Barbera, a fun little red grape. Known for many centuries as the ‘peasant’s wine’ in the famed region of Piedmont, located in the NW section of Italy. While it only sits second place to Italy’s most widely planted red grape: Sangiovese – many know Barbera as a very popular easy-drinking red. When I teach classes,… Continue
While having coffee with a friend this past week, I was inspired to write a little bit about Malbec. I know, I know…it’s a grape that everyone wants to talk about. It’s almost overdone at some point in the way of commercialism but, most importantly, it’s good to understand the variances between some that are… Continue
As summer is full in swing and almost more than half over!, my travels and ventures have taken me away from my writings. With lots to share on comparison tastings, fun + exciting trips to Aspen, and many new food ventures – I’m ready to divulge all that has been scribbled on countless scraps of paper, bar napkins… Continue
Homework, homework…hard life, but someone’s got to do it. Tonight, it’s a bottle that I picked up at my new favorite bottle shop in Minnetonka – corner of Hwy 169 and Shady Oak Rd, in between Eden Prairie and Minnetonka – a spot called Pairings Food & Wine Market www.pairingsfoodandwine.com About the coolest couple of peeps… Continue
Just to be clear on this one, I am not the author of this review. It was passed on by an anonymous writer, however, I thought worth the posting… We may as well have duct taped the “gourmet cheese curds” and “exotic french fry sampler” directly to our thighs… Although both were the highlight of… Continue
If you missed the last episode to American Idol, well then you may want to order a couple bottles of bubbly and watch it with someone who taped it. Un-freekin’-believable is the only thing I can say. Embarrassed to admit, I watched the entire season only to be shocked with the season’s finale. While the… Continue
Survival of the fittest they say, right? Well, only the strong drink pink is what I say! Here we are again, another spring season and another vintage struggling to make folks understand in the great state of Minnesota – just how lovely PINK can be. I watch as some of my favorite wine shops pile… Continue
I know, I know – my homework sounds awful doesn’t it? Sitting around drinking wine and wondering how I’ll write up my next evaluation? Sometimes it takes more than one glass to get the descriptions rolling but once they do – look out! This weekend, I visited a local bottle shop in Bloomington – MGM… Continue
Dear Brett, Words cannot explain the anguish that you continue to dish onto your once, very loyal ‘Packer Nation’. Spoken as a true Packer fan and born and raised in a state where the blood of a Wisconsin native only runs the colors of green and gold – I am heartbroken. We lived for years… Continue
With the launch of my new website, I have many people to thank for the design, mechanics, and behind the scenes work that have truly made my site a success. I have received many wonderful comments in the way of feedback and honestly, none of it could have been done without these very special people.… Continue
Thanks for stopping by… A bit about me – I am a ISG Certified Level III Sommelier and former director of one of Oregon’s most prestigious Pinot Noir houses, Archery Summit, and member to the board of directors of Pine Ridge Winery of Napa, California. I have been in Minnesota for 2 years now; consulting to some of… Continue