Articles from educational trips, talks and sharing educational content
Are you ready to become the ultimate host or hostess with minimal effort?
I’ve got you covered!
Allow me to introduce you to the concept of a “house wine” – that reliable, go-to bottle you always have on hand for those unexpected moments when friends drop by or impromptu parties magically happen.
I believe that your house wine doesn’t need to be pretentious or expensive, but it should be something your friends are always excited to drink at your place. That’s where I come in! Let me help you find that perfect house wine that fits your taste and budget, ensuring you’re always prepared to raise a glass and create memorable moments.
And here’s a little secret to take your hosting game to the next level. Imagine effortless gatherings where the fridge is never empty. I’ve crafted the ultimate solution – an Instacart order for a fabulous spread that will make you feel like a host or hostess extraordinaire. It’s easy, repeatable, and with just a few taps on your cell, you’ll have an impressive spread ready to wow your guests.
This charcuterie board is the ideal pairing for Cabernet Sauvignons, complementing their rich flavors and making you look like a genius.
Let’s make entertaining a breeze and elevate your gatherings to a whole new level.
Strawberries (add more berries to dress up the tray)
Dried Cherries
Toasted Almonds
Chocolate Almond Bar
Black Pepper Water Crackers
Another Cracker Type
You have probably tried unsuccessfully to peel off a wine label – to keep it because it was beautiful or for more sentimental reasons. But it ripped, it tore, it was curling in on itself. Basically, it sucked.
Label Lifts: Your Label-Saving Superhero
Say goodbye to wrestling with stubborn labels that refuse to part ways with their bottles. Label Lifts will save the day! These clear laminate stickers need simply to be smoothed over the bottle’s label, and with a gentle lift, the label will be separated from the bottle effortlessly. While some suggest using a spoon, the back of a trusty wine key and a credit card also work wonders. If the label starts to resist, don’t force it. Fill the bottle with near-boiling water and let it sit until cool to loosen the grip of the stubborn glue.
Preserving Memories, One Label at a Time
Personal memories intertwined with wine labels make for a truly heartwarming collection. Picture this – opening your insurance file and being greeted by the label from that memorable bottle of Alter Ego shared with co-workers at Del Frisco’s after a demanding dinner shift. Or flipping through the contracts for your utility providers and spotting the Caymus label, reminding you of your first visit to Napa Valley. Pure bliss, isn’t it?
Wine Labels as Cherished Souvenirs
Wine labels hold more than just information about the wine; they encapsulate the essence of special moments. Ever thought of sending cards to dinner guests after an event, adorned with the wine label and a heartfelt note? It’s a beautiful way to cherish the memories created together. When I worked at Del Frisco’s, we had ‘Wine Books’ for special regulars – we removed the label off the bottle they ordered and added it to the book and brought it to the table. Some guests would make notes about the wine, but many turned it into a memory book – jotting down why they were together and drinking the bottle – often having everyone at the table sign the book. Talk about creating lasting memories!
What will you do with your label?
Personally, I love placing the labels on file folders. Pulling my insurance file out always makes me smile; it is emblazoned with the label from a bottle of Alter Ego I opened with my co-workers at Del Frisco’s after a particularly rough dinner shift. The file that holds the contracts for my utility providers has a Caymus label on the front from my first visit to Napa Valley.
You can create your own wine book at home. Any notebook will do, or you can order a custom label book from Amazon.
Celebrate and remember those special moments without having to rely on your phone and scroll through countless Vivino notes. Let the wine labels do the talking, bringing back the joy and nostalgia of each bottle shared with loved ones.
Let’s steer clear of those wine-wrecking mistakes that could turn your prized bottles into mere memories.
1. The Fridge-Top Fiasco
Ah, the infamous built-in wine rack over the refrigerator – a design choice that has sommeliers everywhere shaking their heads. Who thought it was a brilliant idea to store wine above a heat-spewing appliance? Not only does it create an oven-like environment, but it also robs the wine of its charm and flavor. The bottles are subjected to constant warmth – the only good thing happening here is that the corks are kept moist.
