Friendship and Burgundies
In a lifetime of wine events, our Wine.com meeting with the Louis Latour team was one of my best experiences ever! I had known Bernard Retornaz and Mick Cameron for decades, and I had recently met Dannytza Rodriguez—these were my principal contacts with Domaine Louis Latour. My two cool Wine.com colleagues Alex Joeger and Tim Marson, MW as well as other support staff from the Louis Latour team. We were set for a wonderful afternoon of wine, food, and camaraderie. 42 wines later and Chef Bernard’s wonderful lunch, everyone left with smiles from ear to ear.
My Journey as a Cancer Patient Part Three, Heading for the Home Stretch
Here is where I stand after 91 days of Chemotherapy: After my 5th of 6 infusions, I felt good having to withstand minor side effects. On day 91, my body crumbled. I was weak and unable to get out of bed in the morning. My darling Alice let me sleep longer than usual and our dog Kaili waited patiently for her walk in the park. I was dizzy and unbalanced. I left a message with my medical team as my brain was reeling as never before.
What happens after 40 years in the life of a Cabernet Sauvignon?
2014 was one of the most tumultuous years of my life. After 19 years and four months at BevMo, I joined Wine.com to continue my journey as a wine professional. My journals were more like a labyrinth than an organized spread of Excel sheets. Speed dialing to 2023 and dealing with cancer has put a reset on my life that I did not anticipate. I have returned to 1974 in search of clues to what I am all about. On November 23, 2014, I attended a tasting of 1974 California Cabernet Sauvignons on their 50th birthdate. I first tasted this vintage when they were released in the mid to late 1970s. Here is my accounting of how they and I have fared.
Celebrating the life of Robert Burns with friends, colleagues, and new friends
IWhen my friend and colleague, Sunita Aggarwal, invited me to Burns Night celebrating the life of Robert Burns, the National Poet of Scotland—held on January 25th throughout the world where people read his poetry and eat traditional Scottish food—I wasn’t sure what to expect. She said that it would be cozy, fun, and informal.
My Journey as a Cancer Patient Part Two, The Halfway Point in My Chemotherapy
After the installation of a Chest Port a week on February 5th, I stepped into the Infusion Room on Valentine’s Day for my first of six infusions—there would be six in total over the 18 weeks. I was still in shock at what was happening, but I felt comfortable because of the confidence of a good outcome from the medical team. I was ready to take and defeat cancer.
Dogs are the best!
Kaili, born on February 27, 2016, entered our lives as a 2-month-old puppy. A rescue dog from the SPCA Mission Campus, she was 2.87 Kilograms (6.3 lbs.) She would become our third dog and the wackiest, loving, cuddling of the trio. We had just said, “Goodbye to Cody, our Husky-Malamute who passed away at 13 years old. At first, we were adamant about not adopting a dog for a while, but after a visit to the adoption center, we left with a tiny, cute puppy. Now seven years ago, she is fantastic. She saved my life because, in September 2022, I lifted her and strained my back, leading to X-rays, an MRI, CT-Scan, and Alan Mitchel Kramer, the oncologist who diagnosed that I had curable but aggressive cancer. Life can change in a hurry.
My journey as a cancer patient begins
After six months of on-and-off pain in my lower back and abdominal area, my oncologist confirmed on 2/5/23 diagnosed that I had curable but aggressive cancer: Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. I began six cycles of chemotherapy on 2/14 and it would last 18 weeks. During that time, my body will be immunocompromised, and I will not be able to be at events. If everything goes well, I should be back in the swing of things by August. On 2/14 (Valentine's Day) I started Round One Chemotherapy which lasted 5-1/2 hours. I feel strong and healthy and I aim to beat this internal enemy to my good cells and achieve complete remission. In the meantime, my taste buds are fine and I have had no side effects. I continue to taste wines and write about them from home.
Tapas, Tapas, Tapas- adventurous, exhilarating, and palate-rewarding
Food and wine lovers travel to Spain for wine and food immersion, which is what our group of a dozen wine professionals and consumers did; we were rewarded with an experience of a lifetime!
Our dog, Alice, and me in the best place in San Francisco
Having a young pup in San Francisco can be a challenge. Pups need to exercise and plenty of TLC. We are fortunate to live close to McLaren Park, a large area where Kaili could romp to her heart’s content
Traveling and discovering are educational equalizers adding to a fuller life experience
I have heard that some people choose to confine themselves inside. They could read, go online, and watch television, which would be the extent of their life’s existence. On the one hand, This is a simple and safe life, but it is far from satisfying.
For Food & Beverage Lovers, there is an endless world of libations
Water is essential to all living creatures. Other beverages are not. I loved the taste of milk as a kid, and that was the first beverage to catch my attention. As a young adult, coffee became my morning requirement. When the wine bug bit me, that is when my career in the beverage industry began. Along the way, I added microbrews and distilled spirits. Today, I embrace a diverse array of drinks.
My journeys with coffee
Coffee is more than a cup of Joe or a caffeine jolt. Whether I am in my neighborhood or globetrotting, my journeys with coffee are memorable.
Why visiting France’s revered wine regions is essential for professional tasters!
How do you build a foundation for tasting wines? With so many wines in the marketplace, France remains the best country to make your wine tasting skills. By knowing the classics (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone Valley, Provence, Loire, Champagne), you can tackle any grape variety someone puts in front of you.
What the pho? Isn’t this a donut shop?
Pho is authentic comfort food with a mixture of flavors, textures, and spices. It is a noodle soup that excites the palate.
Do you think you can build your career through your palate?
Do you think you can build your career through your palate? Pick up a glass, look at a wine, sniff its aromas, taste it, and evaluate it. You must process the information beyond your nose and tongue.
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Explore Wine
Wine is a fascinating subject that often draws attention. Some love it; some don't care about it; I live it as a centerpiece of my life. Wine and spirits it have been an essential part of my life for 50 years. So follow my journey, and we will share our vinous exploration.
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Drink
Libations from water to distilled spirits and beverages in-between are subjects that we can never escape. A beer at a ball game, toasting Champagne in a romantic moment, or savoring an aged Tequila with a local mixologist are moments that sometimes last a lifetime. Every beverage has a story. So let's explore together and share our experiences.
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Food
When I look at food advertisements, I often see a mélange of confusion. Yet, I love to break food down to its fundamental core—ingredients, cooking method, and sauces. By returning to the basic construction of a dish, I can understand its flavors and what beverage matching could work. Food and wine pairing is an enjoyable subject that wine and food professionals love to discuss. We can do the same and enjoy this trip from the kitchen to the dining room.
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Travel
One doesn't have to fly across the ocean to travel. We can travel daily by leaving the house, and exploring nearby parks or community gathering places can open one's horizons. When one travels far away, one expands life's visions. I have always returned with a greater understanding of other cultures on my wine trips abroad. Travel with me as I uncover new and exciting people, places, and communities.
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All Blog posts
Food, drinks, and travel—are three categories that can be difficult to navigate. My goal is to guide you and simplify the process.. Please join me on this journey, and we can enjoy the road together.
