This year I returned to the Passport to Pairings event that I found so enjoyable in 2014.  It was at the Thomas Bennett House, again, and – can you believe it – almost identical weather with overcast skies and a high temperature in the 40’s.  Not normal for early spring in Charleston!  The format was different this year in that…

It is easy to make the enjoyment of wine overcomplicated.  Remember, to a large extent, personal preference matters the most.  Following are some basic recommendations that can enhance your experience: Temperature:  Because most people don’t have the luxury of a temperature controlled wine cellar, white wines are typically served too cold and red wines too warm.  White wines almost always…

The 2014 Wine Bloggers Conference kicked off July 9 with a pre-conference excursion to Paso Robles, an area I have never had the opportunity to visit. The rolling countryside is absolutely beautiful, planted with vineyards and other crops. Our first stop was a seated seminar hosted by Niner Wine Estates and included Castoro Cellars, Hug Cellars, Giornata Wines, Eberle Winery,…

Francine Lubera of Baltimore, Maryland, recently earned her title of Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), an internationally recognized certification denoting a high level of wine knowledge and expertise. The Society of Wine Educators, a non-profit organization, founded in 1977, authorizes the certification, publishes the materials, and administrates the testing. Francine had been interested in wine for years and became the…