Welcome to "The Vine to Wine" =)

My blog picture is deceiving - a bottle of Napa Valley Silver Oak Cab comes for a pretty penny these days.  But I wouldn't call myself a "pretty penny drinker" nor a "Napa-Valley-only-advocate."

(My first experience drinking a Napa Valley Cab as a Napa Valley resident - In the glass: Silver Oak 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon)

I actually got into wine during my high school days growing up in Berks County, Pennsylvania.  I lived in an incredibly small, middle-of-the-road town that I grew up resenting, and now I long for that North Eastern comfort as I explore the many facets of wine around the world.

(The Early Years in Berks County, PA: {from top left to bottom: Learning to prune in the middle of winter, fermenting my first batch of grapes, my first harvest year from my own vineyard, and my vines and trellis after first two years of vegetative growth}]

"Wine in Pennsylvania?" you ask.  Most definitely!  In fact, my palate (for those non-foodies... your palate is "the roof of your mouth that separates your nasal and oral cavities" - there will be more on this later...) was defined around high acid (sour) wines, "low" (~12%) alcohol... something that greatly separates cool climate wines from hot climate (Napa Valley) wines.  But I love it!  It was that industry in Pennsylvania that made me fall in love with this ancient drink, and brought me to realize that wines can be enjoyed from all regions and within every budget.

Yes, that's right, I'm a thrifty wine buyer!  My boyfriend, who chooses to remain anonymous (so for namesake purposes, I will call him "Johnny Depp").... Anyway... where was I?  Oh!  "Johnny Depp" and I are always trying to find the best "bang for the buck" when it comes to wine.  And sometimes, we find some real gems that we hold onto.

That leads me to the point... I want this blog to be fun, educational, and helpful for wine buyers of all types - from the connoisseurs to those looking for a good wine to impress their date.  I hope to make wine purchasing easier, encourage wine tasting around the world, and entertain with fun facts or new trinkets that enlighten.  I'll introduce you to what I know, treasures/wines I find, what wines I like (on a budget!), books to read, wine parties to throw, activities to enhance your palate, and gizmos that make the wine drinking experience all the better!  I welcome you to join in - if you find a recommended wine to taste, post your thoughts!  Each sensory palate is different and while I may enjoy (or hate) one thing - you may love it!  Welcome to my vine of wine...