Hello my people and happy weekend. PSA announcement for those living in the US States that participate—Spring Forward this weekend!
Speaking of Spring Forward. I’m ready to tell you all about my own forward and upward springing. As of this last Monday, March 7, I am officially immersed in my new full-time position as the Senior Editor of print for Wine Enthusiast magazine. Woohoo.
I still have this week’s wine-newsy round-up. And it is a doozy. I mean, there’s loads going on—between Women’s History Month, the drinks industry’s wonderful support of Ukraine, new AVAs, and wine industry data analytics through to some more light-hearted entertaining pieces, including an exposé on Mo’s “Tavernas,” wine-related binge-watching, and even good old classic wine recommendations. I suggest pouring yourself a Briscoe-sized glass, squashing into a big comfy chair, and scrolling at your leisure.
Hello all and happy first weekend of March! I can’t believe how fast this year is already flying by. One personal project I want to highlight this week is a podcast that was recently released in conjunction with the Green Wine Future Conference coming up this May. I’ll be moderating the session on Regenerative Agriculture. In the meantime, the conference is publishing a series of podcasts that correlate to session topics. Listen in to my piece on Regenerative Viticulture as I interview Jason Haas of Tablas Creek and Richard Leask of Leask Agriculture on the topic.
I’ve one more piece of exciting news that I will be sharing with you all later this week. So stay tuned on that front.
In the meantime, I’ve go loads of news listed for you this week, including how the food and drinks industry is supporting Ukraine, discovering wine in the ‘metaverse,’ and a couple of very well written opinion pieces as well. So enjoy. Talk soon!
Hello my people. I don’t have a savvy intro for you today. I’ll just say I’ve got some interesting projects on the go, so stay tuned for more from me. In the meantime, please enjoy your weekly wine-newsy roundup. Cheers!
This past weekend I had the pleasure—nay, the honor—of moderating the featured tasting and seminar at the 2022 Rhone Rangers Experience. It was a special event for several reasons. Top of most people’s minds is the fact that this annual tradition had to take the obligatory COVID-pause. So, of course, it was wonderful to see friends and colleagues from across the US gather together and, yes, even hug.
For me, the opportunity to participate goes a bit deeper. The Rhone Rangers was one of (if not the) first event I’d ever attended in a pseudo-professional capacity. Back in those days, I was but a newbie freelancer writing for just a few small outlets, and pretty much just getting paid in wine samples and event tickets. And so it was, the lovely Girls on Food blog ‘hired’ me to attend the SF Rhone Rangers event, complete with VIP tickets for the seminar and media-only portion of the walk-around tasting. (I wish I could find the link to the original article…)
Green as I was to the wine-scene, little did I know the characters I was meeting—Randall Grahm, Bob Lindquist, Neil Collin and Jason Haas—were ‘celebrities’ of wine history. Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t, because they each became wonderful acquaintances and, in the case of Randall and Jason, I do in fact consider them friends. It also allowed me to make quick friends with smaller producers, like Larry Schaffer (tercero wines) and of course the boys over at Crux and eventually others, like Bob and Maggie Tillman over at Alta Colina.
Whether big name or small producer, the Rhone Rangers—these boots-on-the-ground, passionate producers of wine—have always welcomed me with open arms, a generous attitude, and have been critical in my pursuing my wine passion.
Anyway, my point is that it is nice that my Rhone Rangers Experience has, in effect, come full circle. The shy blogger girl who once was, returned as an experienced wine industry reporter, journalist, and editor—just as open and eager to learn from these exciting, innovative winemakers.
Hello my people and happy weekend—happy long weekend for those who may have the three-day due to President’s Day on Monday. What is up with me, you ask? Well this weekend, I’ll be moderating the Rhone Rangers Experience in Paso Robles. Looking forward to seeing folks I haven’t seen in awhile, making some new friends, and of course tasting some fabulous wines.
What else? Oh yes, I’ve started teaching WSET classes, most recently at the newly created Odyssey Wine Academy. It’s so wonderful to share the knowledge and passion I’ve acquired over the years through my studies with fellow wine enthusiasts.
Alright, that’s all of my selfish news. You can find the real news below. Enjoy!
