Wine

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  • The Awesome Pairing Power of Muscadet

    Food & Wine: Articles
    19 Apr 2013 | 10:40 am
    In this Article Five Great Muscadets To Seek Out Video: More Summer Wine Picks If there’s one food that pairs impressively with the French white wine known as Muscadet, it’s oysters. Oysters and Muscadet, one is told, go together like Mickey and Mouse. They are an inseparable duo, which is all fine and good, if you like oysters. I do not. Once upon a time I did; in fact, I had a good 20 or 30 years of liking oysters. Then oysters—...

  • Natural wines transported by sail power

    Wine News | Decanter
    17 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    More than 3,000 bottles of wine have been sailed into London by a new company keen to demonstrate the environmental benefits of old-fashioned wind power.

  • Help! I’ve Fallen and Can’t Get Up—The Natural Wine Edition

    Fermentation
    Tom Wark
    15 May 2013 | 12:18 pm
    It nearly time again for what now appears to be an annual celebration of unsubstantiated and unsupported claims and assertions about wine. It’s time again to denigrate 99% of the worlds wine and winemakers. Of course, I’m talking about the coming RAW WINE FAIR, a celebration of “natural” wine taking place in London on May 19 and 20. On the cusp of this important occasion, I think it appropriate to examine some of the claims that are being made about the wines being featured at RAW that have been made by the event’s founder, Isabelle Legeron, MW. Ms. Legeron was…

  • Wine With Salad: Pairing Tricks from the Pros

    PALATE PRESS
    Meg Houston Maker
    1 May 2013 | 8:00 pm
    You can't pair wine with salad, can you? Yes, you can, and here are a dozen tricks that show you how. The post Wine With Salad: Pairing Tricks from the Pros appeared first on PALATE PRESS.

  • Unfiltered: Slow Red? Foghat Cellars Takes It Easy (Wine Spectator)

    WineSpectator.com: News & Features
    16 May 2013 | 12:50 pm
    Plus, celebrity chef trading cards hit Brooklyn, recapping Napa's BottleRock festival, a Kendall-Jackson Undercover Boss update and more
 
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    GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

  • 2012 Pinot Days, Producer Interviews – Part 3

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    15 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    We continue with our visit to Pinot Days in San Francisco, from June 2012. We consider this to be one of the “must-go” wine festivals each year for wine lovers. Concentrating exclusively on Pinot Noir, there are over 150 individual producers and trade groups from overseas represented at Pinot Days event. Most wineries were from California, covering nearly every Pinot region in the state. In addition, there were also a number of Oregon wineries as well as some small contingents from Burgundy, Germany, and New Zealand. This year, we rounded up 14 producers – small and large – to spend…

  • Riesling from the Mosel – with S.A. Prüm

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    3 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    The Mosel is one of 13 German wine regions and takes its name from the Moselle River. Before August, 2007 the region was called Mosel-Saar-Ruwer after the eponymous three river valleys. While it is Germany’s third largest in terms of production, it is the leading region in terms of international prestige. Known for its steep slopes, the region’s vineyards overlook the river and are famous for its wines made from the Riesling grape. Because of the northerly location of Mosel, the Riesling wines are often light, low in alcohol, crisp and high in acidity. Here in the Mid-Mosel, the…

  • 2013 World of Pinot Noir Seminar – Terroir: the Soul of La Côte d’Or, Part 2

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    24 Apr 2013 | 6:30 am
    Want to learn more about Burgundy? Well, there’s a seminar for that! In fact, this is the 2nd of two parts. You’ll be pleased to hear that the 2013 World of Pinot Noir presented a very nice and detailed glimpse of the region that you’re bound to find informative. We’ve broken it into two parts for easy listening. Join us as we listen to Part 2 of Terroir: the Soul of La Côte d’Or. Don Kinnan, CSS, CWE, and the lead instructor for the French Wine Society’s new Master Burgundy Certificate program, resumes his in-depth seminar on the wines, soils, climate and history…

  • 2013 World of Pinot Noir Seminar – Terroir: the Soul of La Côte d’Or, Part 1

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    17 Apr 2013 | 6:30 am
    Want to learn more about Burgundy? Well, there’s a seminar for that! You’ll be pleased to hear that the 2013 World of Pinot Noir presented a very nice and detailed glimpse of the region that you’re bound to find informative. So, join us as we listen to Don Kinnan, CSS, CWE, and the lead instructor for the French Wine Society’s new Master Burgundy Certificate program, as he presents an in-depth seminar on the wines, soils, climate and history of the Côte d’Or. Don begins discussing the Côte de Nuits and the villages of Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot,…

  • Vineyards of Sonoma County – with Hanna Winery & Vineyards

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    8 Apr 2013 | 9:57 am
    ‘All I want is a small place out in the country,’ is often how it begins. For Dr. Elias S. Hanna and family, what began in 1985 as a small getaway house/farm in the Russian River Valley, morphed into four vineyard locations. Beginning with 12 acres in the Russian River Valley purchased in the 1970s, he and his children began their foray into winemaking with homemade Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Hanna hired a winemaker and expanded the vineyard holdings. In the Russian River appellation, the Home Ranch on Occidental Road includes Hanna’s winery production…
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    Vinography: A Wine Blog

  • Vinography Images: The Endless Row

    17 May 2013 | 10:31 pm
    The Endless Row McMINNVILLE, OR: Domaine Drouhin Winery estate Pinot Noir vineyards unroll over the hills of the Willamette Valley. The cities of McMinnville and Newburg are the epicenter of Oregon's wine production. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops. To set the image as your desktop wallpaper, Mac users should follow these instructions, while…

  • Wine In 140 Characters or Less

    16 May 2013 | 11:20 pm
    There was a time when the conversations between the cognoscenti of the wine world happened behind closed doors. Until recently, most of us could have only imagined the whispered commentary of top sommeliers as they passed in the wine cellars of the world's best restaurants, or fantasised about the kinds of things that top wine writers discussed in conclave. So, too, the drinking habits of the well-known in the wine world were only available if published, often on paper, and then usually with a tantalising lack of precision. Opinions abound as to the true value of Twitter and many employ a…

  • Is Wine Tasting Bullshit? No.

