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Thanks & Giving

11.23.2011
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I wish you all a happy day full of good things to eat and drink. I think of it every year, but we really should take the time to reflect on the things and the people that we are thankful for more than one day a year. And smile at each other, say hello as [...]

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Making Wine at Home: Part 4

11.17.2011
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It’s time we checked back in with Team Eastside and see how their homemade wine is holding up. Jessica sent over some photos of the racking of their grenache, which took place on November 4th. A full month after Team Westside! Letting nature do its thang takes time and patience. Jessica had a pretty cute [...]

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Els Jelepins & Superlative Sausages

11.16.2011
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On a very rainy evening, Christina and I arrived to the “town center” of Font-Rubí (really just a building and a sign) to a smiling woman and her young daughter waving warmly to us. This was Gloria Garriga and Berta of Els Jelepins. We all loaded into Gloria’s car, Berta’s violin and all, and carefully [...]

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Lopez de Heredia: The Cellar

11.13.2011
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You guys. While in Rioja, I saw THE coolest most bad ass cellar EVER. In the history of bad ass cellars. If I was a Hollywood movie location scout, I would have hit some kind of Nicolas Cage lost treasure action film jackpot. I’m talking about the amazing Lopez de Heredia in Haro (Rioja Alta). [...]

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Mi Casa

11.03.2011
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Well, I’m BACK! Finally. That was a whirlwind if I ever saw one. Every year these wine trips exhaust me and the flights seem endless, but I never get sick of it. I think I have some sort of selective memory in regards to all the bad bits. All for the best! I have A [...]

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The Spitoon of My Dreams

10.28.2011
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I call it the Black Knight. Also- the best spit bucket EVER made. While having a lovely tasting at Raventos yesterday, I met my spitoon boyfriend. I’ve always been on the search for THE best spitting vessel and this is the deluxe model. It has a curve that perfectly fits your hand and a large [...]

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Riding in Cars with Winemakers

10.27.2011
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This is something I do often on trips like these and I thought I’d give you a glimpse from my point of view. We had a full day of visits (and driving and eating and drinking) yesterday- Clos Mogodor, Terroir al Limit and then Laureano Serres. Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador in Gratallops. Hello there [...]

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London: Poppin’ Bottles

10.24.2011
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The second stop of our evening, after Terroirs, was at a private room of an old, small pub to dress up in our finest 1981 era garb and party like crazy people. Which we did. We really did. I thought it appropriate to saber some bubbly. Dressed as Joan Collins from Dynasty. Travel update: we [...]

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On a Jet Plane for Spain!

10.20.2011
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It’s that time of year folks. The Annual Whitney & Christina Drink trip has arrived!! Where is 2011 taking us? SPAIN! We’ll be visiting A LOT of amazing winemakers all over the north in Catalunya, Priorat, Penedes, Rioja, Navarra and Catalonia. On the schedule: New Jose Pastor Cava producer Can Suriol, Clos Mogador, Terroir al [...]

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Making Wine at Home: Part 3

10.19.2011
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I have now OFFICIALLY dubbed this The Great LA Grenache Stomp of 2011! Just FYI. So, anyway- this week we are finally going to hear from Team Westside spokesperson Mark Ryan about how their grenache is doing and get a little recap of what’s happened up until now. “So, just to clarify, Eastside and Westside [...]

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