Open That Bottle Night was created Wall Street Journal Columnists Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher at the behest of many readers wanting to know when they should open a particular bottle of wine. Tomorrow is that night for many people around the world and there is still time to decide what YOU plan on opening for tomorrow night. Let me know what you plan to open. I'm interested in what you have been holding on to as well. It's hard to part with great bottles and their memories.
Read MoreTHANK YOU! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my family, friends, and colleagues who texted, emailed, Tweeted, and shared my open letter on yesterday. So many people in and out of the wine industry reached out to me. Now the real work begins.
I received a personal response from Karen last night. I am glad Karen took the time to respond. She could have dismissed it, but she didn't. I believe the post will give her and many others a new perspective on their wine writing and work. Thank you, Karen. I am posting a photo of the email and the copy here.
Read MoreLast Saturday afternoon my phone, emails, and notifications blew up with mentions of your blog post Women and the Wine Industry and your SOMM Journal article Beyond the Wine Glass—A New Glass Ceiling? Before I commented I wanted to read the post and the article. I wanted to sit with them because I am a woman in the wine industry. I’m a new convert to the profession and I hoped the article would give me insights. It did, but it also lacked what is obvious in the wine industry too – diversity.
Read MoreWow. I can’t believe we are here at the finale. It’s bittersweet. I want more episodes, not necessarily longer, but more. I wouldn’t mind 10 episodes. Ten is a good number for Insecure. At it’s hard it’s a comedy, but at times it feels like a drama. I am always rooting for them. Friendships are complex, hard, and like any relationship takes work. They are layered, nuanced, and when you find a good friend you hold on to them. Right, wrong, or indifferent defines all friendships.
Read MoreI wanted to thank everyone who reached out to me regarding my family, friends, and my beloved Houston regarding the hurricane. It did not go unnoticed and I am very thankful for this community who look after one another. It was also eye-opening for people who say they love you or care about you who didn’t say one word.
With that being said...my goodness. The show is going to places I know I didn’t expect. The writing is getting better and it’s also so real. Yes, people will always make crazy decisions while we sit on the couch of judgment.
Read MoreIt’s like whoa! This week’s episode has me questioning Issa and Molly as a mad duo. I think Issa should join Molly in sitting on a therapist’s couch. You can only do your hoe phase for so long before you realize you need to talk to someone with some letters behind their name to deal with your issues because what she is doing is not working.
Spoiler Alert
Read MoreThis week’s episode had so many layers to it. It was almost too much. I was traveling home yesterday and decided to watch the episode in the airport lounge. Someone should have warned me. I was moving my screen around hoping someone didn’t see what was on it. Okay, Lawrence. Cough, cough.
Issa is trying to deal the best way she knows how to get over her breakup with Lawrence. Going out. She’s excited to do the Kiss-n-Grind because she needs her girls and she needs to get back on the market.
Spoiler Alert
Read MoreWe find Issa this week ready to get her single lady game on. My first thought went to the old school Chill Deal Boyz song “I’m Single.” We are now seeing Issa coming to terms with dating and putting herself out there which is hard at any time, but definitely after a long term relationship. It’s funny watching Issa so out of her element.
Her beautiful awkwardness in one of the things I love about this show.
Read MoreWhoa! Did you see the latest episode of Insecure? My goodness is a doozy. Issa Rae and the lovely ladies of the show give me what I need every single week. I watched this week’s episode with a glass of 2016 Cassagnoles Rose Plaisir (France / Gascony). This wine has a bold pink color and easy on the lips. It has everything I like in a good rose - character, depth, and goes well with food. Rose doesn’t have to be a porch pounder. I just wish I had some leftover shrimp and grits to pair this with. Summer may be coming to a close in a few weeks so add this to your list.
Read MoreIf you have never heard of the HBO Series Insecure you may be living under a rock. The show just currently kicked off its second season on Sunday and I dare say even better than the first. I suggest binge watching season one. It’s smart, funny, and has so many layers. It’s great to see beautiful women who look like me reflected on television. Issa is a gift.
I am not here to recap episode one from season two. I’m here to pair wine with each character.
Spoiler Alert.
Read MoreWine and wellness. These words seem like an oxymoron. It’s really my life. As a wine professional I had to find the balance between my job, my wine studies, and being healthy. I have a job of decadence. There are days when I go from one wine event to another. It can be taxing on the body and the spirit. It took quite a bit of juggling to understand what worked for me.
Read MoreThe Crater of Diamonds Park is located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. A small town with a big heart. Over the past few years, I have been wanting to travel more in the United States. Yes, I love international travel, but there is something about road tripping. I did it as a kid a lot with my family but as an adult not-so-much.
Read MoreWine country. What is your first thought? California. Napa. Sonoma. Right? Yes, I can feel the head nods now. California has great wine destinations other than the two mentioned. Don’t get me wrong. They are great. They helped pioneer the way we buy wine in America. But, they paved the way to other great California discoveries. One of my favorites is Paso Robles. Paso is located on California’s Central Coast. It’s an easy drive from Los Angeles to its wine areas.
Read MoreA few years ago I traveled to Provence for a yoga retreat and tasted amazing rosés with depth, refined elegance, and range. They were brands not readily available in the U.S. and the memory of those wines with fellow yogis, sitting outside, surrounding by lush green gardens are some of my fondest memories.
Read MoreLodi, California. A great wine area for big and bold red wines. Although spring has arrived, my palette is still craving red wines. It’s hot in Louisiana and I find myself sitting on the porch at dusk, sipping my wine, reading a book, and Gary Clark, Jr.’s live album on repeat. It’s become my end of the day ritual. It’s how I transition from the workday until evening. Rituals. Wine to me is such.
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