    14 May 2013 | 11:58 pm
    Who knew some snarky article trashing wine connoisseurship and wine experts could be so popular. But it just goes to show you how much people like seeing anyone ripped off a pedestal. I've been thinking about writing a response to the silly thing, but couldn't bring myself to do it. Thankfully my friend Blake Gray's willpower was flagging one night this week after a lot of wine judging, and he saved me the trouble. Blake gets it pretty much right on the money. Wine tasting (i.e. criticism) is only bullshit if you think all criticism is bullshit. It's a subjective act performed by fallible…

  • Vinography Images: Sunflowers

    11 May 2013 | 1:56 pm
    Sunflowers HOPLAND, CA: A field of colorful sunflowers grow at Saracina Vineyards under a warm Mendocino County summer sun near Hopland, California. An unusually warm spring has pushed vines and flowers into bloom much earlier than usual in California. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops. To set the image as your desktop wallpaper, Mac users…

  • Charles Banks: The New Man Behind Mayacamas

    10 May 2013 | 9:56 pm
    When Charles Banks, one of the former owners of Oakville's Screaming Eagle winery and the head of investment firm Terroir Capital, recently bought a big stake in Wind Gap Wines, it raised some eyebrows. The contrast between cult Cabernet and concrete-egg-aged, cool climate, 12% alcohol Grenache couldn't have been stronger. But when Banks announced a week ago that he was buying the venerable Mayacamas Vineyards, you could hear wine geeks all over the country falling off their chairs. Then when the news emerged that former Screaming Eagle winemaker Andy Erickson might be brought in to make the…
 
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    Fermentation

  • Help! I’ve Fallen and Can’t Get Up—The Natural Wine Edition

    Tom Wark
    15 May 2013 | 12:18 pm
    It nearly time again for what now appears to be an annual celebration of unsubstantiated and unsupported claims and assertions about wine. It’s time again to denigrate 99% of the worlds wine and winemakers. Of course, I’m talking about the coming RAW WINE FAIR, a celebration of “natural” wine taking place in London on May 19 and 20. On the cusp of this important occasion, I think it appropriate to examine some of the claims that are being made about the wines being featured at RAW that have been made by the event’s founder, Isabelle Legeron, MW. Ms. Legeron was…

  • The Impact of Proposed Lower Blood Alcohol Content Levels on Wine Lovers

    Tom Wark
    15 May 2013 | 10:14 am
    Yesterday the National Transportation Safety Board recommended lowering the legal blood alcohol level for drivers from .08 to .05, which would put the U.S. (or any states that adopted the new, lower level) in line with the standard for much of the rest of the world. The question is what impact would this change have on wine drinkers? What impact would it have on the level of fatalities caused by drunk drivers? HOW MUCH COULD YOU DRINK?Look at any of the many charts that describe how many drinks one can consume before reaching various levels of alcohol in your blood and you quickly find the…

  • Sifting Through the Wine Media: A Slog With Rewards

    Tom Wark
    15 May 2013 | 7:15 am
    I’m regularly evaluating the value and utility of the food and wine media (all of it) as a function of my career as a wine publicist and on behalf of clients. Also, the sixth annual Wine Bloggers Conference is coming up soon in June. The Wine Blog Awards finalists will also be announced soon. Finally, I recently learned that no one reads wine blogs anymore. So, you’ll understand why I have been recently thinking a bit more seriously about the nature of the wine information/education/reporting industry. I come to those thoughts with the following knowledge: It is a VERY small…

  • A Brutal Takedown of Anti-Alcohol Minions

    Tom Wark
    14 May 2013 | 7:33 am
    There is a lot at stake in the battle in Pennsylvania to privatize wine sales and allow the free market to deal in wine, rather than continue to have the state government control all aspects of wine sales. The biggest stake, of course, is money. People drink wine. They pay good money for it. The producers, wholesalers, and retailers who do the selling all are in a position to earn millions and billions of dollars. But there are others who have a stake. Here I’m thinking of those who currently tend to the business of selling wine in the Pennsylvania: the unionized workers who move and…

  • A Wine Education in the Sweet and Obscure

    Tom Wark
    14 May 2013 | 6:15 am
    I had an experience last week that reminded me that we ought not ever assume that our world view correlates to the world view of others. Or at the very least, don’t assume that what you drink is what everyone else drinks. Over the course of two days judging at the Riverside International Wine Competition, I and three other compatriots tasted upwards of 250 or so wines…most of which I’d never purchased, never seen, never tasted nor in some cases, ever knew existed. I sat on a judging panel that was primarily responsible for evaluating wines from the Midwest, the East and the…
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    Food & Wine: Articles

  • Insider Guide to Puerto Rico Restaurants

    26 Apr 2013 | 10:43 am
    In this Article Puerto Rico Restaurants Puerto Rico Travel Tips Wilo Benet’s Favorite Puerto Rico Restaurants Caribbean Burgers: The Place “The Place is airy, with a cool-mist system for when the weather gets too hot, and the burger choices are phenomenal. They use house-ground beef and artisan buns, and you can top your burger with ripe plantains. There’s also truffle salt for your fries and a spicy Japanese mustard that is...

  • Insider Guide to Key West Restaurants

    24 Apr 2013 | 1:31 pm
    In this Article Key West Hotel Picks Photo courtesy of Half Shell Raw Bar Best Local Oysters: Half Shell Raw Bar “This is one of oldest spots in town, right on the water. It’s a nice place to grab a beer, and they have shuckers going through tons of Apalachicola oysters right in front of you—in fact, the local oyster shucking competitions are held here.” halfshellrawbar.com Date Night: Café Marquesa “In...

  • Editor’s Letter June 2013

    19 Apr 2013 | 11:55 am
    Really big cooking trends don’t emerge all that often. But one of the biggest I’ve seen in years is chefs cooking with live fire. Some people mock the idea of this as a “new” phenomenon, since its roots are as old as the Paleo diet’s. Those taking my side cite popularizer Francis Mallmann, the Argentinean chef and author of the book Seven Fires, and his dozens of evangelists as evidence of the trend. In this issue, we teach you everything you need to kn...

  • The Awesome Pairing Power of Muscadet

    19 Apr 2013 | 10:40 am
    In this Article Five Great Muscadets To Seek Out Video: More Summer Wine Picks If there’s one food that pairs impressively with the French white wine known as Muscadet, it’s oysters. Oysters and Muscadet, one is told, go together like Mickey and Mouse. They are an inseparable duo, which is all fine and good, if you like oysters. I do not. Once upon a time I did; in fact, I had a good 20 or 30 years of liking oysters. Then oysters—...

