• CGC Home
  • The Stories
  • the places
    • Australia
      • Hunter Valley
      • Mudgee Wine Region
      • Shoalhaven Coast
      • Southern Highlands
    • California Wine, Wine Makers & Winery’s
      • Los Olivos, California
      • Paso Robles, California
      • Santa Barbara County
      • Napa Valley
      • Sonoma Valley
      • Temecula Wine Country
    • Central Coast Wine Country, a flash trip in 6 days
    • France, the wine regions
      • France, Alsace region
      • Champagne 101, the region
      • Côtes de Bordeaux
      • the wines of Alsace, France
      • the wines of Bordeaux, France
      • the wines of Champagne France
      • the wines of Languedoc Roussillion
    • Discovering Italy the Wine Regions
      • Abruzzo on Italy’s East Coast
      • Italy-Friuli-Venezia Guilia & the Colli Orientali
      • Vini di Valtellina
    • Oregon Wine Country
      • Willamette
    • Yakima Valley Wine
      • Red Willow Vineyard
  • the Philosophies
    • Biodynamics in Wine Production
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
  • Food & Wine Pairing
    • Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines
    • Food & Wine Pairing Recipe Videos
  • from dirt to glass
    • Wine Basics
      • the grape vines
      • the grapes
      • the seasons
      • the Wine harvest
      • the winemakers
      • Wine Faults
    • Crushed Grapes & Open Minds, Event
    • 12 Days of Wine, a holiday Wine list 2019
    • 12 Days of Wine, a holiday Wine list 2020
    • 12 Days of Wine, a holiday Wine list 2021
    • Uncommon Wine Festival at Vista Hills Vineyard 2018
    • Top Places to Taste Wine in California!
    • The Scenic Route 2021
    • The Scenic Route, a Flash Wine tour
  • Videos
    • The Scenic Route 2022
    • Crushed Grape Chronicles Video Gallery
    • Crushed Grape Chronicles YouTube
    • Santa Barbara County Wine Videos
    • Paso Robles Videos
    • Oregon Videos
    • Washington Wine Videos
  • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Work with Us, CGC Our Wine Media kit
    • Crushed Grape Chronicles Newsletter
  • 12 days of Wine 2022
robin@42aspens.com
Crushed Grape ChroniclesCrushed Grape Chronicles
Adventures in Wine Exploration
the stories behind the vines
  • CGC Home
  • The Stories
  • the places
    • Australia
      • Hunter Valley
      • Mudgee Wine Region
      • Shoalhaven Coast
      • Southern Highlands
    • California Wine, Wine Makers & Winery’s
      • Los Olivos, California
      • Paso Robles, California
      • Santa Barbara County
      • Napa Valley
      • Sonoma Valley
      • Temecula Wine Country
    • Central Coast Wine Country, a flash trip in 6 days
    • France, the wine regions
      • France, Alsace region
      • Champagne 101, the region
      • Côtes de Bordeaux
      • the wines of Alsace, France
      • the wines of Bordeaux, France
      • the wines of Champagne France
      • the wines of Languedoc Roussillion
    • Discovering Italy the Wine Regions
      • Abruzzo on Italy’s East Coast
      • Italy-Friuli-Venezia Guilia & the Colli Orientali
      • Vini di Valtellina
    • Oregon Wine Country
      • Willamette
    • Yakima Valley Wine
      • Red Willow Vineyard
  • the Philosophies
    • Biodynamics in Wine Production
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
  • Food & Wine Pairing
    • Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines
    • Food & Wine Pairing Recipe Videos
  • from dirt to glass
    • Wine Basics
      • the grape vines
      • the grapes
      • the seasons
      • the Wine harvest
      • the winemakers
      • Wine Faults
    • Crushed Grapes & Open Minds, Event
    • 12 Days of Wine, a holiday Wine list 2019
    • 12 Days of Wine, a holiday Wine list 2020
    • 12 Days of Wine, a holiday Wine list 2021
    • Uncommon Wine Festival at Vista Hills Vineyard 2018
    • Top Places to Taste Wine in California!
    • The Scenic Route 2021
    • The Scenic Route, a Flash Wine tour
  • Videos
    • The Scenic Route 2022
    • Crushed Grape Chronicles Video Gallery
    • Crushed Grape Chronicles YouTube
    • Santa Barbara County Wine Videos
    • Paso Robles Videos
    • Oregon Videos
    • Washington Wine Videos
  • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Work with Us, CGC Our Wine Media kit
    • Crushed Grape Chronicles Newsletter
  • 12 days of Wine 2022

