If you read last week’s newsletter, you can probably guess I’m pretty bummed about Mexico being bumped out of the World Cup. But, what I’m not bummed about is no longer drinking in the middle of the week and bar food. Everything has an upside.

I’m off the heels of an amazing holiday weekend in Chicago. It was sweltering hot and felt more like Miami than the midwest. We ate great food, drank even better wine (thank you Lyra, Au Cheval, and Trevoli Tavern!), and partied more than I care to admit. Chicago really is a vacation destination and has some of the best restaurants (boujee and non-boujee) in the country. It doesn’t hurt that I’m from there and got to see my whole family. My parents hosted a cookout and I am pleased to report that a dry rosé does in fact go with everything including ribs, burgers, and Scott Petersen’s (iykyk). But alas, it was too much alcohol and too much food - which makes sense because 4th of July has always been my Achilles heel. Back in 1991, I ate too much at the cookout and had to go to the emergency room and shortly after have my gall bladder removed in 1992, I was four.

Good to know some things never change. But, in the spirit of improvement and growth, I’m taking three weeks off the sauce. Ironic, I know. But, this isn’t out of the norm for me, I often take a few months away from alcohol each year. It’s actually long overdue, and I believe to really love something you have to step away every once in a while - distance makes the heart grow fonder. Also, I have a little surprise for the non-drinkers or the hangover haters, this week’s recommendation is NA. You don’t want to miss it.

Why three weeks, you ask? Because I’m hosting a Santa Barbara wine tour at the end of the month :) So, for those of you who ARE on the sauce. Read on and enjoy.

Regional Spotlight: Valle de Guadalupe

For this week’s regional spotlight, we are discussing Mexico’s Wine Country: Valle de Guadalupe. We do this to honor their historic World Cup run (I’m still hurt) and also we just don’t talk about it enough.

First, let me start by saying: I resent the fact that this area is referred to as Baja, California. For that reason (and this is my newsletter), I won’t be using that term at all. Let’s begin.

Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico's largest and most important wine region, with an estimated 250+ wineries. Winemaking here has deep roots — Spanish missionaries first planted vines, and after the Mexican Revolution the Catholic Church sold off its vineyards, many going to Russian Molokan immigrants fleeing persecution in the early 1900s — you can still taste that influence at wineries today.

What makes this region special? The soil (terrior). Vineyards sit around 1,000 feet elevation with many microclimates, so winemakers experiment with varietals rather than sticking to one signature grape. But, one thing is for sure - this is red wine country, you’ll often find Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and more. It’s a little rare but they also produce some excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc too. And lastly, some great rosé that feels surprisingly refreshing.

I had the pleasure of visiting a few years ago, it’s beautiful and sprawling - but uniquely Mexico in every way. It doesn’t have the superiority or stuffiness of some other wine regions just across the border - which for that reason alone makes it worth the trip. One thing stood out to me, yes their wine is deep in color, but somehow in the heat of the region all the wine leaned more dry to me. This could just be tannins given the varietals, but I expected more residual sugar on the tongue and was pleasantly surprised.

A few producers I loved in the region:

Adobe Guadalupe - Huge standout for me in terms of complexity
Tres Mujeres - Woman Owned!
Vena Cava - Experimental and memorable

Final plug: There is also an emerging food scene in the region that you don’t want to miss, especially all the food at the Bruma resort.

Wine in Culture: What wine would they actually be drinking in Westeros?

If you are anything like me, you are currently watching House of the Dragon. If you aren’t watching you can skip ahead to this week’s wine recommendation, this won’t be fun for you. Next week!

Now that it’s just us fans, this season of HOTD is the best one yet (not willing to argue), and that’s due in most part to our great Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, played expertly by Emma D’Arcy. All this queening has been so inspiring and fun, but I can’t help but think about MY favorite queen in the GOT universe, the incomparable Cersei Lannister. I loved her for many reasons - but most of all, she was a great wine drinker…like me. So, this week we are discussing the wine she (and everyone in Westeros) may have been drinking and their real world equivalents. That way, you can pick up a bottle for this Sunday, which is being hailed as the best episode in the season.

I’ll give you the wine regions discussed in the series and their possible real world options below.

Region: The Arbor

About the Region: Westeros’ Bordeaux or Champagne (read France). They produce golds (ex: Arbor Gold) and reds, referred to as the best wine in the Seven Kingdoms.

Real World Options: a top-tier white Burgundy or a good Champagne for the “Arbor gold,” and a Bordeaux blend or single varietal Cabernet for their reds. Think something like a Meursault — just make it rich and prestigious, certainly a Cersei fav.

Region: Dorne

About the Region: Dornish red is likely bold, strong, spicy as it’s Westeros’ hot, southern region. Their white wine was described as an “acquired taste” (thanks, Reddit!) likely due to the heat of the region.

Real World Options: For red, try a Spanish Garnacha/Grenache from Priorat, or a Rhône red (Châteauneuf-du-Pape) fits well — warm-climate, high-alcohol, spice-forward wines from sun-baked terrain. For white, try a crisp, high-acid Vinho Verde or a young Txakoli — sharp, light, almost prickly on the tongue.

Region: The Reach

About the Region: We’ve made it to Highgarden, the home of the great Lady Olenna (RIP), this area feels like the home of sweet fine - it’s lush, fertile and, floral.

Real World Options: A Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling — honeyed, floral, dessert-leaning, matching the Reach’s abundance.

Region: Slaver’s Bay

About the Region: Wine from here is likely import only, but surely is exotic.

Real World Options: Try an Amarone or a Georgian qvevri (skin-contact/orange) wine — something with unusual texture and intensity that would read as “foreign” to a Westerosi drinker.

Region: Pentosh/Free Cities

About the Region: This is where we met Dany for the first time. I don’t know about you, but it gave rich and decadent and likely could rival the Arbor. So, we’ll go with France’s decadence rival - Italy (note: they are both great, but not the only greats).

Real World Options: An Italian Barolo or Amarone — heavy, opulent, it’s giving excess.

What’s in My Glass: SPARKLING TEA BLÅ (0% ALC)

As I’m taking a little break from alcohol, now feels like the perfect time to share my hands down favorite NA wine. I had this wine/sparkling tea for the first time in Mexico City last year. It was an incredible meal at EM, we opted for the tasting menu with wine pairings and this was the first wine that we were served. Naturally, I was slightly disappointed to have a non-alcoholic wine as my first sip, they are notoriously awful - or so I thought. I couldn’t be more wrong when I was served Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company’s BLÅ. It was delicate, herbaceous, had a strong aroma of jasmine, and actually had decent complexity. Also, it pairs surprisingly well with a variety of foods (I begged for another glass). It was the only wine that I remembered from that meal, I feel like I can still taste it as I type this. Sadly, as a small (very high end) wine brand from Copenhagen, it’s not easy to find. But good news if you’re in LA, it just landed at Erewhon. For those not in LA, you can find a retailer near you here. I can’t recommend this one enough, I would take it over champagne or prosecco anytime - especially when I’m pulling back on alcohol, and even when I’m not.

Final plug: when asked “why non-alcoholic wine?” the founders of Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company answered: BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES A GOOD GLASS OF BUBBLES!

Mexico, Westerosi Wine, and a Non-Alcoholic…