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Sweets for Your Sweet (or how to give wine & chocolate)

Sweets for Your Sweet (or how to give wine & chocolate)

by Mary Beth Vierra | Feb 17, 2021 | Wine Education, Food & Wine

Isn’t it romantic – a box of chocolates, bouquet of flowers, and a gorgeous bottle of dark red wine. The three iconic gifts of love should go together in a triumph of romance, right? They make a beautiful photo op, but two of these can end as a ‘train wreck’ on your...

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About Mary Beth

Crushing on..... silky pasta -- strong coffee and bright wines -- a world map -- and a good dance beat

crushcoursewine

This wine is a beauty! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ This wine is a beauty! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ @smithstorywines inaugural release of a white Rhône blend-
 Fleur Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2022. 
Its nose is orange blossom. Its gossamer light entry is a mineral beauty, then broadens into perfect palate weight carrying juicy green melon, citrus and a touch of sea salt. I literally swooned over it in the tasting room. Last night, enjoyed with mild Indian curry, then another glass just for sipping. 
  The blend- 50% Picpoul 50% Bourboulenc - yes!
 It will be perfection with raw seafood, oysters, salads, light pastas, and warm days… and I also suggest omelettes and eggs!  Think Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or a beautiful gift.
I recommend wholeheartedly. 
Same for Allison and Eric - the phenomenal and coolest humans behind this craft winemaking venture. The first line of their mission statement captures why: “Smith Story Wines are made with respect for the land, kindness for the grower and, love from the winemaker.” This is their north star - care and support of the people in this industry - and they carry it forward with their daily actions and choices. 
Check out the FLEUR BLANC on their website. But if you’re in the northern Sonoma area, I recommend a detour and stop for a taste of their other temptations too: 
 —their delicious, and also new, BRAVE carbonic Zinfandel(served chilled!)
 —the Cabernet Franc you’ve been dreaming of
 — and the 8th vintage release of a perennial Smith-Story favorite, their incredible Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is stunning. 
Enjoy!
 @Alison Smith Story @Eric Story #sipsonoma #drycreekvalley #winelover #stayhealdsburg #sipwine #farmtobottle #craftwine #brightandbalanced #crushonwine #rhoneblend #whitewineblend Crush Course Wine #wineeducator @smithstorywines
I was blown away (but not surprised) by the level I was blown away (but not surprised) by the level of deliciousness, especially with the delicate fresh flavors and layered spring goodness in both the Spring Bruschetta and Ravioli ai Quattro Formaggi topped with everything spring last night at Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria. Think fresh goat cheese ricotta, green garlic, fresh peas, fava beans, asparagus, snap peas, spinach, lemon, preserved lemon, chives, and black trumpet mushrooms. Always stellar, Diavola is always on my radar for the best place to go these early months of the year for the freshest, fleeting flavors of spring. The Alto Adige Pinot Bianco from Terlan was a perfect companion to the dishes.
The 17th annual Pigs & Pinot—was the best of bot The 17th annual Pigs & Pinot—was the best of both …and running into friends and winemaker-friends and chef-friends. The 5-spice caramel spareribs by Chef Louis Tikaram for the win! 
 Pinots that called my name-- @dotwinerocks White Pinot Noir was a gorgeous welcome, @raradrinks Ra Ra PN nouveau, @tongue_dancer_wines, and @melville_winery ….
#pinotnoir #pigsandpinot #stayhealdsburg #winelove #crushonwine #wineeducator
Latergram- Started the day with @ plsthepalate All Latergram- Started the day with @ plsthepalate Allison Levine, tasting the fabulous @idlewildwines lineup and Italian cheeses with Sam. Then after a break back at my desk and quick relax, enjoyed pop in tastings at @aeris.healdsburg Wines for 1st in Cali Carricante, and @longboardwine to meet new friends (@lorilynnpr ) and tasting. Next up, an evening of #pigsandpinot 
…
#lovewine #healdsburg #stayhealdsburg #italiangrapesincalifornia #friendsinwine #wineeducator @slowwine
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Crush Course Wine is at Gravenstein Grill.

2 weeks ago

Crush Course Wine
It was a beautiful evening at the “Aromatic Whites & Rose’” walk-around tasting at the Gravenstein Grill — the first of their Summer Wine Series. I discovered some truly (truly) stellar wines and sipped new vintages of favorites, poured by their talented winemakers. Chris Sawyer knows how to throw an intimate party with all the best guests (and lovely atmosphere, delicious passed apps) to accompany the killer wines from our beautiful North Coast. I also sipped some of the most beautiful examples of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever enjoyed [have to call out Porter Creek Vineyards and Davis Family Vineyards (Chard) and Quivira Vineyards and Seawolf Wines (SB)]. And I think I actually teared up over the Davis Family 2013 “Gratitude”, Sara Lee’s Vineyard Lat-Harvest Viognier. Thank you Cooper Davis for sharing the story behind this nectar. Follow Chris and the Gravenstein Grill so you don’t miss the next event. So lovely. ... See MoreSee Less
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Crush Course Wine

2 weeks ago

Crush Course Wine
And it begins. Day 1 of 2.5 judging the 2023 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition. 117 reds ahead of me just today. Sip, judge, spit. Repeat. ... See MoreSee Less
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Crush Course Wine is in California.

4 weeks ago

Crush Course Wine
A beautiful wine! Smith Story Wine Cellars’ Smith Story Wine Cellars inaugural release of a white Rhône blend- Fleur Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2022. Its nose is orange blossom. Its gossamer light entry is a mineral beauty, then broadens into perfect palate weight carrying juicy green melon, citrus and a touch of sea salt. I literally swooned over it in the tasting room. Last night, enjoyed with mild Indian curry, then another glass just for sipping. The blend- 50% Picpoul 50% Bourboulenc - yes! It will be perfection with raw seafood, oysters, salads, light pastas, and warm days… and I also suggest omelettes and eggs! Think Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or a beautiful gift.I recommend wholeheartedly. Same for Allison and Eric - the phenomenal and coolest humans behind this craft winemaking venture. The first line of their mission statement captures why: “Smith Story Wines are made with respect for the land, kindness for the grower and, love from the winemaker.” This is their north star - care and support of the people in this industry - and they carry it forward with their daily actions and choices. Check out the FLEUR BLANC on their website. But if you’re in the northern Sonoma area, I recommend a detour and stop for a taste of their other temptations too: —their delicious, and also new, BRAVE carbonic Zinfandel(served chilled!) —the Cabernet Franc you’ve been dreaming of — and the 8th vintage release of a perennial Smith-Story favorite, their incredible Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is stunning. Enjoy! Allison Smith Story Eric Story #sipsonoma #drycreekvalley #winelover #stayhealdsburg #sipwine #farmtobottle #craftwine #sonomawine #brightandbalanced #crushonwine #rhoneblend #whitewineblend #wineeducator ... See MoreSee Less
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