Wine Stars

Wine Stories and News for the Young at Heart

Best Wine Tasting Experience at Serego Alighieri Winery in Italy

(Contributed by Gabriele Brusamarello) - My best tasting room experience was at the Serego Alighieri Estate, in the heart of the Valpolicella wine region in Italy. Located just a few miles away from the historic and magical city of Verona and beautiful Lake Garda, the winery estate was establish in 1353. It was a sunny and warm day in spring 2012, and I went to visit the winery with some basketball teammates since we were playing for the Verona basketball team. When we first arrived, we were surrounded by nature, astonished by the historic beauty and uniqueness of the location, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:47:56-08:00April 30, 2020|

Learn About Champagne from the Experts – Free!

What do you think of when you hear “Champagne”? While the name is sometimes used generically for sparkling wine especially in the United States, Champagne only comes from Champagne, France. The name is actually protected by French statutes since 1887, with over 120 national jurisdictions today restricting the use of the name to sparkling wines exclusively produced from grapes in the French region and using the traditional method (méthode champenoise, also is a protected designation). Sparkling Glasses of Champagne. Photo Credit: Comité Champagne The Official Comité Champagne Behind its exclusivity and luxurious connotations, Champagne – both the wine and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:48:18-08:00April 23, 2020|

Grapes Still Stomped by Foot at Pax Wines in Sebastopol, CA

Contributed by Keira Fernandes - Have you ever felt the soft squishy feel of grapes underneath your bare feet? Well, this is the way they still make some of the wine at Pax Winery in Sebastopol, California. That’s because owners Pax and Pam Mahle believe in making wine the old-fashioned way. Not only do they stomp their wine grapes by foot, but they refrain from using chemicals or any unnatural additions to their wines. Pax Winery also leaves the skins on the grape for as long as possible to allow for natural fermentation as well as getting maximum flavor. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:48:45-08:00April 21, 2020|

Bored? Here are 7 High-Quality Wine Education Videos to Watch for Free!

Are you looking for something that’s both educational and fun while you are “Sheltering in Place?” Well, let’s talk wine and television! Here is a great new online wine show with Vince Anter, a certified sommelier, takes viewers on a journey around the world in the hit wine TV show, V is for Vino. Each episode of V is for Vino explores a wine region and its history. There are 7 free shows that can be accessed HERE. Vince Anter, Star of V is for Vino Spreading Grape Knowledge Vince is passionate about spreading the knowledge about where the [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:49:09-08:00April 6, 2020|

New Relief Fund to Pay Restaurants to Cook for Those in Need – Jordan Winery Donates $150,000

Sonoma Family Meal, a disaster-focused non-profit providing chef-made meals to those in need, announces the creation of the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund—a new initiative to help restaurants remain open for disaster-relief cooking by providing healthy, chef-made meals to those in desperate need of food. John Jordan, the owner of Jordan Winery, and the John Jordan Foundation have made a $150,000 investment in the fund, and the non-profits are teaming up for a match drive to raise an additional $150,000. “With many businesses shuttered, demand for prepared meals is at an all-time high due to the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Heather Irwin, founder of Sonoma [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:49:39-08:00April 4, 2020|

Elephant Motif and Farm-Stay Wine Experience at Zo Winery

Contributed by Keira Fernandes – This month we had a great educational wine-tasting on the campus of Sonoma State University with Zo Winery. They are located in the Dry Creek AVA of Sonoma County, just three miles outside of the town of Healdsburg. What is unique about Zo Winery is that they not only offer wine-tasting, but a farm-stay wine experience. They also have a very special focus on elephants, with every wine label graced by an elephant motif. The Elephant Connection The 11-acre vineyard was purchased by David Eckert in 1999 and named after his son Enzo. Enzo’s name [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:50:29-08:00February 23, 2020|

Which Type of Wine Label is Most Attractive to US Consumers?

(Contributed by Shane LaChance) Think about when you last purchased a bottle of wine. Maybe it was for a dinner party, a get-together with friends, or a night-in with the spouse. Let’s say you walked into the store with somewhat of a game plan; in search for a domestically grown red wine in the price range of $12-15. Now, what happens next? Shopping for Wine Survey Shows 80% of Consumers Select Wine Based on Label What guides us to pick up the 2 or 3 bottles that catch our eye. Better yet, what are the deciding factors that [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:50:52-08:00November 7, 2019|

