Amazing weekend in Napa! Was there for Auction Napa Valley, which raises money for health and education charities in Napa. Winemakers from Napa Valley Vintners donate tons of their wine – some from the barrel, some finished bottles – and lot of over the top experiences for people to bid on. The weekend unofficially starts with vintner dinners each … Continue reading
Rain rain go away, all of New York wants to rosé. Even if you can’t booze on the balcony, you can take your rosé inside. Or drink under the overhang. Ain’t no stopping you. Continue reading
Steak tartare and Bandol rosé, Monday blues all washed away. Bandol is good for minerally, wild strawberry-ish, and great with food. Or just on its own too, of course! Continue reading
I don’t know what you did last night, but Lady Gaga popped this bottle of Malbec for her fiancé: Being Lady Gaga, she could afford to open almost any bottle int he world. But she chose this $18.99 bottle of Alamos Malbec, the most affordable entry from the Catena family in Mendoza, Argentina. This Malbec … Continue reading
People think Champagne is for Fancy Times, popping it only with caviar, paté, and wedding toasts. And how often is that? Not very. If those are your only usual excuses to drink Champagne, I’m about to give you a lot more. And ones that will rock your palate. Champagne is an excellent food match – it has beautiful … Continue reading
Everyone is over winter. OVER. But there’s nothing like an awesome all-Champagne dinner to brighten your cold and slushy night. Marika Vida-Arnold, the wine director at the Ritz’s Auden Bistro, puts together Phenomenal Femmes wine dinners throughout the year to showcase wines made by women. At yet another fantastic one last week, I had dinner with Maison … Continue reading
Today is International Women’s Day, so wanted to share a few of my favorite wines made by women. Winemaking has traditionally been a male-dominated art, and in California only 10% of the lead winemakers at wineries are women (this website is great for stats and education resources). I’ve travelled all over the world and have met so … Continue reading
The holidays are long over, but we look back on them happily – especially these people, who won the grapefriend #yoleaux contest! The holidays are a time for traditions, but I challenged people to do something they’ve never done before. The prize: an awesome Yoleaux shirt, tote bag, and chocolates from Wines of Bordeaux. I, … Continue reading
Everyone had quite the time pointing out that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dozed off during the State of the Union the other week. So then Ruth tells everyone that Justice Kennedy brought wine to the dinner they had before the SOTU and therefore she “wasn’t 100% sober.” Hilarious – because who doesn’t knock back a glass … Continue reading
Juno is coming! Every year we get at least one apocalyptic snowmageddon, and to further freak people out they’re calling it potentially “historic.” Grapefriends don’t sweat it – it just means allowance to stay in a drink wine! I’ve shown you how we prep, for hurricanes, and blizzards are pretty much the same: 1) Flashlight and … Continue reading
