by Mary Beth Vierra | Feb 5, 2022 | Featured, Wine Education, Wine Regions
Crackle, crunch, boom— are the sounds invoked by the name given to a rare, nearly lost red grape from the Friulian hills in far northeastern Italy. Meet Schioppettino [ski’OH–pet–TEE–noh], the elegant, perfumed, floral yet pepper-savory red...
by Mary Beth Vierra | Dec 22, 2022 | Featured, Wine Education, Food & Wine, Lifestyle & Products
’Tis the season—for festive celebrations, grand family feasts—and questions about holiday wine pairing. What’s a great wine for the holidays? Which wine for my prime rib? How about my desserts? I recommend drinking seasonally. And this time of year,...
by Mary Beth Vierra | May 14, 2022 | Featured, Viticulture, Wine Education, Wine Regions
Not far from the soaring Alps of northern Italy lies a placid lake in a dream-like setting. At this northerly latitude we expect brisk days and a Continental climate. Instead, we find a pocket of Mediterranean-like climate, where grapevines grow amidst lemon...
by Mary Beth Vierra | Dec 12, 2021 | Featured, Wine Education, Wine Regions
Maybe decade ago, we began hearing a quiet, fizzy buzz about a sparkling wine style born of an ancient production method. You may have heard of it referred to by a few names — pét-nat, méthode ancestrale, Col Fondo, and Sui Lieviti, to list a few. That quiet...
by Mary Beth Vierra | Nov 27, 2021 | Featured, Wine Education, Food & Wine
When I’m asked to name my favorite wine — even my favorite wine right now — I likely won’t have an answer. That’s partially because I love too many wines at any given time. But here’s a response you’ll likely hear from me: First,...
by Mary Beth Vierra | Nov 23, 2021 | Wine Education, Food & Wine, Lifestyle & Products
Of all holidays, I look forward to Thanksgiving the most – because really, it’s all about the wine pairing! Around September I start setting aside interesting bottles in anticipation. With its complexity of warm flavors, there’s a world of wine options to...