by Kristina Tomlin
Fire up the grill, break out the sparklers, and fill your glass with something delicious—because July 4th is basically the Olympics of backyard gatherings. Whether you're hosting a poolside hang, lighting up the grill, or saving room for that one friend’s “famous” berry dessert, we've got the wine pairings to match every vibe. Here’s your red, white, and rosé guide to good times—featuring wines you’ll find right here at Sippin Somm Wines. Light Bites & Chill Sips: Whites & Rosés That Work Overtime Pebble Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (New Zealand) Pairs with: Shrimp cocktail, ceviche, crab cakes, guacamole Bursts of passionfruit, grapefruit pith, and mouthwatering acidity make this a go-to for fresh seafood and summer dips. Bonus points for pairing perfectly with ...
by By Claire L. Torbeck, Dipwset, Certified Sommelier, Fws, Crs, Csw
Each year, Wine Spectator’s Top 100 captures the attention of both consumers and collectors. It’s a list that can simultaneously dazzle and overwhelm—packed with prestige cuvées, sleeper hits, and bottles that vanish from shelves before the ink dries on the rankings. But what happens when we remove the noise of hype and numbers, and instead taste these wines in context: with thoughtful pairings, side-by-side comparisons, and a spirit of curiosity? That’s precisely what I set out to explore. For this tasting, I selected eight wines from the 2024 Top 100 list, focusing on availability, diversity of style, and price point. My aim wasn’t to crown a winner, but to create a guided exploration for an engaged group of tasters—most of whom were serious enthusiasts rather than ind...
by Lee Romano Sequeira
Life's too short for uninspired hobbies—or mediocre wine. So, why not explore wine education? No pressure or stressful deadlines, just the enjoyment of uncorking bottles and leveling up your brainpower. Plus, feeding your brain some new knowledge is the ultimate brain vitamin! Why wine, you ask? Ok, let’s talk about it. Unleash Your Inner "Grape Whisperer": Explore why some grape varieties stand out as divas while others thrive as team players. Uncover winemaking techniques, regional characteristics, and how to confidently discuss tasting notes like “minerality” and "autolytic" with ease. Travel Without Leaving Your State I think of every good bottle as a passport...a passport to explore a French vineyard, an Italian landscape, or a gorgeous Napa sunset. You can im...
by Mike Reifeiss
When it comes to the success of your wine tasting tour, it's not just about choosing the winery you want to visit; there is more to the preparation itself. If you want your wine tasting to be delightful and to flow seamlessly, here is some basic information on what to do before you visit the tasting room. Research the wineries and wines ahead of time Plan your wine tasting tour ahead and do some research on the wineries you're about to visit. For example, if you love red wine, don't choose a winery known for its white wines. Get acquainted with some of the most popular wine types beforehand. Most wineries have a website you can browse to find out about their history, the wines they make, their prices, and reservation rules. Call for the reservation If you are a solo visitor in...
by Lee Romano Sequeira
Ever wonder about the story behind LocalWineEvents.com? I sat down with Eric V. Orange (EVO), the visionary CEO of LocalWineEvents.com, to uncover how it all began, the hurdles he’s faced, and his vision for the future of wine and food events. Brought to you by me—Lee from OffTheVinePR.com and LocalWineEvents.com. . I hope you enjoy the conversation and maybe even pick up a few tips along the way. Lee- Eric, what inspired you to create LocalWineEvents.com? EVO - As a wine rep for Paterno Imports, I hosted amazing wine dinners with world-class winemakers—but filling seats was a struggle. The issue wasn’t interest; it was awareness. There was no central place for wine lovers to find these events, so I built one. EVO - When I launched in 2000, I expected wholes...
by Dave Szlapak
Few things in life evoke memory and emotion quite like wine and art. For artist Monica Márquez Gatica, these two passions are not just complementary; they are deeply intertwined. Rooted in the traditions of Jerez, Spain, where sherry flows through the veins of history, Monica’s work bridges old-world charm with a contemporary sensibility. Now based in Colorado, she continues to weave cultural connections through her Hybrid Fluid Realism style —a technique that merges the organic unpredictability of acrylic pouring with the precision of oil painting. As an artist and wine enthusiast, Monica’s journey has led her to partner with renowned wineries and distilleries, exhibiting her work in some of the most refined spaces where art and wine converge. This year, her work is feature...
by Lee Romano Sequeira
February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals to business, culture, and more. This article is one small way to honor the lasting impact they’ve made. In the wine industry, which has long been dominated by a narrow demographic, Black winemakers are gaining recognition for their exceptional wines -- and, in doing so, they're paving the way for a more inclusive future. This is evident in the tenfold increase in Black-owned wineries in the U.S. since the 1990s. From the founding of the first black-owned winery in 1940, Woburn Winery, there are now over 130 Black owned wineries, just in the U.S. From California to South Africa, Black vintners are producing world-class wines that reflect both terroir and p...
by Marla Durben Hirsch
I’ve recently reported on the dueling investigations by two U.S. government panels regarding what the U.S. Dietary Guidelines should say is the recommended amount of alcohol that should be consumed. Well, they didn’t disappoint. They have each released their findings, and they send different messages. The first panel, from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) and authorized by Congress for the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS), was comprised of 14 members who are authorities in medicine, nutrition, public health, and related fields. It reviewed randomized clinical trials and subjected its report to peer review, including from the anti-alcohol side. This is the entity that usually reviews the latest evidence to de...
by Marla Durben Hirsch
Do you suffer from headaches after drinking just a bit of red wine? If so you’re not alone; it’s pretty common. So it’s good news that recent research appears to have pinpointed what causes these red wine headaches and suggests a way to avoid them without giving up drinking red wine. In one of the first studies of its kind, scientists from the University of California at Davis set out to find out what the culprit was, using enzyme analysis. The researchers, chemists who specialize in wine analysis, first debunked several theories about what causes those red wine headaches. For instance, while sulfites are often blamed for red wine headaches, there’s little evidence to link sulfites directly to headaches, the investigators noted. Moreover, many foods contain sulfites...
by Lee Romano Sequeira
There’s something magical about wine. Whether it’s a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc enjoyed on a sunny afternoon or a rich Cabernet by the fire on a chilly night, wine has this amazing way of bringing people together, making even the simplest moments feel special. And honestly, beyond its social appeal, wine is just downright fascinating! So, pour yourself a glass, and let’s dive into the many joys of wine together! There's A World of Flavors in Every Bottle One of the best things about wine is how diverse it is. Want something light and refreshing? Reach for a Pinot Grigio. Feeling fancy and in the mood for something richer? How about a Barolo? Each bottle has its own character, shaped by where it’s grown, the grape variety, and how it’s made. Fun fact: there are ov...
