2017 fires devastate Napa Valley. The vines are (mostly) fine; they are great fire retardants. But homes, businesses, entire wineries, and jobs are gone or on the brink.
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.
Barbaresco vs. Barolo: What’s the Difference?
Learn how to compare similarities and differences between the Nebbiolo-based premium wines of Barolo and Barbaresco.
Italian Wine Labels
What’s actually in the bottle? Does the wine label tell you the place, the grape, or both? Demystify the various ways Italian wine labels explain the product within.
What Makes a Super Tuscan?
There were “Super Tuscans” even before the term was coined in the 1970s to explain and classify the blending of native with international varieties. Bolgheri is best known as home to Ornellaia (featured here), Sassicaia, and other big-name brands.
Brunello di Montalcino, Italy
Click on the link embedded in this story to enjoy the incredible wines of Montalcino written by Vino Ventures for French Wine Explorers.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Italy
Click on the link embedded in this story about the great wines of Montepulciano written by Vino Ventures for French Wine Explorers!
Benvenuto Brunello
Every year, the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino hosts a welcome event for the new release of Brunello. Read about Benvenuto Brunello 2017 (2012 vintage).
Touring Southwest France: A Hidden Treasure
In this third and final piece about Southwest France, my goal is simple: introduce you to the little-known quality wine appellations that comprise the discontinuous set of AOCs known collectively as Southwest France, and inspire you to experience these surprisingly good, reasonably priced, wines on your own. Here are links to the first two stories about Southwest…
Traditional Southwest France: Malbec and Tannat
Political History The political history of wine in Bordeaux explains in part why the appellations of Southwest France’s “high country” are hidden in its popular shadow. At times called Gascogne (including Béarn) and Aquitaine, today Southwest France is called l’Occitainie administratively. Bordeaux was controlled by England from 1154 to 1453. This period proved to be…
Southwest France: Diverse by Design?
Southwest France (Sud Oest) is best known for what it isn’t. Frankly, and unfortunately, it’s not widely recognized at all. With an accompanying eye-roll, I must report that many people have asked me – quite genuinely – “where is Southwest France?”! Let’s get positioned on the map. Sud Oest is the deepest rural France, la…