My wine journey began when wine was either red or white, with red wine for red meats and white wine for fish and chicken. What about pork, I wondered. But an ad campaign told me that pork was the other white meat, so it would logically follow that white wine would go with pork.

My father took my family to The House of Prime Rib in San Francisco in celebration of my graduation from law school. It was there that my father, who had flown in from Tokyo, ordered a Cabernet Sauvignon to go with dinner. “How did you know to order a Cabernet Sauvignon from the wine list?” I asked. 

“Because I’ve read great reviews about Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. I’m looking forward to trying it.”

It was a fantastic dinner, made magical with the Cabernet Sauvignon. I didn’t know enough to look at the label so I can’t tell you anything more about the wine.

I want to share with you where I’ve found more wonder and magic in wine with the hope that certain clues can help you find them too.

I’m an attorney and writer and have the Wine Spirits Education (WSET) Level 3 Certification. I’m a WSET Diploma candidate.