Throwback/Flashback: That Time The Bubbleista was a Finalist in Beringer Wines “Great Steak Challenge” Cooking Competition

Beringer 5 (Davon putting steak grill)

I know what you’re thinking: “What? The Bubbleista…cooks?” Yes darlings, it’s true–this girl can really rock it in the kitchen. You didn’t think all I did was sip bubbly, did you? {wink} Here’s a bit of the backstory: my mother taught me how to cook, and I loved it right from the start. I had…

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Stop and Smell the Rosés! The Bubbleista’s Rosé picks of the Season, PART 1

Rose Chateau Thuerry

The weather has gotten warmer… The sun is making regular appearances… Sleeves–and hemlines–are getting shorter… Thoughts are irresistibly turning to sitting pool and ocean-side… Yep, it’s officially rosé season! I attended my 1st {of many!} rosé wine tasting of the season recently and came across some real gems! I’m always delighted by the fact that there are always…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “V” is for “Vintage”

The elusive, often heard of but seldom seen 1985 Rare Vintage Rosé {photo © Jamie Glover Dabbs}

Have you ever looked at a champagne label, seen the word “vintage,” and thought to yourself “Why in the world would I want to drink wine that was 20 or 25 years old?” Couture lovers know that the typical rule is that clothing is considered vintage once it hits the 25-year mark. But we’re talking…

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Word Wednesday Wordologie: “S” is for “Saignée”

SAIGNEE BUBBLY

Today’s Wine Wednesday Wordologie is a term that pertains to rosé sparkling wine and champagnes {as well as still wines} with regards to production methods–and on a side note I must say there’s a bit of a battle about said production methods, and which one produces a superior product. In any case, let’s get right into today’s…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “P” is for “Prise de Mousse”

Bottles of wine going through the 2nd fermentation.

First you tear of the metallic foil. Then you loosen the cage and ever so gingerly loosen the cork until it gently pops out. Your pour yourself a glass and bring the flute towards your mouth. The effervescence pleasantly tickles your nose a bit. The glass comes to your lips and you take a sip of…

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Fizz Friday Finds: Bera Moscato d’Asti

Bera Moscato 2

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I have not really been a big Moscato fan. Yes, I know it’s popular right now. Yes, I know a lot of people drink it. Yes, I know a lot of wineries make it. But I’ve never been one to jump on a trend just because…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “O” is for “Oenothèque”

Wine Wed Word Oenotheque 1

I have a confession to make: this week’s Word Wednesday Wordologie vocabulary term of effervescence was chosen solely because it’s just such a fun word. A fun, French word. So put on your beret; sweetly purse your lips; and let’s say this week’s word with our worst best French accent: Oenothèque {click here to learn how to say…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “L” is for “Length”

Wine Wed Word Length

When drinking wine–especially at a wine tasting–we’re sometimes faced with {what can seem like} indecipherable wine lingo. While I admit that some people can occasionally get a little pretentious with it, the real purpose of wine terminology is ultimately to help the drinker figure out why they do or don’t like a wine–it helps discover preferences….

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Fizz Friday: American Bubblies–Fourth of July Holiday Edition

Iron Horse

The Fourth of July is upon us which means {at least for many of us in the US} hosting–or being invited to–some fun fireworks & food-filled festivities, and whether it’s hotdogs, apple pie, barbecue, or any of those other quintessentially classic 4th of July American foods on the menu, there’s no other beverage that can unilaterally pair with all of them…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “F” is for “Frizzante”

Frizzante ad

One of the reasons that I wanted to do Wine Wednesday Wordologie is because terminology in the wine industry can really get a little bit confusing sometimes. The more education you have, the better choices are that you can make about what you enjoy drinking. After all, this whole site is dedicated to enjoying life more especially…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “E” is for “Élevage”

Wine Wed Word Elevage

Last week we talked “Dosage” for #WineWednesday #Wordologie, and this week’s vocabulary word conveniently rhymes with it: Élevage. Just like last week’s, this week’s term is French in origin, which makes sense since champagne is French as well. This means that you might want to work on your French accent and pronunciation in order to say the…

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Fizz Friday: Hip Hip Vouvray!

Fizz Friday Main Image (2)

One of the things I love most about going to wine tastings {in addition to the generous sipping opportunities, of course} is discovering a unique brand or bottle that I may not have discovered anytime soon on my own. Such was the case when I attended the “Summer Sparkling Wine: Alternatives to Champagne” event at a local…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie: “Balthazar”

Yep, all I need is a champagne flute...{image credit Davon D. E. Hatchett}

It’s #WineWednesday, and that means it’s time for another #Wordologie post! This is a new series that I introduced for the 1st time last week and, if preliminary feedback is any indication, it seems as though people really love it because it helps decrease the intimidation factor that champagne is often associated with. If this…

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Wine Wednesday Wordologie

Wordology definition

One of the things I absolutely L-O-V-E to do is to expose more people to the pleasures of sipping champagne and sparkling wine. That’s why I often go into detail when I’m doing my tasting reviews–I want bubbly lovers to be more comfortable with, and confident about drinking champagne anytime; not just for special occasions. The more…

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Break Out of That Wine Rut! 3 Out of the Ordinary picks for Spring & Summer Sipping {Plus it’s #40Wines40Days #WineWednesday!}

{image courtesy of www.winefugitive.com}

It’s so easy to fall into a routine isn’t it? Get up at the same time everyday…travel the same route to and fro…go to the same lunch spot for pot roast Tuesdays…yep, we get real nice and comfy in familiarity. We wine lovers can get into a rut, too. We find a few bottles that we really like and…

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40 Wines 40 Days Recap 3: Racy & Refined Reds

{image courtesy of Cape Ardor South African Wine Importers}

The last #40Wines40Days post covered the wild & wondrous white wines I tasted from South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, so now it’s time to recap the racy & refined reds that I got to sip at the tasting. Before we get to the tasting though, how about we start off with a little “Effervescent Education” first?…

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40 Wines 40 Days Recap 1: How About a Little Espumante Vino? Txakoli, The Fizzy Spanish Wine

40wines40days (redo)

**CONTEST ALERT!** you could win BIG…see details at the end of the post Hey there, wine loving people! It’s Wednesday (also know by the hashtag #WineWednesday every week on Twitter–if you haven’t already you should check it out sometime!) so that means it’s time for my first “40 Wines 40 Days” project recap! If you…

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It’s a Food Holiday: National Drink Wine Day (Bonus: It’s Time for Lent)

Chile Obama Latin America

Say au revoir to the indulgent revelry of Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, and hello to the tradition of Lent, which begins today, Ash Wednesday. For the next 40 days, people everywhere will enter into a season of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer that ends with Easter in April. But  joy of joys, guess what? It just…

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A Dozen Rosés for Your Valentine

Glasses of rose wine

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and all over the world florists are in full-on hustling mode trying to fulfill the quadrillion orders for floral arrangements that are being made around the clock, especially requests for the quintessential bouquets of pink and red roses. You know what though? I say who needs a dozen roses…

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Birth of a Bubbleista

Are you a Bubbleista image

So you’re chugging right along, reading The Bubbleista blog posts, taking it all in, when all of a sudden you say to yourself: “Wait a minute. What exactly is a ‘Bubbleista’ anyway?” Well my dear, I’m glad you asked. It’s actually a term I made up just joking around in 2009. I came up with…

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