  • Bangkok’s Curry Crusaders

    19 Apr 2013 | 9:06 am
    Bangkok Restaurants Soul Food Mahanakorn Bo.Lan Nahm I’m with David Thompson, the Australian-born Thai-food expert and chef, at a venerable Bangkok restaurant that’s a favorite of the royal family. A waiter brings a dish of tiny, delicate flowers called dok anchan with prawns. Thompson tastes it and nods appreciatively. A second dish arrives: yellow curry crab. He frowns. “They didn’t use enough curry powder. When they...
 
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    Intoxicating Prose

  • RESTAURANTS: Brasserie Chavot

    Douglas Blyde
    17 May 2013 | 2:05 am
    “LIFE – you’ve got one shot,” says Éric Chavot. The fast-talking, Vespa-riding, Gascon chef says he wanted to captain a grand brasserie since spending every July admiring them in Paris as a young teenager. Finally, aged 45, with decades of craftmanship at fine dining establishments under his belt, including 10 years at The Capital Hotel where he gleaned two Michelin stars, and recently, a season as private chef at Vero Beach, enclave of Hilary and W. Galen Weston, owners of Selfridges, Chavot achieved his goal. “This is not my first rodeo,” he says.Read at Harper's »

  • RESTAURANTS: Mehmet Gürs

    Douglas Blyde
    14 May 2013 | 3:01 am
    Interpreter of Food History (for Vertu) BORN in Finland to a Turkish architect father and Finnish-Swedish sculptor mother, Mehmet Gürs describes his family as “hardcore foodie”. “I’d spend Christmas hunting, fishing and smoking produce” he says, English impeccable. “And I remember learning to pick perfectly ripe figs at my grandfather’s by the Black Sea.” Like his father and sister, Gürs considered becoming an architect, but opted instead to study medicine. “However, at the last minute, I pulled out of medical school, much to my grandmother’s unhappiness.”…

  • SPIRITS: Befriending Mr. Martini

    Douglas Blyde
    10 May 2013 | 5:09 am
    CLAIRE Smith, global ambassador for super-premium Polish vodka brand Belvedere, co-hosted a Martini masterclass at Duke's Hotel with head barman Alessandro Palazzi. Amid oils of shiny horses and brass-buttoned riders, Smith preceded proceedings with: "It's not a hard sell to hang out with Alessandro at Duke's..."Read at Harper's »

  • DESIGN: Giovanni Corrado, Worldly Lighting

    Douglas Blyde
    8 May 2013 | 10:09 am
    Creative Director of Baroncelli lighting design, whose clients include Dubai’s Burj Al-Arab, Sandy Lane in Barbados and Aspinalls, London (for Vertu)‘OUR glass is hand-blown in Murano, Venice, a miracle of a city where everything’s romanticised, but everything’s difficult,’ says Giovanni Corrado. ‘There’s little visible infrastructure, making it a logistical extravaganza. To transport a large work, we need to order a special boat with a crane, get it to the port of Mestre, and onto the depot...’‘Historically, a maestro vetraio (master glassblower) was forbidden to leave the…

  • TRAVEL: Raw Wines in Slovenia

    Douglas Blyde
    6 May 2013 | 4:45 am
    OUTSIZE ants crawl over crazy paving at the Klinec homestead’s terrace. The vista in their midst – Medana’s vineyards a few miles from Friuli – may matter little aesthetically to the insect society (at least compared to the pleasure of eating the plants). But the gnarled, native varieties bring the rolling valley a profound depth of colour and texture, and are the lifeblood of winemakers such as cook and art collector Aleks Klinec...Read at The Arbuturian »See also - article at Harper’s »...and photos at Visuals »
 
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    The World's Stage

  • Hot Fashion Trends for Summer 2013

    Allison
    14 May 2013 | 2:01 pm
    The weather is heating up, and so are the must-have trends for summer 2013. If you’re looking in your closet with dismay at the shortage of fashionable things to wear, this list will give you a quick overview of what you should try on and wear out. No need to spend lots of money of a new wardrobe, as many of the hottest trends this year include classic colors and new takes on old pieces. Geometrics/patterns- Triangles, polka dots, florals, tribal patterns… the bolder, the better. Mix things up by wearing two different patterns in complementary colors at once. Adding…

  • Last Minute Mothers Day Gift Ideas

    Mikalah
    12 May 2013 | 6:18 am
    Mother’s day is today, and of course you haven’t forgotten that fact, but you may have been a bit busy and lost track of what to get your dearest mother for her day, or what she may need or want this year. There’s no need to fear, as we’ve listed five great last minute gift ideas for Mother’s Day that all mothers will love. Breakfast in Bed Yes it could be the definition of corny, but who honestly doesn’t like having breakfast made and served to them in bed? If you want to ham it up a bit, make the pancakes into heart shapes and pick a few flowers or dandelions to put in a…

  • Reasons To See The Great Gatsby

    Leland
    10 May 2013 | 1:34 pm
    “Can’t repeat the past?…Why of course you can!” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Today marks the opening of the long awaited movie remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby. The book was adapted for the big screen once before, in 1974, starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, but the 2013 version is sure to be unique. The film remains true to its original plot, but the actual visuals and mix-posh movie score give The Great Gatsby a new one-of-a-kind twist. For film critics attached to traditional depictions, there will likely be outcry about how…

  • Jake Gyllenhaal: What Makes Him Irresistible?

    Jennifer
    8 May 2013 | 7:08 am
    Jake Gyllenhaal is irresistible. It’s a non-disputable fact, proven by my scientific poll taken at the supermarket checkout line. 93% of female shoppers in the express lane said Jake is perfect. The only dissenting voice was a two-year-old who was crying for candy. Still, with age comes wisdom. Jake is the perfect male. That Physique That Jake is perfect is not based on opinion. Take a look at any picture of him in a tight t-shirt. Seriously, can you find a single flaw? I didn’t think so, which makes me wonder what Reese Witherspoon was thinking when she dumped him. Anyway, Jake…

  • Hot Recipes For Hanging Out At The Pool

    Allison
    6 May 2013 | 9:42 am
    It’s pool party time! Decorations? Check. Non-alcoholic beverages (for pool safety purposes, of course)? Check. Rafts, inner tubes, water guns….check, check, check. What’s missing?? Aha! Good poolside food; the essential checkmark on your list that will guarantee a pool party no one will forget! Of course, this is the most complicated aspect of the party… or is it? As long as you’ve got some tasty ideas and the recipe, what could go wrong? The possibilities are seemingly endless, so make sure you prepare at least a few dishes for your fun loving friends so that everyone gets party…
 
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    JancisRobinson.com

  • Above the Côte d'Or (Free for all)

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Wine is one of the most sensitive measures of climate change. A rise in temperature during the growing season can easily result - indeed has resulted - in riper grapes and fuller-bodied wines. Drought in areas such as much of Europe where irrigation is banned can leave grapes shrivelled and more.

