Spend Valentines Day with wine...of course!

As Valentines Day approaches you may be thinking of something special for your sweetie. I know some people think V-day is a “Hallmark” holiday and maybe a little played out but I think it’s just another reason to celebrate with… wine of course. One of my favorite things is a wine pairing dinner. We’ve talked a lot about these dinners before so you might be familiar. I think a wine pairing dinner would be a perfect setting for a V-day experience. If you haven’t experienced one, you’re in for a four or five course meal paired with a complimentary wine. The Chef or Sommelier will thoughtfully prepare the wine to each entrée that will help enhance the flavors in the dish and in the wine. It’s a wonderful way to experience several dishes to see how the wine can compliment the food and how each can bring out certain flavors, aromas and textures in the other.

Turkey Pairings

It’s here, the biggest feasting day of the year…Thanksgiving. It’s definitely one of our favorite holidays. Our family truly knows how to celebrate with multiple turkeys, lots of appetizers, an array of sides and scrumptious desserts…and of course lots of wine. Usually around this time of year many of my clients ask me “What wine pairs with turkey?” So here my thoughts on turkeys and wine for this holiday.


My motto with any party is always; start with a Sparkling or Rose. It’s festive; it quenches the pallet, entices your taste buds and it’s a fun way to start off any gathering.

Dascomb Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

*What is it? ~ “Forehead”
Winery: Dascomb Cellars
Vintage: 2003
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Country: U.S.A.
Region: Central Coast, California

*Sight or Appearance ~ “Eyes”
Brightness: Bright
Intensity: Med (+)
Color: Ruby
Rim Variation: White Rim, slight haze to rim in 2nd level, it is 7 years old.
Viscosity: Medium (+)

Sa-Ra-Da wine review

Let's take a trip south east Spain to check out the Sa-Ra-Da...Here's our Decant review and tasting notes.

*What is it? ~ “Forehead”
Winery: AGRICOLA AGUAZA
Vintage: 2008
Label: Sa-Ra-Da
Varietal: 60% Garnacha Tintorera, 30% Monstrell, 10% Petit Verdot
Country: Spain
Region: D.O. Almansa (South East Spain)

*Sight or Appearance ~ “Eyes”
Brightness: Bright,
Intensity: Med Plus
Color: Ruby with shades of Purple (Caused by the Petit Verdot)
Rim Variation: White Rim, with a Purple Haze leading to a dark middle
Viscosity: Medium

The perfect holiday wine???

As Christmas Day approaches and you prepare for your dinner or party, you might be asked to bring the wine…and you might wonder…what should I bring? You stumble through the aisles searching for that perfect bottle. To add to your dilemma, there might be ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry, stuffing, green beans, salad, rolls, macaroni and cheese, desserts, etc. etc, etc right? At most holiday gatherings, there is a plethora of food. A spread as wide as the eye can see so not only do you have to find a good wine; you have to find something that pairs nicely with most things.

Great gifts for your vino lover

We googled, you tubed, binged and yahoo’d to search for the best, unique and practical gift ideas for the wine lover in your life. Many of these items we use in our business or at home. The bottom line is, there are lots of great gifts out there for wine lovers…we just focused on ten. Happy wine shopping.

Wine Review: Monte Valonga 2008 Tempranillo

Based on my "Think while you drink" tasting class, let's review a Monte Valonga 2008 Tempranillo...

*What is it? ~ “Forehead”

Winery: Monte Valonga
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Tempranillo
Country: Spain
Region: Valle del Cinca

*Sight or Appearance ~ “Eyes”
Brightness: Bright
Intensity: Medium
Color: Ruby
Rim Variation: Yes
Viscosity: Medium