by Greg | Oct 9, 2017 | AWS event, Valley Vine, Wine event
Wine has been made in South Africa at least since the 17th century when Jan van Riebeeck from the Dutch East India Company was first tasked with planting vineyards at the Cape of Good Hope. After the phylloxera epidemic of the 1800’s, many vineyards were...
by Greg | Sep 2, 2017 | AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event
You say Syrah, we say Shiraz. This noble grape from Europe has planted its feet around the globe and is known by many names. But no one expresses ‘shiraz’ like the Aussie’s from down under. Join us as we tour the southern coast of Australia through...
by Greg | Aug 6, 2017 | AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event
Travel with us to the Basque region of Spain and France where we are going to celebrate August with Txakoli (cha-co-LEE), or Txacolina (cha – co – LEE – na). It is an effervescent primarily white wine from this magical region of Europe. It is high in acid and low in...
by Greg | Jun 2, 2017 | AWS event, Valley Vine, Wine event
Growing grapes in northern tiers presents many challenges. There are thousands of grape varieties that have been cultivated for wine across the globe. Most of us have only had a chance to taste a small handful of vinifera grapes that grow in moderate climates. These,...
by Greg | May 5, 2017 | AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event
Although the Burgundians (and I) may argue, some of the finest Pinot Noir wines in the world are coming from California. Made famous by the movie Sideways about the Santa Barbara wine region, the delicate and versatile Pinot Noir grape really expresses terroir. And...
by Greg | Apr 1, 2017 | AWS event, Education, Valley Vine, Wine event
Merlot, the great grape of Bordeaux, was much maligned after the 2004 movie Sideways character Miles the wine snob soundly criticized it with his now infamous refusal to quaff this grape. However, the blow to the merlot industry has only inspired producers to up their...