  • From Copenhagen to La Paz (Nick on restaurants)

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    I have never yet devoted this column to a restaurant I have not previously eaten in. But such is my enthusiasm for the aspirations that lie behind Gustu in La Paz, Bolivia, which opened on 18 April and is already employing 30 young, marginalised Bolivians, that I trust I will be forgiven on this.

  • Win tickets to taste bordeaux 2012s (Inside information)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    As a Purple Pager, you have the chance to win a pair of tickets to UK wine merchant Bibendum's big tasting of 2012 bordeaux at Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW1,  on 5 June 2013.  Once again, Bibendum are hosting over 70 Bordeaux properties at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London giving.

  • Clos de Tart v Monfortino (Tasting articles)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Last February I was invited to an intriguing comparative tasting of Mommessin's Clos de Tart v Giacomo Conterno's Barolo Monfortino. Intriguing because, on the face of it, the wines have nothing in common: different grape variety, different terroir and different country. I thought it merely looked.

  • Codorniu, Selección Raventos NV Cava (Wines of the week)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    From €6.99, 9 Swiss francs, $10.99, Ca$13.95, £7.95, 99 Swedish krone, etc Find this wine This is a funny one. Although I am delightedly aware of some exceptional super-cuvées, I have to admit I am not the world's greatest fan of Cava. Too often I find it too frothy and uncomfortable to enjoy..
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    Grapes and Grains

  • NY Spirits and NY Roast Pig

    David Flaherty
    16 May 2013 | 8:20 pm
    Cocktail experiments for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic at Hearth.

  • “gu-TURN-yo”

    David Flaherty
    14 May 2013 | 6:52 pm
    Gutturnio frizzante, Lusenti, 2011. It’s a red. And it’s bubbly.

  • Tonight’s Cooking Companion

    David Flaherty
    6 May 2013 | 8:45 pm
    Bourgogne Passetoutgrain (Pinot Noir, Gamay), Colinot, 2009, Burgundy.

  • Greek Easter comes to Astoria

    David Flaherty
    5 May 2013 | 4:50 pm
    26 lb lamb on a motorized spit, baby; my neighbors know what’s up.

  • The System is Ready

    David Flaherty
    30 Apr 2013 | 8:53 pm
    She may not look like much now, but in less than 48 hrs, this beauty will be cranking out New York’s finest beers at Terroir on the High Line. Below is the opening beer list.  All NY, all the time. (click on image below to enlarge page)
 
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    Catavino

  • Value wine: I do not think it means what you think it means.

    Ryan Opaz
    14 May 2013 | 6:02 am
    I was at a tasting a few days ago in Porto where the presenter pointed out at the beginning of their talk that they wanted to focus on “value wines”. However, he then continued by saying that, with regret, while that was the goal, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He felt that […] Continue Reading → Related posts: Winemaker's Take on the 2009 Harvest in Portugal Aquapura: A Slice of Extravagance in the Douro Valley Arinto: The Chameleon of Portuguese Whites Portuguese Wine Pack to Entertain Family without Breaking the Bank Final Thoughts on the Douro and…

  • Shopping In Portugal: Five Gourmet Portuguese Products for Travel

    Andrea Smith
    14 May 2013 | 4:19 am
    Portugal is brimming with history, tradition and an abundance of natural resources, mainly of the edible variety! I’ve lost count of the number of nut, cork and olive trees; the vast amount of grapevines and vegetable gardens capable of growing in every nook and cranny; clear rivers and streams teeming with life and herds of […] Continue Reading → Related posts: Cabo da Roca – A Fish Lover’s Paradise A Tasca do João: A Simple Portuguese Restaurant with a Passion for Hospitality Grilling Season: How Portuguese Expats Fire it Up and What They Pour to Cool Down A…

  • The Best Tapas and Wine Bars in Madrid

    carla
    8 May 2013 | 10:11 am
    If you’re eager to taste a wide variety of tapas in Madrid, the one main issue you will have is choosing where to go. Navigating the labyrinthine streets with bars that are absolutely packed with people on both sides of the streets, makes you pause in hesitation wondering which one is best? Well, here is a […] Continue Reading → Related posts: Formatges Cuirols: A Slice of Goat Cheese Heaven in the Pyrenees Redefining Spanish Tapas: The Fine Line between Quality and Price A Gluttons Guide to Spanish Culture Wine of the Week/Restaurant of the Week – Terrabacus The Menu…

  • Taberna do Sao Pedro: A Mouthwatering Fire Hazard in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

    Gabriella Opaz
    2 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    When travelling to new lands, there is always something enticing about “discovering” a place you think no one else knows about. As if you’re a rugged explorer who has stumbled upon that one diamond, that one unique place that is privy to you alone. That, my friends, is a fantastic feeling, in large part due […] Continue Reading → Related posts: Catavino’s Favorite Trips of 2008 – It’s been a great Iberian Wine Year A Tasca do João: A Simple Portuguese Restaurant with a Passion for Hospitality Dieting Food Lover Style: A Portuguese Guide to…

  • Chouriço: Connecting the New and Old World through Smoked Sausage

    Sonia Nolasco
    28 Apr 2013 | 8:33 pm
    The night before I drove down to New Jersey to unite with my mother, aunt, cousin and niece to make “chourico” (Portuguese smoked sausage), “O Lenço da Carolina” by Fado singer Cristina Branco came on via Portuguese satellite TV. Though it’s a song about a person in love, all I could think about (as tears […] Continue Reading → Related posts: Sopa da Pedra: A Humble Gastronomic Tale about Sharing Cabo da Roca – A Fish Lover’s Paradise Vinho Verde Wine Selection Reverts to Regional Portuguese Recipe Pairing Portuguese Wines with Roasted Fowl 10 Delicious…
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    Dr Vino's wine blog

