Four Tuscan Wine Adventures: Travel to Tuscany
The most important articulation of wine in Montalcino is Brunello di Montalcino. In Montalpulciano it is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. To confuse them is a crime in some circles. The Wine Siren, Kelly Mitchell
VIADER: The Mother of Invention in Napa Valley
Diminutive and slight, its difficult to imagine Delia Viader taking on Napa Valley with her namesake, Viader Vineyards, in the early 80’s. But take it on she did. Dominated by testosterone & tradition, Napa Valley was a man’s realm. There were few women (if any) starting up a winery and doing their own farming and winemaking. Particularly young female upstart Vintners.
Krug Grande Cuvée Named Most Popular Sparkling
Krug Grande Cuvée Champagne whether by a bonfire at the beach or in the most elegant dining setting. Wine and Spirits Magazine just named Krug Grande Cuvée Brut the single most popular sparkling wine in restaurants across the United States. The Grande Cuvée was first made in 1844. Now in its 166th Edition, Krug swept the honors […]
A Journey Into Wine Education & The WSET
Wine Education and WSET This was the view from my glass at the Court of Master Sommelier Level 1 Class There are many ways to improve your knowledge of wine. From books to certified courses, even learning online, your options are extensive. It can be a daunting task to choose the right program for you. […]
Wine Production Takes A Global Hit
Global Wine Production is down, Consumption is UP. Damage done to vines in El Bierzo, Spain because of hail. Global wine production took a serious hit in 2017. I just wrapped my commentary on The Weather Channel. Our topic was about the historical drop in wine production. Literally down 8.6% globally as reported by the OIV […]
Hollywood and Wine: Frank Family Vineyards
Rich History and a Star in Win Sensing the history was a bit deeper than I knew of the winery located on Larkmead Lane I began a little digging. Frank Family Vineyards is the third oldest wineries in the Napa Valley region circa 1884. Larkmead Lane, in Calistoga, it has a prominent place in the […]
Crazy, Sexy, Pink from Italy: Chiaretto Rosé {VIDEO}
Rosé brought me to Italy. It was the beauty of the land, the romance of the region of Veneto and the people of Bardolino who made me want stay. This is how you pronounce Chiaretto Italian rosé is romancing wine enthusiasts with their contemporary approach to rosé, Chiaretto. This modern-day dry rosé uses the most […]
Sonoma’s Rugged Terroir Shines with Cornell Vineyards {VIDEO}
Just the 2nd release, the 2014 Cornell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is already a standout. Made up of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. It was aged for 19 months in 70% new French barrels. The wine itself has an intensity rarely found in a wine this young.
Best Wine Gifts You Can Get Without Santa
Best Wine Gifts from The WIne Siren There is no Santa Claus. And other lessons I learned about the winter holidays. It’s so much better to be an adult. Wine gift giving made easy. Do you remember when you found out there isn’t a Santa Claus? It’s a light bulb memory for me. I was drinking […]
Five Key Ingredients to a Great Wine Bar. The Winner is…
VIDEO Interview at Compline Wine Bar In the Heart of Downtown Napa: Compline Wine Bar & Restaurant https://www.youtube.com/embed/XJ4jnpPwJOw Walking into a wine bar, I often feel a bit of a thrill. It’s like treasure hunting. Occasionally blind-sided by bad taste, poor concept or even worse, uninspiring wine. You see a variety of different takes […]
El Bierzo, Spain. The Wine World’s Best Kept Secret
El Bierzo, Spain will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. But it is the wine, made from the grape Mencia, that will steal your heart. View from Las Médulas, wine tasting with certified Jamón Iberico professional carver Traveling to Spain is not on my short list, but I am always up for […]
Harvest: Kevin Morrisey on Wine & Ehlers Estate
Flirting with Autumn, this years harvest takes place on a cloud covered pre-dawn morning at Ehlers Estate. VIDEO INTERVIEW “Before this last heatwave, we had a completely different crop out there.” Kevin Morrisey, Winemaker & GM, Ehlers Estate Harvest at Ehlers Estate. Tuning in to my internal clock of fear and fright, I awake at 3 am. About […]
Introduction to Napa Valley’s Maayan Koschitzky {VIDEO}
As the head of winemaking at Atelier Phillipe Melka, Napa Valley’s Maayan Koschitzky knows how to make exceptional wine. {Video Interview} https://www.youtube.com/embed/bEQG7-PQsQA “My main focus here is Atelier Melka. What we do is make great wines and truly enjoy this valley.” Koschitzky works with private clients as well. That brand is Brilliant Mistake, which produces […]
2017 Napa Harvest Is Here For Mumm Napa: Video Interview
First Napa Harvest for Mumm Later Than 2016 The Napa harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year where I live. I’m perched above the Napa River, sitting on the second floor of my writing nook listening to the somewhat irritating popping of the bird cannon in the distance. The cannons have […]
Beaujolais Gamay: The Masters Weigh-In from Pebble Beach
When an event brings the right wine personalities together the room becomes electric. l to r, David Keck, June Rodil, D’Lynn Proctor & Anthony Giglio Such was the case with the panel at Pebble Beach Food and Wine this season, featuring a discussion on Gamay from Beaujolais France (where it thrives) a region located south […]
Five Rosés for Your Summer Fun!
Here’s to Your Rosé Summer. Whether you’re poolside, relaxing under the shade of a tree or on a beach in the Mediterranean there’s a Rosé sure to change your outlook on the heat. My first encounter of the Rosé Summer kind was a “non-Rosé”. In the 80’s White Zinfandel was in fashion and perfectly suited […]
Interview with Julien Miquel, of Social Vignerons.
Julien Miquel at Vitalie Taittinger Champagne House The wine industry is a smaller community than most might think. The more time I spend in it, the more I marvel at the interconnectedness of the niches, the communities, and the people. Some will turn you off like a desperate housewife, while others will show their integrity, […]
The Rhapsody of Provence Rosé
Provence Rosé is the very foundation of Rosé Chateau Gassier in Provence, France at the mase of Mount Sainte Victoire “We grow Rosé, we live Rosé, we think Rosé.” Chateau Gassier. I think to myself, they should add “We are Rosè.” The Provence Rosé of Chateau Gassier in France To taste French Rosé at home is […]
Pebble Beach, World Class Chefs and The Lexus Effect
Pebble Beach Food and Wine’s Featured Chefs: Stephanie Izard of Girl & The Goat with Carlo Mirarchi of Blanca NYC The interview, with Drew Barrymore and her winemaker, Kris Kato was more than enough to entice me. Sunday Grand Tasting Bites Coasting down Highway 101 south to Pebble Beach. The road is smooth. The curves, tight. I’m […]
Drew Barrymore on Winemaking and Rosé
Drew Barrymore. Girl next door. Producer. Actress. Now you can add Vintner. Drew Barrymore in the vineyards of Carmel Road. I’m in Monterey, California by request. An interview with Drew Barrymore. Yes, that Drew Barrymore. I accept this assignment with a rush of excitement, and butterflies. Oh, there was vetting. A list of potential questions. […]