Wine Travel

  • All
  • 12 days of Wine
  • Applegate Valley AVA
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Ballard Canyon
  • Beckmen Vineyard
  • Biodynamic
  • California Wines
  • Chile
  • Columbia Gorge
  • Crushed Grapes & Open Minds
  • Discovering Wine Country
  • France
  • From Dirt to Glass
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Larner Vineyard & Winery
  • Las Vegas Wine Bar
  • Los Olivos
  • Oregon Wine
  • Pantry Pairings
  • Paso Robles
  • Portugal
  • Presquile Vineyard
  • Recipes
  • Santa Barbara County
  • Santa Maria Valley AVA
  • Sonoma CA
  • Spain
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Syrah
  • Tablas Creek
  • Temecula Valley
  • The Scenic Route
  • The Scenic Route 2022
  • The Scenic Tour
  • Uruguay
  • Washington Wine
  • Willlamette Valley
  • Wine 101
  • Wine Education
  • Wine Events
  • Wine Geek
  • Wine Travel
  • #winepw
  • Wines from France
  • Yakima Valley AVA
12 days of Wine 2022 Portugal Day 4 Graham's Six Grapes Reserve Port
12 days of Wine 2022 Portugal Day 4 Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Port
12 days of Wine 2022 Africa Day 3 Releaf Chenin Blanc Western Cape
12 days of Wine 2022 Africa Day 3 Releaf Chenin Blanc Western Cape
Discovering Wine Country New Zealand McBride sisters collection Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand McBride sisters collection Sauvignon Blanc
Syncline Winery Stunning Wines in the Tortured Topography of the Columbia Gorge AVA
Syncline Winery Stunning Wines in the Tortured Topography of the Columbia Gorge AVA
Viura There is more to Rioja than Tempranillo #WorldWineTravel
Viura There is more to Rioja than Tempranillo #WorldWineTravel
Generations and stability at Red Willow Vineyard
Generations and stability at Red Willow Vineyard
The story of the iconic Red Willow Vineyard Chapel
The story of the iconic Red Willow Vineyard Chapel
the story of Red Willow Vineyard
the story of Red Willow Vineyard
The beginnings of Nebbiolo and Syrah at Red Willow
The beginnings of Nebbiolo and Syrah at Red Willow
Ancient Soils at Red Willow Vineyard
Ancient Soils at Red Willow Vineyard
Red Willow Vineyard – The Chapel Block
Red Willow Vineyard – The Chapel Block
Lowe Wine - 2015 Nullo Mountain Riesling
Lowe Wine – 2015 Nullo Mountain Riesling

Contact Us

send us a message

Send Message

Affiliate Wine Shops

Wine.com

Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines (On Sale Now on Amazon)!

Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines Paperback – August 29, 2022

Tempting Spoonfuls: Pairing single bites with glorious wines Paperback – August 29, 2022

