Exploring the Wine Glass

Wine Bloggers Conference 2017 Wrap Up

This year's wine bloggers conference was held November 9th through the 12th in Santa Rosa, California. The conference is scheduled a year in advance, so we were all waiting on baited breath to hear if it would still be held after the wildfires that travelled through in early October.

We were thrilled to hear that the conference was still on and were curious to see the devistation for ourselves.  What I can say is that the media totally blew it out of proportion.  We did see areas of homes and businesses that were burned to the ground, but the majority of the area is still in tact. The wineries and vineyards are still open and ready for your business. Don't be afraid to book a trip and enjoy this beautiful area of the country. 

In this episode, I sat down with several of my wine blogger colleagues in a live stream event, that you can view on our YouTube Channel and we discussed what we thought were the highlights, lowlights, and most memorable wines of the conference.  We also discuss how  the best way to support the wine region is to visit and to buy wine.  There was a mass injustice done to the wine industry of Sonoma , Napa and Calistoga by the media. Although many people lost their homes and businesses, the general view of the media was that wine country was devastated. We, having spent a long weekend there, discuss how this couldn't be farther from the truth.

Here's the link to my favorite wine of the conference: Naked Winery's Oh! Orgasmic Sangiovese If you would like to watch the video of this conversation, click here to be taken to our YouTube channel. 

To clarify on the conversation about types of winery licenses: An 02 (what we have) is a winegrower/winery. They produce wine under their own label and must have equipment to convert fruit into wine. They may sell to retail or consumer. The license that allows you to purchase bulk wine or shiners and place your label on the bottle is known as a custom crush. The 1720 allows the sale of this wine to a retailer. 

 

If you like what you hear, please give us a 5 star review, so that others can find us! We appreciate your support.

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Sláinte!

 

Winephabet Street; F is for Furmint

When we are looking to find some new and exciting wines we look to our new sponsor Winc! Spelled W-I-N-C.  Winc makes it easy to discover great wine.

It doesn’t get much easier. Winc has experts that know how to match your taste preferences with their wines and they ship it right to your door is included as long as you purchase 4 bottles or more!

Head to TryWinc.com/Winephabet to get $20 off your first shipment! 

Welcome to Winephabet Street! 

 

Welcome to Winephabet Street! Grab a glass and join Lori and Debbie as they 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 that bottle and connect with us as we chat, laugh and drink wine all in a laid back atmosphere. Today, the letter of the day is F and is stands for Furmint! 

Furmint is considered a superior Hungarian white grape variety and is igenous to the Tokaji region. Over 70% of all plantings in this region are Furmint. Tokaji, itself, dates back tot he early 18th century, but according to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Tokaji-Hegyalja, which is located in the northeastern region of Hungary and the souteastern region of Slovakia had been establshed hundreds of years prior.

 

If you are listening to this prior to December 4th! Please grab yourself a bottle of Cabernet Franc and join in the conversation on twitter to support #CabFrancDay. It is #MoreThanABlendingGrape!  If you would like to try our award winning Caberent Franc, you will find us online.

 

 Join us for our next episode of Winephabet Street Live on Monday December 18th at 8pm EST. Register for free here.

If you like what you hear, please give us a 5 star review, so that others can find us! We appreciate your support.

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Sláinte!

Hudson Valley

I took advantage of my #WinephabetStreet co-host's, Debbie Gioquindo aka HVWineGoddess, expertise and spint the weekend in the Hudson Valley. It is less than an hour and a half drive from New Jersey and the scenery is amazing. There is so much to see and do, and in Debbie's book, Tapping the Hudson Valley, she shares it all with you.

I began my weekend at Angry Orchard. We enjoyed some cider while playing cornhole, jenga and even connect four.  I tried to get an interview, however, since they are "corporate" there was no one there with legal clearance. BUT, I did become close friends with the security guard, Willly, in the treehouse. Yes, you heard that right- treehouse!

 

Next up was Bad Seed Cider. As we pulled up, we were told to ask for Devin. On his card it states "Chief Everything Officer." I think that is the perfect title. This is a two man venture and I highly recommend stopping in!  On our visit, they were celebrating the Fall Festival.  For $30, you could sit at one of two bars and listen to live music. There was also a food truck. The cider was good and the cost was well worth it. 

The final stop before heading to our bed and breakfast was at Benmarl Winery. The views! Oh my goodness the views!!! I had the pleasure of interviewing the proprietor, Victor Spaccarelli, Jr was just the sweetest man EVER!!! You can just hear his passion in the interview. 

 

It was finally time to head to our castle for the night! Yep, castle.  We stayed at Wing's Castle in Millbrook, NY. The story behind this is a true story of Passion! 

 

If you like what you hear, please give us a 5 star review, so that others can find us! We appreciate your support.

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Sláinte!

 

 

Winephabet Street; E is for Etna

When we are looking to find some new and exciting wines we look to our new sponsor Winc! Spelled W-I-N-C.  Winc makes it easy to discover great wine.

It doesn’t get much easier. Winc has experts that know how to match your taste preferences with their wines and they ship it right to your door is included as long as you purchase 4 bottles or more!

Head to TryWinc.com/Winephabet to get $20 off your first shipment! 

Welcome to Winephabet Street! 

