“Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.” was written by Gertrude Stein. Most people think that she was talking about a flower. Today, however, it is appropriate to assume that, instead, she was referring to the most subtle and nuanced of wines, the rosé. That’s right, wine lovers, today is National Rosé Day!

Tasting a new wine is an exciting experience. Tasting new wines from two dozen new wineries can be mind-blowing! When the Association pour la Promotion des Vins et Spiritueux en Amérique du nord invited us to just such an experience, our response was an enthusiastic “Certainement!”

Monday, April 24, 2017 is International Sauvignon Blanc Day! Why is such an awesome event on a Monday? There is so much to like about Sauvignon Blanc, where do we start? Right here:

A centerpiece of the wine scene is the wine festival. Nearly every wine region has one or more events that celebrate the best of their vintners. After attending our fair share of these events, here are some tips we’ve picked up along the way:

The best things in life are usually killing us slowly. Such is the case with wine. We’ve read in lifestyle mags and blog posts that a glass or two of red wine a day can help our skin, but we’ve also read about the nasty side effects of alcohol in general on our angelic complexions. This mix of information […]

I’m sure half of you sassy wine lovers have already responded to the title with, “My favorite wine is the one I’m drinking.” First off, well played, and second, everyone has a favorite wine varietal even if they don’t want to admit it. I know these type of personality assessments have been floating around the […]

For those of you drinking copious amounts of wine to abate the teeth-chattering effects of winter storm Stella, we feel for you from California. Over here, we’re getting a sneak preview of spring after a seemingly endless winter of storms and rain.

Valentine’s Day can be a unique stressor for the romantically-challenged among us. There is a lot of pressure to make the big gesture every year, but new ideas are few and far between. Just in the nick of time there’s a fresh new concept from Pinot’s Palette. They call it “Disconnect to Reconnect.” Take a look, it might be just the thing this Valentine’s Day!

Remember when ice wines were the hottest new trend? What about the current reign of rosé? Of course, we can’t forget about the hundreds of “champagne campaign” graphic T’s littering every Forever 21 storefront. Wine comes and goes in trends, and Rex Pickett’s 2004 debut novel “Sideways” made Pinot Noir the latest trend. Adapted into a wildly successful movie directed by Alexander Payne, “Sideways” introduced us to Miles and Jack, friends who struggled to find their identities at the bottom of a barrel traveling through Santa Barbara County.  Now we have a sequel, cleverly titled “Vertical,” and the differences are vast in the best way.

Parties are amazing! Combine fun people, some wine, some food, maybe even some music, and a wonderful time can be had by all. Add a dash of something new and the party can rise to a whole new level! Here’s an idea for your next party that can get people mingling and their creative juices flowing:

Christmas will be here before you know it, so it is time to get serious about crossing some names off of your gift list. We have come up with some fun ideas that are sure to make any wine enthusiast on your list smile.

In no particular order (not sponsored or affiliated with any products listed) — here you go!