Author Archives: thewinestudent

Love & Gratitude: a Holiday Meditation

The upcoming holidays can be crazy busy (just drive by your local grocery store parking lot try not to shudder). It’s easy to get lost in the frantic chatter permeating so much of where we go and what we do. It’s easy to lose sight of the point.

Is the point to drink wine? Well, in part, yes. Because when you open a great bottle, it’s a like a little meditation. It begins with the twist of the corkscrew (or cap). Next the scent is released, then the gentle cascading pour into your glass sends a signal to the brain that it’s ok to slow down and just be in the moment. You breathe again and delight in the visual of the wine as it settles into the glass – you can get a little lost in its deep ruby color. You swirl, and then sniff – breathing in…and out. Maybe you do this a few more times as the wine opens. All this euphoria and you haven’t even had a drop to drink. Yet. Very meditative indeed.

Part of the fun of holiday wine is in the choosing. So many are out there but not to worry, you’ll find the right one. And even if you don’t, it’s all good. For all the posing that can happen with wine, there really are no wrong answers. Trust yourself.

For this year’s Thanksgiving holiday, we’ve chosen two wines that have been resting a while in our wine rack and now need to be enjoyed.

2021 Summer Dreams Stargazing Pinot Noir – This Pinot was a natural choice (HubbyDoug’s favorite wine style) and a great dinner partner for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Nurtured in select vineyards from the Western Sonoma Coast, this is a beautifully nuanced, cooler climate wine. Cooler climate wines do not equal ‘meh’ or ‘ho-hum’; far from it. This is where a Pinot’s true beauty is often revealed . The Whole berry fermentation of this wine brings complexity and vivacity to its subtle nature. Flavors of dark fruit and berries, cherry pie and violets, along with a little allspice round out this profile. It’s a great traditional choice.

2014 Caduceus Monastrell – With its bold flavor profile, this could be called an ‘interesting’ choice for Thanksgiving dinner. Some skeptics might say that it’s way too overpowering. Monastrell (also known as Mourverdre) puts the ‘M’ in GSM wines. Typically, this can be considered a heavy hitter of wine; full bodied and tannic with deeply smoky, with flavors of blackberry bramble, tobacco, cocoa, black pepper. It pairs well with foods that reflect that: Barbeque and smoked meats. Think beefy Texan cookout rather than turkey with trimmings.

But part of being a wine student is the experimentation. My holiday table is my lab! And since there are no wrong answers in wine (lol) we’re giving it a try.

We discovered this Caduceus Monastrell on a trip a few years ago to Jerome, Arizona. We loved the rich and bold flavors of this wine and it was cool to try Monastrell on its own. Typically, it’s part of the GSM triumverate, blending beautifully with Grenache and Syrah.

Winemaker Maynard James Keenan, drummer and frontman of the bands Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, is a very hands-on vineyard owner; selecting the grapes himself and participating in the creation of his wines. His style involves both open top (which allows better temperature regulation, builds stronger yeast with more oxygen exposure, and the natural cap from the skins provides protection from outside elements) and submerged cap fermentation. It is then puncheon – aged (a larger cask that imparts little flavors from the wood) for 18 months in new and neutral French Oak. This ensures the purest expression of the wine with only the most subtle characteristics from its wooden casing. Powerful vino. I’m excited to taste what happens.

No matter what the outcome of our holiday wine experiment, it’ll be fun! We will meditate on both wines’ qualities and strengths.

The holidays are a wonderful time to reflect, to visit with family and friends; to give thanks and gratitude for the blessings we have.🧡

May you all have a safe and happy holiday season. And be sure to stop, breathe and savor each moment along the way.

Cheers!🍷

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2025

WS ‘25 Hallowine Pick!🧟‍♂️🍷

According to lore, on a dark and stormy night in 1816, Mary Shelley and a few of her friends (including Lord Byron, natch) set out on a quest to create their own ghost stories. As often happens at parties, when maybe a bit of wine has been consumed, she drew a blank. Yet several nights later, she dreamt about a ‘pale student of unhallowed arts’ kneeling beside his creation —  who was a total monster! 

And with that her classic gothic novel Frankenstein was unearthed. 

For this Halloween, I’d like to suggest a disturbingly dark, yet flavorful, 19 Crimes Frankenstein Cabernet Sauvignon. The fun talking label (scan the QR code to make Frankie come alive) is your invitation to come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab.

Click the video below for some more spooky fun!

