Off the Vine PR

26/06/2025

"Chenin Blanc Is the Little Black Dress of the Wine World" – by Wine Enthusiast.

I have to admit, as someone who appreciates LBDs, the graphic pulled me in, but the article had me craving a glass of Chenin Blanc!

Chenin Blanc might just be the most versatile grape out there. It’s grown all over the world—from its roots in France’s Loire Valley to South Africa, California, and beyond—and it adapts beautifully to its surroundings.

This high-acid grape is known for its fresh, vibrant wines, especially when it’s grown in cooler climates. But here’s the fun part—it’s a total shape-shifter. Chenin Blanc can be made into all kinds of styles, from still to sparkling (even pétillant!), and it can range from dry and off-dry to lusciously sweet.

Curious? Read on @ wineenthusiast.com/ratings/wine-ratings/white-wine-ratings/best-chenin-blanc (Image from same article.)

26/06/2025

😼 Did someone say… cat p*e? 🍷
Yup, it's a real aroma—and no, your nose isn’t broken. That sharp, pungent, almost “litter box-y” smell in some Sauvignon Blancs? It’s actually a thing, thanks to natural sulfur compounds called thiols.
BUT! I’m renaming it to KITTEN TINKLE—because, how could I not? 😹

Especially common in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, it’s often paired with notes of grapefruit, passionfruit, and fresh-cut grass. It sounds weird and smells wild—and somehow, it works perfectly. 🌿🍋🐾

So, the next time someone says they smell cat p*e (or kitten ti**le) in their wine… just smile and say, “Cheers!” 😹

*evibes

24/06/2025

If your wine’s a dud and your book’s a snooze, ditch them* both. Life’s too short for bad plots or bland pours. 📚🍷

*Or, just use it for cooking (as long as the wine isn’t too bad or faulty):

🍷 Red Wine : Use red wine to deepen flavor in slow-cooked dishes—add it early so the alcohol cooks off and the richness sticks around. Think: stews, braised short ribs, or mushroom ragù.
🥂 White Wine: Splash in dry white wine to brighten creamy sauces or deglaze a pan after sautéing—it's like a flavor mic drop. Perfect for shrimp scampi, risottos, or lemony chicken.

23/06/2025

🌞🌟 How To Rewire Your Brain for Optimism 🌟🌞 Discover how a simple neuroscience-backed visualization exercise can boost optimism—enough said, I'm in! https://lnkd.in/epbda3MJ

20/06/2025

✨🌈 13 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Feel Awesome—Because Life's Too Short to Feel Meh! 💃✨

1️⃣ Move your body (even a little): dance in your kitchen, stretch like a cat, walk while listening to a juicy podcast.
2️⃣ Eat the rainbow: colorful fruits & veggies = energy boost. Bonus points for fancy lemon water 🍋
3️⃣ Sleep like you mean it: 7–9 hours. Be a bedtime grandma. It’s free magic 😴
4️⃣ 3-Minute Mood Reset: deep breaths, sunshine, a hug (yes, your dog counts).
5️⃣ Laugh at yourself: re-read your middle school diary. Watch something silly 😂
6️⃣ Tiny Joy Rituals: coffee with intention, dance breaks, bedtime gratitude.
7️⃣ Say “No” with love: boundaries are self-care 🛑❤️
8️⃣ Connect with your people: text a friend, host a chill potluck, join a group.
9️⃣ Limit doomscrolling: set app timers. Stare at clouds instead ☁️
🔟 Let yourself rest. Quit thinking that rest is failure.
1️⃣1️⃣ Play: build a pillow fort, hula hoop, finger paint 🎨
1️⃣2️⃣ Keep learning: even if it’s “how to make sourdough.”
1️⃣3️⃣ Love your body: it carries you through life. Be kind 🥰

Which one are you trying this week? Drop a 💖 if you needed this today!

13/06/2025

✨ IT WAS AN HONOR TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS TO A LEGEND! ✨

🍇 “You don’t really learn anything about wine until you taste it,” says Master of Wine Jay Youmans with a grin—an ethos that permeates everything he does, from blind tasting drills to designing classes at Capital Wine School. In this engaging conversation, Lee Romano Sequeira of —currently diving into her WSET Level 3—sits down with Youmans to talk about his journey to becoming one of the few Masters of Wine in the U.S., his no-snobbery philosophy on wine education, and what sets Capital Wine School apart in an ever-evolving wine world. From TikTok sommeliers to epiphany wines and guilty pleasure pairings, no cork is left unpopped in this candid, behind-the-scenes look at the art (and joy) of learning about wine.
📰✨ READ THE PIECE at https://bit.ly/3ZS4Ggn

