Dr. Liz Thach, MW

$109 Billion U.S. Wine Market Shows Uptick In Q1 2025 Shipments

Consumers Continue to Shop for Wine in $109 Billion U.S. Wine MarketGETTY (This article was originally published in Forbes.com. Republished here with permission) After two years of declining wine sales volume in the U.S. market, a new report suggests that the situation may be improving. Developed by Gomberg-Fredrikson & Associates, a wine market intelligence company established in 1948 that uses U.S. government data to analyze wine shipments and revenues, the report shows a positive uptick in wine shipments for the first quarter of 2025. “We are seeing an uptick in both California wine shipments and imported wine in the first [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-06-15T03:01:36-07:00June 15, 2025|

What Is The Future Of AF Wines?

The Future of AF Wines and Vineyards. Getty Many people want to know if the current strong growth in Alcohol Free (AF) wines is just a trend, or if it is here to stay. Given that alcohol-free wines have been available commercially in the U.S. market for 40 years (Arial was introduced by J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in 1985 and Fre was released in 1992 by Trinchero Family Estates), there will always be a place in the market for these types of wines. However, with the current consumer focus on health and wellness, it is expected that many more AF [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-04-13T16:56:35-07:00April 17, 2025|

The Challenges And Cost Of Producing Alcohol Free Wines

High-quality Wine Grapes Are Needed to Produce High-quality Alcohol-Free Wines. getty While most consumers assume that wine without alcohol should be easier to produce and therefore less expensive to purchase, the reverse is actually the case. Creating a high-quality alcohol-free wine requires at least two extra production steps, beyond regular winemaking: 1. Grow and harvest high-quality grapes (using low-quality grapes results in a low-quality wine) 2. Ferment the wine (using traditional methods, with yeast—usually in a stainless steel tank) 3. EXTRA STEP: Remove the alcohol from the wine (which usually strips the wine of many flavors and aromas—different technologies include vacuum distillation and reverse [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-04-13T16:50:13-07:00April 15, 2025|

Tasting the Exquisite Wines of Dr. Konstantin Frank in the NY Finger Lakes Region

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in the Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York I first visited the Finger Lakes wine region of upstate New York in the early Spring on my way to visit Niagara Falls. We stayed two nights at a darling BnB on the shores of the one of the lakes, and I remember thinking that it was one of the most beautiful wine regions in America, with the vineyards planted along the gently slopping hillsides of the lake. We spent three days there visiting different wineries and enjoying not only the lovely rieslings and cabernet franc wines, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-04-13T11:44:54-07:00April 13, 2025|

New Alcohol Free Wines That Taste Delicious

New Alcohol Free Wines That Taste Delicious. Photo Credit: Getty Over the years I have tried many alcohol-free wines and have always been a bit disappointed. They either tasted too sweet and fruity, or thin and bitter. However, with the new health and wellness trend sweeping the globe, some wineries have invested more money and new technology into creating some alcohol-free wines that actually taste delicious. Here are five that I've recently tasted that I continue to purchase on my own and enjoy. Please note that portions of this article were previously published in Forbes.com. Growth of Alcohol-Free Wines There [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-04-13T16:55:22-07:00April 13, 2025|

How to Enjoy ‘Green’ Wine

Enjoy Green Wine During March and for St. Patrick's Day. Photo Credit: Getty As March arrives and St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the color green typically comes to mind. It’s usually not hard to find a bar or pub serving ‘green beer,’ but discovering ‘green wine’ may be more challenging. However, there are three green wine types you can find and enjoy during March, or even year-round. #1) Vinho Verde – The Original Green Wine If you haven’t tasted a glass of ‘Vinho Verde’ yet, you are in for a treat. Originating in Portugal, this style of white wine is light, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-03-17T14:58:45-07:00March 17, 2025|

Exploring Madrid’s Hidden Gem: A Guide to Visiting the Vinos de Madrid Wine Region

Madrid, Spain is a Great Place to Visit. Photo Credit: Pexels.com, NextVoyage (Contributed by guest author, Michael Pope) When you think of Madrid and wine, it’s easy to imagine yourself in a lively tapas bar, where glasses of vino flow freely and pair perfectly with the clink of plates and the hum of conversation. Here, wine is woven into the rhythm of daily life, usually decent, always affordable, and a natural companion to the city’s love of food. Sadly, for many people, the Madrid wine culture ends there, fulfilled by wines from other more famous DOs, leaving the region’s own [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-01-23T11:38:59-08:00January 22, 2025|

Tasting My First Wine Made in Tanzania

Enjoying African Wine on Safari Nothing excites me more than trying a wine from a new country. Currently wine is produced in more than 70 countries around the world, but one that surprised me was Tanzania in Africa. When traveling in Africa, the most common wine to be served is from South Africa. This makes sense because they make incredible wine in South Africa — I have visited there twice for wine conferences and tours. However, there are other countries in Africa that do produce wine, and one is Tanzania. This is because there are high mountains (think Mt. Kilimanjaro) [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2025-02-20T17:15:33-08:00December 23, 2024|

