Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell

Wines that are 'Just Right'

Are you planning a party ? Are you going to one?  Needing a gift but not sure what wine to select?

Hosting a  party or finding a great gift for a wine lover just got easier with our tips on finding crowd-pleasing, drinkable wine that caters to diverse tastes, while also finding wines that are unique and stand out.

We have an approach to finding crowd pleaser wines in our latest blog article. We liken it to Goldilocks - remember her? But now we've moved up, from porridge to wine.

Read on for expert tips and find your own Goldilocks wine!

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Wine Regions and Appellations Guest User Wine Regions and Appellations Guest User

Native Americans' Rich Heritage of Holistic & Sustainable Sustenance

Amidst the post-Thanksgiving festivities, let's reflect on the roots of gratitude by exploring the enduring legacy of Native Americans and their traditions to preserve the natural ecosystems around them in a regenerative way. Join us on a cultural journey through some Native American peoples’ rich history, legends, and spiritual landscapes, such as the Chumash which thrived for thousands of years in Ventura County and the Ojai Valley. From Dolcettos and winemaking traditions to the Channel Islands' significance, discover the profound connection between the Chumash people and their ancestral lands. Delve into a narrative of resilience, preservation, and leadership in holistic and sustainable marine life and agriculture conservation, as we honor the original inhabitants of our homes during National Native American Heritage Month.

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Farming, Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell Farming, Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell

Mother Nature + Math = Wine Vintage

In the captivating world of wine, there's an age-old secret that lies within each bottle—the vintage. It's a timestamp of history, a testament to the unique interplay of climate, terroir, and winemaking expertise. As we delve into the climatic nuances of wine vintages, we unlock a trove of stories, each sip an invitation to a specific moment in time. From the warmth of a sun-soaked harvest to the cool feeling of a late autumn rain, wine vintages encapsulate the essence of the year they were born. Find out how you too can assess a wine vintage in this article.

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Holidays, Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell Holidays, Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell

A Wine Gift Guide for Everybody on Your List

You want to give wine for gift, and you want it to be special, either something they don’t have already, or something that will surprise, and impress them, yet something that they will also like the taste of. That seems like a tall order for what seems like a simple task, especially with the myriad of wine selections out there.

We’ve made it easier for you to gift for wine lovers with our first wine gift guide, that we are introducing just in time for the holiday gifting season.

For the wine lover on your list, be it a friend, colleague, customer, family member, or significant other, use our wine and olive oil gift guide to find a wine in line with their wine taste preferences, whether it’s bold red wines, old world wine, natural wine, orange wines, rose wines, champagne style wines, pet nat wines, even EVOO, use our list to find the best wine for gift giving and build your own wine gift baskets.

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Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell

The Language of Wine

Do you love wine but then struggle finding the ‘right words’ to describe it? Or are you on your way to becoming a wine expert and need a de-brief on terminology for wine tasting?

What does complex mean? Or what is a primary aroma? What is a smooth wine?

We are on a mission to teach you how to fish… for wine!

Here is a wine glossary of terms you can use during your next wine tasting or wine pairing to work your way to becoming a wine pro. Then put these descriptive wine words into practice by buying the wines which fit each definition. Then have wine tasting home party with your wine loving friends. Sooner rather than later you will master wine speak!

Get started by learning the wine description words inside.

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Wine Industry, Interviews Jacqueline Mitchell Wine Industry, Interviews Jacqueline Mitchell

Expert Tips For a Memorable Wedding & Event

Want to know how to make a wedding extra special from an award winning expert? Are you planning an important event and need to make it extra special?

Find out from woman-entrepreneur Debra Thompson, a Knot hall-of-famer and Best of Westchester Event Planner how to plan and make the most of the special day.

We have practical tips too from this expert on what wine to buy for wedding wine and how much, wedding favor and welcome gift ideas. Whether you are planning your own wedding or helping someone do it, read on to find out the latest trends and get expert tips.

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Interviews, Producers Jacqueline Mitchell Interviews, Producers Jacqueline Mitchell

The Woman with Barolo in Her Blood

This is the second in our ‘Women in Wine Partners’ series which highlights a handful of the many women who hold the winery together, often ‘behind the scenes’, with their male partner who is the main face of the winery’s brand.

In this article we are bring the wife of Aldo Clerico to the forefront, Valentina, who, like Aldo, is born and raised in the Barolo wine country and also comes from a well known Barolo family dynasty: Conterno. Hear her story directly in this exclusive interview as she recounts her earliest memories of winemaking as a child, and her experience of running a family winery with her husband, Aldo Clerico.

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Interviews, Producers Jacqueline Mitchell Interviews, Producers Jacqueline Mitchell

Ups and Downs as a Women in Wine Partner

First in our series on ‘Women in Wine Partners’, of women ‘behind the bottles’ of select Vero producers, we are featuring Gretel Meys Compton of Southern California estate winery Clos des Amis. In this exclusive interview, she shares her discovery of wine, how she came to work in wine, with partner Bruce Freeman, her role in the winery, and her joys and struggles.

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Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell Wine Education Jacqueline Mitchell

Our Take on Wine Lingo

Confused about wine terminology, like natural wine, biodynamic wine, native yeast, col fondo, orange wine? While some terms are well defined, others can have alot of gray areas, so you’re not alone! When we seek out small, farm-to-glass wineries, we do vet them out based upon certain criteria. We put together this list of wine lingo that we use and are happy to share with you.

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