crushedgrapechron

I took these earlier this summer. No filter. The I took these earlier this summer.  No filter.  The sky the sunflowers were just that vibrant and beautiful. 
In the 2nd photo I love the bee zooming in like a small plane on a mission!
Enjoy the moment!
September 15th - International Grenache Day (3rd September 15th - International Grenache Day 
(3rd Friday of Sept) 
#GrenacheDay #InternationalgrenacheDay 
Grenache. 
It’s the “G” in “GSM”. 
Widely planted in the Southern Rhône, Languedoc and Rousillon, it is likely originally from Spain where it is known as “Garnacha.” 
In Sardengna they claim it as their own, and call it “Cannonau.” Grenache is found in a rainbow of color variants from white to grey to red. 
Ripening late in the season, this grape thrives in warmer climates. 
For red wines, it is often blended with Syrah and Mourvedre in France, the US and Australia.  In Spain it often accompanies Tempranillo in Rioja. 
It is a favorite for California Rosés Flavors? 
In Grenache rosé you can expect bright strawberry and watermelon! 
In red wines, look for more warm fruit notes, cooked or baked strawberries and plums, Raspberry, Blood orange, herbal notes like dried oregano as well as richer deeper notes of leather and tobacco.  You might find orange zest, nutmeg and balsamic notes depending on where it comes from. 
We’ve been lucky enough to taste a wide variety of Grenaches! 
Head to CrushedGrapeChronicles.com and do a search for Grenache you will find plenty of inspiration for wines to celebrate this holiday! Find a bottle!  White, Rosé, Red…they are all delicious! 
Happy #InternationalGrenacheDay!
Instagram post 17972787653536018 Instagram post 17972787653536018
September 10th – International Port Wine Day P September 10th – International Port Wine Day 
Port that fortified dessert wine from the Duoro Valley in Portugal. 
A glass of Port and a cigar after dinner…wait, that’s outdated.  Port is not a stuffy old wine, it is downright delicious! 
There is red port, white port even a rosé port.  Then there is Tawny Port, that’s the delicious aged stuff.  There is Ruby port , Reserve Port, LBV (late bottle vintage) Port, Tawny Port, Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, Colheita Port, White Port and Rosé Port.  Then their are the 10 year, 20 year, 30 year and 40 year Ports.  Whew!  So many styles! 
There are 5 main varieties of grapes used in Port, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca and Tinto Cão. When it comes to White Port, you find Gouveio and Malvasia Fina used. 
Port can often have notes of blackberry, caramel, dark chocolate and spice (I said delicious, right?) 
So spoil yourself!  It’s time for the weather to get a little cooler.  Curling up in the evening with a glass of port and a good book, sounds like a perfect plan! 
Or pick up a white port and mix a cocktail with tonic and lime! 
There are so many ways to enjoy port.
Happy #InternationalPortDay !!!
September 9th is International Box Wine Day! Boxed September 9th is International Box Wine Day!
Boxed wine is not what it used to be!  More & more wineries are packaging some of their wines bag in box.
Some details:
Bag in box typically hold about 4 bottles of wine and will stay fresh for about 3 months.
This packaging is meant for fresh style wines, not wines that need to be aged.
There are great benefits!
No glass to worry about breaking.
Easy to recycle (and less energy to recycle)
Larger package means less waste!
Boxes are lighter in weight than bottles and they pack better, all in all saving energy in storage and fuel to transport them!
With the savings on the bottle the winery is likely to be able to sell you the wine cheaper!
There are great brands out there to look for, Tablas Creek in Paso has packaged several of their wines in box (these are good wines my friends)! There is also Bridge Lane on the North Fork of Long Island, Field Recordings in Paso Robles, Original House Wiens out of Washington, Evolution from Sokol Blosser in Oregon and yes, you can get "the Chicken Wine" in a box! (I'm hearing a stampede of my friends heading to the store with that one!)
Get on board!  Many wineries, are afraid to try this, they think you won't buy it!  Ask for it!  Get them onboard and then support them! 
*This holiday was created by "Wine Nook." I went to look them up.  They created these decorative containers to hold your boxed wine.  Some are cute, some are sleek and there is a limited edition line that is downright gorgeous. They also plant a tree for every Nook sold in partnership with the Nation Forest Foundation.  So feel free to dress up your boxed wine and support the planet a little more!
#InternationalBoxWineDay
Instagram post 17925102911679268 Instagram post 17925102911679268
"The little things that make you Happy..." like dr "The little things that make you Happy..." like drinking Cab Franc (which you love) but more than that, a Cab Franc made by someone you know and think highly of!  Tasty Juice!! Shout out to the winemaker!
#LoriMakesTastyCabFranc
@dracaenawines
Instagram post 17963732141616434 Instagram post 17963732141616434
September is practically overflowing with full mon September is practically overflowing with full month holidays! 
It's Wine Month in California, Illinois, & Missouri
and it's North Carolina Grape Month!
National Chianti Day is the 1st Friday in Septembe National Chianti Day is the 1st Friday in September
I first discovered Chianti in college. Those straw covered bottles made perfect candle holders! 
These days finding those bottles is more rare, more often you find Chianti in Bordeaux-style bottles.
Some of the geeky details:
There are 7 subzones in the Chianti DOCG
Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini,  Colli Senesi,  Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli, & Rufina.
Overall theses wine must be at least 70% Sangioves. The rest can be International grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot…) or Native Italian Grapes like Canaiolo Nero and Colorino.  You can even add the white grapes Malvasia and Trebbiano, but together, those two can account for no more than 10% of the wine.
And then there is Chianti Classico
If you see the black rooster on the label, you know that it comes from the heart of the region, the Chianti Classico region. 
The story of the black rooster (the gallo nero) speaks to the cleverness of Florentines.
Florence and Siena were fighting over land in the 13th century. To settle the dispute, they would each send a knight on horseback from their city. Where the 2 met would define the territory. The Florentines starved their black rooster for two days, so on the fated morning he awoke to crow before dawn (he was hungry!). So the Florentine rider got a headstart, almost reaching Siena before meeting the other rider.
That’s the story at least.  Enchanting if not 100% true. 
Here the wine must be at least 80% Sangiovese the rest can be approved red grapes (like the ones above). No white grapes are allowed.
What aromas and flavors can you expect? 
I remember when I was learning about wine, I was told the giveaway was sour cherry and orange peel.  I still look for that, but Chianti can go far beyond that. 
Look for red fruits, yes, like cherries and wild red berries You might find dried herbs, violets, baking spice, cloves, licorice, balsamic vinegar, smoke, forest floor, eucalyptus and leather. 
Perfect pairing would be a Tuscan style Ragu or Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, but quite honestly, Pizza is perfect!
Find a bottle and enjoy!
Happy #ChiantiDay
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Contact Us

  • Crushed Grape Chronicles
  • robin@42aspens.com
  • https://www,crushedgrapechronicles.com

© 2008 -2020· Crushed Grape Chronicles

  • About us, wine stories from dirt to glass
  • Wine Events