September in La Bousquette

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As far back as my memories go, Harvest was a magical time. La Bousquette is the land that my ancestors bought right after the French Revolution in 1789, and it has a nurtured generations of our family. I remember adoringly looking at my white-haired great Grand-père Charles, with my eyes barely levelling the kitchen table where all sorts of delicious things would soon be tasted. At age 11, I remember grumpily getting up at 5am with my mother and little brother to go pick the grapes with the team of vendangeurs: some local and some travelling up from Spain for … Continue reading →

What’s the Difference Between “Natural wines,” “Organic Wines” & “Organically Grown Wines?”

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The term “natural” as a wine descriptor has occurred more frequently  in recent years. So, what is difference between “natural wine” and “organic wine” and “organically grown wine?” The answer is nuanced, but we’ll break it down as best we can. Essentially, there are 4 tiers of “Organic Wine” available in the U.S. today. Here’s what you can expect to find in the Organic Wine section at the store: “Wines made with Organic grapes” also known as “Organically Grown Wines”:   These are made with Certified Organic grapes and with carefully regulated added sulfites. These account for the bulk of wines … Continue reading →

Produce Containing The Most Pesticide Residue in 2021

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Every year, the Environmental Working Group releases what they call their “Dirty Dozen,” a list outlining the fruits and vegetables that contain the highest levels of pesticide residue for that year. Conversely, they also compile a list of those containing the lowest levels of pesticide residue, called the “Clean Fifteen”. These lists are based on testing conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, which sample over 46,000 crops in order to conduct their research. All produce is washed and peeled before testing, in order to best imitate how people would eat them at … Continue reading →

Harnessing Our Energy With Qi Gong

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This week we are focusing on physical wellness, which is critical and foundational to any healthy lifestyle. Qi gong is a series of body movements that, much like yoga, focus on breath work and mental focus, with its literal translation being “energy work”. However, unlike yoga, the majority of qi gong poses are performed while standing, though there are a few seated positions as well. The practice of qi gong is rooted in Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine and has been around for over 5,000 years. Many of the sequenced movements facilitate opening in the pathways of the energy … Continue reading →

Pairing Wine With Takeout: Mexican Food

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To continue our appreciation for all that takeout has done for us in a very tumultuous year, we’ve come up with another pairing guide. Next up on our list of takeout food is Mexican. This is a cuisine not typically associated with wine, as most of the region focuses on beer and tequila or mezcal. While wine might not be the traditional beverage to pair with the sometimes spicy and always flavorful dishes from our southern neighbors, they can still be very complimentary as long as you know which wines to choose. Tacos Al Pastor – Perlage Rosé 2019 – … Continue reading →

Help Save Ailing Monarch Butterfly Populations

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Monarch butterfly populations are endangered. Habitat destruction, insecticides and herbicides have all contributed to their steep decline in the last few decades. Losing Monarchs wouldn’t simply be tragic because of their beauty. The disruption it would cause in an ecosystem that depends on their existence that would signal something awful for the fate of the natural world. Without getting too heavy into specifics, caterpillars are a critical food source for most songbirds, which rely heavily on insects to feed their young. Butterflies, like bees, are also important pollinators. They help plants produce seeds, which also feed birds and other wildlife … Continue reading →

Can Drinking Red Wine Enhance Exercise Performance?

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Sounds too good to be true. We dive into the truth behind this claim. Red wine contains significant amounts antioxidants, which neutralize healthy-cell-damaging free radicals. Among these antioxidants in wine (called polyphenols) one is known as resveratrol, and it’s been attracting scientists’ attention. According to “Science Has It: Drinking Red Wine Enhances Exercise Performance” by Robert Locke, “A University of Alberta study showed that high doses of resveratrol produced similar benefits for the heart and muscular strength as physical exercise.”  In small quantities, alcohol can help cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots and preserve arteries. However, scientists are not yet able … Continue reading →

Pairing Wine With Takeout: Chinese Food

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With the first anniversary of initial lockdown orders approaching, we thought now would be a good time to acknowledge something that has been a constant for many of us through the relentless inconsistency of the last year: takeout. While we were forced to rapidly adjust to the reality of no longer being able to leave the house, takeout was there for us, and boy are we grateful. Of course, we can’t mention takeout without recognizing the essential workers who made it possible for us to enjoy restaurant-quality cuisine from the comfort of our sweatpants. We are deeply appreciative for you. … Continue reading →

What is Biodynamic Wine?

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When talking about organic wine, the term “biodynamic” is bound to get thrown around. And while they are not one in the same, they seem to get lumped together quite frequently. So, we thought it was about time we delve into specifics of what the term means and why it isn’t the same as “organic.” Biodynamic farming was first developed in the 1920s by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian spiritual philosopher. According to the Grand Reserve article, “What is Natural Wine, Organic Wine, Or Biodynamic Wine?” by Julia Nicholls, “Steiner believed that we should view a vineyard-from the vines to the … Continue reading →

Sign The Pesticide Action Network’s Petition For The Ban of Harmful Chemicals

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We thought this week needed a little extra activism. Congress has just interviewed Michael Regan for the job of EPA Administrator. And while the Biden Administration has already agreed to review the last administration’s decision to rollback bans on the “brain-harming chemical insecticide chlorpyrifos and their reduced protections for farmworkers from pesticide drift.” While these are steps in the right direction, the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is asking that they take even more aggressive steps toward protection from harmful chemicals and insecticides. They are gathering signatures for a petition they will be sending to the White House, asking for the … Continue reading →