Please The Palate

06/17/2026

I remember the first time I discovered Assyrtiko while traveling in Santorini. I was fascinated by how compelling the grape could be. So, with the warm summer days here, I decided to chill the bottle sitting on my counter. I was intrigued as this Assyrtiko was from Paso Robles, not Greece. But after the first sip, I was reminded exactly why this grape is so special, and that is why the Cairjn Wine Cellars 2024 Assyrtiko from Paso Robles is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

I remember the first time I discovered Assyrtiko while traveling in Santorini. I was fascinated by how compelling the grape could be. So, with the warm summer days here, I decided to chill the bott…

06/16/2026

Finally, a Solution for My Spotty Wine Glasses: the Clear360 Glassware Polisher - And if you want this solution as well, read the full story for a discount code!

If you know me, you know I have A LOT of wine in my home. But with all of the wine bottles, I also have A LOT of wine glasses. In fact, I have shelves of glasses that I have amassed over the years.…

06/10/2026

Encruzado is one of my favorite white grapes. Grown in Portugal’s Dão region, it produces wines that are fresh, mineral-driven, and structured, often reminding me of Chablis for its balance and precision. So when I had the opportunity to try the Taboadella Villae White 2023, a blend led by Encruzado and supported by Bical and Cerceal Branco, it immediately caught my attention and, and after tasting it, it is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

Encruzado is one of my favorite white grapes. Grown in Portugal’s Dão region, it produces wines that are fresh, mineral-driven, and structured, often reminding me of Chablis for its balance and pre…

06/09/2026

In the world of California Pinot Noir, few names carry the same cult-like reputation as Sea Smoke Winery. While collectors can get their hands on allocations, the average wine drinker may have more trouble tasting the wines. And visiting the estate itself is even rarer. So, when I got an invitation to attend a lunch with the Winemaker Don Schroeder and General Manager Matt Steel, I knew it was a rare opportunity. The answer was an immediate yes.

In the world of California Pinot Noir, few names carry the same cult-like reputation as Sea Smoke Winery. While collectors can get their hands on allocations, the average wine drinker may have more…

06/07/2026

Fifteen years ago, I started Please The Palate with no roadmap...just a love and passion for wine, travel, events, and storytelling.

Since then, I've visited wine regions around the world, written hundreds of stories, produced countless events, interviewed hundreds of winemakers, launched a festival, met extraordinary people, and built a business doing what I love.

To everyone who has been part of this journey - clients, wineries, publications, partners, friends, and readers - thank you. I wouldn't be here without you.

Here's to 15 years of adventures, discoveries, and sharing great stories, and to whatever comes next.

Cheers! 🥂

06/03/2026

Post & Vine produces Carignane from three different vineyards, each with its own personality and sense of place. This week, I chose the Contra Costa County bottling from Sandy Lane Vineyard, a site with deep roots and a long history with this underappreciated grape. From its bright fruit to its savory character, the Post & Vine 2019 Carignane from Sandy Lane Vineyard is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

Post & Vine produces Carignane from three different vineyards, each with its own personality and sense of place. This week, I chose the Contra Costa County bottling from Sandy Lane Vineyard, a…

06/02/2026

Nizza in a Glass: The Story of Frasca La Guaragna, a young winery rooted in the heart of Monferrato and dedicated to showcasing the depth and potential of Barbera from Nizza DOCG

In Piemonte, Italy, the three best-known red grapes are Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo. Of course, of those three, Nebbiolo is “king” and Barbera has long lived in its shadow. In fact,…

05/27/2026

Malvasia is not a single grape but a large family of ancient varieties with a long and storied history in Europe. Within the diverse Malvasia family is Malvasia Bianca, known for producing highly aromatic, versatile wines ranging from bone-dry and crisp to sweet and sparkling. Aromatic yet dry, the Langhart & Hill 2023 Malvasia Bianca from Dry Creek Valley is lively, refreshing, and the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

Malvasia is not a single grape but a large family of ancient varieties with a long and storied history in Europe. Within the diverse Malvasia family is Malvasia Bianca, known for producing highly a…

05/26/2026

The Future of Wine Is Changing. The Community Around It Is Not. And if you are reading this, and you enjoy drinking wine, you are part of this community.

I have spent more than two decades in the wine industry. And while wine is a product, a commodity, I have never thought of it only as that. Wine tells stories. Each bottle tells the story of a plac…

05/20/2026

Cabernet Franc has long had a champion in the Livermore Valley, and that champion is Steven Mirassou. I’ve written about his dedication to this grape before, but with the 2024 vintage, he took that commitment a step further, exploring how different aging vessels shape the structure and personality of wine. Cabernet Franc was aged in steel, rock, wood, and a combination of the three, and this week the Steven Kent 2024 Rock Cabernet Franc, Morgensen Family Vineyard, Livermore Valley is the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

Cabernet Franc has long had a champion in the Livermore Valley, and that champion is Steven Mirassou. I’ve written about his dedication to this grape before, but with the 2024 vintage, he took that…