wine

Virtual Wine Tours on the Rise

Though we all enjoy traveling to the wine regions of the world, there are times that physical travel is not possible. Some of this may be due to work or health conflicts, but increasingly there are other issues that cause wine regions to close temporarily. Examples include the COVID pandemic, earthquakes in New Zealand, Chile and Napa; terrorist attacks in France, Spain and Germany, and wildfires and mudslides in California. Given these changing conditions, some wineries have started offering innovative virtual wine tours. 360 Virtual Vineyard Tour (Modified Photo Credit: Pxfuel.com) Three Types of Virtual Wine Tours With [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T21:54:12-08:00June 6, 2020|

The “Terroir Whisperer” at Domaine de Villaine in Bouzeron, Burgundy

(May 27, 2019) It was only a 45 minute drive from my hotel in Vougeot to the small village of Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise where I had a 10am appointment at Domaine de Villaine. I was greeted by winemaker, Pierre de Villaine, a slim man with a goatee and calm grey eyes. Even since tasting his Aligote several years ago in Beaune, I have been wanting to meet him, because he has an intriguing reputation of being a “terroir whisperer,” with strong beliefs in the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, as well as the use of numerology to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:24:00-08:00June 1, 2019|

Wine on Safari in South Africa – What is Available?

(January 2019) Going on safari to witness the majesty of the big five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) is a dream held by many people, but for wine lovers there is also the question of “how is the wine on safari?” Fortunately in South Africa, the answer is “great,” because with more than 700 wineries in the country, South African safari lodges can afford to be generous with wine, and they are rightly proud to show off the delicious and well-balanced wines of their country. Elephant Sighting on Safari in South Africa I am lucky to [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:24:23-08:00January 21, 2019|

Pizzato Winery – Waterfalls and Cool Climate Merlot in Southern Brazil

(June 2018) Pizzato Winery is halfway up a very windy road in the Serra Gaucha wine region of Southern Brazil. I had to hold onto the side of the car as we twisted and turned around mountain bends, with long drops into a tree filled canyon below. Finally we arrived at a small tasting room perched on the side of a hill, with a large deck overlooking a magnificent range of mountains with a long white waterfall in the distance. To the left were rows of vineyards stretching out across the hillside and fading into the distance. What a beautiful [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:28:15-08:00July 21, 2018|

Fun Facts about Brazilian Wine

If your only reason to go to Brazil is to play on white sandy beaches and drink caipirinhas, think again. Instead consider heading further south to the Brazilian wine region of Serra Gaucha, about 375 miles north of the Uruguay border in a cool hilly region that looks like Northern Italy. Indeed this region was settled by immigrants from the Veneto and Trentadoc regions of Northern Italy in the 1880’s, and, of course, they planted grapes and made wine. This region of Brazil also has many excellent Italian restaurants, as well as Brazilian steakhouses to celebrate the fact that this [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:29:00-08:00July 10, 2018|

Don’t Shake That Sherry at Bodega Delgado Zuleta

(June 2018) Bodega Delgado Zuleta is located on the outskirts of Sanlucar, Spain in an industrial area with plentiful parking. They are one of the largest sherry wineries in Spain, and are the producer of the famous La Goya Manzanilla brand. Their partner winery, Barbiana, is also housed at this complex. Established in 1744, the winery has over 1,000 hectares of vineyards, and produces millions of bottles of wine each year. I arrived in the afternoon and was met by Eva Jimenez who is a sherry expert living in the area, and also a great tour guide and [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:29:23-08:00July 7, 2018|

“Wine That Travels” – A Short History of Sherry

(June 2018) It was so exciting to finally arrive in the land of sherry – that famous fabled wine that has traveled the world. We caught an 11:30 flight on Iberia Airlines from Madrid to Jerez, and by 1pm were already departing the small airport in our Hertz rental car. As we drove towards our resort hotel on the ocean just south of Sanlucar, we passed rolling hills covered in bright yellow sunflowers and green verdant vineyards filled with palomino and pedro ximenez grapes. The blue sky and warm temperatures in the mid 70’s was welcome after the cooler temperatures [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:36:18-08:00July 4, 2018|

Vega Sicilia – The Ultimate Iconic Winery of Spain

(June 2018) There are certain times in life when you taste a wine that is so magnificent that it transports you into another century. That is what happened to me the first time I tasted Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva a few years ago. We were attending a pool party at a friend’s house, when one of the guests approached me with an open bottle of 1986 Vega Sicilia. “My company is relocating me to Europe,” he said, “but I cannot bring my wine collection, so I’ve decided to share some of my favorite bottles with friends here tonight.” [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:36:39-08:00June 25, 2018|

The Best Wine Sales Person in the World – from Vietnam!

