Wine Tasting With The Host of Wine Library TV, Gary Vaynerchuk.

Last night I attended a wine tasting "tweet-up" at the famous Wine Library location in New Jersey and was lucky enough once again to see and talk to the ever so popular host of Wine Library TV, Gary Vaynerchuk. Gary conducted a wine tasting, where he filmed a "Thunder Show" for his Wine Library TV line up. Its always fun to watch a Wine Library TV episode, but when you're in Gary's presence as he turns on his persona is pretty amazing, this guy is for real. I did taste two types of wine, a Bordeaux and a Merlot...(I think). I didn't like the red so I obviously remembered the Bordeaux, which I bought cause it was pretty good. (Chateau Des Roches, Bordeaux..2008)

As I watched Gary talk about the wines and their consistencies, I realized that I really need to learn more about wine. Growing up Italian American, wine was something that was always on the table, my parents make their own homemade wine and I just always thought I knew the process and how to pick grapes, but the truth is there is so much to learn about wine. Gary's self taught wine experience is captivating because it really opens your eyes and mind to what to look for when tasting wine. Making wine is such a process, and for me having been to Italy, where I've seen the process from beginning to end leaves me with a great appreciation for wine and all of its education. I thank Gary Vaynerchuk for hosting such a fabulous night and his staff is pretty amazing too. I learned a lot last night about wine and business. Two of my favorite things. Thanks Gary!

Check out Gary's Daily Wine Library Episodes at Wine Library TV. Tweet

Tuscan Jeep Wine Safari- Travel Tuscany's Wine Country In Safari Style.

Wine Producer, Donatella Cinelli Colombini (maker of Brunello di Montalcino) operates a bed and breakfast in the province of Siena, where her company offers genuine Safari Tours of wine country in a Jeep.

To learn more about this amazing new way to travel and discover Italy's wine country read more about them.

For more on this story:

http://tinyurl.com/o5mpk8 Tweet

Its All About Prosecco, The Other Italian Champagne?

POP Champagne, not so fast, Pop some Prosecco for New Years! Have you had prosecco? Well, if you haven't, then this holiday season is the best time to start. This sparkling wine, champagne is by far one of the most underrated wines in the world. I say wine, but the experts would disagree..(maybe) I love prosecco, if you're Italian then this is something worth educating yourself on. Prosecco is definitely in the champagne family and is known to be a bit flavorful and packs a interesting punch on taste.

To learn more about Prosecco, read today's NY Times.

(Image- Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times) Tweet

Wine In A Heinz Ketchup Bottle.

Remember when Heinz ketchup used to be in glass bottles? I think that was ages ago, when I was growing up in the late 70's early 80s. So, what is the significance of a Heinz ketchup bottle? I actually met up with a friend of mine who I hadn't seen since high school. Growing up we were pretty tight, she was at my house a lot and witnessed a lot of our crazy Italian-isms. For an example, I thought that when it was time to make wine in our house, it was completely normal that we would use a glass bottle that happened to be a ketchup bottle. Don't get me wrong, we used normal bottles too, but the ketchup bottle got caught up in their too. Now, the bottles were stubby and odd looking back then, so we never really captured any kind of sophisticated wine making tactics or appearances. It was more like use what you have.

Well, in meeting with her and talking about the old days from our childhood, she happened to remember something so random, but apparently it left an impression on her. She says, "you know, only at your house did I experience the highest proof wine, of which your father brought up from the basement in a Heinz Ketchup bottle, with the Heinz label still on it. " Now, my friend is what we call, "total mer-i-gan," but she really adapted well to all the strange things that went on in my house growing up. So, I said to her, "well, I'm glad I could provide that experience for you." She never judged --but in the end, we laughed and now we cherish the memories about growing up Italian American. Tweet

What Is A Sommelier...and How Do You Become One?

As Italians, its our God given talent to be connoisseurs of the finer things in life such as food, wine, & fashion. So, in keeping with tradition, let's discuss wine. Wine is something that is derivative of the Italian people, the story behind wine making goes back to Roman times. So, when you hear the word, Sommelier, some of you may not know what this is. A Sommelier, is an expert on wine, someone who is trained in the education of wine and all of its characteristics. A Sommelier knows the difference between wines just by tasting. I will admit, I did not know what it meant until someone told me while I was sitting in a restaurant. I just thought the waiter knew his wine list well (ha ha) and he wasn't a waiter. (oops.) Well for those of you who are true wine aficionados, its pretty interesting to learn about what a Sommelier does and how they get to know their craft. If you want to learn more about this profession take a click on the following link. Think personal development.

http://www.sommeliersocietyofamerica.org/ssa1003.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Gkapg39A4

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Great Wine Escape Weekend- Monterey, California.

For true wine aficionados, here is the event that most wine lovers don't miss. The 12th Annual Great Wine Escape Weekend in Monterey, California, which runs from November 7 to the 9, 2008. This event includes tastings, food integration, wine country tours, seminars, wine education and cooking. This is truly the action packed weekend of wine knowledge from professionals in wine country. As an Italian American, I love to learn about the extensive details involved with wine making and if you're like me...you would love this weekend. Check the details on this event and schedules, this is definitely worth a trip. http://www.montereywines.org/wine_events_the_great_wine_escape_weekend.php Tweet

How to Make Home Made Wine- Italian American Style

Well, as promised, here are a few clips of our family making wine. Now, mind you this is an amateur, traditional style process. If you want super mega processes you have to Google, Napa Valley secrets. But for those of you who want an idea of the home made process, here it is. Also, don't forget this process isn't completely done until the wine is fermented, which isn't for another 40 days. Then onto bottling, which we then leave to age. So, the taste and quality depends on your knowledge and skills in wine making. Click on the play button below and the clips will start appearing.

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Time To Make the Wine!!!!

Ok, everybody...this is it. We are heading out bright and early tomorrow morning to buy the grapes for our year supply of home made wine (Calabrese Style.) Myself, my brother and father. It should be fun!! I think we will officially start the 'wine making' process on Sunday, so I will post as we go along with the moment to moment plays. I will also post pictures for those of you who are interested in making wine. I have to make sure my family cooperates with the pictures. (They are such divas! and I'm not talking about the women :))

Woo hoo!!! Vino, vino, vino e more vino!

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Making Jars of Sauce..yes, its called sauce and not gravy!

Many of my friends are absolutely astonished when I reveal what I do on my weekends. If you look at my credentials you would say ok..a professional with a college degree, great career path, a lot of social networks..yada yada. But, the fact of the matter is my credentials are a facade to who I really am. For instance, this weekend I was wrangled into making jars of sauce. My father who is the king of planting vegetable gardens has harvested a ton of tomatoes. So, my mother, who just returned from Italy. (thank God) is now coordinating this tomato cooking, jar bottling event. What I do on a normal weekend, or I should say my part of what myself or siblings are expected to do is so not the normal of the American lifestyle. Needless to say, we bottled a ton of tomatoes for the winter. The next event will be making wine come October. As I continue to blog I will post pictures, videos and basic 'how tos.' I realize these types of traditions are not easy to find information on, so as a courtesy to my fellow-Italo-Americani..I will post as much info as possible. Ciao! Tweet