I was first introduced to Chasselas when we were living in Burgundy years ago. The director of winemaking at the domaine where my husband worked would host the team for dinners every so often. He had a truly fabulous wine collection and he would generously share special bottles from his cellar with us. Well, one such bottle was the standout Les Vignes de Paradis Terroir du Limon Chasselas and I was immediately hooked.  Discovering Chasselas Chasselas hails from Switzerland. Though it also grows in France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, New Zealand, Croatia, and Chile. Total vineyard ..read more

With autumn well underway, we are amidst one of the best seasons of the year – soup season is here! If I could, I would eat soup every day of the year. But soup just hits differently during the cool autumn season. Wine country is looking absolutely gorgeous these days as vineyards throughout Napa Valley prepare to go dormant, transforming into an array of yellows, oranges and reds. There’s a cool breeze in the air and it has even rained a couple times already. These are the perfect conditions for curling up to a heartwarming bowl of soup ideally paired with a delectable glass of wine to match ..read more

Chardonnay is one of the most prominent grapes grown around the world. People both love and love to hate this noble variety. According to OIV, the International Organization of Vine and Wine, Chardonnay is the world’s fifth most planted grape. This is due in large part to the grape’s adaptability. Chardonnay successfully grows in a wide range of climates and soils, resulting in a variety of styles from which to choose. So, in honor of Chardonnay Day, celebrated annually on May 26th, let’s explore the top Old and New World wine regions recognized for high quality Chardonnay. Read on to learn ho ..read more

Wine Masters TV is a cinematically stunning wine documentary series made for true wine lovers. The web series takes you behind the scenes of the best wineries in the world. So far, the series has explored famous wine regions of France and Italy. A season on Spain will be released next. Every episode goes inside the cellars and vineyards of leading wine families in each respective country. The series offers the invaluable opportunity to learn the decisions, philosophies, and methodologies behind the biggest names in wine. Additionally, Masters of Wine and influential wine critics narrate each s ..read more

Although I lived in Burgundy for just over a year, I somehow managed to never make it to Beaujolais. If I believed in regrets, this might be one of mine. However, now I have an excuse to return to this renowned French wine region. As if I needed one. Nonetheless, Beaujolais is a fantastic wine region boasting accessible and often easy drinking red wines made from Gamay. I drank quite a few bottles while in France and those from Moulin-à-Vent stood above the rest. The region has never been my go-to, but I find myself thoroughly enjoying most Beaujolais I’ve tried over the years. They frequently ..read more

New year, new wine destinations! Treat yourself in 2022 and start exploring the fine wine regions of the world. I’m sure you’ve heard about Piedmont or Champagne, but how much do you know about these European wine regions? The good news is you don’t have to be a wine expert to enjoy a trip to wine country. However, understanding some essential information will help ensure you make the most of  your wine travels. More importantly, this knowledge will help you enjoy your Italian or French fine wine even more. That’s what this guide is here for.  The easiest way to visit these regions i ..read more

Whether you’re a wine novice or well on your way to becoming a connoisseur, you’re bound to be enamored with Burgundy at some point on your wine journey. Home to some of the world’s most sought-after wines, Burgundy sets the gold standard for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The region’s first vineyard was planted in Meursault in the first century A.D. Notably, for a thousand-year period from the eighth century until the French Revolution, Benedictine and Cistercian monks became the largest landowners in Burgundy. With their methodical nature, these monks cultivated the vineyards of the region plot ..read more

When summer arrives and temperatures climb, many wine lovers tend to reach for white, sparkling, and rosé wines. Yes, these are often fresher and easier drinking with minimal tannins and brighter acidity. Just what you need to quench your thirst while baking under the summer sun. Yet just because it’s warmer outside doesn’t mean it’s time to lock your reds away in the wine fridge until the the fall. In fact, many of the best red wines for summer are just as delicious served chilled.   Typical Red Wine Serving Temperature First, let’s cover a quick refresher on the ideal serving temperatur ..read more

When it comes to wine tasting, deciphering the numerous aromas in wine isn’t necessarily easy for everyone. If you’ve ever looked at a winery’s tasting notes and seen words like ‘pencil shavings’ or ‘grilled plum’ or ‘fresh cut garden hose’ and thought to yourself…what the hell are they talking about? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Sense of smell is largely personal. First, not all of us have the same capacity for this sense. Secondly, a person’s sense of smell is essentially based on previous experiences. In other words, we know what things smell like because we’ve smelled them before. This i ..read more

When you’re craving a taste of French wine country, look to Vivant. While nothing can replace walking through vineyards and perusing musty cellars with the winemakers themselves, Vivant comes close. This is coming from someone who fell in love with wine while doing just that. Touching galets amongst the vineyards of the Southern Rhône Valley. Tasting Grenache directly from barrels in Gigondas. Asking the winemaker about the vintage in my glass. No, nothing can beat an authentic experience like that. That being said, Vivant is a wine tasting experience that holds its own. An experience which I ..read more