Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Tasting the Wines of Savalan from Aspi Winery, Azerbaijan

Tasting with Timur & Jahid of Savalan Wines January 2015 - Before visiting Azerbaijan, I did an Internet search for Azerbaijani wineries and discovered that Aspi Winery (http://aspiwinery.az/) is one of the most sophisticated in that they have a website in four languages. The other wineries either didn’t have websites, or they were not in English. Furthermore I was distressed to learn there was no “Wines of Azerbaijan Association,” to assist me in scheduling appointments. Fortunately Timur Mamedov, Commercial Director for Aspi Winery, was extremely responsive. He answered my email almost immediately and invited us to a tasting of wines [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:02:16-08:00March 23, 2015|

Ancient Wine in the Land of Fire – Azerbaijan

Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre January 2015 - It had been 18 years since my first visit to Baku, Azerbaijan in the Spring of 1996, when I was working for Amoco Oil. My memories were of a black city covered in grimy oil and soot, dinners of caviar and sturgeon, and sweet reds wines along with gritty white sparkling wine. Arriving again in Baku for 10 days from Dec. 26, 2014 to Jan. 4, 2015 was like walking into a futurist city. Everything was clean and sparkling, and there were many new buildings with amazing architecture like the Fire Towers and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T15:02:36-08:00March 19, 2015|

Hidden Wineries in the Steep Hills Above Nice – Visit to Chateau Bellet de Cremant in Bellet AOC

Zia at Chateau Bellet (Summer 2014) Another afternoon during our two week stay in Nice to attend a French language school, we visited Chateau Bellet de Cremant in the steep hills above Nice. It was actually only a 10 minute drive from our gite that we rented in the hills, and is about 20 minutes from downtown Nice. The Bellet AOC is the second smallest in France, after Chateau Grillet in the Northern Rhone. Bellot includes only 70 hectares of vineyards and 10 domaines (wineries). They do not advertise and there is no tourist office with maps to help you [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:28-07:00March 17, 2015|

A Magical Day in Provence with Visit to Maison des Vins de Provence in Les Arcs

The Beauty of Provence Roses (Summer 2014) During our two week visit to Provence with French language classes every morning in Nice, we managed to slip away one afternoon to visit Maison des Vins de Provence. It was about a 50 minute drive from Nice and easily accessible from the freeway, where we exited at the town of Les Arcs. A large sign signals the entrance to a cluster of buildings, which include the welcome center and tasting room, a wine shop, restaurant and the administration buildings for the Maison des Vins de Provence. There is ample free parking in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:29-07:00March 9, 2015|

Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir and Sbragia Cabernet Sauvignon Tie as Top Favorites in Classic Red Tasting

Sbragia Wines With Cheese Platter What is a classic red wine grape? It is a variety that has proved it can produce consistently high quality over a long period of time in more than one region of the world. Therefore, though there are more than 120 commercially produced wine grapes, there are only 4 classic red grapes. In California, however, we add Zinfandel as well, because it is one of our most beloved State grapes: Pinot Noir – famous in Burgundy, Oregon, Sonoma, New Zealand and many other regions of the world Merlot– famous in Bordeaux, Italy, Washington, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-05T13:45:59-08:00March 9, 2015|

Sparkling Wine, Port & Chocolate Truffle Tasting with Mumm and Sonoma Portworks

SSU Wine Sense Club Tasting (Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust) - Bring on the sparkle, chocolate, and the heady taste of port please! This was the siren’s call of a recent SSU Wine Sense Club meeting, where students were introduced to Olivia Najjar from Mumm Napa and Bill Reading from Sonoma Portworks! About Mumm Napa Most people recognize that Mumm Champagne was started in France, but Mumm has also been in Napa Valley for many years. The founding president and wine maker, Guy Devaux, worked with an architect in 1986 to create the Domaine Mumm facility in Rutherford. Three [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T21:59:01-08:00March 3, 2015|

Chateau Montelena Sauvignon Blanc Voted Favorite in SSU Tasting of Classic White Grapes

Chateau Montelena in Napa valley What is a classic white wine grape? It is a variety that has proved it can produce consistently high quality over a long period of time in more than one region of the world. Therefore, though there are more than 120 commercially produced wine grapes, only 5 are considered to be classic white wine grapes: Chardonnay – famous in Burgundy, Sonoma and many other regions of the world Sauvignon Blanc – famous in the Loire, Bordeaux, New Zealand and many other region Riesling – famous in Germany, Austria and Australia Chenin Blanc – [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:00:21-08:00February 26, 2015|

A Great Wine Cocktail for Valentine’s Day – The Torrontes Tango

Torrontes Tango Wine Cocktail Here is a fun wine cocktail that is perfect for Valentine's Day. Enjoy it with that romantic someone or with a group of friends. I learned about this drink when I visited Argentina last March. It is made with watermelon and white wine - preferably Torrontes. In Argentina it is primarily served during their summer months when watermelon is ripe (November – February in the Southern Hemisphere). Fortunately we can find watermelon in many US supermarkets at this time of the year as well. I've modified the recipe with a few new ingredients, and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:00:48-08:00February 11, 2015|