  • The Wine Advocate introduces new terms for the trade

    Dr. Vino
    17 May 2013 | 11:38 am
    Continuing the significant changes unfolding at the Wine Advocate over the past six months, the publication has announced new terms and rates for trade subscribers. Previously, subscriptions were line-priced at $99 a year. Going forward, trade subscriptions will be $199. What do they get for the extra fee? Employees can use the same login. And trade accounts get to reproduce the WA’s scores and tasting notes as shelf talkers. This is a bizarre choice for at least three reasons: it’s hard to enforce, any enforcement would breed ill-will among the trade, and it significantly reduces…

  • Yeasty boys: beard hair powers fermentation

    Dr. Vino
    17 May 2013 | 10:50 am
    Just catching up with this story…last fall, Rogue Ales in Oregon announced they had sourced a new yeast strain from an unusual place–the brewmaster’s beard! Given the huge correlation between the hirsute and the hipsters, beard yeast could be the yeast El Dorado for “natural” wines. I guess the only question would be if it had to be labeled as such? The post Yeasty boys: beard hair powers fermentation appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

  • Proposed French wine tax baits chardonnay uprising

    Dr. Vino
    14 May 2013 | 10:28 am
    In 1789, the price of bread surged in France. And in heads rolled as a result. Another symbol of France–wine–is being threatened with a 1,000% tax increase. Will riots break out across the country? Who is the man with a set of grapes big enough to dare provoke the ire of the French winegrowers and wine consumers? It’s Yves Daudigny, a socialist senator from Aisne (“The Fightin’ Aisne”) in Picardie. I bet they don’t even make wine in Picardie! Wait, what’s that, Jimmy? Champagne is partially in Aisne, Senator Daudigny’s district? Okay,…

  • Parker on bourbon – and bourbon writer on Parker

    Dr. Vino
    14 May 2013 | 6:52 am
    Robert Parker included some tasting notes on Bourbon in the most recent Wine Advocate. Over at the blog Scotch & Ice Cream, the author didn’t take too kindly to the fact that Parker put “his loafer-clad foot in our turf and has deigned to tell the masses what bourbon everyone should be drinking.” I’ll leave you to discover the gems of the post yourself. But here’s one: “Apparently the wine world regards scarcity as a measure of quality.” Okay, and a spoiler: “The know-it-all wine critic has decided he is the arbiter of taste and quality on…

  • Rupert Murdoch buys LA vineyard

    Dr. Vino
    13 May 2013 | 3:19 pm
    Rupert Murdoch, vintner? It’s true. Unlike fellow billionaire Warren Buffett who has invested on the less glamorous (but more profitable?) distribution side of the wine biz, the media magnate is going for the glitz–near Hollywood, no less. He’s buying what may well be the only winery in LA, the 16-acre Moraga Estate in Bel Air that was listed for $29.5 million. Murdoch broke the story on Twitter of all places; now the story has been picked up real estate blogs, which have abundant photos. The seller is Tom Jones, former CEO of Northrop Grumman. I wonder if the wine will now…
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    Spirit of Wine

  • Preview: 27th Annual Ojai Wine Festival, Sunday, June 9, 2013

    jorray
    9 Jun 2013 | 11:18 am
    By way of background, opening thoughts:  Ojai, California, known for its long-lived cultural and agricultural heritage, has also been quietly building a strong wine reputation.  Here's an event that will give you in one afternoon an opportunity to experience the best of both the wine and food expertise from the Ojai region.  Spirit of Wine will post reviews of the sampled wines following the event.Particulars:The twenty-seventh annual Ojai Wine Festival will take place Sunday, June 9, 2013 from 12:00 to 4:00 pm on the scenic shores of Lake Casitas. From its humble…

  • Review: **** $ Trader Joe's Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, 2012 = BEST VALUE

    jorray
    17 May 2013 | 8:43 pm
    Check out today's pricing and retail availability for bargain Napa chardonnay. By way of background, opening thoughts: The Trader Joe's Reserve label is a good starting point for identifying "best value" wines.  Today we'll see if the chardonnay passes muster.Original tasting and review : This is Trader Joe's Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, 2012, finished at 13.5% alcohol.In the glass: Clear with elements of pale vanilla/yellow.On the nose: Poured at cool room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows bold, bright and slightly grassy clean and fragrant fruit.

  • Review: **+ $ Beaver Creek Vineyards Old Vine Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, Home Ranch, Lake County, California, 2009

    jorray
    17 May 2013 | 7:52 pm
    Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Beaver Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. By way of background, opening thoughts: Lake County is a lesser-known California region producing some increasingly interesting cabernet sauvignon.  Today, we sample an organic select from the area.Original tasting and review : This is Beaver Creek Vineyards Old Vine Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, Home Ranch, Lake County, California, 2009, finished at 14.4% alcohol.In the glass: Deep, dark magenta, with some bricking at the edges, showing its few years of age.On the nose: Poured at room…

  • Tasting notes: Oreana Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California, 2010

    jorray
    16 May 2013 | 7:02 pm
    Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Oreana Pinot Noir. Original tasting and review : This is Oreana Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California, 2010, finished at 13.8% alcohol, and acquired from the winery in Santa Barbara, California.In the glass: Medium deep red, hints of purple at the edges.On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows bright plum fruit.  From the aroma, seems like this will be almost more like a friendly Central Coast merlot than a pinot noir!On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact more aromatically…

  • Review: **** $ Franciscan Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, 2011 = BEST VALUE

    jorray
    14 May 2013 | 5:01 pm
    Check out today's pricing and retail availability for Franciscan Estate Chardonnay. Original tasting and review : This is Franciscan Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California, 2011, finished at 13.5% alcohol.In the glass: Clear hint yellow.On the nose: Poured at room temperature and swirled vigorously, shows deep, voluptuous chardonnay tones, with some butterscotch, some oak, some bright fruit.  From the aroma, seems like this will be layered, lush and fun.On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact much as expected, but even bigger and bolder than expected, with…
 
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    Spittoon

  • Wine Tasting Slovenian Style

    Andrew Barrow
    13 May 2013 | 2:55 am
    Wine Tasting Slovenian StyleI’ve tasted wine in many places. There’s the standing in front of a table pressed in by trade and journos followed by the scrummage to locate a spittoon. There is the shivering and cold tasting in some dark, dank cellar or the spitting of tank samples in a cavernous echoing chamber surrounded by gleaming stainless steel tanks. I’ve been relaxed at informal winemaker dinners and terribly on-edge and nervous at highly formal ‘reverent’ meals too. I’ve also been bored senseless at lunches with a never-ending run of speeches often in a…

