, Italy. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but Italian producers of authentic Moscato d'Asti aren't so amused by bottles of fake wine from Russia that brazenly bear their name. Shameless counterfeiters may slap the name Moscato d'Asti on a bottle but the true essence of this Piedmontese wine is inimitable. Moscato d'Asti is more than just a delicious sweet & fizzy wine, it represents a rich tradition of winemaking and a cultural legacy. "It is time to talk about Moscato d'Asti as a serious wine,... Continue reading

Even in Manhattan, where people pretend not to notice anything, with his impressive stature and perfectly tailored suit, Tancredi Biondi-Santi draws attention when he enters the room. Of course, people were also staring because it was only ten in the morning and our breakfast table was covered with bottles of wine! But not just any wine, Brunello di Montalcino. And not just any Brunello di Montalcino, but the legendary wines of Biondi-Santi. It isn't an exaggeration to say that without Tancredi's ancestors, Brunello di Montalcino might not exist. Clemente Santi is considered the founding father of Brunello di Montalcino and... Continue reading

I love the surprised look that my friends get when I rattle off Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Honestly, I'm not just showing off my hard-earned and still far from perfect pronunciation; I really want people to know that there's more to Prosecco than the cheap and pleasant sparkling wine that is ubiquitous at boozy brunches. While many producers have taken advantage of Prosecco's popularity to flood the market with inferior wines, Prosecco Superiore is in a class all by itself. What makes Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG so special? Some of the clues are in the name. These sparkling... Continue reading

With their striking labels and unconventional wines, The Prisoner Wine Company has always prided itself on being different. Now they finally have a tasting room experience that matches their provocative spirit. Located on Napa Valley's Highway 29, The Prisoner Wine Company recently debuted their new Tasting Lounge and Makery. The ambitious project was a collaboration between San Francisco architect Matt Hollis and Richard Von Saal, interior designer and Napa Valley native. Drawing inspiration from The Prisoner's bold personality and the Francisco Goya painting that graces their often-photographed label, the exterior and interior spaces are a vivid tapestry of textures, colors,... Continue reading

Martini & Rossi dynamic duo Giuseppe “Beppe” Musso (Master Blender) and Ivano Tonutti (Master Herbalist). How fitting that my tasting appointment with the Martini & Rossi dynamic duo of Beppe Musso (Master Blender) and Ivano Tonutti (Master Herbalist) happened at The Aviary NYC, a veritable cocktail nirvana perched 35 floors above the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. These two charming gentleman showed me that there are truly no limits to the delicious drinks that can be created with Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Vermouth and Bitter Liqueur. Martini & Rossi vermouth and bitter liqueur are the important foundation to many... Continue reading

I had been warned that this would be no ordinary winemaker lunch but nothing could have prepared me for the force of nature that is Michel Chapoutier. Gregarious and unfiltered, this icon from the Rhône Valley shatters any image that you may have of a prim and reserved French winemaker. Michel lives life with gusto and if you choose not to go along for the ride, that's your loss! "A winemaker has to be obsessed by food," said Michel as we tucked into a superb lunch at Troquet, a charming and cozy French restaurant in NYC's Soho neighborhood. To reinforce... Continue reading

An eye-catching label is no guarantee that the wine within will captivate you but what joy when a bottle is beautiful inside and out! The best wines tell a story and the look of the physical bottle often conveys the winemaker's style and inspiration. I recently tasted two wonderful wines from California whose exterior and interior artistry were perfectly in sync. Meet My Favorite Neighbor and Faust! My Favorite Neighbor 2016 ($80) Paso Robles, California The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of family, friends, and community. Great neighbors make an impact on our lives,... Continue reading

"Our future is in our past. Our treasures are the things we have from the past." Victor Urrutia Ybarra, CEO of CVNE Wines from Rioja are hotter than ever but don't dare call Spain's most famous wine region an overnight sensation. Way back in 1102 King Sancho of Navarra was so impressed by Rioja wines that he recognized them legally. The world has changed dramatically since the 12th century but tradition still matters in Rioja and respecting the legacy of the past is certainly at the heart of CVNE's winemaking philosophy. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Victor... Continue reading

image courtesy of Bodegas Salentein Don't let José "Pepe" Galante's quiet demeanor fool you - he's a genuine winemaking rock star. Widely celebrated as the father of modern winemaking in his native Argentina, Pepe has more than 40 vintages to his credit and shows no signs of slowing down. His illustrious career includes an impressive 30-year tenure as Catena Zapata's chief winemaker but since 2010 Pepe has worked in this capacity at Bodegas Salentein in the Uco Valley region of Mendoza. Today, the Uco Valley is a widely respected wine appellation but that wasn't the case in the late 1990's... Continue reading

In the rarefied world of champagne, Régis Camus garners genuine admiration and awe. Honored an astounding 8 times as Sparkling Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine Challenge, Régis joined Piper-Heidsieck in 1994 and ascended to the prestigious position of cellar master in 2002. Many were stunned when Régis announced his retirement from Piper-Heidsieck in 2018 but don't count him out; he's embarked on an exciting new chapter as cellar master for the House's exclusive line of Rare Champagne. Produced only in the most exceptional vintages, only nine vintages of Rare have been created in the last four decades.... Continue reading