Christmas and New Year’s will be here before you know it. We have quick tips to help you select the type and amount of wine you need, whether you’re hosting or bringing wine to the party. What wine to serve or bring? Generally, lighter bodied reds go well with the subtle flavors of Turkey (think …
Do you get a tingle of excitement when you see wine grapes getting riper each day? Not only do we Winegirls get excited, but birds such as starlings, robins, finches, blackbirds, and others get excited: they can’t wait to poke their beaks into a juicy, sweet grape to pluck out the seeds. This damages the …
The 2023 harvest at many northern California vineyards started a couple of weeks later than usual, and many winemakers say their 2023 grape crop will soon become exceptional wine. This year’s milder summer resulted in slower ripening, so winemakers had grapes stay on the vines for longer “hang time”. More hang time not only increases …
Unusual 2023 Weather Brings Hope For The Vintage Read More »
For years we were told that moderate wine drinking was good for our health, particularly our hearts. However, in January of 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) released an alert that no alcohol or wine consumption is safe. What is a wine lover to think? We break it down. We read a number of articles …
I was very excited to explore local wines on a recent trip to Greece. This culture has a history of wine-making going back to 3000 BC, so they know a thing or two. A day-trip on the island of Santorini was an eye-opening lesson on cultivating grapes and producing fine wines in a very harsh …
Santorini: ancient Greek wines from a harsh climate Read More »
As more wineries adopt digital point-of-sale systems, more and more customers have been presented with a ‘Tip’ page prior to signing for their charges, and some are wondering “Why am I asked to tip for just buying a bottle of wine”? This is off-putting to customers. And trust me, it’s very uncomfortable for the winery …
The torrent of rains turned to cold snows in the lower elevations of California this past week. While snow is not unusual in the Sierra foothills, the blanket of snow over the hilly vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Livermore, and even Santa Barbara was truly rare. But just like all of the rains, even …
The recent January 2023 rains in California created floods, landslides, and chaos for many, but grape growers up and down the state are happy for more. A year of drought can result in yummy concentrated flavors in wine grapes, leading to intensely flavored wines. But too many years of drought dries up the water table, …
Recently we visited the Placer Wine Trail area and 3 wineries, in the Sierra Foothills AVA of Northern California. This wine region has a rich history dating back to wine grapes first planted by immigrant miners during California’s Gold Rush. Read history. Today, there are 20 family-owned wineries nestled in the rolling Sierra foothills. These …
There’s Drought, But Great Tasting Along The Placer Wine Trail Read More »
For years, where to store my wine was never a problem, because this Winegirl drank her wine the minute she got it. But I have learned that there are many reasons to buy more wine than I can drink in a week/weekend: Where To Store Wine You want to store your wine in a place …