10/06/2025

Calling all commercial North Carolina wine, cider, and mead makers: the 2025 NC Wine Competition is open for entries! 🍷 🍏 🍯

Submissions are due by June 30th. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your best work! Visit our website for full details: https://bit.ly/ncwinecompetition. 🏅

10/06/2025

Tuesday’s pour: skin-contact stunner 🧡🍷 with a bit of tannin, tasty charm, and just enough funk to match my vibe. Pairing it with artisanal couch lounging 🛋️ and expertly decanted procrastination. To-do list? Consider it macerating. 😌📄❌

22/05/2025

✨🎉 HAPPY NATIONAL CHARDONNAY DAY! ✨🥂
Chardonnay is the superstar of white wines—think Beyoncé, but in a glass. Iconic, versatile, and always the center of attention. 🍇 This world traveler can do it all: crisp and citrusy like a Chablis or rich and buttery, perfect for sipping alongside your favorite popcorn.

And here’s a fun fact: Chardonnay isn’t just for white wine lovers—it’s also a key ingredient in sparkling delights like Champagne! 🥂 Cheers to the grape that does it all!

13/05/2025

🍋🍋🍋 The Limoncello Spritz Is Exploding in Italy! So, here's a shareable link via Wine Enthusiast for you, so you can make one at home 🍸
wineenthusiast.com/recipe/limoncello-spritz-recipe 🍋🍋🍋
~ by Maria Yagoda for Wine Enthusiast

07/05/2025

🍇✨ Wine AWESOMENESS by WINE FOLLY ✨✨
🧠 Think you know wine?

Here are things about wine we can all stop saying and why it’s time for a refresh.

🍷✨ Let’s grow our wine vocab with kindness, not gatekeeping:
🔸 “I only drink…”
With 1,400+ grape varieties out there, limiting yourself means missing out on serious flavor adventures.

🔸 “Actually, it’s pronounced…”
Correcting pronunciation is fine, but only if it’s kind. Everyone starts somewhere.

🔸 “Sweet wines? What are you, five?”
Nope. Sweet wines like Tokaji, Port & Sauternes are complex, age-worthy, and absolutely adult.

🔸 “White wines don’t age.”
Tell that to a mature German Riesling or aged White Burgundy. Spoiler: they evolve gorgeously.

🔸 “No #$& Merlot!”
Iconic Merlot blends include wines like Château Cheval Blanc. Respect the grape, not the meme.
🔸 “Champagne isn’t Champagne unless…”
Yes, it’s region-specific. But let’s not squash someone’s sparkle, use it as a teachable toast.
🔸 “Never pair red wine with fish.”
Pinot Noir with salmon? Yes please. Rules are more like guidelines, anyway.

🔸 “How do you know it tastes like leather?”
Flavor notes often come from smell and memory, not literal taste tests of couches.

🔸 “You don’t get tannins? It’s so obvious.”
Learning wine is hard enough. Let’s lift each other up, not talk down.

🔸 “There’s only red wine.”
Viognier, Albariño, Assyrtiko — white wines bring just as much power to the glass.

🍇 Let’s talk about wine in a way that welcomes everyone to the table. Because the more you learn, the more delicious it gets.

26/04/2025

🍇📣 A very nice shout-out deserves another! 📣🍷
"I wanted to take a moment and thank my amazing friends and family for all the love and support they have shown me. Whether it's through a simple like or comment, or even just a hug when I needed it most, your presence in my life means everything to me.

I know that social media can often be seen as shallow or superficial, but for me, it has been a powerful tool for connecting with those who matter most to me. It allows us to stay connected no matter how far apart we may physically be.

So here's to all of you - my Facebook fam! Thank you for being there through the ups and downs, for sharing in my joys and sorrows, and for being a constant source of love and positivity. You are
A big thank you to Lee Romano Sequeira (Off the Vine PR) for featuring Thirsty and Wise and for giving us an amazing shoutout as a favorite online WSET teacher!

Here’s one of the tips she shared after passing her WSET Level 2 with Distinction:

"Watch Wine Videos: YouTube is full of quick vids on the basics. Look for short explainers on common grapes and styles. Some are so charming, you won’t even realize you’re learning. My favorite online teacher is Petar Velickovic of Thirsty and Wise."

We’re honored to support students like Lee in their WSET journey and beyond!

Ready to crush your WSET exams? Dive into our YouTube library and learn with us.

➡️ Read the full article here: offthevinepr.com/single-post/effective-fun-tips-to-crush-wset-levels-1-2
➡️ Check out our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/

Stay Thirsty and Wise!"