: THE BLOG
Yes it’s true, we love small wineries and we’ve known for years just how great they are. Now, it seems the world has caught on to the bliss of these artisan wineries. Savvy consumers and corporate wine conglomerates cozy up to them. Wine critics and industry insiders sing their praises. As Wine Spectator columnist Matt Kramer put it, “Small producers are the ones showing us the way to a greater wine goodness.”
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We adore Charcuterie! Whether as an impressive appetizer or a fun, relaxed dinner, it is hard to beat a no-cook, make-ahead collection of tasty bites ready to be paired with delicious wine. A delightful mix of cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, fruits, vegetables, jellies, and spreads can be as much fun to put together as they are to enjoy. Much like a great wine, the secret is the layers of textures, colors, and tastes that elevate a good board to a great board.
Posted In Food & Wine Pairing, Wine Education
Family and friends gathered around a festive table laden with delicious food and fine wine is one of the most magical parts of the holiday season. To help you create unique, memorable and, best of all, stress-free holiday get-togethers, we invited Private Chef Robin, author, teacher and wine country chef extraordinaire to give you her best tips and share her favorite menus.
Continue Reading >Posted In Entertaining, Food & Wine Pairing, Wine Education
Great friends, great food, and great wine make for a great evening. What should you pour? You can keep it simple, and just pick one red wine and one white wine (this eliminates the possibility of inadvertent mixing!) or provide an interesting mix. But there are three types of wines you should avoid pouring at parties.
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Gerri-Lynn Becker, President of The California Wine Club, enjoys a tasting with Peter Stolpman of Stolpman Vineyards
Wine tastings should be fun. Wineries know this, and the smart ones do everything they can to make visitors feel comfortable.
Yet, hospitality is a two-way street. You, as a winery guest, also have some obligation to be a pleasant participant in the wine exploration.
Posted In Inside Wine Country
While terms like “oaky” and “buttery” are self-explanatory, some terms are not. We’re here to help!
Posted In Wine Education, Wine Tasting, Wine Vocabulary
“Ghost wineries” are those built between 1860 and Prohibition (1920), then closed and abandoned. In some cases, the stone buildings stood empty for decades. Fortunately, many have since re-opened.
Posted In Wine Education, Wineries & Winemakers
Walking through vineyards, touring caves, tasting great wines…what could be better? We love visiting the wineries we feature (and we are always on the look-out for great wineries we haven’t heard of). Our winery trips often involve a full day of driving winery to winery, and we have some tips to share.
Posted In Inside The CA Wine Club, Inside Wine Country
There is no “wrong” way to serve wine, but these tips can help elevate our wine club members’ experience.
Wine can be served many ways.
Most of our members would be happy to drink their monthly wine club shipments right away, but when you receive a shipment of wines, it is best to let them rest for a few days in a cool, dark place before enjoying. This should eliminate any travel shock.
Posted In Entertaining, Wine Education, Wine Fun, Facts, Tips, Activities
“Our Barbera is our best-selling red,” says Prima Materia Founder/Winemaker Pietro Buttitta. “The bright acidity means it works with many foods, while the low tannin makes it enjoyable on the deck or with simple bites. And Barbera is naturally very fruit-forward, meaning a smile on all faces.”
Our members recently enjoyed Pietro’s 2018 Kelsey Bench, Lake County Barbera. When we asked him about crafting this pasta-loving red, he shared his love letter to this varietal.
Posted In Inside Wine Country, Wine Education, Wine Regions & Varietals, Wineries & Winemakers