Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Beyond the Cork: Wine Trends and the Art of Risk Management

Accidents in the Wine Cellar. Photo Credit: Pexels.com Contributed by Heidi Moore: Wineries and vineyards continually evolve to meet customers’ needs, make operations more cost-effective, and expand into new markets. But whenever businesses try something new, unexpected issues can also emerge. Sometimes, costly mistakes happen, which is why wine companies of all kinds should prioritize risk management. With a little education and some savvy preparation, you can ensure your wine business is protected and will endure long into the future. Emerging trends in the wine industry One of the biggest shifts in the wine industry over the last few years [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-02-15T11:17:12-08:00February 15, 2024|

Planning Your Wedding Bar: How to Store and Serve Wine for the Big Day

Selecting the Best Wines for your Wedding. Photo Credit: Pexels.com, E. Bauso Contributed by Kevin Fagan: Having a wedding sees the couple of the day putting in a lot of work ahead of time so the ceremony goes off without a hitch. The list of what needs to be done seems to be endless - booking venues, buying clothes, and food tasting are just a few of the tasks that need to be checked off the couple’s to-do list. One of the key parts of the wedding reception is the meals and beverages they are paired with. If you’re having [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-02-12T10:59:18-08:00February 12, 2024|

Top 10 Value Priced Wines From 2023

Top 10 Value Priced Wines for 2023 - Photo Credit: Pexels.com, Andrea It's always exciting to find a delicious wine that doesn't break the bank. That is why every year I always look forward to the Wine Spectator Top 10 Wine Values list. For 2023, I was pleased to see that a Sonoma County wine was #1 - La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021 . Since I have visited La Crema winery several times over the past 15 years, this was exciting to see. They are also a winery that focuses on sustainability, and even uses sheep and chickens in the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-01-25T09:33:52-08:00January 25, 2024|

Do U.S. Consumers Really Want Ingredient & Nutrition Labeling on Wine?

Consumers Reading Wine Labels. Photo Credit: Pexels.com This article was originally published in Forbes.com, but they have allowed me to republish it here. This issue of adding ingredient and nutrition labeling to wine is actually a heated one, and it is not clear how it will play out in the U.S. market. Historically, providing ingredient and nutrition labeling for wine and other alcoholic beverages has not been required by federal law in the U.S. However, with the European Union (E.U.) enacting a mandatory ingredient and nutrition labeling regulation for wine beginning December 2023, many industry experts are wondering if similar [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-12-18T19:00:41-08:00December 18, 2023|

Sheep and Chickens in the Vineyard at La Crema Winery in Sonoma County

Sheep in the Vineyard at La Crema Winery Help with Regenerative Farming LA CREMA I have visited La Crema Winery in Sonoma County many times over the years, and it is always a delight, because the winery tasting room is next to the famous Saralee's Vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA. Saralee and Richard Kunde were the original owners of the vast vineyard, and over the years they planted many different grape varieties to enjoy. They also hosted large charity events, which were always fun to attend. In 2012, Saralee sold the vineyard to Jackson Family Wines, who have [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:19:49-07:00December 14, 2023|

Do 98% of Americans Really Open a Bottle of Wine Within 24 Hours of Purchase?

Friends Drinking Wine. Photo Credit: Pexels.com There is a much repeated quote that “98% of Americans open a bottle of wine within 24 hours of purchase.” But is this really true? Well, the short answer is "no." Based on a Sonoma State University research study of 1194 American wine consumers from across the nation, the results show that Americans do not really pop the cork or screwcap as quickly as previously reported. Instead, only 20% of survey respondents admitted to drinking the wine within 24 hours of purchase. Most consumers wait several days or weeks before consuming the wine, and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-11-26T13:44:14-08:00November 26, 2023|

Wine In India – Consumption Rates Increasing Along With Wine Knowledge

Sonal Holland, MW – CEO and Founder of Sonal Holland Wine Academy in India. HOLLAND Though I have not yet traveled to India to taste wine from their 110 wineries, I definitely hope to do so in the future. In the meantime, I keep abreast about wine in India from my friend, Sonal Holland, India's first MW. In fact, I was in London at the Awards Ceremony when she became an MW. Here is some of the recent information she shared with me about the growth of the Indian wine industry, along with increasing wine consumption (in moderation) and wine [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-10-25T11:23:54-07:00October 25, 2023|

Hispanic Winemakers Of Oregon Express Passion For The Land, Legacy And Cuisine

Hispanic Winemakers from Oregon INGRID FRANZ MORIARTY Sometimes it’s a mystery why certain people are “bitten by the wine bug,” and others are not. For a group of 12 Hispanic winemakers in Oregon, it’s about a strong bond of growing grapes and making wine to reflect the beauty of the land, as well as providing a legacy business for their families. Part of that legacy is sharing the joy of wine paired with food to bring friends and family together to celebrate the “good life.” Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Sam Parra, Owner of Parra Wines. “I have such a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-10-02T10:40:23-07:00October 2, 2023|

