Kentucky is home to the first commercial winery in the United States. Today, tobacco, hemp and winegrapes vie for farmland in a state best known for The Kentucky Derby and Bourbon!
Author: Kathy Merchant
I am a passionate wine educator and writer.
Diploma graduate of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Scholar, and Certified Specialist of Wine.
United States of Wine: Colorado
Palisade peaches. Apricots. Cherries. Alpacas. Yes, indeed. Wine grapes? Absolutely! “…(T)his high-altitude wine region (of the Rocky Mountains) is on the rise. Colorado isn’t just paradise for outdoor adventurers—it has plenty to offer any wine lover as well. At over 4,000 feet in elevation, Grand Junction and Colorado’s Grand Valley AVA should also be high on…
United States of Wine: Wyoming
Wine is made in all 50 United States. The number of U.S. wineries has grown over 40 per cent in the last decade. Wyoming is featured first in a series about the newcomers.
24 Hours in Napa
Planning a short Napa wine country visit during a business trip requires a sharp strategy! Limit drive time and choose a diverse array of restaurant and winery experiences (with advance reservations!). February is Napa’s mustard season. Bright yellow blooms marching in straight lines between winter vines were a welcome contrast to gray skies and a…
United States of Wine: Arizona
It’s true, wine is made in all 50 states. But it’s not all good! Read on for a surprising experience in central Arizona’s Verde Valley wine region.
Cincinnati Chili & Wine?
Would you ever — for a New York minute — consider pairing wine with chili? Probably not. In a flavor game changer, Cincinnati’s unique chili is a perfect partner.
Mark Beringer to Chair 2019 Cincinnati International Wine Festival
Only 8 winemakers in 140+ years! For the first time since 1971, Beringer Vineyards has a member of the Beringer family at the helm as Chief Winemaker.
Exploring France with Andrew Jefford
Andrew Jefford is one of the world’s most prolific and seasoned wine writers. Read Vino Venture’s 2016 interview in this link to the Wine Scholar Guild website.
Languedoc-Roussillon: 1+1 = 1
This rather lengthy backgrounder sets the stage for a study tour of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region hosted by Wine Scholar Guild. Renowned wine writer Andrew Jefford will lead this tour October 14-19. Stay tuned for trip highlights!
The Answer is 33. What is the Question?
How many Grand Cru vineyards are there in Bourgogne? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think!