A Magical Visit to Spottswoode Winery in Napa Valley During Harvest

Spottswoode Winery in Napa Valley. Photo Credit: Spottswoode I've known Beth Novak, President and CEO of Spottwoode Winery in Napa Valley for years, but actually never had a chance to visit the historic winery (first built in 1884) until this harvest. By the time I completed my visit, I was completely captivated by how natural, authentic, and inspirational Beth and all her employees are. In fact, when I arrived, I found a group of employees dancing and singing in the cellar as they worked! “The original old stone winery was built in 1884,” stated Beth Nowak, after she greeted me. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-12-23T14:17:33-08:00December 23, 2024|

Wine Tasting with a Robot Named Scorpion: A Robotic Revolution in Sipping!

Scorpion, the Wine Serving AI Robot Contributed by guest author, Hermon Dubale: Imagine this: a robotic arm that resembles a scorpion, elegantly reaching for a bottle of aged Chardonnay and pouring it with finesse while interacting with you. Scorpion’s AI functionality detects people and can even engage in light, charming conversation, creating a fun and interactive atmosphere. Recently, Scorpion was installed in 1936 Wine and Spirits NYC and has received many reviews. Watch the YOUTUBE VIDEO to see a customer experience Scorpion for the first time and call it “a real sommelier.” This is because Scorpion not only pours wine [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-12-23T14:05:33-08:00December 23, 2024|

A Visit to Cristal and Roederer Champagne in France

Wines Served at Lunch at Cristal Champagne Press House in Ay, France It was such a treat to receive an invitation to visit the Cristal Champagne Press House and Champagne Louis Roederer Maison in France this September. My friend and colleague, Xaviar Barlier, who is SVP of Marketing & Communications with Maison, Marques and Domaines, extended the invitation. So I flew to Paris for one week, inviting my friend, Lupe Leon, as companion. One of the very fascinating aspects of the trip was being seated next to Frédéric Rouzaud at lunch. He is the 7th generation family member and current [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-11-10T12:24:32-08:00November 10, 2024|

Enjoying a Historic Wine Tasting at Ridge Lytton Springs Winery in Sonoma County

Line-up of Old Vine Zinfandel Wines Tasted at 50th Anniversary of Ridge Lytton Springs WineryThach Recently, I was invited to a historic wine-tasting and lunch at Ridge Lytton Springs Winery in Sonoma County. It was to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the winery, and we were treated to some very old zinfandels sourced from their 100+ year vineyards. A true treat! A Brief History of Ridge Lytton Springs Winery In the winter of 1971 , Paul Draper, winemaker with Ridge Vineyards, visited a 100-year old vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County, California. He was searching for old-vine zinfandel [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:19:49-07:00September 30, 2024|

A Simple Guide to Hosting a Wine-Centric BBQ Party

BBQ and Wine - A Great Combination. Photo Credit: Splash.com (Contributed by Kevin Fagan) Warm weather ushers in the fun tradition of hosting family BBQ parties. Grills and smokers nationwide are lit up and filled with succulent meats, veggies, and even pizzas and grilled fruits. While it’s common for many people to crack open a cold beer or soda to enjoy with these BBQ delights, others enjoy pairing their grilled treats with wine. If you want to try this idea, here’s our guide to hosting a wine-centric BBQ party. #1) Create An Inviting Atmosphere While most wine tastings are elegant [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-10-02T07:27:06-07:00September 30, 2024|

Celebrating Food & Wine at the ‘Taste of Sonoma’ Festival

Guests Enjoy Socializing With Friends at the Taste of Sonoma Food & Wine Festival. Photo Credit: Thach As a Sonoma County native, over the years I've attended the Taste of Sonoma Food & Wine Festival on multiple occasions. However this year I went with the express purpose of interviewing strangers about why they decided to attend. I learned some interesting facts! The 'Taste of Sonoma' festival has been offered for more than a decade at different locations around Sonoma County. This makes perfect since, because Sonoma County is not only home to more than 500 wineries, but also some of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-07-17T09:33:24-07:00July 17, 2024|

Tips to Select Wines for Your Superyacht Parties

Tips for Selecting Wines for Your Superyacht. Photo Credit: Pexels.com (Contributed by Kevin Fagan) Yachting is a luxurious experience and a time for you to sit back, soak in the serene views and enjoy a superyacht party. That's why it is natural to expect an impressive wine selection on board. But sometimes it can become rather difficult to experience such a luxury that meets perfectly with your standards. To say it simply, having an exceptional wine tasting list on the yacht is rare. Generally, there is no experienced sommelier on board, so it becomes the host’s, or the chief steward’s/ [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-07-17T09:18:59-07:00July 17, 2024|

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