Why Sommeliers Admire The Petaluma Gap Wine Region In Sonoma County

Tasting Wines of the Petaluma Gap at the Annual 'Wind to Wine Festival' PETALUMAGAP.COM I live in the Petaluma Gap wine region of Sonoma County, and have been so impressed with the growth of wineries here. In the last few years it has grown from just a handful of wineries to over 20 different wineries to visit! The cooler, windier region specializes in wines made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah grapes, but they also make other types of wine as well. For this article I interviewed 6 sommeliers to find out what types of food they recommend pairing with [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-14T13:19:49-07:00October 2, 2023|

Wine and Wineries On the Island of Bali, Indonesia

The Island of Bali in Indonesia Now Has Four Wineries. Sanur Beach, Bali. GETTY When I visited Bali recently I was delighted to find that they have 4 wineries! Even though I wish I had the time to visit all four, I was able to visit Hatten Winery because it was very close to my hotel, the Intercontinental Resort at Sanur Beach. When my husband and I arrived at the Hatten Cellar door by taxi, we didn't have an appointment, but we were welcomed warmly by Mr. Made Arinjaya. He made our visit very pleasant, and we were able to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-08-16T09:30:28-07:00August 2, 2023|

Jordan Winery Hosts Smile Train Charity Dinner With Guest, Jordin Sparks

Jordin Sparks and John Jordan at Smile Train Charity Dinner, Jordan Winery, Sonoma County, CA Jordan Winery in Sonoma County recently hosted an elegant dinner under the stars as part of a fundraiser for Smile Train. Joining the intimate crowd of 40 diners was celebrity guest Jordin Sparks, acclaimed singer-songwriter and American Idol winner, who believes strongly in the mission of Smile Train to provide cleft-palate surgery to children around the world. It’s a pleasure to be here in this stunning estate, and I’m grateful to be here to support Smile Train,” said Jordin Sparks. “It’s not often that we [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-08-03T17:56:55-07:00August 2, 2023|

Tasting Blue Bin Wine: The 1st Premium Wine Sold in a Plastic Wine Bottle in the U.S.

Blue Bin Wine: 1st Wine in U.S. to Be Sold in a 100% Recycled Plastic Bottle. Photo Credit: Ron Rubin Winery Over the years, I have visited Ron Rubin Winery and tasted some of his beautiful Russian River Valley wines several times, and have always enjoyed the very high quality of the wines. Now Ron and his team have been the first winery in America to bottle a wine in a 100% recycled plastic, called Blue Bin. Of course, I couldn’t wait to taste it. When the 4 different vintage varieties of Blue Bin arrived at my house – courtesy [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-07-25T12:12:05-07:00July 25, 2023|

The 5 Major Wine & Food Matching Theories

Sparkling Wine Has Always Been a Favorite for Pairing With Salad and Dessert Courses. Photo Credit: Pexels.com If you read about the history of food and wine pairing, you will discover that it can be traced back to the ancient Greeks who documented which types of wines would best pair with different dishes. Roman soldiers added wine to their water to kill any germs before eating a meal, and during the Middle Ages texts document very specific examples of which foods should be consumed with wine, such as eel and peaches! However, the five theories of food and wine matching [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-07-18T16:39:29-07:00July 18, 2023|

Enjoy Yoga and Wine July 4th Weekend in Napa Valley at Dr. Wilkinson’s

Yoga on The Lawn. Photo Credit: Pexels.com- Monstera With the trend for wellness and self-care sweeping the nation, why not consider a healthy 4th of July weekend – along with a little wine, of course! Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Napa Valley, is offering a weekend of self-care to get you ready for the 4th of July festivities. The weekend starts on July 1 and 2, 2023, when they will offer yoga classes, healing sound sessions, Zumba, wine tastings, cocktails, workshops and more from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm each day. They are doing this in partnership [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-06-20T16:09:00-07:00June 20, 2023|

Calistoga Wineries Celebrate Food Connection And Relaxed Lifestyle In Napa Valley

Calistoga Wine & Culinary Experience at Four Seasons Napa Valley. FOUR SEASONS NAPA When Bo Barrett, CEO of Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley, broke his leg in a ski accident, he was so bored that he went to the local library to do some research. He was curious about the history of the Calistoga District where his winery was located, because at the time, it was the only part of Napa Valley that was not a formal AVA (American Viticulture Area, or appellation). After several months of study, he started writing the draft document to establish an AVA in this [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2023-06-15T12:31:55-07:00June 15, 2023|

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