Blogs
Storytelling – A Secret Ingredient
“Storytelling is an important element in technical writing because it helps establish context, engage the reader, and make more complex information more accessible and memorable.” This sentence is the introduction from a prompt I provided ChatGPT about the importance of storytelling.
Abundant Grape Harvest
It’s been a great season for my vineyard, resulting in an abundant grape harvest. Vineyard threats were tamed and minimized. The weather was consistently hot, but not excessively so. We experienced extreme drought conditions the first half of the year, which lessoned in August, September, and October. So what’s not to love?
Wine Myths – Fact or Fiction?
What are common wine myths – are they fact or fiction? Common myth examples include: all red wine ages gracefully; cheap wine uses screw caps, and red wine should always be served with red meat, and white wine with white meat. You might unintentionally get caught up in this dynamic. Don’t let wine myths control your thinking, it’s time for you to take control!
When Does Wildfire Smoke Taint Grapes and Wine?
How much wildfire smoke does it take to taint grapes and the resulting wine? Locally, this subject became more topical in early July, when several wildfires in western Colorado and eastern Utah, including in our vicinity at the Black Canyon broke out.
A Midsummers Night Dream – Moisture
My apologies to the bard. The North Fork Valley is badly in need of moisture. The 2025 grape growing season in the North Fork Valley is trending hot and dry. Understandably, the “dry” part of that equation might be difficult for eastern flatland lubbers to grasp, especially with the wet start to the season along Colorado’s Front Range.
Recommending a New Approach to Retail Wine
Meininger’s International posted a thought-provoking article recommending a new approach to retail wine. Based on a German Wine Producers report, they suggest that retailers can better position themselves with their customers by organizing wine by color and sweetness rather than country or type. I’ll take it one step further.
What are the Biggest Restaurant Wine Service Red Flags?
Nine sommeliers are asked what their biggest restaurant wine service red flags were in a recent VinePair article. Several common-sense red flags include unclean glasses, talking down to customers, incorrect glassware, and wines served too warm. There were also less known red flags, several of which I expand upon.
What Temperatures are too Cold for Grape Vines?
What temperatures are too cold for grape vines? When I planned my vineyard in the North Fork Valley four years ago, I didn’t hesitate choosing Pinot Noir and Riesling. The climate tends toward a moderately warm growing season with cool nights. The bane of the Valley is the temperature extremes.
New Year’s Resolutions Anyone?
Are you committing to making New Year Resolutions? Feel free to bypass the urge. For the moment. Though it could be said that setting goals and resolutions is vital for personal growth and mental health.