“Hey, lady, do you want to buy some wine?” A female voice with a Vietnamese accent called out to me, and I glanced over the side of our boat to see a small woman in a bright orange shirt holding a bottle of wine. She was standing up in one of the many small “grocery store” boats that we had seen sailing around Halong Bay all day. These boats were filled with different types of food, drink and household supplies to sell to the tourist boats and locals who lived on boats in the Bay. Lady Selling Wine from [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:37:35-08:00June 6, 2018|

Russian Dancers, Ballerinas and Caviar Enrapture Guests at Jordan Winery’s Holiday Party

I always enjoy receiving an invitation to visit Jordan Winery in the Alexander Valley AVA of Sonoma County. Not only is it one of the oldest wineries in the region, with an impressive gate and curving driveway which leads to a golden ivy-covered building designed in the French chateau style, but they are known for their very innovative events. Ballerina Dancers at Jordan Winery in Sonoma County This time it was an invitation to attend their Tchaikovsky Christmas Party tasting to highlight their new Jordan Cuvée Champagne made in partnership with AR Lenoble in France. This is a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:39:07-08:00December 10, 2017|

Southern Oregon Wineries Focusing on Diversity

(May 2017) The wineries of Southern Oregon have always held a special place in my heart because I have been visiting them for two decades. Ever since most of my relatives left California in the early 1990’s to move to Medford, I have made many trips to the area. Each time we have visited the charming towns of Jacksonville, Ashland, and, of course, the wineries of the Rogue and Applegate Valleys. Vineyards of Southern Oregon. Photo Credit: Southern Oregon Winery Association In the beginning there were not that many wineries, but today there are more than 120 in [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:40:10-08:00July 10, 2017|

Champagne and Tacos – a Unique Lunch at Kiona Vineyards, Washington

(May 2, 2017) Kiona Vineyards, located in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington State, was the first stop of the day. One of the oldest wineries in the region, established in 1961, it is famous for its big luscious cabernet sauvignons, old vineyards, and a panoramic view of the valley. Therefore it was only fitting that this was location of a master class tasting on Washington cabernet sauvignons. We spent several hours tasting 12 wines and listening to the fascinating tales of the winemakers who made them. I must say that I have always enjoyed Washington cabernet sauvignons and red [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:42:37-08:00June 22, 2017|

Overview of Washington Wine – Major Grape Varietals, Appellations and Terroir

During our 5-day tour of Washington State, we learned many interesting facts about Washington wine. To begin, Washington is the second largest wine-producing region in the USA after California. As of 2016, Washington has 681 bonded wineries (Fisher, 2017), and over 900 brands. Old Vines at Chateau St. Michelle in Washington State The oldest winery in Washington is Columbia Winery, established in 1962. The second oldest is Chateau St. Michelle started in 1967. Today they are both the largest wine producers in the state, and are ironically located across the road from one another in the town of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T12:35:15-08:00June 18, 2017|

Five Day Master of Wine Tour of Washington Wine Regions

One of the greatest advantages to being a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine is the opportunity to visit the great wine regions of the world with fellow MW’s. This May I was honored to be invited to participate in a 5-day wine tour of Washington State. Altogether 42 MWs from around the world flew to Seattle to learn about and sample the great wines of Washington. Washington State Vineyards Along the Columbia River. Photo Credit: Washingtonwine.org Our trip was hosted by Washington State Wines, and I would have to say that this was one of [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T12:35:43-08:00June 13, 2017|

Which Top US Wine was Preferred by Chinese Master Class?

(May 2017) Recently I was asked to teach 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. Participants in Top US Wine Master Class in Shanghai, China The hosts of the Wine100 Competition organized the master class and arranged for the wines to be available for the event. [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-23T12:36:28-08:00June 1, 2017|