Articles

Wine: Simplified

Wine Q&A with Sommeliers from The Tasting Panel #2

Frequently asked wine questions answered by Chris Lafleur, Sommeliers Creed for Cameron Hughes, and Katy Long, Director of International Wines for VWE. It seems like only yesterday that we...

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How to Properly Open Sparkling Wine

Here to help us properly open sparkling wine (Champagne, Prosecco, etc.) is Chris Lafleur, a sommelier based out of Toronto who focuses on selling and training all things wine....

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Wine Q&A with Sommeliers from The Tasting Panel #1

Wine Q&A with Chris Lafleur, Sommeliers Creed for Cameron Hughes, and Katy Long, Director of International Wines for VWE. Watch as these two wine experts walk us through frequently...

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Balance

This one is pretty straightforward, is the wine balanced on the palate? If any one aspect stands out further than another (very acidic, super fruity, highly noticeable alcohol, etc.)...

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Meritage

Wine Term: Meritage First things first, the way to pronounce this is as though it rhymes with “Heritage.” This is a creation of California winemakers, and it’s a blended...

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Legs

No matter what your spouse claims about that bottle that was there last night – but is somehow missing now – it did not grow legs and walk away....

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Négociant

Wine Negociant. Well, you’ve at least heard the term from us a number of times, if no where else, as that’s what Cameron Hughes Wine is. But what does...

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Noble Grapes

In tasting room, restaurant, or wine shop conversations you might hear the term Noble Grapes, but what are they referring to? This is a two-part answer. Depending on context, they...

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Decant

Wine Term: Decant Variations: Open, Oxygenate, Aerate, Breathe, Breathing What it really means: Allowing the wine to interact with oxygen after the cork is removed. While there are all...

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Wine: Decoded

9 Cabernet Sauvignon Facts

It’s International Cabernet Day the Thursday prior to Labor Day each year (8/31 this year), and thus, we offer fun Cab facts for you! Cabernet Sauvignon is the child...

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It’s International Prosecco Day!

August 13th is National Prosecco Day.  A day dedicated to the most famous bubbles of Italy! Did you know that the name Prosecco is highly guarded, possibly even more...

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5 Questions for Chris Lafleur About Pairing Wine and Food

From salt, acid, fat, and sweets in your favorite cuisines, to the wines that pair best with dishes that include those ingredients, Certified Sommelier and CHW Tasting Panel guru...

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What’s Happening in the Vineyard – Spring

Get ready for your vineyard crash-course in spring-time grape-growing. Cameron Hughes’s Zeke Neeley takes us from bud-break to flowering. By CHW Team A graduate of UC Davis with a...

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What’s Happening in the Vineyard – Winter

Get ready for your crash-course in winter-time grape-growing. Cameron Hughes’ Zeke Neeley talks through winter dormancy, springtime threats to young vines, and offers predictions on the winter growing season...

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On Super Tuscan Wines, and the only Super Tuscan DOC (so far…)

Over the past year or so, and continuing onward, we’ve been on a run of exceptional Super Tuscan expressions we’ve acquired from Italy (Lots 717, 803, 804, 837, 873...

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A Guide to Pairing: Sangiovese

Sangiovese, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello, Super Tuscan… A bit about Sangiovese: Known as “The Blood of Jupiter” (Latin: sanguis Jovis).  Full stop.  Pretty epic. Much like Pinot or Nebbiolo,...

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10 Fun Facts About Chenin Blanc!

June 20 marks Drink Chenin Blanc Day, so…you know what to do! While you’re doing that, here are some fun facts about a grape that seemed to all but...

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10 Lambrusco Facts!

Happy World Lambrusco Day!  Here to celebrate, we offer our 10 favorite Lambrusco facts: Lambrusco is not only the name of the wine, but also the grape it’s made...

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Lifestyle

It’s International Grenache Day!

Happy International Grenache Day! Grenache Day is celebrated on the 3rd Friday of September each year. It still surprises us how many folks will tell us they’ve never had...

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Tasting Panel Somms Taste Lot 884 Atlas Peak Petit Verdot

Taste Lot 884, an award-winning wine from Atlas Peak. We were thrilled when a sample of this powerhouse Petit Verdot arrived at our office late last year and after...

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5 Questions for Chris Lafleur About Pairing Wine and Food

From salt, acid, fat, and sweets in your favorite cuisines, to the wines that pair best with dishes that include those ingredients, Certified Sommelier and CHW Tasting Panel guru...

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On the Hunt: Lagrein

Another grape on the “one’s who got away” list from our last trip through Italy is a staff favorite, Lagrein. Those who have been with us the last few...

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On the Hunt: Teroldego

Teroldego is an ancient Italian grape. As many of you know, we’ve been poking around quite a bit in Europe over the last few years in search of gems,...

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On the Hunt: Lemberger

Well, we’ve scored another oddity from the wine world that we’re very excited to share with you. We recently trekked through Washington looking for our usual run of Cabs,...

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On the Hunt: Rebo

The gifts of Italy continue. We cannot stress how much scouring the globe (and our own backyards) for the finest examples of varieties and terroir expressions, to bring to...

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On the Hunt: Pink Prosecco

Yeah, take a sec to let that article title settle in. Yup, pink Prosecco.  Prosecco Rosé?  Sparkling?  Is this for real? Yes.  Yes it is.  And it’s really, really...

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July 2021 Wine Industry News

Our Top Read: US wines take the win at the 18th annual Decanter World Wine Awards. Click here for more. In the News: Looks like they’ve proven terroir scientifically exists....

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Gas·tro·nom·ic

Ratatouille Wine Pairing Recipe for Merlot

Ratatouille by CH Wine. Savor the classic flavors of Ratatouille, where roasted vegetables and aromatic herbs meet, perfectly complemented by the smooth richness of our Lot 886 Merlot. A...

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5 Questions for Chris Lafleur About Pairing Wine and Food

From salt, acid, fat, and sweets in your favorite cuisines, to the wines that pair best with dishes that include those ingredients, Certified Sommelier and CHW Tasting Panel guru...

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Lemon Bars: A Perfect Pairing for Prosecco

Lemon Bars by CH Wine Elevate your Prosecco experience with our irresistible lemon bar recipe, a delightful pairing to complement Prosecco’s exquisite flavors. Download Lemon Bar Recipe (pdf) Servings:...

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Citrus Salad Recipe Pairing from Cameron Hughes

Citrus Salad by CH Wine Looking for the perfect pairing to complement our sweet and refreshing Moscato? Try this Citrus Salad recipe! The combination of tangy citrus fruits, crunchy...

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A Guide to Pairing: Sangiovese

Sangiovese, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello, Super Tuscan… A bit about Sangiovese: Known as “The Blood of Jupiter” (Latin: sanguis Jovis).  Full stop.  Pretty epic. Much like Pinot or Nebbiolo,...

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A Guide to Pairing: Moscato d’Asti

Hot on the heels of International Sauvignon Blanc Day is World Moscato Day! Herein lies our guide for pairing with Moscato d’Asti wines, to be more specific… A bit...

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A Guide to Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc

A global holiday for a global grape, but what to eat alongside it!? Well, per usual, here we go! A bit about Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc is the mother...

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A Guide to Pairing: Malbec

A Guide to pairing Malbec to say “Happy World Malbec Day!”. Today we’re celebrating this momentous occasion with another installment in our pairing series.  Without further ado… A bit...

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A Guide to Pairing: Côtes du Rhône Blanc

Learn to pair Cotes du Rhone Blanc (white wines) In the Southern Rhône, three red grapes dominate the landscape; Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre.  In the North, three white grapes...

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