Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Finding the Floor: Liv-ex Report Highlights Fine Wines with Rising Trade Prices

Finding the Floor: Liv-ex Report Highlights Fine Wines with Rising Trade Prices While the fine wine market has faced a challenging correction—currently sitting roughly 25% down from its historic peak in October 2022—the latest data suggests the tide may finally be turning. According to a recent report from Liv-ex, the London-based global marketplace and benchmark authority for the fine wine trade, select corners of the market are showing encouraging signs of stabilization. "Some [wine brands] likely have further yet to fall; others appear to have found their floors and are now tracking gently upwards." — Sophia Gilmour, Liv-ex Market Analyst [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-14T12:12:49-07:00July 14, 2026|

Inside the Newly Renovated Beaulieu (BV) Winery in Napa Valley

The 1885 Renovated Beaulieu (BV) Winery in Napa Valley. Photo Credit: BV Following an extensive two-year renovation, the historic Beaulieu Vineyard (BV)—dating back to 1885—has officially reopened its doors. Located along the iconic Highway 29 in the heart of Napa Valley, the estate features an original stone winery crafted from local stone and river-mud mortar. Officially registered as Bonded Winery No. 71 in Napa, the structure proudly retains its original 1885 signage. An international design and construction team spearheaded the restoration, retrofitting the building for seismic safety while prioritizing the reuse of original building materials. To advance its sustainability efforts, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-14T07:56:11-07:00July 14, 2026|

U.S. Wine Market Tops $115 Billion

U.S. Wine Market Sales Hits $115 Billion A new report released in Spring of 2026 from market research firm BW166 shows that U.S. wine sales achieved over $115 billion in 2025. This figure includes all domestic and imported wine. “The latest data, which came out last week, shows total calculated consumer spending on wine to be $115.33 billion USD versus $112.477 billion USD last year,” stated Jon Moramarco in an online interview. Moramarco is Managing Partner of BW166 LLC, a firm that uses government and tax data to prepare this annual report. With more than 40 years experience in the wine industry, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-09T15:48:02-07:00July 9, 2026|

Historic Ex-Cellar Auction Of Château Haut-Brion

HISTORIC EX-CELLAR AUCTION OF CHÂTEAU HAUT-BRION I'll never forget my visit to the historic Château Haut-Brion. It was a bright and sunny morning in May, and I was visiting as a Master of Wine candidate to learn more about the wines of Bordeaux. The white wines of Château Haut-Brion are just as exquisite (and usually more expensive) than the great red wines from this legendary winery, dating back to the 1549. Below is exciting news from Sotherby's on a great cellar auction that will take place at the estate. PRESS RELEASE: PARIS, 8 JULY 2026 – On 1 October 2026, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-08T08:49:39-07:00July 8, 2026|

5 Ways to Celebrate the Judgment Of Paris Wine Tasting in 2026

5 Ways to Celebrate the Judgement of Paris Celebration All Year in 2026. Getty This year marks an important anniversary for all American wine lovers because it is the 50th anniversary of the famous Judgment of Paris Wine Tasting. Held in Paris, France, in 1976, this blind tasting featured some of the top wines from California and France. The competition focused on the best Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines, and all of the judges were French wine professionals. The surprising result was that two California wines placed first in both categories, shocking the wine world and setting the stage for [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-06-10T11:26:38-07:00June 10, 2026|

How Viral Food Trends Are Reshaping Wine Tourism

How Viral Food Trends Are Reshaping Wine Tourism. Photo Credit: Pexels.com Contributed by Hannah Brooks: Wine tourism traditionally centers largely around tastings, cellar tours, and vineyard views. While those experiences are still central to the industry, traveler priorities are shifting, with social media allowing people to choose their holiday destinations based on the latest TikTok, YouTube and Instagram food trends. According to Skyscanner’s guide to fashionable foods and travel, travelers are looking at specific factors such as the variety of ingredients, dishes and drinks when picking the perfect place for a foodie holiday. Dining and enjoying good quality wine is [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-05-17T12:43:22-07:00May 17, 2026|

Treasury Wine Estates and AI Innovation

Penfolds Winery in Australia, Part of Treasury Wine Estates. Photo Credit: Treasury I have long been a fan of the wines produced by Treasury Wine Estates. These range from Beringer in Napa Valley where I learned to fall in love; to my overnight stay at Matua vineyard in New Zealand, and two fabulous tastings of Penfolds Grange at Penfolds Winery in Australia. Therefore, it was exciting for me to conduct this interview with Adele Felsch, GM of Marketing Strategy & Insight, for Treasury. She shared with me all of the exciting innovations they are doing with the assistance of AI [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-07-13T17:47:37-07:00April 28, 2026|

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Wine Tasting Trip To California

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Wine Tasting Trip To California. Photo Credit: UnSplash (Contributed by Harriet Martin) If you’re a wine enthusiast who’s lucky enough to be visiting California, you’re in for a treat. Renowned for its world-class wines and stunning vineyard landscapes, the state is a dream for wine enthusiasts. With over 6,000 wineries, stunning national parks and 840 miles of pristine coastline to explore, there’s a dreamy wine tasting trip for everyone in this sunny paradise. Here, we take a look at how to get the most out of your wine tasting trip to California. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:19:49-07:00April 21, 2026|

