Dr. Liz Thach, MW

SSU Students Agree that Gloria Ferrer 2006 Royal Cuvee is Fit for Royalty

Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - The SSU WineSense Club was honored to have Gloria Ferrer Winery host the tasting this past week. A total of 47 students came to taste seven of their fantastic wines. Ryan, hospitality rep for the winery, described the history of the estate and the winemaking process. We began with four sparkling wines including the Sonoma Brut, Blanc de Noir, Royal Cuvee and Extra Brut. The favorite sparkling wine of the night was the 2006 Royal Cuvee, which is a blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, from the Carneros region. It received 93 points in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:25:55-08:00October 6, 2014|

Tasting Wine History – Chateau Montelena and Seghesio Featured at SSU WineSense Club

Contributed by Erica Schreckenghaust - There was a great sense of excitement for our second Wine Sense Club meeting of the year, featuring Seghesio Family Vineyards and Chateau Montelena Winery. Fifty-two Millennial SSU students attended, and some had to be turned away because the room was at capacity for this taste of wine history. Seghesio Family Winery Seghesio, established in 1895, in the Alexander Valley, is considered to be one of the historic wineries of Sonoma County. Hospitality manager, Beau, offered a variety of wines including a 2011 Sangiovese, 2012 Barbera and three different Zinfandels. The students voted on their [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:27:38-08:00September 15, 2014|

Tasting Champagne at Krug in Reims, France

After lunch in Reims at a small sidewalk cafe where I had a fresh green salad with huge slabs of foie gras, we went to the House of Krug, which is located on the outskirts of the downtown area. Though not an official tasting room, we were received with warm cordiality by Julie and Mylene, both in charge of Hospitality and Public Relations. Our delegation was divided into two smaller groups and we were escorted through the cellars where we saw the barrels in which Krug ferments the base wine before transferring to stainless steel tanks to finish. Next the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:31-07:00September 5, 2014|

Visiting the Champagne Region – the CIVC and Domaine Gatinois

Today was a fairytale day filled with multiple glasses of exquisite Champagne. Our bus departed Paris at 7am and we arrive in Epernay for a visit and tasting at the CIVC. It was extremely informative, and we learned of the huge trademark protection issues the Champagne brand battles around the world. This concluded with a delicious glass of 2004 Moet & Chandon. Next we walked down the street for the mandatory photo with Dom Perignon’s statue before driving to Ay. This small village is world-renown for it’s Grand Cru status and perfumed pinot noir. We were honored to meet with [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:31-07:00September 5, 2014|

Back in Paris – Visiting the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral

How exciting to be back in France again! This time for a two-week wine tour with 28 of my wine business students from Sonoma State University. Our non-stop Air France flight from San Francisco touched down in Paris right on schedule at 11:40am, and we were able to clear passport control, find our luggage and pass through customs with no problems. Francy, our tour guide, was waiting to greet us, and ushered us onto a large comfortable tour bus. It was a clear blue-sky day, and even though the temperature was only 63 F, the bright sunlight made it feel [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:12:32-07:00September 5, 2014|

Favorite Wine Tasting Experience at Domaine Carneros

Contributed by Meriha Eby - My favorite wine tasting experience was at Domaine Carneros. It was for my 23rd birthday. The reason I chose this place was because my favorite wine is sparkling wine and that is what they specialize in. Also I love the location and how beautiful the scenery is. I had my closest friends and family and my boyfriend come and it was perfect. We sat on the outside terrace so we could see all the gorgeous vineyards surrounding us. My favorite sparkling wine from there was the Blanc De Noir. They usually sell out of this [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:27:57-08:00August 27, 2014|

Three Perfect Places to Have a Wine Tasting Party

Contributed by Nicole Nowlen Wine tasting has been a favored activity of those who love this elegant beverage since time immemorial, and can be a great reason to get friends together and impress them with your knowledge of fine wines. No matter where you hold such an event wine-tasting will bring an air of sophistication to the proceedings, and serves as a wonderful excuse to share your favorite vintages or to introduce new wines to your repertoire. Where you hold your wine-tasting can be just as important as what types of wine you bring, and the two can serve to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T22:28:21-08:00August 21, 2014|

Last Day in Mendoza with Visit to Achaval Ferrer

Farewell Argentina BBQ (March 22, 2014) It was difficult to wake up after the huge Argentine BBQ at Alejandro’s house that didn’t end until 2:30am. Everyone ate so much meat and drank so much red wine that it was difficult to move. Luckily his friends came with guitars and we sang many Argentine songs late into the night. A truly wonderful last evening in Mendoza. After packing for the long flight home and checking out of the hotel, Alejandro picked me up at noon and we drove to Achaval Ferrer Wineryin Lujan where we had a 12:30 appointment. Neither one [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:05-07:00July 16, 2014|

