Wine Stars

Wine Stories and News for the Young at Heart

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|

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|

Celebrate Wine With New ‘Come Together Community’ of Wine Events

Friends Enjoying Wine and Socializing. Photo Credit: 123RF.com Good news, a new wine company called, ‘COME TOGETHER—A Community for Wine Inc,’ has just been launched this May 2024. It is a mission-driven company committed to creating and sharing positive, inclusive consumer information about moderate wine consumption and wine’s historic role as a communal beverage. The company was formed in May 2024 by three wine industry professionals who are donating their time and efforts to the company and its projects and events. They are: 1) wine journalist Karen MacNeil, author of the Wine Bible; 2) Gino Colangelo, CEO of public relations [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-06-26T18:09:28-07:00June 26, 2024|

Men Drink Pink Too: A Sophisticated Rosé Wine for Father’s Day

Real Men Drink Rosé Wine. Photo Credit: Pexels.com, Ryan Holloway One of my favorite memories is coming across a group of men in leather jackets standing next to their motorcycles and drinking rosé wine. This happened in Italy, and I still kick myself that I didn't get a photo of them. However, perhaps it doesn't matter, because there are many men who drink rosé wine. Take my neighor, Paul, who enjoys drinking one of the most expensive rosé wines in the world - Garrus by Chateau d'Esclans, which costs around $125 per bottle. It is made in Provence, France, from [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-06-11T20:18:00-07:00June 11, 2024|

U.S. Wine Sales Increase 46% Between 2018 and 2023

Title Page of 2024 BMO Wine Market Report BMO A new report by Bank of Montreal (BMO) shows that, though wine volume sales are down, actual dollar sales from consumer expenditures on wine have increased in 2023. In fact, if analyzing the BMO report data from 2018 through 2023, wine sales in the U.S. (both domestic and imported wines) increased by 46%. Though part of this is due to inflation and necessary price increases that wineries had to take to keep up with rising supply and labor costs, a good portion is also due to consumers spending more on wine. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-05-25T11:39:08-07:00May 25, 2024|

California Poppies Adorn The New Korbel California Champagne Limited Edition Bottle

New Limited Edition Bottle of Korbel California Champagne with Orange California Poppies. Photo Credit: Korbel I love the vibrant orange color of California poppies. In fact, in the Spring time, they cover the slopes of the hills around my house in Sonoma County. You know Spring is here when the poppies bloom, and they are perennial, so they return each year. Now Korbel California Champagne is releasing a new, limited-edition bottle wrap inspired by the season. It features a vibrant, beautiful orange petal design with the “Poppy” bottle heralding the return of warm weather in style with a nod to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-04-12T16:23:57-07:00April 12, 2024|

Portuguese Wine Week to Enchant Los Angeles

The Famous Sintra Castle in Portugal. Photo Credit: Pexels.com by Frese Get ready to savor the flavors of Portugal as Portuguese Wine Week descends upon Los Angeles from June 2 through 9, 2024. Hosted by Diniz Cellars, importer of fine Portuguese wines, this week-long celebration promises to captivate wine enthusiasts with a series of enticing events, including wine tastings, dinners, and other immersive experiences. Renowned for its diverse terroirs and unique grape varietals, Portugal has emerged as a rising star in the global wine scene. Portuguese Wine Week offers an unparalleled opportunity for wine lovers to explore the depth and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-04-03T07:15:48-07:00April 3, 2024|

Wine And Seafood Pairings That Are Easy For Beginners

The Joy of Pairing Seafood and Wine. Photo Credit: Pexels - Chayko Contributed by Kevin Fagin - Whether you’re a professional wine connoisseur or a casual drinker, you can always enhance your eating experience by choosing the right pairing of wine with your favorite seafood. But why do we have to create pairings? Can’t we just drink any wine with any seafood of our choice? Well, technically yes, but the experience can be far more enjoyable if you balance the flavors of the wine and seafood. What Is Wine and Food Pairing? Wine pairing is the delicate art of matching [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2024-03-27T16:33:10-07:00March 27, 2024|

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|

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|

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|

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|