Wine

We were privileged to also have Blake Barrios of the esteemed Blake Barrios & Rebellium Studio bring his love of philanthropy, vision, and expression to life, through the creation of the hand-painted magnum of the Zakin. Using oil paints, Blake created a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted rendering of Jan on a 2019 Magnum of Zakin Reserve wine. Barrios, often collaborating with non-profit foundations, musicians, athletes, and vintners, among others, is known to create a bottle that will fetch the highest bidding from discerning connoisseurs and art critics alike.

Jan and Jon Zakin gave a tour of the wonderful Brasswood Winery in Napa Valley, California, and gave us a tasting of their Zakin cult wines.

The finishing touch to a summer meal is always an irresistible dessert. Match it with just the right wine to elevate it to a delectable finish. Use these pairing ideas for scrumptious desserts that celebrate the deliciousness and sweetness of summer.

If you enjoy a crisp and cool glass of white wine, or perhaps a rich and sumptuous red, you’ll know the cork’s sound as it leaves the bottle. But what do you know about cork – and the difference it makes to enjoying your favorite type of wine?

Wine tourism is growing rapidly, and why not? So many vineyards are located in picturesque, temperate locales, and the many varieties of wine offer their own type of journey. Take a look at this snapshot of must-visit wineries in Virginia, Texas, New York, Washington and Michigan.

Pairing wine with summer entrées is all about enhancing the fresh cuisine of the season. From seafood to chicken and from steak to BBQ, take advantage of vibrant and versatile wines that can complement the array of tasty fare found on warm weather menus.

Napa Valley is made up of a variety of different regions ready for anyone to visit. You can explore all of its regions on your wine trip and stroll through the vineyards, get to know the various winemakers, and drink award-winning Napa Valley wine while enjoying breathtaking views.

The classic pairing of wine and cheese takes on seasonal tones with these ideas that will kick off your summer parties with delectable combinations of taste, texture and deliciousness. Whether you are creating a charcuterie board of cheese, fruits, and cured meats, or offering more substantial hors d’oeuvres, these basic tips will guide you in choosing the most appropriate wines to complement your appetizers.

Summer is the perfect time to explore the lighter side of wine with refreshing cocktails that are ideal for solo sipping, brunch, or sharing with friends at your next backyard soirée. While a chilled rosé on a warm summer afternoon is always enjoyable, combining fragrant and enticing flavors with your favorite wines is an irresistible reason to indulge in a wine cocktail, incorporating the best flavors of the season.

Like any great relationship, you need to be able to speak the language. Infusing your vocabulary with key wine terminology will do more than just make you appear knowledgeable — it will enhance your wine tasting, pairing, and discovery.