Let's Sip Joyfully!

Discover the world of wine inside this joyful corner of The Chapters of Joy. Whether you’re uncorking your very first bottle or you already have a favorite, this page is your invitation to explore wine in a fun, approachable way. Enjoy simple tasting tips, effortless pairings, the ideal wine accessories, and guides to help you choose the perfect bottle for any moment. Pour a glass, unwind, and savor the little pleasures—because every chapter of life deserves something delicious.

Thanks for joining us as we find joy in wine!

My love of wine began in 2013. This is the year I discovered that not all wines come in a box. It started with visiting local wineries in Missouri. Terra Beau winery in Dover, MO, was in a small historic church. The winery was family-owned and run by the Tulipana Family. The vineyard was a passion of the owner, and every time we visited, his love of wine and people was obvious. He had a favorite wine to go with everything from a cheeseburger to Chinese food. I will never forget how he made customers feel when they walked in the door. He was the first person who showed me that not all wines are the same.

From Dover, we visited Hermann, Missouri. What a great town that is for visiting local vineyards and staying in the most quaint bed and breakfast locations.

Our "thirst" for wine next took us to Sonoma, California. Once you have experienced the wine tasting in Sonoma, you will no longer appreciate Missouri wines. No offense to Missouri, but there is something about California's grapes! In our first visit to Sonoma in 2016, we started with the Foppiano winery. Join their wine club? Well yes... thank you! And their wines do not disappoint!

We had so much fun in Sonoma that we made sure to go on a wine tour in Tuscany when we visited Italy. There is nothing like learning about wines offered by a 1,000 year vineyard.

Next Wine Stop... France! I do not have concrete plans of my travels, but stay tuned!

I am not a sommelier, not yet anyway. But I am someone who loves wine and finding a good bottle to share with friends. I want to share what I have learned about wine accessories, the most affordable Tuesday night wine, and the best celebration wine that is worth the splurge!

Cara Neely, Your Sip Joyfully Wine Guide

About Us

Big Macs and Burgundy

A national bestseller, Big Macs & Burgundy offers essential wine pairings for everything from popcorn to veggie burgers to General Tso’s Chicken, based on the wildly popular Grub Street column.

As seen on the TODAY Show and CBS This Morning * Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Food & Wine, Saveur, and Town & Country

“If you’ve ever wondered what wine to pair with some of your favorite foods, like, say, Cheez-Its (I certainly have), check out Big Macs & Burgundy.” —Food & Wine

Sancerre and Cheetos go together like milk and cookies. The science behind this unholy alliance is as elemental as acid, fat, salt, and minerals.

This book is a wonderful guide to no nonsense wine pairings.

Favorite Holiday Glass

Christmas Stemless Wine Glass, Wine Glass Christmas Tree Green Glitter for Home Bar Christmas Party, Juice Glass(Gold Tree)

Need a set of festive wine glasses? This is one that I love. I received one at my Bunco group's wine exchange. And had to add more to my collection!

Aerators

D&Slifei Deluxe Wine Aerator Pourer and Decanter with Tower Stand,Unique Aeration Device Quickly Enhances Wine Flavour with Smoother Finish,Best Gifts for Wine Lovers and Sommeliers.(with Stand)

I love this aerator and have used mine for several years. Red wines need to be aerated after opening a bottle to enhance the flavors. This one is a great option.

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Wine Lovers Gift Guide

Funny Wine Socks

FUNNY WINE LOVER GIFTS: These premium socks feature delightful, wine-themed patterns. They make perfect birthday gifts for women who love drinking wine, best wine lover gifts, gifts for women who enjoy wine, wine enthusiast birthday gifts, happy birthday wine lover gifts, and the best gifts for wine lovers.

I love these socks as a gift for the wine lover. There are several patterns and color choices!

Crystal Wine Decanter

Wine Decanter Built-in Aerator Pourer, Wine Carafe, Red Wine Decanter,100% Lead-free Crystal Glass, Wine Hand-held Aerator, Wine Gift, Wine Accessories (Clear Crystal)

Brand: S JUSTSTART

Who doesn’t need this to make the dinner table feel elegant? Not only does it aerate your wine beautifully, but it also adds a touch of ambiance to any gathering.

Homeries Marble Wine Chiller Bucket - Wine & Champagne Cooler for Parties, Dinner – Keep Wine & Beverages Cold, Wine Chillers for Bottles – Holds Any 750ml Bottle - Ideal Gift for Wine Enthusiasts.

White wine lovers will appreciate this chiller bucket!

