Many people, despite the fact that they are told to expect the unexpected, are still surprised to find that the first officially recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the United States was awarded to Augusta, MO. 35 miles from Saint Louis along the verdant bluffs of the Missouri River Valley, this growing region is home to approximately 15 wineries. The tone is peacefully Midwestern — cozy communities and farmland dressed in nature along ride-em-slowly roads.
Chiaretto is short for Chiaretto di Bardolino, a pale, dry rose-colored wine produced on the shores of Lake Garda in Lombardy, Northern Italy.
Alsatian Riesling from four soils — the same variety and the same slice of the world, but different land composition.
Monticello AVA wine region in Virginia has Jefferson’s fingerprints all over it and it’s one of this summer’s most exciting wine-tasting destinations.
Côtes de Bordeaux is comprised of Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon, Francs and Sainte-Foy appellations. Look at these growing regions as a sorority of sorts — unique individuals grouped together with a common purpose.
From the hotel and dinners in Carmel-by-the-Sea to Hahn Family Wines in the Santa Lucia Highlands to Point Lobos to Monterey Bay Aquarium to Chef Duel at Folktale to whale watching on the Blue Grand Canyon the whole visit was stunning.
Stuart Spencer has been named the executive director of Lodi Winegrape Commission (LWC or Lodi Wine, for short) this month, filling a vacancy that opened in January 2018.
Maremma lies south of Florence, north of Rome — a Tuscan region along the Thyrrenian coast. Nicknamed the wild frontier, this spot is home to vineyards, rich agriturismo, a sweeping natural preserve and a prestigious thermal spa. Also: there are cowboys — the butteri — horseback cattle breeders with roots dating back to Etruscan days.
The Alpilles Region Natural Park is also home to one of France’s most authentic wine appellations: Les Baux-de-Provence.
The Napa Agriculture (Ag) Preserve turns 50 years old in 2018 thanks to the farmers, vintners and residents who saw the value of an agrarian future for their valley.
Picpoul’s naming origin means lip stinger for the acidic bite in the mouth of the drinker — this variety is notably high in acid, particularly for such a hot growing region. This explains what makes the grape unique, responsible for commercial thriving as well as ecological.
Languedoc is France’s most productive wine region, responsible for 5% of the world’s wine output. Although viticulture is the dominant agricultural industry, visitors score the rare opportunity to taste some of the world’s best salt — fleur de sel — at the source site in the quaint village of Gruissan.
Navarra is located in Northern Spain, bordering Basque Country and Rioja. The region shares a 300-year historical history with France, stitched together by years of faithful Roman Catholic pilgrims as they journey the Camino de Santiago.
The cork wine stopper is synonymous with preservation – not only of the wine in the bottle but of a way of life for cork farmers and the natural ecosystem of the forest. The process has been the same for generations because the system is a sustainable network benefiting the local economy, the environment, and the industries that utilize cork – particularly the wine industry.
This month the Winophiles bask in Occitanie – formerly Languedoc-Rousillion – and the AOPs of this rich and extensive region of southern France. January brings us to Minervois and Corbières two French wine AOPs that are celebrated for quality, value, and authenticity.
