Search

Thank you, Blue Otter, for your valued partnership and support. We truly appreciate your trust and collaboration with Mira Napa Winery. Cheers to great wines and an even greater journey together!

Five simple steps to get more from every glass Wine tasting can sometimes feel like there is a secret language you’re supposed to know from Aromatics and Structure to Tannin, Finish and Minerality. While this may be helpful, it’s certainly not necessary. Then someone swirls a glass, takes a sip, and starts describing “black cherry, […]

For those who love Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, harvest is one of the most consequential moments of the year. It is also one of the most misunderstood. From the outside, harvest can look simple. Grapes turn dark, the weather cools, and the fruit is picked. But deciding when to pick is one of the most […]

A Sommelier’s Journey Through Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Place and Time There is something special about opening an older bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The first pour may tell you one story. Give it a little time in the glass, and the story begins to change. The fruit becomes more nuanced. Tannins soften. Aromas […]

You've learned how to read a wine label like as Somm. Now comes the next challenge...Ordering wine with confidence! You're seated at a restaurant, the server hands you a wine list that looks more like a novel than a menu, and suddenly you're wondering if you should have just ordered a cocktail. Sound familiar? The […]

When pairing Pinot Noir, I like to think about complementing rather than competing. Look for earthy mushrooms, roasted poultry, delicate herbs, berries, and foods with enough acidity to keep the palate refreshed. And don't be afraid to serve Pinot Noir with vegetarian dishes; mushrooms, lentils, roasted vegetables, and aged cheeses can be extraordinary partners. Here […]

White wine serving tips, temperatures, glassware, food pairings and tasting techniques from a sommelier's perspective White wine doesn't need to be complicated. But a few small changes in how you serve, taste and pair white wine can make a surprisingly big difference in what you experience in the glass. As a sommelier, I'm often asked […]

An Introduction to Deciphering Wine Labels from France, Italy, Spain and Napa Valley Have you ever stood in front of a wall of wine bottles and wondered, "How does anyone know what they're buying?" You're not alone. One of the biggest misconceptions about wine is that you need to memorize thousands of wines or become […]