Landon Winery – Award Winning Texas Wines
“Conserve Texas Water – Drink Texas Wine” – patchwordgarden.blogspot.com Texas wineries and vineyards have grown since the site of the first vineyards established by Franciscan priests in 1662. With numbers ranging from 350 – 400 wineries, Texas is now the fifth...
Villa Maria – Sauvignon Blanc from the New World
“There had never before been a wine that crackled and spat its flavours at you from the glass..” Oz Clarke The 2016 Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc from Villa Maria vineyards is a strong best buy offering reminding me of more expensive versions from the Sancerre region of...
Bottega Louie – Mixology renaissance in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles
“A mixologist serves drinks, a bartender serves people–many of my favorite bartenders can’t make a good drink, while some of the best mixologists in America can’t carry on a conversation.”- Jim Meehan Traveling feeds my soul and on every trip I try to either find...
New Zealand Chardonnay – Villa Maria Vineyards and Winery
My second wine in the Villa Maria tasting series is a Chardonnay from the Marlborough region of New Zealand – the 2015 Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay (www.villamaria.co.nz). New Zealand has two islands that cover 1000 miles and 11 wine regions. The...
Rosé in the Nation’s Capital
Washington D.C. is known for having some of the best food and mixology professionals in the country. They congregate here in the nation’s capital to take advantage of the beauty of diversity, late nights, parties and people clamoring to enjoy life and networking....
Villa Maria Winery – Virtual Tasting
“There is only one word for New Zealand – epic” – Bear Grylls New Zealand is most often associated with Sauvignon Blanc wines. Take a step into the present and future to experience a new world of New Zealand varietals. If you aren’t traveling there soon, join me in...
Barrel Oak Winery – a taste of Virginia with a salute to our canine friends
“We could in the United States make as great a variety of wines as are made in Europe, not exactly of the same kinds, but doubtless as good. (1808)” – Thomas Jefferson Wines are produced in 221 different American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) across the United States....
North Carolina food and wines – a fun Southern pairing!
Greensboro, NC is a city rich in historical events in American history that have changed and shaped us as a country. I had the opportunity to visit the city recently and found a city rich in culture, history and with people who are anxious to let visitors know that...
Irish Meade – honey wine, a gift from the Gods
“At last Gandalf pushed away his plate and jug – he had eaten two whole loaves (with masses of butter and honey and clotted cream) and drunk at least a quart of mead – and he took out his pipe.” – John Keats One of the joys in life is celebrating weddings. I had the...
Summer and the Rosé is Fine
“Eat, Slay, Rosé, Repeat” – RoseSeason Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. You will notice that rosé wines start crowding the shelves at your local wine store. Rosé’s slight fruit tastes as well as light crispness make it a great wine to enjoy during the...