Who’s Behind Paired?

Hello, fellow wine wanderers and culinary comrades! I’m Joshua Swanson, the spirited soul behind ‘Paired’. Alongside the love of my life, Rachael, and our daughter dog, Eden, we travel the world looking for the perfect pairing. Now, you might be thinking, “What’s this guy about? Another wine snob?” Far from it! I’m just a regular Joe - or Joshua - who adores a good bottle of wine, not for its price tag, but for the stories swirling in every glass.

The Journey

It all started with a glass of Chardonnay - not at a fancy wine tasting, but in my cluttered college living room in Santa Barbara, California. I took a sip and bam! I was teleported to the sun-drenched vineyards where that wine was born just over the hill in Los Olivos. That’s when the light bulb flickered: Why not explore wines in the most authentic way possible – by pairing them with the very dishes local winemakers munch on while guzzling their creations?

The Mission

Paired isn’t your run-of-the-mill wine blog. Here, we don’t just sip and describe. We dive deep into the heart of wine country. I’m talking about rolling up our sleeves and getting dirt under our fingernails (figuratively, of course). We’ll journey together through the rustic vineyards, meet the passionate winemakers, and most importantly, savor the local dishes that echo the soul of each region. After all, what’s a Merlot without a hearty stew from the same soil?

The Style

If you’re expecting textbook wine jargon, brace yourself for disappointment. My approach is more David Sedaris than sommelier. I believe in humor, in taking the wine seriously but not myself. Every post is a blend of witty anecdotes, heartfelt stories of the winemakers, and a dash of my whimsical musings.

The Promise

So, buckle up, dear reader. Together, we’ll embark on a gustatory adventure. We’ll laugh, we’ll learn, and most importantly, we’ll toast to the uncelebrated heroes of the wine world – the local dishes that make each sip of wine a journey in itself.

Grab your glass, and let’s get pairing!