Debra C Argen & Edward F Nesta

We fell in love with Carmel Signature Single Vineyards Volcano Merlot 2020, from the Evyatar Creek in Galilee, Israel since the first sip during Kosher Food & Wine Experience 2023 in New York hosted by Royal Wine Corp. Intrigued after speaking with the Chief Winemaker Yiftach Perets, we later tried this wine at home where we could better appreciate this gorgeous deep red wine with layered aromatics and dark fruit on the palate. Although Kosher for Passover, this stunning wine …

The Rocky Horror Show may be the wildest, wackiest musical we have ever seen. Produced by the Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk, Connecticut, the musical is a campy, retro-science fiction fantasy complete with aliens and catchy rock songs written by Richard O’Brien that is zany and fabulous fun. While many know The Rocky Horror Picture Show as the 1975 cult classic film, the play came first and was first shown in London in 1973. The talented Actor’s Equity Association …

Pinot Noir fans are in for a treat with 90 Plus Cellars Reserve Series 2020 Pinot Noir Lot 75 Russian River Valley from Sonoma County, California. Part of the 90 Plus Cellars Reserve Series, this Pinot Noir is big and bold, a powerhouse of flavor with dark cherries on the nose and on the palate, and 14.5% alcohol. Delectable to drink on its own, this gorgeous wine will steal the show when paired with food. We created a pairing menu, …

Drinking prosecco always reminds us of fabulous times spent in Italy where we celebrated the end of each day with an aperitivo and small bites before venturing out for dinner later in the evening. While we may not be hopping on a plane to Italy as often as we would like, drinking Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 50 Brut Prosecco DOC from Veneto, Italy brings back those memories each time we raise a flute glass and toast, Saluti!

While Makasi Wine made in the San Francisco Bay area of California may be a newcomer to the wine market, (the brand launched in April 2022), Winemaker Danny Sullivan has been making wines for over 10 years for private label clients, family, and friends. Now the rest of us get to enjoy these stellar wines from the boutique Makasi label, produced and bottled by Treasure Island Wines in San Francisco, California. We loved the M-19CH-SLV-CNV, shorthand for Makasi 2019 Chardonnay …

Since 1905, Ottella wines from Lugana, Italy have been winning awards. Their Ottella Le Creete Lugana DOC 2021 received 92 points from Wine Spectator and is a crisp, white wine with luscious pineapple and grapefruit notes on the nose, and intense minerality from the white clay of the terroir. This is a wonderful wine to enjoy on its own or to pair with a variety of food. We paired it with pasta as well as with seafood, and the wine …

After the excitement of the November and December holidays, there is always a bit of a slide into the January doldrums and the need for a bit of decadence to ease into the new year. Riserva wines are always special, and we found that the Il Grigio Da San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2019 from the San Felice Estate in Siena, Italy was especially so and just what we needed with its tradition of excellence. This intense, deep ruby …

Master Distiller Robert Schulten, owner of Fifth State Distillery located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was having fun in the distillery again and created another fabulous gin, Passion Gin, to add to their award-winning line of spirits. Awarded the 2022 and 2021 Connecticut Gin Distillery of the Year by the prestigious New York International Spirits Competition, Fifth State Distillery continues to deliver excellence in every bottle. For his latest Passion Gin, Rob distills passionfruit and having tried it found it to be …

Looking for something different to serve your guests? We recently “discovered” Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa Sanlúcar de Barrameda and loved how this extra dry sherry paired with “tapas” making it perfect for easy holiday or anytime entertaining. While new to us, Bodegas Lustau was founded in Spain in 1896 where they continue the tradition of crafting world-class, award-winning sherry expressions. Salud!

On November 17, 2022, we attended the 31st Edition of Benvenuto Brunello, the Benvenuto Brunello Anteprima 2022: Tasting the future: Brunello 2018 and Riserva 2017. Held at The Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, the unveiling of these incredibly exquisite future wines also occurred simultaneously in London, Toronto, and Los Angeles, making it an international grand-scale event with 68 wineries presenting their wines. Saluti!