As towering in flavor as Frankie is in height, this is a wickedly robust red. Flavors of dark cherry, black currant, and rich chocolate will electrify your taste buds, pulling them out of the doldrums, across the moors and into the light.

Its tannins and medium-high acidity help cleanse the palate, balancing rich or fatty foods. It’s a bold and hearty creature and can deftly handle peppery sauces, marinades, and spices such as turmeric, caraway, and coriander.

Pairs well with: rich grilled meats — beef, lamb, venison, and cheeses such as aged Cheddar, smoked Gouda, Muenster.

Price point: $18.00

So put down your torches and pitchforks and take some time to enjoy this wine for your monster chiller horror night. And when you turn off the lights, you’ll see how the label glows in the dark. Too fun!

Have a safe and happy Hallowine! 🧡🎃

Cheers!🍷

©️Copyright. 2025. The Wine Student.

How I’m Spending Oscars Weekend🎞️📖🍷⭐️

To cap award season, I’m spending time with two of Hollywood’s finest: Francis Ford Coppola and Demi Moore. One, a past winner for The Godfather Pt II; the other, a current nominee for her tour de force performance in The Substance.

It’s pretty cool to be up close and personal with the big stars. Well… kind of, sort of. To mark the occasion, I dusted off a bottle of 2015 Director’s Pinot Noir that we purchased on an unforgettable visit to his Coppola Winery. Saving it for a special occasion, it’ll be perfect to enjoy as they hand out the gold hardware.

But before that, I’ll be hunkered down reading Moore’s book, Inside Out – her candid memoir about a life of fame, fortune and stardom amidst immense struggles. I’ve always loved her work and can name so many of her films coinciding with different times in my life. Ghost can still make me cry. Ditto?

So from now until the Oscars on Sunday night, I’ll be off the grid with a good book, then tuning into the broadcast with a great bottle of wine. And once the bottle is empty, I’ll be sure to thank the Academy…

Cheers! 🍷📖⭐️🎞️

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2025

L♥️ve Eruption🌋🍷

Know what’s been around as long as love? Volcanos. And much like a volcano, love can sit quietly patient until all the elements are in place and then…🌋

When I first saw this 2020 Eruption I was intrigued about the name – that’s some mighty hot stuff for a red blend. I discovered that it’s named for its terroir.

The Struggle is Real

Nuzzling into a remote eastern edge of High Valley, California, not far from a majestic, primordial cinder cone, the Volcano Ridge vineyard is a landscape of spectacular red volcanic soils with steep slopes. Originally planted in 2003 and 2004, the vineyard is home to a large number of varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Zinfandel.
The rich yet coarse volcanic earth creates an environment for an excellent drainage system. Through sandy, pebbly soil, vines must struggle to find their way to water and nutrient sources. When vines struggle this way, the intensity of that struggle is reflected in the fruit’s structure, complexity, and concentration. These elements meld together to produce full-bodied, rich, flavorful wines.
Just like creating volcanic wine, love’s struggle, patience and kindness can be an essential element to cultivating true devotion and passion.

Eruption of Flavors

On the nose, this blend has a blackberry | blueberry vibe with hints of lilac and oak spice.

Deep ruby lusciousness cascaded into my glass bringing forth tastes of blackberry jam, stewed blueberry, a little sweet tobacco in the background, and a whisper of spice on the finish. It had that gravitas of a Cab with the jammy playfulness of a lush Zin and Petit Sirah. So much yum!

Conscious Couplings

Best pairings for this blend include:
◦ aged cheeses: gouda, gruyere, cheddar
◦ main attractions: lamb/ pork chops w/ fingerling potatoes, mushrooms
◦ steak, roasted root vegetables


Steer clear of lighter fare such as fish.

Winemaker’s notes – “The fruit for this blend was harvested in the early morning to maximize quality. The various components of our Eruption were fermented separately in small lots to enhance the varietal attributes needed to produce the perfect blend. This blend was then aged on both French and American Oak for 10 months for structure and character.”

No matter whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s, Galentine’s or Palentine’s – enjoy responsibly and let your love, and the wine, flow!

Cheers!😚🍷💋

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2025.

Variation on a Theme 🍷🔥🍫☕️

Happy National Hot Chocolate Day !

January 31st is National Hot Chocolate Day and I’m celebrating early with a little kick. Choosing mindfulness over a dry January, I’m combining two things that I love: hot chocolate and wine. 🍫🍷

So yesterday, I took a test run to make a rich, delicious treat I could enjoy and savor on the day, and while waiting for the snow to melt.

