Articles

Wine: Simplified

Wine Q&A with The Tasting Panel #5

Watch or listen as Chris Lafleur, Sommeliers Creed for Cameron Hughes, and Joe Roberts, 1winedude.com, walk us through frequently asked questions about wine. It seems like only yesterday that...

READ MORE

Wine Q&A with The Tasting Panel #4

Watch or listen as Chris Lafleur, Sommeliers Creed for Cameron Hughes, and Wanda Mann, Wine Writer and Educator, walk us through frequently asked questions about wine. It seems like...

READ MORE

Wine Q&A with The Tasting Panel #3

Wine Questions and Answers with Nicole Muscari, your Cameron Hughes Pocket Wine Advisor, and Wanda Mann, Wine Educator. Watch as these two wine aficionados walk us through frequently asked...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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....

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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.)...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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....

READ MORE

Wine: Decoded

Celebrate National Zinfandel Day

Zinfandel Day is the third Wednesday each November, putting it as a close predecessor to the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some great Zinfandel facts for a bit of conversation...

READ MORE

International Tempranillo Day

Tempranillo is a Spanish red grape variety whose name alludes to its nature of ripening earlier than the other Vitis vinifera of Europe (temprano = early).  Tempranillo has a...

READ MORE

What’s Happening in the Vineyard – Harvest

Get ready for your vineyard harvest season crash-course from Cameron Hughes’s Zeke Neeley. By CHW Team We recently caught up with Neeley about what’s going on in the vineyards...

READ MORE

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon – Gatekeepers of the Valley’s Best Secrets

Forget everything you know about Napa Valley’s famous Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Read on to find out why these decadent, structured, richly-flavored reds are the gatekeepers of the Valley’s best...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

What’s Happening in the Vineyard – Spring

Get ready for your vineyard crash-course in wine vineyards leading up to and during harvest. By CHW Team A graduate of UC Davis with a degree in biochemistry, Neeley...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

Lifestyle

10 Tips for Serving and Pairing Wines at Your Holiday Party

by CH Wine. As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to prepare for festive gatherings filled with laughter, good company, and, of course, excellent wine. Elevate your holiday party...

READ MORE

Katy and Chris Taste and Discuss Lot 893 2020 Calistoga Semillon

Our first white wine branded with the coveted Black Label Series labels, we introduce to you Lot 893 Calistoga Semillon. Take a sunny walk through this orchard and you...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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,...

READ MORE

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,...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

Gas·tro·nom·ic

Red Wine Braised Ribs Over Mashed Potatoes

Wine Paired Recipe by CH Wine. Perfect pairing for cozy winter evenings, try pairing this with candles or a warm crackling fire in the fireplace along with one of...

READ MORE

Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Mulled Wine Recipe

Lot 950 Mulled Wine by CH Wine. For when it’s cold outside.  Sip and savor your mug of mulled wine with Cameron Hughes Lot 950 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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:...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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,...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE

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...

READ MORE