Wine Wired

With spring now in full bloom, much of our focus shifts to the outdoors. While it may still be cold and snowing in the North and Midwest, we are enjoying the pleasures of the sunny south.  This is the time of year when we look at events that are taking advantage of our beautiful weather.  […]

I have recently agreed to start doing reviews for a few different brands.  With all of these reviews, I offer a disclaimer.   Dark Horse Chardonnay This is a classic style California Chardonnay with unctuous notes of peach nectar, rich apple blossom and a ‘toasted’ component that presents as cedar and kernel. The viscous mouth […]

My tastes seem to wax and wane with the different seasons. Winter’s cold and rain have me craving port-style wine in the evenings. With Spring right around the corner, however, I find myself trading these heavier wines for a lighter, fresher beverage. What a great opportunity to discuss one of my favorite categories, sparkling wines. […]

Bottle Talk: An escape from the red zone and into Malbec Land As I said in my first column last month, I love to get people to move outside their “wine comfort zone.” There are thousands of wines made in so many interesting ways that we can only hope to one day try them all. […]

    It is human nature to avoid or limit our exposure to things that we do not feel comfortable with. In my opinion, this is why most people either avoid wine completely or limit what they drink to one or two varietals. People have a tendency to stay within their ‘beverage comfort zone’, so […]

The following is the story of my trip to Philly. I hope you enjoy. So I’m on my way to Philadelphia to take my WSET Unit 2 Diploma exam.  I thought it was going to be a relatively uneventful trip.  As I sit here in Charlotte Airport laughing to myself and waiting for my flight, […]

The following is my coursework assignment due in April.  If any of my readers has suggestions on industry journals, websites, or other resources that may be helpful, I would greatly appreciate it.  I have already begun my research but am in infancy of the assignment.  Thank for all of your support. WSET Diploma in Wine […]

Although I have been taking classes and studying for months, I don’t feel as if I have truly begun the Diploma program.  It seems strange that I feel this way.  After all, I have read the unit 2 book from the WSET, made countless note cards, and “attended” the classes (online). Somehow, until I take the […]

We had a great time last night doing the anniversary party for Dr. and Janet Clark.  Below I have listed the progression of courses and the wine pairings. Menu by:  Nick Townsend and Joe Bittle Wine Selections by: Dennis Fraley Francois Montand NV Brut Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Cocktail Shrimp with Sauce Verde Höpler Grüner […]

With summertime just around the corner, and the oppressive heat soon to follow, my wine choices seem to change.  Yes, I still grab for a big Shiraz or Cabernet with that grilled lamb or steak, but that is more in the evening and honestly not quite as often with the temperatures staying into the 90s […]