As the cooler weather arrives, at least cooler by southern California standards, our Wine Council gathered to taste California wines from the Napa, Salinas, and Sonoma valleys. Our first two, a brut rosé and a Chardonnay, were from…

With many people yearning to travel again, now is the perfect time to reunite with various friends and family by traveling together. Our lists are full of people with whom we want to reconnect, and…

Our Wine Council, based in Temecula, southern California, recently marked the arrival of summer - with its al fresco dining and long, sunny days - by tasting and pairing six delightful rosés. Two are from France, three from Italy, (all distributed by fine wine importing merchants…

 The Southern California Wine Review Council started the year 2021 by tasting an assemblage of wines from Oregon and California — a solo sauvignon blanc, a solo red blend, a trio of pinot noirs, and a quartet of petite sirahs.  We once again gathered in the beautiful tropical backyard of Robin and Marc Simpson.  Each member…

               (Photo:  Keuka Lake & Vineyard Courtesy Luke Petrinec - Steuban County CVB)

As a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), I was fortunate to attend a webinar on the…

Visit Omaha

I recently had the opportunity to attend the “Visit Omaha Steak Lover’s Virtual Media Tour” with fellow International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) members.  This informative webinar was sponsored by…

Our Southern California Wine Review Council recently enjoyed wines made with Italian grapes from both Italy and New Mexico.  Reviewers were assigned wines and then tasked with creating food pairings to share with the group (we often find food pairings selected for one wine are paired as well or better with another wine). As…

The lovely tropical garden of two of our members’ home in San Diego was the recent setting of Wine Council’s end of summer review of wines.  We tasted a Pinot gris and a rosé from Cameron Hughes and a Pinot gris and a rosé from Mount Beautiful, plus three Pinot noirs from Talawind Ranch. Each member was assigned a wine to research and was asked to bring an appetizer or dish that would pair well with his or her assigned…

Southern California's Temecula Wine Review Council, of which I am a member, recently gathered for a food pairing and wine tasting of two red wines, Zinfandel and Gamay Noir, from two wine regions, Lodi in northern California and Willamette Valley in Oregon. 

2015 Earthquake Zinfandel, Michael David Winery, Lodi AVA - $25…

I am a member of the Temecula (California) Wine Review Council, and at a recent council tasting of Missouri wines, I was surprised to learn that the first officially recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) was Augusta, Missouri, dating back to 1980.  Located just…

Mt. Beautiful Wines were showcased at our recent Wine Review Council in Temecula, California. Although some of the reviewers were familiar with…

On a recent regional press trip for members of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association, I had the opportunity to learn about True Food Kitchen.  The restaurant embraces the healthy-food movement by creating imaginative, nutritious food, and by supporting a community of local,…

Members of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) gathered in the Temecula Valley for their SoCal regional area meeting to showcase two area wineries.  We had lunch and a winery tour at Mount Palomar Winery and we visited Europa Village to learn about the progress of the future Europa Village Wineries, Resort and Spa.…

           Snap Man/Flickr



Whether you’re planning a couple’s escape or a girls’ getaway, Claremont - a Southern California community in the San Gabriel Valley dubbed the “City of Trees”  - should be at the top of your list. Located less…

Whether you motor east or motor west on Interstate 8, you will find the friendly town of Yuma a delightful surprise and a hubbub of activities for all ages. Bordered by California, the Colorado River, and the country of Mexico, this southern Arizona jewel welcomes everyone: road-tripping travelers, retirees, and those who are looking for fun, family-oriented vacations.…

At a Temecula, California media event for International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (FWTWA), we had an opportunity to learn about Cultivating Good, which encompasses E.A.T. (Extraordinary Artisan Table) Marketplace, Harvest 2U, and EAT@Home.  The architects of Cultivating Good, Don Webber and Leah Di Bernardo, have a noble mission:  to support the local food economy by providing fresh, healthy food to the community.  As an advocate for the area’s farmers, ranchers,…

Along with showcasing exceptional wines, paired with equally spectacular food, the partnership of Martin Corso (Chef Marty) of The M Group, and Ken Barnes of Temecula Night Out, has fostered a sense of camaraderie and fellowship in the Temecula…

          The inaugural meeting of the Occasional Sprit Council (OSC) took place on March 31^st at the strikingly beautiful art-filled home of Todd and Susan Montgomery.  It was the perfect setting to launch the council.  Linda Kissam, writer, wine publicist, and Vice President of The International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association, devised the council based on her Occasional Wine Council (OWC).  Like OWC, participants were to bring a dish that they had prepared to pair with…