THE BRIEFING

Choosing wine for events. Simple task. Yet many get it wrong. I keep it straightforward. No fluff. Just facts. Tips. Actionable advice. Perfect for wine lovers who want to support veteran-owned businesses. Here’s how I pick wine for special occasions. Picking Wine for Events: The Basics Start with the event type. Casual or formal? Dinner party or outdoor picnic? The setting guides the wine choice. Casual: Light, easy wines. Think rosé or sparkling. Formal: Rich reds or elegan

The Science of Patience In the military, we learned that preparation is everything. In winemaking, that same principle applies to the aging process. What happens inside an oak barrel over months and years is nothing short of transformation. How Oak Shapes Wine When wine rests in oak barrels, a subtle exchange takes place: Flavor compounds from the wood — vanillin, tannins, and lignins — slowly integrate into the wine Micro-oxygenation through the barrel's pores softens harsh