Matanzas Creek and VJB Cellars Kick Off Spring 2015 Tasting at SSU Winesense Club

Lavender Field at Mantanzas Creek Winery (Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust) The Wine Sense Club members kicked off the spring semester with two special tastings with Judy and Bradford from Matanzas Creek Winery and Micah, Mike and Ryan from VJB Vineyards & Cellars. About Matanzas Creek Winery Matanzas Creek was founded in 1977, and was the first winery located in the Bennett Valley AVA. Bennett Valley is a very unique area as it is surrounded three beautiful mountains, Sonoma, Bennett and Taylor, creating a perfect pocket for fog and cool air that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. The estate [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:01:08-08:00February 6, 2015|

SSU Winesense Board Confirms Spring 2015 Tasting Schedule

SSU Winesense Board at Annual Planning Dinner The wine tasting schedule for SSU’s Winesense Club has just been confirmed for Spring 2015 and the line-up of wineries is mouthwatering. Jan. 29 – The Magical Wines of Matanzas Creek Feb. 12 – Valentine’s Day Tasting with Sonoma Port Works & Mumm Napa March 12 – Big Reds with Styker April 9 – Innovative Wines with Delicato April 23 – Pinot Envy with Gary Farrell Meetings start at 7pm and are held in the Bennett Valley Room in the new Student Union Building. The Membership fee is $30 for the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:01:34-08:00January 30, 2015|

Last Night in Paris and a Video Highlighting Our Adventures

Our Group in Paris (May 23 & 24, 2014) The next morning we boarded the bus for the 3.5 hour drive from Beaune to Paris, stopping once along the way at another large French gas station to grabs some snacks. We arrived back at the Mercure in Paris around 1pm, and everyone was happy to be back in a modern hotel with working wifi. The afternoon was free time, so some people opted to take a nap, whereas others took the metro to Versailles, the Louvre, and many other Paris locals. It was our last night in Paris, and everyone [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:29-07:00January 26, 2015|

Visiting Romanee Conti and La Tache Vineyards With a Stop at Clos de Vougeot Wine Museum

Clos de Vougeot (May 22, 2014) – Our last appointment of the day was at 4:30 at Clos de Vougeot, the ancient wine farm of the Cistercian monks who studied the soils of Burgundy and recognized the unique terroirs that could be found just a few meters apart. It was their early work that helped to determine the Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards of the area. The sky was darkening with threatening rain clouds as we approached, making the medieval structure look even more forbidding. We entered and toured the old cellars and everyone was amazed at the three ancient wooden [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:29-07:00January 10, 2015|

In Search of the Perfect Pinot Noir in Cote de Nuits at Dufouleur, Vougeraie& Trapet-Rochelandet

Tasting in the Cellars of Dufouleur (May 22, 2014) – As the day before was devoted to chardonnay, it was only fitting that our third and last day in Burgundy was devoted to pinot noir. Therefore, we headed north of Beaune to the famous Cote de Nuits where the largest percentages of Grand Cru pinot noir vineyards are located. First stop, at 9am, was Domaine Dufouleur in Nuits St. Georges, where we met with the charming Maximilien, Export Sales Manager. Established in 1848, Dufouleur is both a negotiant and an estate. They farm only 25 hectares, but produce over 1 million bottles [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:29-07:00January 9, 2015|

Celebrating Chardonnay in Cote de Beaune – Meursault, Montrachet & Santenany

Our Group in Meursault at Caves Ropiteau Freres (Wed., May 21, 2014) The remainder of the day was dedicated to exploring the homeland of Chardonnay, so we headed south out of Beaune to the famous villages of Meursault, Puligny Montrachet and Chassange Montrachet. The first stop was lunch in Meursault where everyone came to realize that you can’t rush a meal in France. So though we were a little late for our next appointment, we managed to make up time later. After lunch we had an appointment at Caves Ropiteau Frères at 2pm where we met with winemaker, Nicholas, who provided a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:29-07:00January 6, 2015|

Warm Welcome to Burgundy by the BIVB and Domaine du Clos Frantin

Hospice de Beaune in Burgundy (May 21, 2014) – We awoke to a warm day in the low 80’s with partially cloudy skies, and were made to feel very welcome in Burgundy by a presentation provided by the BIVB. They actually came to our hotel and provided an excellent slide show describing the special terroir and AOC’s of the region. Wine Tasting with Christophe at Domaine du Clos Frantin Next we boarded the bus and drove to Nuits St. George for a cellar tour and tasting at the Domaine du Clos Frantin.This is one of several estates owned by Maison Albert Bichot. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:30-07:00January 5, 2015|

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