Cutting right to the chase, below is the yummy Red Wine Hot Chocolate recipe from Wholefully :

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips {recommended: Ghiradelli}
  • 2/3 cup dry red wine (merlot, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 2 tablespoons sugar, optional (see notes)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Combine the chocolate chips, wine, milk, half, and half and sugar (if using), in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is hot.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour into mugs and serve!☕️☕️

As for the wine, since the recipe called for Merlot, or Shiraz or Cab why not simplify and use a dry red blend? This Dreaming Tree Crush was a perfect combination of everything I enjoy: 59%Merlot, 16% Petit Sirah, 15% Zinfandel, 4% Syrah and… whatever the ‘other’ is… no problem!🍇

Since I find this wine rich but not super sweet, I added a pinch of sugar to taste which helped to balance things out. Stirring the mixture gently became almost meditative. When it was ready, I slowly poured it into my cup, letting it stand for a few moments, allowing it to thicken into a rich, dark and creamy treat.👇

I took my time sipping and savoring watching some of the icicles sluggishly begin to melt. Since they were taking their time, I did too. Pouring myself another cup I leisurely sipped and flipped through a vintage fashion magazine.

The weather might still be a little frightful this week, but it’s so easy and delightful to make yourself a decadent, warm little hug. 🤗

Cheers!😚🍷☕️

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2025

Zinful Holiday🦃🍷

Happy Thanksgiving!

Next week kicks off the official start to the holidays!🦃🎄🥂🍷

And with those celebrations come many traditions. Many that our loved ones might be hard pressed to abandon or change.

Not surprisingly, one of those traditions involves wine. And a very particular type of wine.

Over the years, HubbyDoug has been very ‘stamped-it-no-erasies’ about the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving wine offerings. Without question: Pinot Noir. And I understand why.

Pinot Noir has a beautiful lightness, a subtle yet present mouthfeel, delicate flavors of cherry, raspberry , clove, vanilla and mushroom. Oregon Pinots are a favorite because the cooler climate creates more tartiness in the vibe (Old World Pinots tend to have more earthiness but it’s all a matter of taste). Across the board, Pinot’s bright acidity makes it a great dinner companion – not only for the turkey main attraction but a variety of holiday savory and sweet side dishes. Think green bean and fried onion casserole, candied yams, squash-pecan casserole.

This year I want to break out an option: the beloved Zinfandel. Its bold, fruit forward vibe pumps up the jam along with some nuanced smoky notes. Flavors of blackberry, strawberry, cinnamon, crushed gravel and white pepper give it a lot of depth to play with the myriad flavors present on the table. The juicy fruit, richness of the tannins and smooth, lingering finish is worth popping the cork.

My pick is a 2022 Kunde Family Winery Sonoma Valley Red Zinfandel. I’ve enjoyed this wine during the year paired with roasted chicken, rosemary-garlic mash and charred broccoli with olive oil, and toasted pine nuts. I know it won’t let me down.

Ultimately, these two varietals will coexist in the most lovely way on our holiday table.

So this Thanksgiving, feel free to be a little zinful!😈

No matter what your choice, have gratitude in your heart and the sweetest day.💋♥️

Cheers!😄🍷🦃

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2024

TWS 2024 Hallowine Pick!🧛🏻‍♂️🍷

A long time ago I fell in love with vampires. They were elegant, stylish and a little more than dangerous. There was something darkly magical in the way they could materialize from thin air, and change your life forever with one, quick bite. I was intrigued by mysteriousness of their lives that began at sunset; existing only through the deep, dark hours of the night. When the movie of Dracula starring Frank Langella came out, I was mesmerized. That summer I was a young apprentice at the Shaw Festival and had ripped out a poster of the movie to tape to my dressing room mirror. As I applied my makeup for each performance, he looked back at me with dark, smoldering eyes, unblinking, through the mist and fog. It was my first real crush on a sophisticated, elegant man.

Around the same time, I became obsessed with an artist. His name: Edward Gorey. His art was dark and gothic, yet embodied a subtle, ironic humor. I’d first seen his work in the opening credits for the PBS series MYSTERY! and I was in love. The drawings appealed to the dark academia streak in my personality. I wanted to live in those Victorian drawing rooms of black and white, and walk amongst the ancient cemetery relics beyond.