  • Tuscan Vineyard

    Andrew Barrow
    12 May 2013 | 2:15 am
    Tuscan VineyardTwo European trips in quick succession – Slovenia followed by Tuscany. Never been to either before. Both were rapid-scheduled press trips but they did yield quite a few photographs in spite of rain/dull weather in Tuscany. This shot, of a vineyard in Tuscany (taken in the early stages of the Cycling In Tuscany day) has been cropped and given the once over with a Topaz Adjust ‘Painting-Venice’ filter. I rather like the result… Tuscan Vineyard – is this weeks Sunday Wine Shot. A cropped image of vines given the once over with Topaz Adjust…

  • Wine Tasting Tuscan Style

    Andrew Barrow
    8 May 2013 | 2:30 am
    Wine Tasting Tuscan StyleOn the edge of old town Chianciano Terme, luckily a short if uphill stroll from the agritourismo, is the cellar and shop of Fontanelle. Refreshing to have a wine tasting with non-experts; wine drinkers obviously but how to detect acidity or tannins, rather a step too far. Here as part of the Local Living experience hosted by G Adventures, a wine tasting stop here is viewed as a vital portion of the package. Like many families the three brothers specialise in different disciplines; one brother, Valerio, took us through a little olive oil tasting (regretting not buying…

  • Nino Franco Cartizze Prosecco

    Andrew Barrow
    5 May 2013 | 4:15 am
    Nino Franco Cartizze ProseccoHaving a hearty penchant for such desserts rather surprised I haven’t attempted to make a Torta Della Nonna myself. It’s a traditional Tuscan dessert that combines pastry, a light custard filling and toasted pine nuts where everyone’s Nonna makes a variation. A rather splendid version was served at a little Chelsea-based Italian restaurant and accompanied the Nino Franco Cartizze Prosecco sublimely. Has to be one of the most perfect food/wine matches I’ve enjoyed. The steep Cartizze hill produces the ‘cru’ wines of Prosecco. Generally these are made…

  • A Raw Taster – Sampling Natural Wines in Slovenia

    Andrew Barrow
    3 May 2013 | 2:50 am
    A Raw Taster – Sampling Natural Wines in SloveniaThis little place, the Slovenian equivalent of neighbouring Italy’s Agriturismo, has the most stunning view. Just below the veranda vines hug the hillside. Across the valley the rumble of a tractor and the echoes of vineyard workers silence the village chickens. The view down the valley reaches across vineyards aplenty, over blossom-drenched cherry trees, olive plantations and down the valley to mist drenched reaches. This is Brda, a land of plump cherries (Briške Cešnje), rustic hotpots (Kúhnje), veal stew (Žvarcet) and cake…
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    Confessions of a Wino

  • Brace of bloody Beaumes de Venises

    Alastair Bathgate
    24 Apr 2013 | 1:12 pm
    If you look at any wine list with a sweet section, you have a better than evens chance of seeing Beaumes de Venise. But, it is rare to see reds from this Rhone village, especially in UK and US restaurants. I’ve been ordering a Jaboulet BdV en primeur for years. At about £10 a bottle it stinks of value to high heaven. A fresh young juicy red that goes great with spicy pork or lamb dishes and is generally best drunk within a year or two of receipt. With ‘spooky coincidence’ written on the packing receipt, a few days before my annual Jaboulet instalment arrived from the 2010…

  • Pernand-Vergelesses, Vallet Frères, 2009

    Alastair Bathgate
    15 Apr 2013 | 1:18 pm
    A good test of expensive Burgundy wines (white or red) is whether they go with beans on toast. I paid Virgin Wines £23.99 for this Pernand-Vergelesses, gulp…. If you join one of the opaque monthly payment schemes, you can make it cheaper. Personally, I’m sick of trading £20 per month for a “discount” on wines, so I have stopped all such accounts (including Virgin) and I am sticking to retailers with simple principles: Join up, look at the website, decide whether to buy, secure in the knowledge that you can nearly always find a competitor price in the event of…

  • Cumio, Ribeiro, NV

    Alastair Bathgate
    26 Mar 2013 | 6:01 am
    A refreshing white wine from Galicia is no surprise, but a non-vintage one is uncommon. More unusual, but much appreciated, is advice on drinking temperature on the back label. In this case, 10-12 degrees. If you chill your white wines in a typical household fridge, that, means taking it out about an hour before drinking. Most whites of any substance should be drunk much warmer than frigo. Otherwise differentiating between a Blue Nun and a Bâtard-Montrachet is going to reveal neither the sins of the former, nor the virtues of the latter. Cumio, made from some blend of Treixadura and…

  • Is Chablis Grand Cru worth the extra?

    Alastair Bathgate
    1 Mar 2013 | 1:32 am
    Hosting a dinner party? Got a few sample bottles that you’ve been meaning to taste for ages? Want to follow up an amateurish and inconclusive post on Grand Cru Chablis? A perfect storm for a blind tasting. The brief is simple: take a Chablis Villages, a Premier Cru, and a Grand Cru and see if there is a meaningful, that is to say pecuniarily justified, difference. All wines were from the 2010 vintage. The bottles, elegantly disguised in blue carrier bags whose former contents were the meat for tonight’s main course, looked like three prisoners in front of a firing squad. As the…

  • Marqués de Riscal, Rueda 2011

    Alastair Bathgate
    14 Feb 2013 | 2:50 am
    Drinkable white wine at less than a tenner a bottle is getting harder to find. What if you are sick of Echo Falls, Gallo, and Jacob’s Creek? What is the thinking man’s oenological WAG? From the country that is rapidly becoming the home of football, white Riojas made from Viura, Malvasia and Verdejo grapes are a good starting point, especially from a price perspective. I visited Marqués de Riscal in 2008 and was impressed by the quality of the prevailing base white wine, especially scoffed with highest quality Pata Negra cured pork. Technically this white is not from Rioja but the…
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    Wine Conversation

  • Wine competitions offer spark but no fire

    Robert
    14 May 2013 | 3:08 am
    It is that time of year when all sorts of wine competitions take place and announce their annual procession of gold, silver and bronze medal winners. Countless self-congratulatory press releases, blog posts, status updates and adverts will blast out in a storm of activity that will effectively drown out the benefit of any one win and leave only one certain winner, the competition itself. All spark, no fire (photo by Daniel Dionne) Not only did the competition receive the fees, and it is the only constant in each and every message. Free branding. Well done! Have a Gold Medal for that! Judging…

  • How to improve the use of social media in the wine business?