If you like what you hear, please give us a 5 star review, so that others can find us! We appreciate your support.

In this episode of Winephabet Street, we discuss Etna. The wine region located in Sicily that creates and exceptional wine, but is at the mercy of the most active volcano on the planet. 

Locally called "Mongibello," Mt. Etna is Europe's largest and most active volcano. Its frequent eruptions are often accompanied by large lava flows, but rarely pose danger to inhabited regions.

Primary wine producing zone rises up the slopes of Mt. Etna to an elevation of 2,000-6,500 feet above sea level- the highest commercial vineyards in the world. 

The wines of the Etna region are primarily dry red and white blends. Etna Rosso (red) must have a minimum of 80% Nerello Mascalese and a minimum of Nerello Cappuccio (max. 20%). Expect spicy, red berry elegant red wines. 

Etna Biano (white) must have a minimum of 60% Carricante while 40% of the blend can consist of other approved whites, but is often Carricante. Expect lean, crisp and acidic white wines from this region

 

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Sláinte!

Nick Berube

Lori sits down with Nick Berube to discuss what it is like to be a brand manager for a winery (or two)
I first met Nick because he is from Fresno. He grew up in Fresno, but has since moved on to bigger and better things. Nick is the Marketing and Branding Manager at Duck Pond Cellars and Desert Wind Winery Fries Family Wines ( Duck Pond Cellars / Desert Wind Winery ) 

We disuss a lot of things in this episode, but while we are enjoying ourselves, our friends to the north are dealing with a horrific situation with the Napa/Sonoma fires.  If you would like to contribute to help them rebuild here is a link: https://www.gofundme.com/napa-sonoma-fires

We discuss how Lodi wine region is self regulating themselves, the wine courses offered in San Franciso's Wine School, the amount of discipline required to be successful in the wine industry, including passing the classes in order to get those letters after your name, the Fresno Grizzlies and me being the springboard to jump off of for #CabFrancDay! 

If you like what you hear, please give us a 5 star review, so that others can find us! We appreciate your support. 

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Sláinte!

 

Spain's Great Match Wine Region Interview

I was invited to attend Spain's Great Match event in Chelsea, NYC hosted by Wines From Spain on October 4, 2017. 

Spain is broken into seven main regions:

Green Spain

Duoro River Valley

Ebro River Valley

Meseta

Mediterranean Coast

Andalucia

The Islands

In this podcast, I speak to Helen Gregory as we discuss DOP Cariñena and one of my favorite regions Rias Baixas. Alfonso Martinez DO Somontano. I even found some craft beer from Mahou and learned about the "permanent head." And finally Missy Bello Pinedo from DO Bierzo, who hit home with me since she named her winery after her dog! 

Want to find out more? Here are all the sites you need! 

D.O.P. Carinena

trish@gregorywithepr.com

D.O. Rias Baixas

trish@gregorywhitepr.com

D.O. Somontano

alfonso@passionandtaste.com

Mahou Cervezas Alhambra

ngerardb@mahou-sanmmiguel.com

D.O. Bierzo

http://bodegamartinezyebra.es

https://www.facebook.com/BodegaMartinezYebra/

https://www.instagram.com/bodega.martinez.yebra/

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Sláinte!

 

 

Winephabet Street D is for Dolcetto

 

Welcome to Winephabet Street! 

 

Often viewed as Piedmont’s third red-wine grape, Dolcetto is like the poor cousin to Nebbiolo and Barbera.

 

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Dana Hunter; Security Guard to Wine Educator

Lori sits down with Dana Hunter, who, thanks to a chance meeting with a distressed wine tasting room manager six years ago, changed his career from being a security guard in Lodi, CA to a wine educator in Napa. We discuss his story and his love of Coors Light and of course play a game of opposites!

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Winephabet Street C is for Carménère

When we are looking to find some new and exciting wines we look to our new sponsor Winc! Spelled W-I-N-C.  Winc makes it easy to discover great wine.

It doesn’t get much easier. Winc has experts that know how to match your taste preferences with their wines and they ship it right to your door is included as long as you purchase 4 bottles or more!

Head to TryWinc.com/Winephabet to get $20 off your first shipment! 

Welcome to Winephabet Street! 

 

On this month's Winephabet Street, the letter of the day is C! Carménère is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and is best well known in Chile. Join me as I discuss the history, general characteristics, food pairings and fast facts!

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors:

Fresno Winemakers

I had the pleasure to sit down with the owners of five wineries and one distillery located in the Central Valley. We discuss the pros and cons of being a farmer and winemaker in the Fresno area.

Our Wines + Your Moments = Great Memories

Join our wine club. The Chalk Club 3 bottles of Dracaena Wines 2x per year. Choose between all red or red and rose'. 

Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at dracaenawines@gmail.com.

Please like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dracaenawines

Find us on Twitter, Instagram , Pinterest, Google + and Snapchat (@dracaenawines)

Want to watch some pretty cool livestream events and wine related videos. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Find out more about us and our award winning Paso Robles wines on our website.

Looking for some interesting recipes and wine pairings? Then head over to our wine pairing website.

Thanks for listening and remember to always PURSUE YOUR PASSION!

Please support us by finding out more about our sponsors: