After two months of sheltering in place to combat COVID-19, encouraging signs of relief have appeared as society slowly reopens. But since it still makes sense to spend time at home, here’s a list of fun, entertaining wine-themed tips on using your time productively.
Painless Wine Education
For painless wine education, join Adam Knoerzer, a Certified Sommelier and gifted speaker. His fun, fast-paced online sessions deliver useful information and insights to make wine buying easier. Just $10 per class. See the schedule and register at ‘Burghundy. (No typo!)
As as student, Adam lived in Paris. Before switching to wine education, his early professional career involved extensive travel to South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. He then jumped to wine, and in 2019 he represented the U.S. in a South African wine competition. Croatian wines are also Adam’s strong suit.
Entertaining and Informative Wine Podcasts from Dalton and Scala
For an always brilliant and entertaining wine podcast, tune into “I’ll Drink to That” hosted by Levi Dalton and featuring Erin Scala. The hosts deliver in-depth, insightful and yet relaxed conversations with winemakers and other wine professionals. Scroll through the 481 episodes (so far!) by country or other categories. Especially strong on Burgundy.
When you’re low on good bottles, buy wine online with direct shipping to your home. For good selection, reasonable prices and excellent service, try:
*Saratoga Wine Exchange in upstate New York has an extensive selection of California, Tuscan, and French wines along with an excellent whiskey selection.
*Convive Wines in Brooklyn provides a diverse selection of “natural” wines including intriguing “orange” wines from extended skin-contact. Just ask Jesse for a recommendation, and you’ll receive great service and info.
Drinking “French Cocktails”
For an entertaining and informative cocktail hour, tune in with Paris-based author David Lebowitz. He engages in lively chats while making cocktails from his new book, “Drinking French.”
Vivid Snippets of Life in Lockdown in France
French photographer Bertrand Celce has long taken evocative and beautiful pictures of “off the beaten” path wine moments in France. Check out his current photos and thoughts in “Lockdown Musings from the Loire.”
Outstanding work as always by Bertrand! His photographs capture the true diversity and individual personalities that make France’s wine culture and wine regions so appealing. His stories and photos will transport you to France!
Free Podcasts on Burgundy
For insightful information on Burgundy, check out Jasper Morris On Burgundy. Jasper is a Master of Wine with over 40 years of selling and writing about the wines. He shares his experiences and knowledge in casual, relaxed sessions.
The One and Only Wanda Mann
For fun Instagram Live Sessions, don’t miss “Wine With Wanda.” Wanda Mann is a talented wine writer and great story teller who does terrific interviews. You might even hear a song or two! Her programs always lift the mood!
A Little of This, A little of That…
For fun, provocative, “no-holds-barred” conversations on music, comedy, science, community service, Pittsburgh, and, even, wine, tune into the “Eric McKenna Project” video podcasts, I was a guest on the January 11, 2020 show.
Eric’s Boogie Street Studios in beautiful, downtown Coraoplis, Pennsylvania feature his hand crafted guitars and lots of other fun mementos from Eric’s days in the music biz.
Engaging Talk on Arts, Fashion and This and That!
Phil Silverstone’s inimitable YouTube channel delivers fresh conversations with personalities from the arts, fashion, and, occasionally, wine. Always witty, intelligent, irreverent and fun!