2. Vertical Catastrophe
Listen, we know you might be tempted to show off your wine collection like a fancy art installation, but stacking bottles vertically on top of the fridge is a big no-no. The fridge vibrates and produces heat – don’t showcase expensive wine gifts here- unless you are swearing off wine and trying to convert the bottle into red wine vinegar for your salads. Remember, your fridge can store wine inside, not ON top.
3. Sunscreen, Wine-style
Picture this: your wine bottles basking in the glorious rays of sunlight, feeling like they’re on vacation. But alas, this isn’t Cabo – it’s your kitchen window, and the heat from the sun is not a good match for your delicate vino. Spare your bottles the sunburn, think of them like babies.
4. Garage: Not a Wine Retreat
Sure, your garage might be a treasure trove of old memories and long-lost items, but it’s no place for your wine. Unless you’re throwing a wine party for your car, with the air conditioner on full blast, don’t subject your wine bottles to the extreme temperature swings and unfavorable conditions of the garage. Let’s not make our Merlot feel like a forgotten friend.
Temperature and Consistency: The Name of the Game
While perfection might be a lofty goal, your wine will thank you for aiming close to the sweet spot. Aim for a temperature range of 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Your countertop is okay, but please avoid parking your bottles next to appliances that are heat producing. Truly don’t freak out it’s not perfect- the bottom of your pantry- dark and cool- is better than the top of your fridge!
Corks: Keep ‘Em Moist, Not Dry
Think of your wine bottle’s cork like a thirsty traveler in the desert – it craves moisture to stay alive. Storing bottles on their sides in a pantry or a stylish wine rack keeps those corks happily moist, preventing any pesky oxygen from crashing the party.
The “Good” and the “Best” of Wine Storage
Storing wine like a pro doesn’t require a Ph.D. in oenology (wine making). If you’re just looking for a good time, keep your bottles on their sides in a pantry or a charming wine rack on your counter – simple yet effective. The best way to store your wine at home is a climate controlled unit- wine cellar or wine fridge. If you need a recommendation for either- just let me know!
Unraveling Wine Labeling in the United States
In the United States, wine bottle labels follow specific rules regarding the information they must provide. Three crucial aspects are covered: Varietal, Place, and Vintage, all of which can be easily remembered using the 75/85/95 Rule.
To list a varietal, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, on the label, the wine must contain a minimum of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The remaining 25% can be any other variety, and the winery is not obligated to disclose the specific blend. As a result, the wine could be a pure Cabernet Sauvignon or a blend of various grapes. Some wineries voluntarily share this information on their label or website, while others do not. It’s important to note that there is no difference in quality; it’s merely a marketing choice. However, wines can significantly vary depending on their blending partners.
For the “Place” designation, at least 85% of the grapes used in the wine must come from the specified region or American Viticultural Area (AVA). AVAs are legally designated wine regions within the United States. Sometimes, if a winery’s usual fruit source is affected by factors such as wildfires, they may have to purchase grapes from outside the region, leading to wines labeled with a broader designation like “California.” Some wineries opt for a wider AVA designation to allow flexibility in labeling, especially if their grape supplier changes.
To list the vintage on the bottle, 95% of the grapes must come from the named vintage. However, wineries can use up to 5% of a previous year’s harvest to enhance the wine they are producing, adding depth to the blend. It’s important to note that this practice is not always done. If a winery uses more than 5% of another vintage, the wine must be labeled MV, Multi-Vintage, or NV, Non-Vintage. This labeling practice ensures transparency and accuracy for consumers.
Dear Wine Enthusiasts,
Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the esteemed Academy du Rhone, a wine boot camp (minus the push-ups!) for sommeliers, organized by Inter-Rhone, an association of Rhone Valley wine producers. It was a day filled with delightful sips and fascinating insights as we explored sixteen wines from the 31 appellations, starting bright and early at 10 am. Throughout the day, I eagerly took over twenty-five pages of notes, soaking up all the knowledge the seminar had to offer. Armed with my newfound wisdom, I geared up for the afternoon exam, ready to put my learning to the test and emerged triumphantly as a Certified Rhone Specialist!
