It has been a while since I shared some of the exciting wines in my glass, so I thought it was time. These wines excited me enough to make me stop and take a moment to really think about the wine itself.  Trivento White Malbec Reserve 2022 Yes, you read that right; a white Malbec.  I was in the liquor store looking to pick up a couple of bottles and this wine caught my eye. I must admit that I was a bit shocked on two counts. First, to see a white Malbec, but secondly to find this wine in the shop I was in. It was an extremely small shop and had a very limited wine selection.  U ..read more

I recently came across a conversation in the Wine Scholar Guild’s community section titled “Is it time to ditch wine scores?” The discussion was created by Justin Martindale, MW. He brought up the dialogue about wine score inflation.  This is not an old topic. In fact, back in 2013 Wine Spectator, James Laub wrote “Anyone who pays attention to wine ratings knows that critics are giving more 100-point scores than ever before. But are there really so many more “perfect” wines today than in the past?” According to Michel Thibaul by 2018, Robert Parker had given the prized 100 points to ..read more

Welcome to our latest installment of #WinephabetStreet brought to you by Dracaena Wines and Trio North Wildwood. In this series, Debbie Gioquindo and I work our way through the wine world one letter each month. We discuss the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber that bottle and connect with us as we chat, laugh and drink wine all in a laid back atmosphere. P is for Petit Manseng In My Glass             View this post on Instagram                 ..read more

What is Winephabet Street, you ask? Think of it as Sesame Street for Winelovers! It is a livestream/podcast/blogpost interactive discussion all about wine.  Winephabet Street is a collaboration between Debbie Gioquindo, aka HVWineGoddess, and myself. We will be working our way through the alphabet discussing wine varieties and regions. So grab a glass and join us as we take you through the world of wine one letter at a time. Each episode will be a new letter and a new wine. Learn the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber ..read more

Welcome to our latest installment of #WinephabetStreet brought to you by Dracaena Wines and Trio North Wildwood. In this series, Debbie Gioquindo and I work our way through the wine world one letter each month. We discuss the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber that bottle and connect with us as we chat, laugh and drink wine all in a laid back atmosphere. N is for Nero d’Avola Nero d’Avola is synonymous with Sicilian Wine. It is the most notable indigenous grape variety. Although originally produced as a bulk wine, the time ..read more

What is Winephabet Street, you ask? Think of it as Sesame Street for Winelovers! It is a livestream/podcast/blogpost interactive discussion all about wine.  Winephabet Street is a collaboration between Debbie Gioquindo, aka HVWineGoddess, and myself. We will be working our way through the alphabet discussing wine varieties and regions. So grab a glass and join us as we take you through the world of wine one letter at a time. Each episode will be a new letter and a new wine. Learn the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber ..read more

Happy International Sherry Week! This week is the tenth celebration and you can find events near you by checking out the website.  As with many of the wine regions in Spain, winemaking dates back to the Phoenicians in 1100 BC. Initially settling in the city of Gadir, now known as Cádiz and migrating inland to Xera which is now known as Jerez. When the Romans conquered the area, they called the city Ceret which morphed into Xeres as the Moors took control. Finally, the English changed the name to Sherry.    When Christopher Columbus set sail in the ocean blue in 1492, the Age of ..read more

What is Winephabet Street, you ask? Think of it as Sesame Street for Winelovers! It is a livestream/podcast/blogpost interactive discussion all about wine.  Winephabet Street is a collaboration between Debbie Gioquindo, aka HVWineGoddess, and myself. We will be working our way through the alphabet discussing wine varieties and regions. So grab a glass and join us as we take you through the world of wine one letter at a time. Each episode will be a new letter and a new wine. Learn the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber ..read more

Merlot may not be the most popular grape variety to talk about, but it is extremely popular in the ground. It is the second most planted grape variety in the world.  According to the  OIV, the International Organization of Vine and Wine, Merlot (657,300 acres) is only second to Cabernet Sauvignon (840.000) in terms of grape plantings. Merlot is popular in many countries. Its home, France, is responsible for two-thirds of the world’s plantings. Italy also grows a significant amount, with it being the fifth largest planting. Within the United States, Merlot is mostly found in Californi ..read more

Welcome to our latest installment of #WinephabetStreet brought to you by Dracaena Wines and Trio North Wildwood. In this series, Debbie Gioquindo and I work our way through the wine world one letter each month. We discuss the characteristics and history of the grape, as well as suggested wine pairings. So uncork, unscrew or saber that bottle and connect with us as we chat, laugh and drink wine all in a laid back atmosphere. M is Malbec When you think Argentina, you think Malbec! (although they produce amazing wines from other varieties) With characteristics as varied as the regions within Arge ..read more