Italy is home to some of the world’s oldest wine producing regions, dating back to 800 BC. It is also the world’s largest wine producer by volume. Grapes are grown in almost every region of the country, and there are more than one million vineyards under cultivation. By comparison, California, America’s largest wine producing state,…
Bernadette Fideli Blame white zinfandel for the misconception that pink equals sweet. Those who drink rosé know better. Dry, crisp and thirst-quenching, rosé may share the same hue as the sugary white zins, but that is where the similarities end. Rosé sales are growing at least 10 times faster than the growth of overall table…
Bernadette Fideli A change in season means many things: a change in weather, a change in wardrobe and a change in the wine you drink. Gone are the days of “winter” with the big cabs and tanniny reds. Uncork the middle of the road wines: not too big, not too light, the so-called “Goldilocks” of…
Bernadette Fideli Webster’s Dictionary defines an antidote as “anything counteracting something unpleasant.” Faced with the uncivility and mudslinging of political debates on television and inundated with political robo calls, Mike and Millie Aramanda discovered the perfect cure. They invited the Wine Stewards to enjoy an evening of Show and Tell Wine Tasting. Members were asked…
Bernadette Fideli The Big Game is the most watched TV event in U.S. history for the past five years. The two-week lull preceding the actual playoff produces a buildup of hype and anticipation that consumes all. David and Susan Parker capitalized on this frenzy and challenged the Wine Stewards to a “Blind Wine Tasting Championship.”…
Diane Williams On Thursday, February 11, the Wine and Brew Crew met at Diane and Barry Williams’ home for a Valentine-themed wine and brew tasting. After appetizers, which were spectacular, and a glass of wine or beer, everyone gathered in the living room. There were lots of red tulips, red hearts and cupids to mark…
Bernadette Fideli “May the spirit of friendship fill your world this holiday season.” So read the opening line of the invitation the Wine Stewards received. Al and Vivian Wright treated the Wine Stewards to a glamorous evening of true Southern hospitality and a wish to embrace the upcoming holiday with joy and friendship. Upon arrival…
Bernadette Fideli Remember way, way back to your first day of school after summer vacation? Standard protocol was to stand in front of the class and recite what you did on your summer vacation. The Wine Stewards returned to those days of yesteryear when Kathy Perry and Charlene Cottingham invited the Stewards to recount their…
Bernadette Fideli The Sommelier Wine Awards is a wine competition with a difference; it focuses entirely on wines aimed at the on-trade. It is a key competition for wines trying to increase their presence in hotels, bars and restaurants. All wines are tasted blind by a panel of top critics, and this year German wines…
Bernadette Fideli Summertime brings its share of leisurely gatherings, and none was more unique than the “Summer ‘quaffing’ Wine Tasting” Frank and Beverlee Deardorff hosted on their patio for the Wine Stewards. Imagine the interest and intrigue when the guests received an invitation to experience six summer quaffing wines, especially when they read the definition…