In lieu of our normal monthly newsletter, given our home base in Northern California, we at Charles Communications Associates, representing wineries from our own backyard and around the world, dedicate this missive to those affected by the Northern California fires of October 2017
The Napa Valley has recently taken a lot of heat – both literally, due to the serious temperature spike that hit the valley earlier this month, as well as figuratively from those who think the aberrant fluctuation spelled doom for the entire region’s harvest. The media has been eager to report this story, which we can all understand – what’s sexier than a potential climate change story about America’s most recognized wine region? Fortunately for the consumer, cooler heads prevail for those of us on the ground, and I wanted to share the perspective from someone who has been around the vineyard block.
Meet Faith Armstrong, the winemaker behind Onward and Farmstrong wines. As refreshing as the Pétillant Naturel she makes of Malvasia Bianca, many of the words used to describe Faith's wine could be used to describe the winemaker herself. Honest, vibrant, unfiltered, true to her origins, bright, complex.
For too long rosé has been relegated to the summer season. Broadly portrayed as a quaffable, almost girlish wine, rosé has been historically under-appreciated and its exceptional versatility under-sung. With the profusion of pink we see this time of year, February is the month of la vie en rosé, which is why we asked Devon Magee, Wine Specialist at JJ Buckley Fine Wines, to share why he thinks rosé is righteousness year round.
Since Kyle Nadeau’s first taste of Port Ellen Single Malt Scotch just over ten years ago, the “whisky guru” and General Manager of The Bank of Wine & Spirits at Wingtip has devoted countless energy and hours to scouring the best distilled elixirs the world has to offer. Thousands of whiskies later, Nadeau is considered one of the most informed whisky palates in the country.