Now, you don’t have to enroll in a class, no test required! Allow me to share some of the fantastic insights I gained and introduce you to some truly exceptional wines from the Rhone Valley.
Firstly, did you know that the Rhone Valley is the second most exported wine region of France, even though it occupies just 9% of French vineyards? With an impressive 418 communes, 31 legally defined appellations, and 17 crus, there is an array of wines here to suit every palate. (Crus are appellations with the most prestige.)
No Seriously – Hidden Treasures Abound!
Despite being the number one market for Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the Rhone Valley remains largely underappreciated in the United States. However, there’s good news for wine enthusiasts looking to explore new and approachable options. The Rhone Valley offers 30 other regions crafting exceptional wines at easily attainable prices. While Chateauneuf-du-Pape deserves all the love, this lesser-explored territory presents a treasure trove of affordable and delightful wines just waiting to be discovered.
Fun Fact: 76% of the wines made in the Rhone Valley are red. Think of the grape varietals like the perfect seasoning, making your wine experience truly savory, like MSG. But the traditional way to shorten the ‘Rhone Ranger’ grapes is GSM.
Grenache – The Versatile Companion
Known as Garnacha in Spain, Grenache shines in the southern Rhone. Low in tannins and light in color, this grape thrives when blended with others to elevate the blend’s character. Prepare to savor delightful flavors of spiced red berries, herbs, baking spices, musk, dried red flowers, and sometimes even mushrooms.
Syrah – The Northern Star
In the Northern Rhone, Syrah takes the spotlight, often blended with small amounts of white grapes. Down south, it partners with Grenache to provide color and tannins to blends. Its captivating bouquet includes black fruit, violets, roses, herbs, olives, smoke, peppercorns, and sometimes even bacon. A fun tip: Sniff black pepper before your wine to recognize that smell better – it’s a trick that works like magic! I call it ‘comparative sniffing’ and it changed my world.
Mourvedre – The Bold and Intense One
Also known as Monastrell in other countries, Mourvedre is a dark-skinned variety that loves the heat. It adds depth with its rich color, alcohol, and tannins to blends. Get ready to savor the aromas of ripe blackberries with this enticing grape.
Syrah and Viognier – An Unexpected Union
Ever wondered why Syrah is often blended with Viognier, a white grape? Well, back in the day, the wine’s color was considered of utmost importance. Syrah faced a challenge as its color fades within about five years. An ingenious winemaker (whose name remains lost in history) discovered that a touch of Viognier would “fix” the color issue, resulting in the deeply colored Syrahs we adore today.
It’s Not Just Red Wine…
While only 11% of Rhone Valley wines are white, they are an absolute delight! Meet the primary grapes that shine in the whites:
Here’s an easy way to remember them – Mr. V likes the ladies, as the white grapes have a feminine touch. These wines are a wonderful alternative to Chardonnay, boasting notes of apple, pears, honey, and white flowers.
And wait, there’s more!
Tavel, the only wine region in France entirely dedicated to rosé, comes from the Rhone Valley. Move over Provence, because Tavel has been making wine longer and has nearly twenty legally authorized grapes, making it an adventure to explore. Choose from light, Provence-style rosés, or opt for the darker, more savory offerings. Personally, I lean towards the latter.
Now that your curiosity is piqued, and your thirst is stirred, let me share some hidden gems I discovered during my journey. Embrace the wines of the Rhone Valley and dazzle your friends with your newfound knowledge.
Are you ready to become the ultimate host or hostess with minimal effort?
I’ve got you covered!
Allow me to introduce you to the concept of a “house wine” – that reliable, go-to bottle you always have on hand for those unexpected moments when friends drop by or impromptu parties magically happen.
I believe that your house wine doesn’t need to be pretentious or expensive, but it should be something your friends are always excited to drink at your place. That’s where I come in! Let me help you find that perfect house wine that fits your taste and budget, ensuring you’re always prepared to raise a glass and create memorable moments.
