The pros & cons of oak barrels
Although oak barrels have been used for centuries, there is not a more controversial or misunderstood practice in the world of wine. In the...
Impacts of weather on wine
Ever wonder why Napa makes great Cabernet and Russian River makes great Pinot and California’s Central Valley does not? One of the main factors...
Explore lesser-known wines
Your wine mission, should you choose to accept it, is to spread your wings and try something new, expand your horizons. If you follow...
Explore small-production artisan wines
On an amazing July afternoon, after a hike up Shirley Canyon where I had experienced the energy and power of rushing waterfalls born from...
Pairing wines with summer fare
Take a look around on almost any Sierra summer day and you’re sure to see an abundance of folks cooking and eating al fresco....
Treasure Island wineries
Treasure Island usually evokes visions of the swashbuckling pirates and their treasures from the Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel. But today the former military base...
Tahoe summer wine picks
Every year your humble author internally debates: “Should I write another article about summer wines?” Well, with 2017’s mid-June temperatures in the 80s and...
Lesser-known wines with exceptional taste
One quality of all great producers and wine regions is a focus on what they can do at a high level and who they...
Mexican-American California wine producers
You don’t need to wait for Cinco de Mayo to celebrate with wines produced by Mexican-American vinters in California. The recent tasting at The...
The secrets of Sangria
Once upon a time in Spain, a creative party planner mixed some spicy red wine with fresh fruit and a pinch of spice and,...