Articles
Wine Tasting Ventura County Style
by Linda Kissam on August 30, 2010
You have to love a wine tasting adventure that is nestled between a national forest and the sparkly Pacific Ocean. A destination that doesn’t get the proper respect it deserves yet continues to strive to showcase its fine wineries, classic beach culture, and amazing culinary scene. When you can just hop in the car for a short drive from the LA, Inland Empire or San Diego area, experience year round temps in the 70’s, and take an easy, breezy 2 -day break… what could possibly be keeping you back? My stay was an eye-opener to say the least, and you’ll see why when you read on about wine trippin’ in Ventura County, California.
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World Class Food & Wine Event Every November in Monterey California
by Barrie Cleveland on August 30, 2010
The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association (MCVGA) invites you to escape the ordinary at the Great Wine Escape Weekend, every November in beautiful Monterey California.
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Wine Tasting ~ Western Washington Style
by Linda Kissam on August 13, 2010
Like most wine regions, there’s always a favorite or more publicized area of a state’s wine region. For Washington State it’s been Eastern Washington. Well…Ok, and fine….but in my quest to find the fun, the fabulous, the unique parts of a particular wine scene, I organized an 8-day wine trip to Western Washington – specifically gorgeous Seattle gorgeous with all its water views, and the two-hour (driving or flying ) area west of it. I had such a good time, I am handing out awards. See who got what and why, as you read all about Wine Trippin ~ Western Washington Style.
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Mt Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc
by Linda Kissam on August 07, 2010
I love Sauvignon Blanc in all its forms, but I especially enjoy the New Zealand style. So when marketing rep Catherine Seda recently sent me a sample of the Mt Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc to try, I quickly ripped open the mailer and threw the wine in the wine refir to chill it down a bit.
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Stoppers, Screw Tops, Plugs, & Corks
by Barrie Cleveland on August 07, 2010
Winemakers have been struggling for centuries to keep out unwanted oxygen from their hooch. Oily cloth used to be favorite as well as animal hides. Today winemakers from California, Oregon and all over the world have four choices and all have their advantages and disadvantages.
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Tour California's San Luis Obispro Urban Wine Trail
by Barrie Cleveland on August 04, 2010
When you think of the wine country you probably visualize country roads bordered by rows of grape vines, well stocked tasting rooms with friendly staffs, and of course great Central Coast wines. California’s central coast wine region certainly enjoys those charms, but a few wineries have chosen to make their home within the city and are part of the areas new Urban Wine Trail.
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Small Lot Wines + The Perfect Wine! = Perfection!
by Linda Kissam on August 02, 2010
You‘ve probably heard the term “small lot wines” and took a guess that it refers to wine produced in limited quantities. You would of course be right, but there’s more to it than that. A small lot wine can be produced at a very large winery or a very small winery. As you can imagine, a wine that is made in small quantities is special. Obviously not everyone can have it because not a lot is made, and it generally sells out early. From small or large wineries, the end product is generally remarkable and comes in 1 -200 case lots.
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Laguna Canyon Winery
by Linda Kissam on July 18, 2010
Did you know there is an award-winning, 2,500 case winery in Laguna Beach, California? I do now, and so should you. Laguna Canyon Winery is located in a light industrial area right off Laguna Canyon Road, on the right hand side as you’re leaving Laguna for the freeways, or on the left when you’re driving towards the town from the freeways. The sign is located out near the road, so you shouldn’t miss it if you’re driving at a reasonable pace. I was surprised and delighted with this “wine find” and I think you will too.
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Wine Trippin' in Rockland, Maine
by Linda Kissam on July 02, 2010
I am always on the lookout for unique up-and-coming wine regions that present an interesting story and a 2-7 day destination of food, wine, and fun. For heaven sakes, there must be a wine-life beyond Napa and Sonoma, and the Champagne region of France. Been there done that. So begins my search for fun, funky, deserving-of-press wine regions through the Wine Trippin’ series. First stop – the mid-coast wineries near Rockland, Maine.
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Exploring Palmina Winery in the Wine Ghetto of Lompoc California
by Robin Dohrn-Simpson on July 02, 2010
In my travels I have often found that some of the best places were the hardest to find. Some of my favorite experiences turned up unexpectedly. And some of my favorite moments have happened serendipitously. That adage holds true in the case of Palmina Winery in tiny Lompoc, California. When I saw “Wine Ghetto” on the local winery map, I decided this I must see. After all, who would advertise a Wine Ghetto? In fact, what exactly is a Wine Ghetto?
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