And here’s a little secret to take your hosting game to the next level. Imagine effortless gatherings where the fridge is never empty. I’ve crafted the ultimate solution – an Instacart order for a fabulous spread that will make you feel like a host or hostess extraordinaire. It’s easy, repeatable, and with just a few taps on your cell, you’ll have an impressive spread ready to wow your guests.
a social gathering of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking and entertainment
Some parties are planned in advance, other times they just happen. Last minute parties are the ones that cement friendships and create memories that last a lifetime. They also tend to be the roughest on the host. The host must summon up sustenance, while wondering how clean the bathroom is. Having a wine pairing with takeout makes your event seem pulled together.
Fried Chicken & Champagne
You arrive at the restaurant with your group for brunch. When the overworked hostess tells you it will be two hours for a table you must scramble for a plan. So you offer up your house for brunch. Dividing and conquering you send one person off to pick up the best fried chicken in town to-go. Sending another to the grocery store to buy a few bottles champagne, you return home. A quick tidy of the living room and the bell rings. Voila- instant party.
Fried Chicken and Champagne are the best. The crispy, crunchy batter and the bright bubbles are perfection. You saved the day! Make it fancy by snagging two or three different brands of champagne and blind taste the group. See which one folks like best. You can even make this a pot-luck- everyone brings their favorite fried chicken and a bottle to share.
Pizza & Chianti
Your son invited his new best friend home from school and their parents are coming to pick him up. He is begging for a few more hours with his friend. You want to get to know the parents but, you haven’t been grocery shopping in a week… Delivery pizza is the answer.
I always keep a bottle of Chianti Riserva in the house. It makes pizza night seem less thrown together. It gives the impression that I planned to have pizza night. If you ask my empty fridge, it would tell you that I didn’t plan. Eating off paper plates in the backyard, with a glass of Sangiovese is casually elegant, not a planning failure. Chianti is the perfect pairing for pizza- but spend the extra $10 bucks and get the nice stuff. I promise you it is worth the money.
Take Out Chinese & Riesling
In college there were so many study sessions that turned into parties. Start with a group of friends, add food- once someone opens a bottle it is a party! An order of Spicy Orange Chicken and a glass of Ku Fu Girl Riesling made the nights into memories. Also the acid and hint of sweetness in the dry Riesling kept me from crying due to the spicy. This pairing tends to please even those who aren’t into wine. If you want to take it up a notch, buy a dry German Riesling that is a few years old.
No judgement here but the amount you purchase absolutely determines how the wine should be transported. Frankly if you are under four bottles I think you can slip it into your checked baggage without major issue. Wine Skins – are awesome, reusable and easy to use and reasonably priced. Keep in mind every bottle of wine weights about three pounds and that it adds up fast. Weight limits tend to be 50 pounds per bag- going over will result in a fine. If you are heading out on a domestic wine trip- carry a collapsible duffle in your check bag so you can check either check it with clothing as padding, or take out some things to carry on to keep your weight down. Due to some of the new crazy rules for carry on bags it may be less expensive or the same price to check multiple bags for your vino.
Once you go over six it tends to make more sense to with a Styrofoam mailer– the expense is present but they are extremely sturdy and tend to be reusable. They can be difficult to find at post offices unless you are in a tourist driven wine region. Amazon does have them for sale if you are looking for them domestically. It will be about a hundred dollars total (box, tax and shipping fees) to get your wine from vacation spot to home. You can also take a foam box as a checked item on your plane. If you do this often- there are bags made especially for the Styrofoam mailers. Personally I find them extremely expensive when you can simply tape the box closed and call it a day.
The wine is subject to TSA check as is all luggage. The airline will not take any responsibility for the wine breakage or leakage. Some airlines have limits of how much per customer domestically, so check with your airline so that you don’t get blind sided by airline regulations.
