A Wine Diva’s Journey
Celebrate Beautiful Living
Sharing wines worth savoring, places worth discovering, unforgettable gatherings and the beautiful details that make life extraordinary.
Come in. Pour a Glass. Stay Awhile
Charlene Lake
Wine Collector • Luxury Traveler • Entertaining Enthusiast • Storyteller
I’m Charlene Lake, and I believe the best stories are shared over a glass of wine. Whether we’re discovering hidden wineries, exploring extraordinary destinations, creating memorable gatherings, or celebrating timeless style, I’m so glad you’re here.
Pour yourself a glass, and let’s celebrate beautiful living together.
SIP
Pour another glass
Explore Wineries
WANDER
Go somewhere beautiful
Start Exploring
SAVOR
Every meal tells a story
View Restaurants
Only My Favorites
Open the Vault
GATHER
Life is better together
Entertain Beautifully
STORIES
Behind every bottle
Read More
Latest from the Journey
Sea Smoke Wine Dinner
My next exciting event is the Sea Smoke Wine dinner at Niccos at Durango. This will be a five course dinner paired with Sea Smoke wines. If the last wine dinner is any indication, this one will be just as fabulous. Stay tuned for all the details.
My Favorite Family Wineries in Napa
Shopping Paris Like a Local
Building the Perfect Charcuterie Board
Wine Diva Favorites
My current obsession… Charcuterie Nachos.
I know… a Wine Diva recommending nachos? Stay with me.
This is one of those recipes that looks like you spent a lot of time making it, but it comes together in just a few minutes. It’s become my go-to appetizer whenever friends stop by, and every single time I make it, the pan is completely empty before the night is over.
Ingredients
- Ridged potato chips (the thicker the better)
- Brie cheese (I remove the rind)
- Sliced salami
- Pepperoni
- Prosciutto
- Fig jam (my favorite), raspberry preserves, or sour cherry preserves
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Honey or balsamic glaze for finishing
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then spread the potato chips into an even layer.
Slice the Brie into small pieces and scatter it over the chips. Don’t worry about covering every chip—the cheese will melt beautifully.
Layer on the salami, pepperoni, and prosciutto. I like to be generous here so every bite gets a little of everything.
Add small spoonfuls of your favorite jam across the top. My favorite is fig, but raspberry or sour cherry are equally delicious.
Finish with a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan. Fresh Parmesan melts much better than the pre-shredded variety, so it’s worth the extra minute.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until all of the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the nachos cool for a few minutes, then finish with a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness or balsamic glaze if you’re craving something a little more savory.
Then… grab a glass of wine and dig in.
I promise, every time I serve these they’re the first thing to disappear. The combination of creamy Brie, salty meats, sweet jam, crunchy chips, and that final drizzle of honey or balsamic hits every flavor note perfectly.
🍷 Wine Diva Pairing
My Pick: A Pinot Noir from Davies, Fortunati or Handwritten.
A Pinot Noir has enough acidity to cut through the richness of the Brie while complementing the salty meats and sweet fig jam.
Cheers, and enjoy! 🍷