Wine Chiller

Champagne Stopper

Cuisinart CTG-00-CHS Champagne Stopper, 6.13", Stainless Steel Cuisinart champagne stopper, 6.13", Stainless Steel Description: The Cuisinart Champagne Stopper can be used to preserve a bottle of any Chapagne or sparkling wine. The innovative, leak-proof, airtight design keeps champagne bubbly for up to three days, and is easy to use with just one hand.

Leak-proof, airtight seal. Champagne stays bubbly for up to 3 days. Easy, one-hand operation This is a tested and affordable way to SAVE THE BUBBLES! Use this on champagne, Sparkling wine, or Prosecco! Often the bubbles last more than 3 days Sip Joyfully!

Riedel Extreme Cabernet

• The diamond-shaped machine-made Cabernet and Merlot glass of the eye-catching glass collection Extreme is offered as an attractive value gift pack - Pay 3 Get 4

• This glass showcases the majestically structured red wines in all their complexity and finesse

• Refined, angular bowl has large surface area that helps full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon, red Bordeaux and Malbec breathe and develop its full complexity

• All RIEDEL glasses are dishwasher safe

• Glass capacity is 28.22 ounces; glass size is 4.09Lx4.09Wx9.72H (Inches)

Riedel fatto A Mano Syrah Wine Glass- PINK

Riedle The O Wine Tumbler

The handy machine-made Cabernet and merlot glass of the space-saving glass collection O wine tumbler attracts attention through its stemless design.

This makes it less susceptible to glass breakage and easy to put into the dishwasher.

The glass showcases the majestically structured red wines in all their complexity and finesse.

Riedel glasses are dishwasher safe.Capacity is 21.87 ounces; glass size is 3.74Lx3.74W4.76H (Inches)

Riedle Ouverture White Wine

The Ouverture White Wine glass is the perfect glass to suit a variety of white wines

The glass helps to release the aromas of the white wines, and balance fruit and sweetness in wines to provide structure

This pack contains two glasses

Machine-made and dishwasher safe

Capacity is 9.88 ounces; glass size 2.87Lx2.87Wx7.09H (Inches)

The exceptional handmade old world Syrah glass of the eye catching collection Fatto a Mano stands out due to a pink stem

The Syrah glass is designed to deliver the classic aromas of toast and black olives, which are typical for wines made of Syrah grapes

Combining the sophistication of hand-made glass in the style of the ancient Venetian tradition with the very latest glass making technology

All Riedel glasses are dishwasher safe

Glass capacity is 22 7/8 ounces and glass Height is 9 7/8"..

Wine Basics

How to taste wine?

Tasting wine doesn’t have to feel like a final exam you forgot to study for. It’s really just slowing down, paying attention, and having a little fun with your senses. Here’s my simple, friendly approach:

1. Look
Give your glass a little tilt and check out the color. Is it pale, dark, golden, ruby? Check the legs... Don't know what that is? You are in the right spot! If it looks good- you are already succeeding and ready for the next steps!

2. Swirl
A gentle swirl wakes up the aromas. Aerating the wine makes a big difference in the taste.

3. Smell
Take a sniff. What do you notice? Fruit? Flowers? Oak? Or just “wine”? All valid answers. Your nose will learn the more you try.

4. Sip
Take a small sip and let it roll across your tongue. Notice how it feels — smooth, crisp, bold, bright? Again, there is no wrong answer. If you like it, that’s the point.

5. Savor
After you swallow, pay attention to the finish. Does the flavor linger or disappear quickly? Either way, you’ve just completed a full wine tasting. Cheers to you!

The goal isn’t to be fancy — it’s to enjoy the moment, discover what you love, and sip joyfully!

Best pairings?

Pairing wine with food is a little like matchmaking—when it’s right, everything just clicks. The easiest rule is to pair lighter foods with lighter wines and richer dishes with bolder bottles, but don’t worry about being perfect. A crisp white can brighten up seafood or salads, while a juicy red loves anything hearty and comforting. Sparkling wines are the social butterflies of the wine world—they get along with almost everything. And if all else fails? Drink what you enjoy and let the food tag along for the ride. Wine pairing should feel fun, not fussy. But as your tastes evolve, you will notice how much foods that you eat affect the taste of your wine. Trust your taste buds and sip joyfully.

Storing wine is surprisingly simple once you know the basics. Keep your bottles in a cool, consistent spot—think 50–60°F—because wine does not appreciate temperature swings. Lay bottles with corks on their sides so the cork stays moist and doesn’t shrink (screw tops can stand tall). Avoid bright light and vibrations. And if you don’t have a fancy wine fridge, don’t worry—any quiet closet or low cabinet works just fine.

White wines shine when served chilled for a crisp, refreshing sip, while red wines show their best flavors closer to room temperature, where their rich, warm character can open up fully.

How to store wine?