Your Social Somm

08/01/2026

The name Chablis likely comes from the Celtic words Cab = home and Leya = woods. Cistercian monks were granted the land after fleeing Viking raiders. The Serein River runs through the region. The right bank is where all the Grand Crus are located. These sites have the best southern exposure and get the best sunlight allowing the Chardonnay grapes to fully ripen. The left bank receives more morning sun and struggles to ripen. Because of this the wines of the right bank produce richer fuller styles of Chablis while those of the left produce more taught, mineral wines.

07/25/2026

The wines of Chablis are considered some of the greatest expressions of Chardonnay. Located in northern France, they produce mineral-driven, fresh styles of wine. The soils are based on Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone. Typically, the wines are unoaked. The area has four quality levels all of which I encourage you to try.
Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru Chablis, and the rarest of all, Grand Cru Chablis. The Grand Crus come from just 7 small south-facing vineyards along the Serein River. There are many wonderful porducers but some that are easier to find in your local stores will be William Fevre, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot. If you can find a bottle of Tribut, Dauvissat or Raveneau I highly recommend them.

06/25/2026

What is your favorite wine....

06/25/2026

04/01/2026

Alsace- France’s must undervalued wine region. Blessed with 51 Grand Cru vineyard sites that run north to south between the Rhein River and the Vosges Mountains. Hengst and Schlossberg are picture. The value in the wines is exceptional. More impressive is how versatile they are with food. Try a glass of Alsace Riesling with smoked trout. Pinot Gris with spicy Asian or Indian food. No matter what your eating there is an Alsatian wine to go along with it. A few key producers to look for? Trimbach and Domaine Weinbach shown are a great start!

03/31/2026

Do you love German wines as much as I do???
Largest barrel I have ever seen holds 19k cases of Riesling!!! Mosel River in the winter is amazing! Who doesn’t love a bottle of wine from your favorite vending machine?

03/30/2026

To say the vineyards of the Mosel and Rhein are steep is an understatement. No photo can ever do them justice.

08/30/2025

What's your favorite varietal? Or your favorite red and white varietal?

08/26/2025

How many of you have drank a "special" wine? One that you remember drinking years later. I know I have had many. But this is not about me. What wines have changed your life? Imprinted memories on where you were, who you were with, what you were doing. I'd love to hear from you! Let me know your great wine memories.

08/18/2025

For too long, wine has been viewed as an elitist product. We have evidence that wine has been produced in Armenia for thousands of years. When did this elitism start? Likely from nobles consuming the best wines. With modern science, it is now possible for everyone to enjoy amazing wines at prices that fit any budget.