Flying Back to Mendoza & Visiting Bodega Catena Zapata

Catena Zapata Winery in Mendoza, Argentina (March 20 – 21, 2014) – The next day was devoted to travel, in that we left Cafayate at 9:30 and to arrive at the Salta Airport around noon. Our 2:30 flight was delayed until 3:30 so we didn’t arrive back at the Mendoza Sheraton until around 6pm. That evening was a quiet one of hitting the gym and having a light meal. At 11am the next morning, a driver and car from Bodega Catena Zapata arrived to escort me to their winery in Lujan de Cuyo, about a 25 minute drive south of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:06-07:00July 8, 2014|

Lunch and Tasting at El Esteco Winery – White Dove of the Valley

El Esteco Winery in Patios Resort (March 19, 2014) In the afternoon, we were honored to receive an invitation to have lunch with Max, the General Manager of El Esteco Winery. El Esteco is owned by Pena Flores and is probably the largest producer in the area. The winery itself is attached to the Patios Hotel where I was staying. It was originally started in the 1850’s, and has been expanded upon. It was a quick walk from my room to the beautiful outdoor patio of the resort restaurant where Max was waiting at a round table with white tablecloth [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:06-07:00July 2, 2014|

A Walking Tour of 2 Wineries in Cafayate, Argentina: El Porvenir & El Transito

On the main plaza of Cafayate, Salta (March 19, 2014) – The next morning we decided to do some shopping on the main plaza in Cafayate, and I found a charming local arts market where I bought a pair of silver earrings with llamas on them. Later I stopped by the small tourist office on the plaza and picked up a winery map. It was then quite easy to see all of the wineries within walking distance of the plaza, and I found that it reminded me a bit of Healdsburg, California where tourists can shop and find great restaurants [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:06-07:00July 1, 2014|

Visiting the Museo de la Vid y Vino and Domingo Molina Winery

Museo de la Vid y el Vino in Cafayate, Salta (March 18, 2014) – We started the day with a tour of the Museo de la Vid y el Vino located 2 blocks off the Cafayate Plaza. It was a delightful experience with walls filled with poetry about wine, as well as the history of wine in the region, and exhibits of winemaking equipment. Two highlights for me were seeing the old cement wine vats with a space underneath to light fires to insure the fermentation continued. I had never seen this before, and I thought it was a great [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:07-07:00June 27, 2014|

Checking into Patios de Cafayate Wine Resort & Dinner at Vinas de Cafayate, Argentina

Entrance to Patios de Cafayate Wine Hotel After the splendid tours and tasting of Bodegas Piattelli and San Pedro, I checked in the luxurious Patios de Cafayate Wine Hotel. This is a spacious old hacienda built of white stucco with a bell tower. The approach is magnificent as you enter a gated vineyard and traverse a long driveway to see the long white resort glowing in the sun and backlit by the red mountains rising behind. The resort is also part of a working winery, Bodega El Esteco. I spent 3 delightful nights here and enjoyed waking up every morning [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:07-07:00June 14, 2014|

Visiting the Famous San Pedro Yacochuya Winery – Four-wheel Driving & Cactus

View of Valley from San Pedro Winery That afternoon we visited the famous Argentine winery called San Pedro Yacochuya where we met the Etchart brothers, Marcos the winemaker and Pablo the marketing expert. The winery achieved its fame partially because they hired Michel Rolland as their consulting winemaker, and became highlighted in the movie Mondevino. In actuality they hired Michel in 1988 before he became famous, and he worked his magic on the San Pedro Yacochuya Malbec. Now Marcos continues the tradition, and the wine truly deserves its great reputation. It is huge, complex, and brimming with concentrated dark berry [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:08-07:00June 11, 2014|

Driving from Salta to Bodega Piattelli in Cafayate, Argentina

Cafes in Salta Along the Plaza (March 2014) We had flown into Salta the evening before, and after checking into our hotel walked several blocks to the main plaza. The sun was just sinking behind the green mountains and cast lovely light on the beautiful pink cathedral that dominated the square. We quickly found a sidewalk café, and enjoyed a bottle of cold Torrontes with a platter of empanadas. We watched people stroll around the plaza, and enjoyed the balmy evening as a few musicians played for us. The next morning, we left early to drive the 2.5 hours south [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T12:59:08-07:00June 5, 2014|

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