Charleston celebrated the Charleston Wine and Food Festival this weekend.  The weather did not cooperate Saturday, but the Festival was able to make rapid adjustments to ensure that events weren’t adversely affected.  Two years ago, I attended this event and was glad that I selected it, again, this year.  There were fewer wineries this year and more emphasis on food, and many of…

My Total Wine store located at 1820 Ashley River Road puts on great wine classes.  There is usually one class per month on Saturdays from 3-5 with popular classes repeating on Thursdaysof the same week from 6:30-8:30. For any of you with a Total Wine in the area, the classes and special events are well worth checking out. Yesterday’s subject region was the Pacific Northwest featuring wines…

Continuing my exploration of Charleston area wine shops and wine bars that I have never visited, I stopped in at In Good Tasteon Friday evening.  In Good Taste is a cozy shop that has been in business for over 25 years and is owned by Jacki Boyd.  The store offers wines, whole bean coffees, teas, cheeses, and an assortment of…

A friend recently suggested that I check out a wine bar called How Art Thou Café.  Located on James Island, it features local artists as well as a fairly extensive wine list, coffee, juices, and a light food menu.  The café also hosts Friday evening wine tastings to benefit local charities.  Last night’s was in support of Our Lady of…

‘Tis the season – two Champagne tastings last week!  Harry Root, owner of Grass Roots Wine, presented the consumer version of the grower/producer seminar I attended last month.  He provided loads of valuable information and poured 8 grogeous wines.  I began learning about the importance of soil or “terroir” in Oregon, understanding the differences in the wines made from grapes…

Being in the right place at the right time enabled me to attend a Champagne seminar this week featuring wines from French grower producers. Grower producers are just what it sounds like – people who grow their own grapes and make their own wines. As we head into the holiday season, I will spend several weeks on this topic. Today, 80% of…

The Charleston Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier hosted a fund raiser October 27 at beautiful Lowndes Grove Plantation.  It was one of the nicest events I have been to in Charleston featuring over 100 wines and artisan food samplings, all enjoyed on a perfect fall evening on the banks of the Ashley River.  My friend, Susan, and I had to be strategic with our wine…