When I discovered that Gorey had designed the sets for the stage production of Dracula (also starring Frank Langella), I wanted to make a beeline for Broadway and immerse myself in that world. Happily, many years later, I discovered that his set drawings had been made into a play theatre set. I could now own a small piece of his toothsome art all for myself!

Click the video below for a fun little journey into the world of Edward Gorey’s Dracula!

When it came to this year’s TWS Hallowine pick, there was only one choice: the 2022 Vampire Vineyards Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes:

🩸dark cherry

🩸strawberry jam

🩸a little bite of spice

🩸whisper of smoke on the finish

Nice Bites:

🩸dark chocolate

🩸aged Brie or smoked Gouda

🩸pasta w/ creamy mushroom Alfredo

The bright acidity, spice and luminescent flavors of this wine did a beautiful job of cutting a swath through the creaminess of the Alfredo sauce I’d made to pair. Add to this a fresh salad of tender greens, and a crusty French stick smothered in home made garlic butter and we had a frightfully good dinner.

This bottle is also lots of fun your Halloween table. You can order the little vampire cape to dress up your wine bottle!

So have fun, my little creatures of the night! 🦇

Enjoy the holiday, be safe and may all your tricks turn into beautiful treats.🎃

Cheers!🧛🏻‍♀️🍷

©️Copyright. The Wine Student. 2024

Mindful Drinking

Our opinions and attitudes towards alcohol and drinking are often formed from a young age. Watching our parents and relatives’ relationships to alcohol often shapes how we think about, and interact with it throughout our own lives. It may fall anywhere along the spectrum; a casual, occasional drink after work, to extreme party mode where one drink leads to another, then…beyond. Before you know it, some bad decisions are made, followed by deep regret, an Advil, an ice pack, and a solemn pledge to ‘NEVER drink again’ (an oath always made in the harsh light of a hangover).

Society itself has placed drinking in two very clear categories: a main ingredient in having a good time or the potential for serious trouble.

But it doesn’t have to be this extreme.

We know about Dry January & Sober October challenges, which are solid ways to reset after holiday fun, food and drinks. But do we have to go completely dry? It depends…

Mindful drinking takes us to a more meditative place. A place where we can stop and think about not only what we’re drinking but how we’re drinking.

Often drinking becomes almost a default action; one drink tastes like one more and then one more. Mindful drinking allows us to take a breath and a moment to reevaluate our relationship with alcohol; recognizing the reasons for, and consequences of our drinking behavior.

So What Exactly is Mindful Drinking?

Mindful drinking is a shift in consciousness centered between a proactive choice to pursue a healthier lifestyle without having to completely give up drinking. Sober curiosity is another term meaning actively tracking and managing your drinking behavior. More and more attention is being paid to this on social media creating a groundswell of participation and activity. Each sober curious influencer has a story to share. The beer, wine & spirits industry is paying attention: they’re creating more and more lo-alcohol products, and sponsoring a steadily increasing number of dry events. Join the buzz without getting a buzz!

But rather than going cold turkey, mindful drinking is the ability to create space for real change – physically, mentally and financially. It helps pull focus to health and wellness rather than deprivation.

Benefits of Mindful Drinking:

Improved sleep – alcohol can disrupt deep sleep, causing you to wake unrested, and tired. Cutting back, and stopping drinking at least two hours before bedtime can improve your quality of sleep.

Anxiety Reduction – High alcohol consumption causes hormonal imbalances that can increase anxiety. Decreasing about 30% drinking within 30 days can lead to reduced anxiety, and better sleep.

Lower blood pressure – Cutting back to a per day total of 1 drink (for women) and 2 drinks (for men) can help decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Healthier liver, healthier brain – modest lower alcohol intake can lower fat build up in the liver, and increase focus and clarity in mental energy, higher cognitive performance and greater motivation.

Weight Management – With an average of 125 calories per drink, a small reduction in alcohol intake can make a big impact.

How to Begin:

Often we find ourselves in social situations where we want to cut back drinking but old habits can die hard. Here are some tips to help keep you on track.

Be kind, yet decline – have a plan and stay with it.Even if you’re offered another drink, politely decline. If you get lots of questions from friends, (and, at first, you will) thank them and redirect the conversation. Drinking is a personal choice, no one should feel ashamed of refusing a drink, even with close friends or family. Keep your goals a priority.

Be aware of triggers for unhealthy drinking – sometimes social or family events can bring on unsettled feelings triggering the need to overindulge. Mindful drinking can help us recognize those triggers so we an be empowered to make conscious choices about our drinking habits even in sticky situations.