Always remember check to see if you need to bring wines home. I’m not telling you that the Chardonnay you are having in Sonoma isn’t worth brining home, but I am going to gently remind you that lots of wine are sold in your local market. You can always ask at the winery if they sell them in your state, some things are smaller production and are ‘winery only,’ these wines are what you should buy when you are there. Don’t be tempted by the discount offered to buy things you can get at home- the cost of shipping this wine home will negate that discount. Pleasedevelop a relationship with your local wine shop, most owners are delighted to order you whatever you desire so that you can purchase it at home. It is not a bother- these folks got into the industry because they enjoy wine- your excitement about a new favorite may lead to it being sold at your favorite shop. Know the details of the wine- take a picture of the label so you don’t forget any details- vintage or single vineyard can make a huge difference as your new shop owning friend orders it for you. Most wineries will also ship your wine home for you, if you are buying more than three bottles from one property I highly recommend this option- the prices tend to be very far and so simple! Also who doesn’t love having wine show up on their doorstep?
Where are you shipping it to? Please check your state laws for the legality of shipping wine. Don’t lie about what is in your package- lying to the Postal Service can get you into major trouble.
For International Travelers: Per TSA regulations, if you purchase liquor from a duty-free shop and it’s able to be screened (i.e., not in an opaque, metallic, or ceramic bottle) and is in a secure, tamper-evident bag (called an STEB), you can transport it in your carry-on. I haven’t yet (fingers crossed) had issues with wines not purchased at a duty free shop- but the sealed bag is important- it helps keep the liquid out of your things if the worst happens.
If you bring back more than one liter, customs regulations require you to pay duty tax based on the percent of alcohol (generally $1–2 per liter for wine). So if you and one other person are traveling you can generally get away with three standard size bottles without issue. Because you are sitting at 2 ¼ liters you technically have nothing to declare because you are under the limits. Don’t lie to customs agents if you have more. Sometimes they won’t even make you pay the tax if you are polite and the wine is for personal use. Always be nice to these folks- they can simplify your life so much!
Blind tasting is a major part of many wine certification tests as well as a fantastic way to learn about wines. Leading up to test day you have crammed theory, quaffed dozens of wines and stressed yourself out to the extreme. You have gotten a good night’s sleep (for the love of Dionysus- take the night before off work so you aren’t up till 3am) and eaten breakfast. Now what?
Neutral White Wine Gargle
Especially useful if you are doing a tasting test later in the day and have eaten/had coffee/brushed your teeth. Basically: if you have tried to have a normal day and all of a sudden realize you need to taste professionally you can do a wine gargle to clean up your palette.
Don’t use toothpaste when brushing your teeth
Minty fresh feel doesn’t really help your tasting ability. I can’t think of any wines that taste like peppermint
Bring Your Own Water
We have all had water that just tastes… odd. High mineral levels, chlorine, whatever. I sat down in Boston for a tasting, poured a big glass of water and almost spit it out at the last class I attended. It just tasted weird. Now I just buy a bottle of water from the store down the street. I have a friend who takes it to an extreme. She checks her bag with a full water bottle of Seattle tap water. Don’t let something so basic mess you over
Sip on Something High Acid Before
Personally I do this every time. First thing in the morning I have a really hard time determining acid level. Everything feels high acid because I haven’t had any wine yet. So I fix it by giving myself something with zinging acidity before going in to test. It sets my palette’s acid-meter for the day.
Skip the Coffee
Coffee with all of it’s beautiful caffeinated glory is also full of tannins. Or if it is my coffee full of milk and sweeteners that do coat the tongue throwing my palette off in the extreme. Coffee will jack with your palette. But if your brain simply will not operate with out coffee follow it with lots of water to clean out your mouth.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking dulls your taste buds. It is also bad for you. We won’t have that conversation here but if you don’t smoke, the day before your test is a terrible time to start. Your palate will hate you. If you do smoke, not smoking if you can manage it will sharpen your senses.
Mid Test and Your Sniffer stopped working!
It happens. Deep breaths and don’t panic. Sniff your skin – your own body smells neutral to your nose- it can be a really good reset.
Take a deep breath. You are a cork dork and you can do this! Good Luck.
