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Complete Guide to Wine Tasting in the Russian River Valley
If you’re a Pinot Noir or Chardonnay lover, chances are you’ve already looked into wine tasting in the Russian River Valley—an AVA within Sonoma wine country that consistently delivers some of my personal favorite wines. Where Is the Russian River Valley? Let’s get a lay of the land first. Sonoma wine country is expansive and made up of many different AVAs and sub-regions. The Russian River Valley is located in northern Sonoma County, about 55 minutes north of San Francisco, and sprawls across several towns including Sebastopol, Forestville, Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Healdsburg. This AVA is relatively close to the coast (which is ideal for growing Burgundian grape varieties), features a wide range of soil types and microclimates, and is, of course, home to the Russian River itself. Cool coastal fog, warm sunny days, and varied terrain all come together to create a truly special place for wine growing. What Kind of Wine Is Made in the Russian River Valley? The Russian River Valley is han
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The Best Guide to Downtown Healdsburg: Where to Eat, Drink, and Stay
Healdsburg is a dream destination for food and wine lovers alike. Nestled in Sonoma County wine country, downtown Healdsburg is everything you want it to be: charming, walkable, and packed with incredible restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and cocktail bars. One of my favorite places for a bite to eat, happy hour, or simply wandering around is Healdsburg. It’s no secret that it’s popular with visitors, so reservations are highly recommended whenever possible. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway or building a wine country itinerary, here’s my go-to guide on where to eat, drink, and stay in downtown Healdsburg. Before you dive in, if you’re looking for the best Healdsburg wineries instead – check out these posts: The Best Wineries in Russian River Valley, The Best Wineries in Alexander Valley (coming soon!!) or The Best Wineries in Dry Creek Valley (coming soon!!) Best Places to Eat in Downtown Healdsburg Baci Baci serves everything you love about comforting Italian cuisine. Pasta lo
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Decanting Wine 101: Why, When, and How to Decant Wine
Wine decanting is practiced by many wine connoisseurs to improve the characteristics and flavors of wine. However, is wine decanting all it’s cracked up to be? Is it a necessary or superfluous step? If necessary, why, when, and how should you decant wine? This is wine decanting 101– in other words, everything you need to know about decanting wine. The Practice of Decanting Wine Decanting wine is the act of slowly pouring wine from it’s original bottle into a different container– often into a designated, glass decanter with an easy-pour neck. The goal is to separate the wine from it’s sediment at the bottom of the bottle and to allow the wine to “open up.” Why to Decant Wine There is good reason many wine connoisseurs practice wine decanting with every bottle. The act of decanting provides many benefits for the wine drinker, including: Pouring wine from the bottle into a new container allows the wine to open up – or, in other words, aerate. Aeration occurs when oxygen makes contact with
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Your Easy Guide to Understanding the Red Wines of Côtes du Rhône
{Sponsored by Côtes du Rhône} You have probably heard of wines from Côtes du Rhône, and if you haven’t it’s about time you did! Côtes du Rhône makes some incredible wines – as they’ve been making wine for centuries – so I’d say they know a thing or two. To understand the region, it’s important to know that Côtes du Rhône follows a quality pyramid which breaks down into four levels. Before we hop into the quality pyramid – let’s cover off on some of the top things you should also know Côtes du Rhône Wine Quality Levels Let’s cover the four levels of the quality pyramid for Cotes du Rhone below. No matter where the wine sits on the quality pyramid, all levels of Côtes du Rhône wines are delicious and serve a purpose for different occasions and food pairings. Côtes du Rhône AOC These wines are the everyday wines of Côtes du Rhône. They are often fresh, easy to drink and not meant for aging. They are typically blends of several different approved grapes but are often dominated by Grenache.