Alternate with water – 1:1 ratio – this can become a consistent, positive habit; always having a large glass of water between drinks.

Taste the drink – often, we don’t slow down to truly enjoy what’s in our glass. Take a moment to really see how it looks, smells and tastes. Sip slowly, considering the flavors and nuances of what you are drinking, and enjoy the experience.

Aim for small wins – focus on what you can do. Setting a goal of cutting back one drink per event is attainable rather than setting an unrealistic goal, and then feeling overwhelmed. Slow and steady wins this race. And you might occasionally indulge a bit more than you wanted. It happens. Just be kind to yourself, set your goal for the next event, and don’t give up.

As you head into party season, being mindful of how you drink can help make your holiday celebrations (and the morning after) a little brighter.

Cheers!

©️Copyright. The Wine Student, 2024

Unexpected Treats!❤️

One of the best things about having visitors from the North is not only spending time together but the treats they bring! 🍬🍭❣️
•
Canadian Smarties are a sweet little taste of childhood; creamy milk chocolate enveloped in crunchy, brightly multi-colored candy shells.
What I paired it with might be a little surprising.
•
Typical pairings for milk chocolate are richer, sweeter wines; tawny ports, Lambrusco,Reciotto della Valpolicella; late-harvest reds such as pinot noir, petit sirah, and shiraz.
My pick of this 2022 Gundlach Bundschu Dry Gerwürstraminer is not a typical pairing.
So why would I choose a dry white wine of all things??? Whyyyyyy?? That’s not in the rules!

Well…I like a juxtaposition of flavors, styles and mouthfeel when pairing food and wine. And I was looking for something a little off the typical path. I didn’t want the sweet sensation to become cloying (no one likes a clingy anything).
Its flavors of lychee, tangy tangerine, crisp white pear and ginger give more bounce to the ounce on your palate. 🍊🍐🫚
•
This was a beautiful balance. A little surprising, I wasn’t sure what to expect at first. But the dryness of the wine played so nicely with the light creaminess of the Smarties and candy shell. Its balanced acidity took just a tiny edge off the creamy; providing bright bursts of flavor to the mix.
•
Serving notes: Chill overnight, then let it sit just a little – about 55-60F (12-15C) to open up. Then bring on the chocolate Smarties.

Happy Wine Wednesday! 😙🥂🍫

©️ Copyright. The Wine Student. 2024

Bellinis, Momosas and Fun Sparkly Things✨🥂💝

This is the weekend of flowers, sparkly things and Momosas (see what I did there?). But sometimes we like to change things up a little. I recently featured Mimosa on my Instagram so…

What if we made a Bellini this year? But first:

What is the difference between Bellini and Mimosa?

Mimosa – originally created in 1921 at Buck’s Club in London. Bartender Pat McGarry mixed two parts orange juice and one part Champagne (and maybe a splash of grenadine).

Jump ahead to 1925; a French version was born at the Hotel Ritz (bartender Frank Meyer) using equal parts orange juice and Champagne. It was named for a pretty yellow flower common in French gardens. 🌼

Over the years, many variations have arisen featuring many sparklers such as Prosecco or Spanish Cava, as well as the addition of Cointreau or Triple Sec for a little kick.

Bellini – an Italian cocktail named for the 15th-century artist Giovanni Bellini. Originally created by Giuseppe Cipriani at Harry’s Bar in Venice, it is sparkling wine with a simple peach purée. Traditionally, Prosecco is in the mix but any sparkler will do the trick.

The beauty of these two is that there are no hard and fast rules; there are so many variations that can please every palate.

This year, I wanted to go with the trad Bellini with a wee twist: sparkling Rosé Prosecco!

The pink bubbles are so pretty in the glass and create a cool glow mixed with the peach puree. And I can tell you that it took a while to find any fresh peaches!

Easy Peasy Rose Peach Bellini:

• 6oz Sparkling Rosé (Prosecco if you’re a purist)

• 1 oz peach puree (blend of fresh, peeled peach, splash of fresh lemon juice & honey)

• Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

• Add peach purée to a flute glass (but any pretty glass will do), squeeze a little lemon juice to taste, then top it off with sparkling rose. Garnish with edible flowers.

• Enjoy!

Pair with brunch or sip all on its own.

Here’s to all the hard-working Moms out there, and to the memories of moms who are no longer with us. We toast you, and hold space in our hearts for you all.💜

Cheers!

©️Copyright. 2024 The Wine Student