Why Celebrating With a Magnum of Sparkling Wine is So Special

Why Celebrating With a Magnum of Sparkling Wine is So Special When selecting a special champagne or sparkling wine for a celebration, consider that there is both power and prestige in offering a magnum of celebratory bubbles, rather than the average-sized bottle. At 1.5 liters, or double the size of the traditional 750-ml bottle, a magnum is designed to serve 10 to 12 glasses and therefore is ideal for a larger gathering. Originally crafted for French royalty to serve at events, banquets and celebrations, the larger format signals elegance, luxury and magnificence. In fact the word, magnum, is based on a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-01-25T12:02:40-08:00January 25, 2026|

Gruet Sparkling Wine From New Mexico Paired With Green Chile Cuisine

New Mexico Green Chile Dishes Pair Well With Sparkling Wine I have visited Gruet winery in Albuquerque, New Mexico on several occasions, and it has always been a delight. Recently I was able to interview the Gruet winemaker, Carrie Gurule, via Zoom. She also shipped me a variety of Gruet sparkling wines to try, and we had a wonderful conversation about which of the wines paired best with New Mexico green chile cuisine. “I have all of my mother’s handwritten recipes for New Mexican dishes,” Gruet Head Winemaker Carrie Gurule told me in a recent Zoom interview. “And they pair [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-01-25T11:51:23-08:00January 25, 2026|

Organic Wine & Food Dinner at Stanly Ranch Auberge in Napa Valley

Stanly Ranch Auberge is a New Luxury Resort in Napa Valley. Photo Credit: Stanly Ranch As one of Napa Valley’s newest resorts (2022), the Stanly Ranch Auberge Collection is making a splash with a focus on fresh, organic foods paired with local organic and sustainable wines. A perfect example was a recent wine and food pairing dinner at The Grange, their outdoor dining area surrounded by a sumptuous chef’s garden filled with rows and rows of delicious, fresh, organically grown vegetables. Featuring the organic wines of Quintessa Winery, the dinner was limited to 40 guests (including non-resort guests) and began [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-01-25T12:05:17-08:00October 30, 2025|

A Sparkling Visit to Domaine Evremond in Kent

I just returned from an exciting 5-day tour of the English Wine Region, located about an hour's drive south of London. Did you know there are now 212 wineries in England, and the primarily focus on making sparkling wine, due to their cooler climate and chalky soil! Below is a description of my visit to Domaine Evremond, a new winery that just opened in April of 2025. Our Group Visiting Domaine EVREMOND in Kent, England Domaine Evremond: A Franco-English Sparkling Wine Dream Realized Patrick McGrath welcomed us warmly to Domaine Evremond, introducing the team that has brought this pioneering winery [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-09-21T11:07:50-07:00September 21, 2025|

Experiencing the Wines of Drama in Northern Greece

Ktima Nico Lazaridi Winery in the Drama Wine Region of Greece This summer I had a chance to go on a wine tour in Northern Greece and was blown away by the high-quality of the wines, the delicious foods and the beautiful mountainous scenary sloping down the sea. One of the wine regions I visited is called "Drama," and is the birthplace of the wine good, Dionysus (also called Bacchus by the Italians). Read more about my experience below. Dramatic Mountain and See Views In Drama Wine Region of Greece We were all very excited to experience the wines of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-09-21T10:50:08-07:00September 21, 2025|

How To Plan a Multi-Course Champagne Dinner

Champagne Is Very Versatile to Pair With Many Foods - Even Steak! Photo Credit: Pexels.com Recently I attended a 13-course dinner in Chicago where every course was paired with a different champagne or sparkling wine. Even the steak course! I was amazed, so I spoke with the chef and sommelier and discovered some great tips so you can create your own multi-course champagne dinner. Here are some suggestions for a 4-course dinner, but feel free to expand! Why Champagne and Sparkling Wine Pairs With Food So Well Many people don’t realize that champagne and other types of sparkling wine are [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-09-21T10:27:09-07:00September 21, 2025|

Think Champagne Doesn’t Go with Steak? Laurent Perrier and Alinea Say Think Again

Champagne Does Pair Beautifully With Steak. Pexels.com Many people believe that champagne can only be paired with appetizers or dessert, but Laurent-Perrier believes that champagne can be paired with any food, including steak. To prove this point, they recently organized a multi-course dinner at the 3-star Michelin restaurant Alinea in Chicago. Working with Jon Leopold, Wine Director at Alinea, the Laurent-Perrier team crafted an eye-opening and mouthwatering feast, featuring nine different champagnes paired with thirteen different courses, including Wagyu beef. During several breaks in the 4-hour dinner, Oliver Vigneron, Chef de Cave for Laurent Perrier, explained to the guests in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-09-16T16:04:18-07:00September 16, 2025|

Previous 123 4 5 6 Next