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The Best Christmas Gifts for the Wine Lover in Your Life
If you have a wine lover in your life (let’s face it, we all do), I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best wine gifts. From stocking stuffers to the best gifts for every kind of wino, these Christmas gifts for the wine lover will be sure to impress. And, if your significant other or family needs a little help finding the perfect Christmas gift for you, be sure to add these gift ideas to your own wishlist! Best Wine Stocking Stuffers Traditionally, in my family, we always started Christmas morning by opening our stockings. So, it’s only right to kick off this wino gift guide with wine stocking stuffers. These gifts might be small in size, but they’re perfect for every wino! For the New Wine Aficionado If you have a friend or family member who is new to the wine world, these educational gifts are the best way to increase their knowledge and enjoyment of wine: For the Wino Who Has Everything We all have a family member or friend who simply has everything. And, every year, they feel
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The Best Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving Dinner
I’m hosting my first Thanksgiving this year – meaning, I will be doing the turkey roasting and wine pairing. Since this is my first year my parents aren’t hosting, I think it’s safe to say the torch is officially being passed. My boyfriend and I are very excited to host and open our home to our family! That said, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, you might be wondering about the best wines to serve. Just in time for the holidays, consider this your guide to the best wine pairings for Thanksgiving dinner! What to Consider When Choosing Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving Dinner There are so many dishes and flavors involved in the annual Thanksgiving meal: savory, salty, sweet, sometimes spicy, hearty, etc. Is there one wine that is above the rest? How can you possibly choose the best wine(s) for such an important meal? Well, there are few things to consider when choosing wine pairings for thanksgiving dinner, including: Taking these factors into account, let’s talk about the b
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Where to Wine Taste in Healdsburg: Copain Wines
Let me introduce you to one of my absolute favorite wineries in Russian River Valley: Copain Wines. My love for Copain runs deep for many reasons, including their French-inspired winemaking process and the incredible talent of their winemaker. Did I mention the incredible views of the Russian River? Copain Wines is a wine country destination that you don’t want to miss! What is Copain Wines? In French, Copain is defined as “friend,” which is very fitting for a winery that encourages celebrating the little things in life with friends and family. When you visit Copain, you’re a friend, indeed. From personal experience, I can confirm that the winemaker, Ryan Zepaltas, is amazing. He is very talented at what he does and it shows in his production. However, the positive impressions don’t stop with Ryan. The entire staff at Copain offer incredible hospitality (shout out to Michael) at every visit. Where is Copain Wines? Located in Healdsburg, CA, Copain Wines overlooks the Russian River. It’
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Wine Tasting Etiquette: What You Need to Know Before Wine Tasting
Whether you’re new to the world of wine tasting or you’re a seasoned wino, wine tasting etiquette is everything you need to know before your next wine tasting adventure. While a few of these wine tasting tips might sound obvious, others might comes as a surprise. As someone who considers herself a wine professional and has experienced her fair share of wine tasting, I want you to learn from my past wine tasting mistakes. My goal is to set you up for success and the most enjoyable experience! What is Wine Tasting Etiquette? Wine tasting etiquette is essentially the rules of wine tasting. In other words, , or the do’s and don’ts. Following these general wine tasting tips will maximize your wine tasting experience and prevent you from unintentionally offending anyone or hindering another’s wine tasting experience. Wine Tasting Rules You Need to Know Following these general rules of wine tasting etiquette to make your wine tasting adventures the best possible: Don’t Overbook Your Day Cramm
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A Day in Lodi Wine Country: Where to Wine Taste in Lodi
Wine tasting in Lodi should be on every wine lover’s list. While it’s most known for big, bold reds, there are some Lodi wineries that offer impressive white wines, too. This distinct area has proven itself for hundreds of years and we’re lucky enough to experience (and taste) it. If you’re wondering where to wine taste in Lodi, these are the places you need to know! Where is Lodi? Lodi is a notable wine region in Northern California. It is nestled between the San Francisco Bay and Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lodi has been in the grape-growing business since the mid-1800’s and is continuing to make big strides in the wine world. This area is best known for it’s Zinfandel, due to it’s unique soil and mild temperatures. In fact, it’s known as the Zinfandel Capital of the world and produces 40% of California’s Zinfandels. Why You Should Visit Lodi Wine Country Lodi is home to some of the oldest grape vines– specifically of the Zinfandel variety. If you’re into the big, red wines, like Zin, L
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Where to Find the Best Food and Wine Pairings in Napa
Napa Valley is best known for it’s impressive wine production. After all, it’s not called “wine country” for no reason! But, Napa isn’t only good for it’s wine. Many infamous Napa wineries also provide delicious food and wine pairing experiences. Whether you spend many weekends in wine country or are visiting for the first time, indulging in the best food and wine pairings in Napa is a must! What is a Food and Wine Pairing? A food and wine pairing is often crafted by the winemaker and/or chef in order to complement and balance the flavors of both the food and wine. When done well, these pairings can be euphoric to your taste buds. Regardless of your experience with wine tasting, enjoying the best food and wine pairings in Napa is a decision you won’t regret. Where to Find the Best Food and Wine Pairings in Napa Deep in the heart of wine country, where many of the best wines in the world are produced, you’ll also find the best food and wine pairings available. Check out these food and w