Wondering Through the World of Wine

Like every good wine lover, I have seen the infamous 2004 movie, Sideways , numerous times – am even working on the book series by Rex Pickett – and am constantly enthralled by the hamburger scene at the end. Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, sits in a fast-food restaurant eating a hamburger and drinking a bottle of 1961 Cheval Blanc out of any basic cup you find in these establishments. For many in the wine community, this would be the upmost blasphemy. Trust me, you should have seen the snobbery I would get when I worked at a winery and would tell people that the wine I was pouring went well with barbecue, or even a Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell. The horror! Anyways, I adore this scene because it is so real. Not everything in life is an exquisite bottle of wine and a fancy meal. In fact, I think pairing the extraordinary with the basic creates the most magical moments of all.                I am the farthest thi...

 It may have all started with a pre-teen crush on Val Kilmer, but ever since those magical words from the movie Tombstone, “I’m your huckleberry,” I have been obsessed with huckleberries. I love the earthy mix between blueberry and blackberry flavoring this delectable berry holds, and I’m always on a huckleberry quest. Smoothies, pancakes, jelly, candy, coffee, tea, syrup, barbecue sauce and dressing have been consumed, along with the purchase of wine glasses, socks, clothing, bath bombs and lotion. As I said, I’m obsessed. So, it’s of no surprise that a few weeks ago, on one of my rare Facebook scrollings, I saw that one of my favorite wineries had announced the release of a huckleberry wine. This was the ultimate huckleberry prize, and I had to have it.                  Throughout history and lore, huckleberries have been used to reference a very important theme, someone stepping up. In medieval myths, a...

  As my dreams of hiking were once again washed down the drain by this ceaseless rain, I was delighted that my best friend still wanted to get together. Trading in the smell of fresh mountain air for a delicious wine flight at Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland, CO, I soaked in the moment while sipping their stellar 2019 Rosé Sparkling. Here I was, cozily tucked into a beautiful tasting room, chatting it up with one of my favorite people in the world, while the bubbles of this wonderful wine danced on my tongue. Glancing down at this beautiful concoction that brought me such joy, it dawned on me that everything’s okay as long as there is sparkling rosé.                As wine styles go, I have never been a huge fan of champagne/sparkling wines or still rosés. I have had exceptional quaffs of each including the Palmer & Co. Brut Réserve Champagne, Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne, Hampton Water Rosé 2019, and every...