wine, food, & travel

I was in my early 20s when I tasted my first Dry Creek Vineyard wines. Two wines remain memorable to this day. The 1972 Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc and the 1973 Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. The former was distinctive, earthy, and reminded me of Bordeaux Blanc and the latter was bright with berries and finely balanced. That was just the beginning. Now five decades later, I can report the winery’s wines continue to be excellent in the face of a more competitive marketplace.

Our good friends Dave and Fran Copland will be vacationing in Tuscany, and probably other places in Italy. (My darling Alice and Fran worked together a long time ago) and we have remained close. Like many food and wine international travelers, they were drawn to this beautiful and outstanding wine-growing region. Through my five decades in the wine industry, I have been to Italy numerous times, and aside from Rome, Milan, and the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany has always been a treat for me. Here are six Tuscan Treats recently released in the United States, that I found beautiful and compelling.

Chappellet 2023 Chenin Blanc Tasted May 3, 2024

In a lifetime of wine events, our Wine.com meeting with the Louis Latour team was one of my best experiences ever! I had known Bernard Retornaz and Mick Cameron for decades, and I had recently met Dannytza Rodriguez—these were my principal contacts with Domaine Louis Latour. My two cool Wine.com colleagues Alex Joeger and Tim Marson, MW as well as other support staff from the Louis Latour team. We were set for a wonderful afternoon of wine, food, and camaraderie. 42 wines later and Chef Bernard’s wonderful lunch, everyone left with smiles from ear to ear.

Here is where I stand after 91 days of Chemotherapy: After my 5th of 6 infusions, I felt good having to withstand minor side effects. On day 91, my body crumbled. I was weak and unable to get out of bed in the morning. My darling Alice let me sleep longer than usual and our dog Kaili waited patiently for her walk in the park. I was dizzy and unbalanced. I left a message with my medical team as my brain was reeling as never before.