Do you love sparkling wine? I’m talking about that effervescent, fizzy, tickle your nose vino that brings joy to your heart and froth to your wine glass. If this sounds like you, I’d like to introduce you to Pét-Nat. Pétillant Naturel Pét-Nat is the easy-to-pronounce version of the French term pétillant-naturel, which translates to “natural […]

Sometimes, dreamily, I look into a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and whisper, “Will you be my valentine?” Okay, okay, that may be an exaggeration, but I do believe this is the sentiment many wine lovers feel when tasting a truly lovely sip of the elixir of the gods wine. I tell you this because it’s […]

Did you know that on average people break their New Year resolutions within six weeks? So, basically, the OPPOSITE of what you want happens.  You begin the year feeling good and thinking you are going to take the world by storm, then the motivation peters out, pffft! The truth is, most people set themselves up […]

What will you be sipping on this Christmas? No one wine pairing wins the day due to such a wide range in dinner selections amongst families.  For some it’s a traditional ham, others have salmon, or roast, and I even have a friend who always hosts a spaghetti feed! In the Leonardson house, it’s chili […]

It’ll probably come as no surprise that wine tasting at wineries is one of my favorite activities. I’ve often been asked what I do at a tasting (besides the obvious).  It’s a fair question because the answer isn’t simply show up and drink. Although no two tasting rooms are alike, some universal truths exist that […]

It’s almost Christmas! You wouldn’t know it with the weather being so nice here lately, but winter is coming and with it the season of giving, so it’s time to find the perfect gift for your favorite wine lover. Lucky for you, I’ve done the hard part by compiling a list of the hottest gifts!  […]

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Is it the turkey, the cranberry sauce, the stuffing, or maybe the mashed potatoes and gravy? Yes. All of the above. And I’ll have seconds. A delicious combination indeed, but with so many food pairings it can be a challenge to select the right wine. A good place to […]

Are you thinking of becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine? I would encourage anyone who wants to get professionally involved with wine to become a CSW.  It is an excellent way to boost your resume and set you on the path to wine professional.  It can clarify what aspect of the wine industry is right […]

I have big news my friends! I am elated to tell you I passed my exam and I am now a Certified Specialist of Wine! In addition to all the feels that come with the thrill, I am so relieved.  Self-study is no joke, and on my journey to this point (having been away from […]