7 Tips for Hosting an Elegant Wine Tasting Party

(Contributed by Jessica Smith) The statement “Wine is the nectar of the Gods,” ‘has been repeated often over the years, and pop culture has praised the beverage for its quality and enjoyment factor many times. Wine is special because it can be enjoyed in a simple fashion to relax with friends and family over an informal meal or it can be used as the centerpiece of an elegant wine tasting party. Just like tea, coffee, beer, whiskey, and other special beverages, wine can have a ceremonial aspect that involves knowledge, special drinking glasses, and etiquette when served for more formal [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:51:20-08:00January 25, 2019|

Trend of Adding Ice to Champagne, Cremant, and Provence Rose Growing in France

On my recent trip to France, I discovered that the trend of adding ice to wine is spreading throughout the country. Introduced several years ago by Moët & Chandon, other Champagne and Cremant houses have followed suit, as well as some Provence Rose producers. However, interestingly, they have created separate blends and new products for their wines that are designed for ice additions. New Sparkling Wine from Cattin Winery in Alsace - -just add ICE! The reason for this was all explained to me by Anais Cattin, during my recent visit to Cattin Winery in Alsace. Anais explained [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:51:46-08:00April 9, 2018|

How I Fell in Love with Wine – A Great Role Model and Exceptional Customer Service at Gloria Ferrer Winery

(Contributed by Brenna Machek) - I fell in love with wine through two memorable experiences. The first time was with my parents, and the second time was when I landed my first big job in the wine industry. My Dad - The Role Model I remember every summer coming to Northern California for a vacation with my family. In exchange for some fun boating time with my brother, my parents would make us stop by a couple wineries so they could have their “fun adult time”. I would watch how my dad carefully eyed the wine in the glass, stuck [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:52:09-08:00December 25, 2017|

How I Fell in Love with Wine: Autumn Leaves and Finding Grape Buyers

Contributed by Victoria Herrera - In 1950 my great grandfather bought 75 acres of farmland outside of the town of Healdsburg in Sonoma, California in the Dry Creek Valley AVA. It was then passed down to my grandfather, who was an immigrant from Italy. Naturally he planted several acres of Zinfandel grapes that he would sell to make a little bit of cash, and also make wine for the family. Vineyard Leaves in Autumn Growing up, I always enjoyed visiting my grandfather at his Healdsburg property. I enjoyed watching him take care of his chickens, vegetable garden, walnut [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:52:34-08:00December 10, 2017|

How I Fell In Love with Wine in San Francisco

Contributed by Cecilia Bandalan - It was a cold winter day in San Francisco, and I had just turned twenty-one years old. I was also dating a French guy from Marseille here on a temporary visa working at a biotech company. Prior to dating him, I had very little experience with wine. After meeting him, we would drink wine at the end of our workday, but nothing he bought really lit a fire in me. He tried explaining the flavor notes; even paired some with cheese and charcuterie, but it still never excited me. Not until the day of my [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:53:01-08:00December 5, 2017|

Ten Great Reasons to Love California’s Wineries and Vineyards

(Contributed by Gregg McPherson) Californian’s have much to be thankful for - great weather, fabulous beaches, soaring mountains, and a thriving economy. Many people focus on Silicon Valley and the amazing technology that is produced there when they think of what drives California’s growth. Not as many people realize how important the wine and grape growing industry is to the people of the state. These are mostly small to medium family businesses that provide quality jobs and a product that is loved across the US and around the world. California’s wines generate roughly $32 billion in retail sales. That is [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:53:25-08:00June 25, 2017|

Which Top American Wine Was Preferred by Chinese Master Class?

(May 19, 2017) Last evening I taught a Master class in Shanghai, China entitled “Top Wines of America.” It was scheduled from 7 to 9pm at the Hyatt Regency, and all 34 seats in the class were filled with young Chinese wine professionals. Most were working in the industry as wine retailers, marketers, or educators. There were also a few importers and winemakers in the class. Master Class on Top American Wines in Shanghai China The hosts of the Wine100 Competition organized the master class and arranged for the wines to be available for the event. They requested [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:54:02-08:00May 20, 2017|

Toasting Trione Winery at Over 100 Years in Sonoma County

(Contributed by Jane Hofmiester) Trione Winery was the most recent guest winery in the SSU Winesense Club educational series. Boasting over 100 years in Sonoma County, the Trione family are true pioneers in the region. The Old Stone Building at Trione Winery About Trione Winery Beginning as farmers and grape growers, the Trione's own over 700 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley, and Sonoma Coast AVAs. They finally started making wine in 2005, and opened a winery tasting room for the public in 2008. Operated by brothers Mark and Vic Trione, along with Mark’s [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-01T19:54:25-08:00April 11, 2017|

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