Thinking About Drinking
After three intensive days on Seneca Lake hitting nine wineries, I rolled into Cayuga Lake with a completely different agenda. This wasn’t about maxing out my tasting flight count as much as slowing down, soaking in the beauty of the…
Just a few degrees might not sound like much, but in the grape-growing world, it's the difference between picking early with underripe fruit and hanging on until peak flavor and structure. That 2-4°F cushion from Seneca Lake? It can make or break a vintage.
I'm currently road-tripping through the Finger Lakes, and honestly? I can't believe it took me this long to make the drive from D.C. This cool-climate wine region—sitting at the same latitude as Oregon's Willamette Valley but with way more brutal winters—is quietly producing some of the most exciting wines in America. From world-class Rieslings that rival Germany's best to plot-twist Cab Francs that prove New York can do reds, the Finger Lakes is having its moment
While France gets all the prestige and Italy…has a lot going on, Spain has been quietly perfecting some of the world’s most exciting wines—from age-worthy Tempranillos that could make Bordeaux jealous to crisp Albariños that taste like a day at…
Fresh off a wedding weekend in Virginia wine country, I'm sharing my ultimate guide to Charlottesville's most charming vineyards. From King Family's polo fields and wine wagons to Veritas's Napa-worthy elegance, these rolling Blue Ridge destinations prove why Virginia was named Wine Region of the Year. Whether you're planning a girls' weekend, romantic getaway, or solo sipping adventure, discover the perfect blend of crisp rosés, floral Viogniers, and food-friendly reds—all just 2.5 hours from D.C. Plus, insider tips on the best seasonal dishes, Instagram-worthy spots, and why this transitional time between summer and fall makes Virginia wine country absolutely magical.
Part 3 of our Piedmont’s Leading Ladies Series In the power trio of Piedmont grapes, Dolcetto plays the part of the cool aunt—the youngest of the bunch, less celebrated than powerful Barolo or Barbaresco (both Nebbiolo) or vibrant Barbera, but…
The Chartreuse shortage isn't due to supply chain issues or production problems—it's because the Carthusian monks made a conscious decision in 2021 to cap production at roughly 1.2 million bottles per year. Their reasoning? 'Making millions of cases does not make any sense in today's environmental context and will have a negative impact on the planet in the very short term.' The monks also wanted to 'protect their monastic life and devote their time to solitude and prayer' rather than scale up production to meet growing demand from the craft cocktail world.
Part 2 of our Piedmont’s Leading Ladies series In Piedmont, while Zia Nebbiolo commands the steepest hills and highest prices, there’s another grape quietly dominating the region in sheer volume and everyday elegance. Barbera covers more vineyard acreage in Piedmont…
Part 1 of our Piedmont’s Leading Ladies series In Piedmont, some vineyards are just better than others—and everyone knows which grape gets first dibs on the prime real estate. While her younger sisters Barbera and Dolcetto make do with whatever…