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WineJourno

How to Be a Wine Blogger (and get free wine)

A couple weeks ago, the annual Wine Blogger Conference wrapped its fifth year, presumably in a puddle of plonk and pixels. According to their official release, there was a “dip in attendance” from previous years, which organizers attributed to the conference’s location – Penticton, Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Which…

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Culture

Beards, Berets and Bottles: What the Cuban Revolution Can Teach Us About Wine Marketing

The difference between “winemaking” and “wine marketing” amounts to more than handful of letters. One is an ancient artisanal practice to which the other adds its variation on the oldest profession.  Americans have long excelled at both, however, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn more tricks, including those that come from such an unlikely source…

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Culture Feast

March Madness Bracket: Belgian Ale & Pork Rinds

Work with me here: Until recently, I assumed “March Madness” was a reference to Alice in Wonderland a la “as mad as a March hare.” Turns out its about college basketball, which, this time of year, enjoys its own pseudoscience in the form of Bracketology. Apparently, Bracketologists predict the winner of the annual National Collegiate…

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Culture Feast

March Madness Bracket: Belgian Ale & Pork Rinds

Work with me here: Until recently, I assumed “March Madness” was a reference to Alice in Wonderland a la “as mad as a March hare.” Turns out it’s about college basketball, which, this time of year, enjoys its own pseudoscience in the form of Bracketology. Apparently, Bracketologists predict the winner of the annual National Collegiate…

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Feast WineJourno

The Vintners of Our Dissed Content

It all began, as these small odysseys often do, with a misunderstanding. In this case, the issue was entirely my own, and the fact that it persisted for nearly 40 years is not only embarrassing but rather damning to any gustatory gravitas I might’ve claimed. It went like this: I was strolling through our namesake…

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Culture

Cannabis Sauvignon? How to Grow a Hydroponic Vineyard in Your Closet

Typically, in Wine Country we only crush grapes. And dreams. Now, however, thanks to new vineyard rules approved by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors this week, we may also put the squeeze on the vineyards themselves. At question is soil erosion and the benefit deeply rooting trees provide in this regard. Vineyard owners tend…