    Guest Author
    4 Apr 2013 | 8:57 am
    Introduction: For over 3 years, we have worked closely with the Burgundy School of Business both as a company – hiring interns to work with the EWBC, and as a research engine – helping us conduct field studies on various subjects. This year, Aymeric Dehont conducted a host of research for us, which eventually inspired him to create a paper on the fragile relationship between wine and social media. We appreciate Aymeric’s hard work putting together his thoughts and trust you will share your feedback with him. Keep in mind this is from a very European perspective.  How to improve…

  • Wine on TV comes to a Second Screen

    Robert
    5 Feb 2013 | 2:45 am
    Ever wondered what they were drinking on a TV show and wanted to know more? Maybe even try it yourself? We know that product placement in TV and film is very effective if nothing else because of the amount of money that is charged for the privilege. It isn’t just films either, as the experience of Vin de Constance from South Africa attests when it was included in the second in the “50 Shades” series of books. That Wine on TV – found Last night, the BBC relaunched their Food & Drink TV brand that was instrumental to growing wine consumption in the UK in the 1980s…

  • EWBC12 – Tech Tools

    Ryan Opaz
    4 Dec 2012 | 2:28 am
    Every year at the EWBC, I conduct a workshop on tech tools that you may, or may not, be familiar with. Some are right off the innovation line, while others, have been around for awhile but need a reintroduction as to how they’ve grown or changed. I try to make it as jam packed as possible with tips and tools that might help you break out of your routine and try something new, as well as providing advice on how to use your current tools better. Below you will find both the video (sorry for the quality) and slides. You can watch them in two windows if you want to follow along.  If you…

  • When is a Twitter Trend not a Trend?

    Robert
    23 Nov 2012 | 9:28 am
    When is a Twitter Trend NOT a Twitter Trend at all? The answer is “When it is a Tailored Trend” Many of us are now Twitter users, and we’ve come to understand terms such as “follower”, “retweet”, “followfriday” and even “hashtag”. One term we think we understand is that of “Twitter Trends“. Trends are algorithm-generated insights into what is currently popular on twitter. TAILORED JUST FOR YOU In years past, it was possible for a group of enthusiastic wine twitterers to ‘trend’ by getting together and…
 
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    Wine.Woot

  • Raised By Wolves Red Blend (6)

    17 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    A blend that'll give you paws.The best wine you’ll taste this year that was made by a pack of wild canines.The 2010 Bad Moon Rising is a delightful blend that has a wonderful complexity. From the wet stone aroma to the fruity undertones, this is a wine you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. Break into a bottle as soon as it lands on your doorstep, or hold onto it for up to twelve years. Either way, you’re in for a real treat. But don’t take our word for it. Here’s what Raised By Wolves head viticulturist Ulf Liekos has to say: “Ah uh ah uh ah uh, arooooooo, aroooooo.

  • Fleuron Chardonnay by Captûre Wines (4)

    16 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    “Generous Mouth”A wine with a mouth more generous than Julia Roberts’.The 2010 Fleuron Chardonnay has a lot of great characteristic, but main thing you’ll notice is its generous mouth. Mouth generosity is one of the most important features of a wine, and a generous one can be hard to come by. Getting a wine with a stingy mouth can cause a whole heap of problems, but don’t worry, the mouth on this one is highly generous. Now, not everyone thinks that wines should have a generous mouth. But they’re wrong; it’s important that your wine have a generous mouth. Others think that…

  • Big Bordeaux Wine Glass

    16 May 2013 | 12:10 pm
    OutcastNo, you're not seeing things. Out of our desperate craving for dollars commitment to our customers, we're running an extra deal today. Who loves money you, baby? Poor giant wine glass. Where does it fit in this world? Too small to be a punch bowl. Too large to be carried around casually without making you look like a clown with a drinking problem. In Japan where miniatures are lauded for their adorability, the Big Bordeaux Wine Glass is shunned. Even in the Bordeaux wine region of France from where the Big Bordeaux Wine Glass gets its name, it is widely considered uncouth if not…

  • Stainless Steel Vino Sport Wine Canteen

    15 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Tannin TankardIt's like a water bottle, but for wine. A "wine bottle," if you will. Wait a second...This is an email confirming your order from TicketChampion. Your tickets will be mailed to you within 5-7 business days. Present your tickets on the day of the event at the Sunnydale Mountain Winery to gain admission. As a reminder, no alcoholic beverages will be sold at the venue. The venue understands that as a winery, many concertgoers expect to be able to procure such beverages, but due to a series of unfortunate events at last year's Steve Winwood concert, all events in…

  • Sextant 2009 Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon (6)

    14 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Six of SextantA sextant is an instrument used to measure angles. That's all. Get your mind out of the gutter.Look at you, giggling at the word Sextant. Sextants are used to measure the angle between a celestial object and the horizon. That, and they're also a name of a wine company. In this case, that's all: just the name of a wine company. When we say this Sextant has got velvety tannins, we're just referring to the taste of the wine. And when we say decanting it for ten minutes prior to drinking relieves a prickly sensation, again, we're talking about wine and only wine. So now that we've…
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    1 Wine Dude

  • What’s Young Is Old Again (Irony In Uruguay, And Narbona’s Recent Releases)

    1WineDude
    16 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    In Carmelo, about three hours drive from the bustling city of Montevideo in Uruguay, along the river that divides the country from Argentina, there exists the picturesque hamlet of Narbona, the kind of place with such  overwhelming quantities of irony that it causes story-relating fingers like mine to nearly freeze at the keyboard. Where to begin? It’s probably best to start with Winemaker Maria Valeria Chiola. Female winemakers aren’t exactly the norm in the relatively conservative sphere of Uruguayan winemaking, but the ironic (or maybe just surprising?) thing is not her sex, but the…

  • ClubW.com Giveaway Winner, Discount Code (And Hitting The Wine Competition Trail)

    1WineDude
    14 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Thanks again to everyone who participated in the ClubW.com giveaway, and special thanks to ClubW.com for offering up the loot! The giveaway is officially closed, and our randomly-selected winner is… Jeff Eckles! Jeff noted that he’d like to try some of the wines on offer from ClubW, specifically the 2007 Chateau de Mattes-Sabran Dionysus Corbieres, the 2012 Banyan Creek Gewurztraminerand the 2009 Domaine de Milliere VDP Vaucluse Rouge. And so now he’ll get the chance to do that (for about $0.00, I suspect). For those of you who aren’t Jeff, but are interested in checking out…

  • Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For May 13, 2013

    1WineDude
    13 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    So, like, what is this stuff, anyway? I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes with you via twitter (limited to 140 characters). They are meant to be quirky, fun, and easily-digestible reviews of currently available wines. Below is a wrap-up of those twitter wine reviews from the past week (click here for the skinny on how to read them), along with links to help you find these wines, so that you can try them for yourself. Cheers! 08 Rudolf Furst R Centgrafenberg Spatburgunder…

  • Rocks, (PhD) Papers, Capybara (Bouza Winery Recent Releases, Uruguay)

    1WineDude
    9 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Bouza Winery is small even by Uruguay’s petite wine production standards. 25 hectares of vineyards spread out between two plantings, in the Melilla and Las Violetas regions near Montevideo, yielding about 120 thousand bottles a year. But you wouldn’t know it tasting their wines, which are bold, modernly stylized (okay, and in a few cases too modernly stylized on the aggressive oak treatment), and bigger than some of California’s heftiest reds. But while you might justifiably dismiss Bouza’s in floral, plummy and spicy experimental 2011 single-parcel “A6 ”…

  • ClubW.com Wine Club Giveaway (And Discount Code)!

    1WineDude
    7 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    “It’s the tiiiiiime, for the seeeeeaaason of… giveawaaaaaaaaaays….” It does indeed seem to be the season of giveaway action here on 1WD, and this week we’ve got another one; I’m teaming up with ClubW.com to giveaway one month’s free subscription to their wine club (that’s three bottles, or about $50 worth)! We’ll also be announcing a discount code next week (so that those who play along and don’t win won’t have to wail and gnash their wine-stained teeth). Living in the Communistwealth of Pennsylvania, I’m unable to indulge in activities that threaten the stability of…
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    Aristide, a wine blog

  • Le "Famiglie dell'Amarone" non ci stanno

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    15 May 2013 | 7:54 am
    Valpolicella, è pressoché immediata la replica delle "Famiglie dell'Amarone" alla conferenza stampa del Consorzio Valpolicella. Per loro la modifica del disciplinare è un "duro colpo alla collina": Comunicato stampa VINO: FAMIGLIE DELL’AMARONE, DA MODIFICA DISCIPLINARE DURO COLPO ALLA COLLINA. NO...

  • Valpolicella, la versione del Consorzio

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    15 May 2013 | 7:46 am
    "Molto rumore per nulla", dice Christian Marchesini, presidente del Consorzio Tutela della Valpolicella, cercando di chiudere con fair play la querelle aperta una settimana fa dalle Famiglie dell'Amarone d'Arte: “Nessun ampliamento della zona di produzione dell’Amarone e degli altri vini...

  • Elena Walch Ludwig Pinot Nero Alto Adige DOC 2010

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    14 May 2013 | 9:11 am
    Ecco chi ha vinto l'undicesima edizione delle "Giornate del Pinot Nero" a Egna/Montagna (BZ): Elena Walch, Ludwig Pinot Nero Alto Adige DOC 2010. Sul podio col "Ludwig", si sono piazzati Kellerei Girlan, Trattmann Pinot Nero Riserva 2010 e Cavit S.C.,...

  • Valpolicella, modifiche al disciplinare. Quali? Boh!

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    10 May 2013 | 1:36 pm
    Aggiornamento sull'Assemblea blindata dei soci del Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella. E' appena arrivato il comunicato ufficiale del Consorzio. "Contestualmente sono state sottoposte al vaglio dell'Assemblea alcune modifiche ai disciplinari di produzione delle denominazioni, nell'ottica di tutelare la qualità del vino,...

  • Valpolicella, assemblea del Consorzio blindata

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    10 May 2013 | 10:53 am
    Oggi, venerdì 10, assemblea dei soci del Consorzio Tutela della Valpolicella: discutono delle modifiche al disciplinare della DOC. A porte chiuse. Stampa e blogger non possono entrare, così come altre numerose persone respinte all'ingresso. Un'impiegata del Consorzio ci ha detto...
 
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    Brooklynguy's Wine and Food Blog

  • Uncouth Vermouth - Tasting with Bianca Miraglia

    10 May 2013 | 10:46 am
    Not too long ago I had the opportunity to meet and taste with Bianca Miraglia, the woman who founded Uncouth Vermouth. Uncouth Vermouth is made in Brooklyn from fortified wines made from Long Island grapes, using herbs that Bianca forages mostly in Long Island. I knew almost nothing about uncouth Vermouth before meeting Bianca. I read Alice Feiring's piece last year in the Times and I remember being curious about the wines. Turns out that the wines are interesting and delicious and that Bianca is a smart, principled, and fun person too. Bianca makes about 2,500 cases of vermouth in a year but…

  • My San Francisco Restaurant Experience

    5 May 2013 | 8:05 pm
    Thanks again to you all for your thoughtful recommendations. General impressions? From the very small sample I experienced, SF chefs are clearly concerned with the freshest and most seasonal of produce, and they clearly have access to high quality material. Seafood was uniformly excellent. Service was uniformly friendly and competent. Reservations were uniformly hard to come by. Wine lists were not terribly exciting, but there was almost always something good to drink. Very high quality food is available, and if it were NYC, it would be two-three times more expensive and created in a far more…

  • Stony Hill - A Visit to the Iconic Napa Valley Winery

    1 May 2013 | 1:52 pm
    It was a glorious Saturday, sunny and warm but not too hot, clear blue skies, and I was with people I work with, people who have over the years become good friends. I had never before been to the Napa Valley, or to any California wine region. We drove north from San Francisco and at times it was startling in how lovely it was. As we approached Napa we hit traffic, the first sign of the popularity of this place as a tourist destination. I saw a sign for Domaine Carneros and then another for Beaulieu Vineyards. We saw large flat vineyards with rows of skinny vines supported by posts and wires,…

  • Poulsard - A Survey of the Current NYC Market

    21 Apr 2013 | 8:21 pm
    There are dark and brooding red wines, light and joyous red wines, and everything in between, and all can be delicious and satisfying - they all have their place. Poulsard, though, exists almost outside of the spectrum of red wine. As far as I know, Poulsard is vinified only in the Jura region of France. The grapes are relatively large and therefore have a low skin to juice ratio - the opposite of what is prized in say, Burgundy Pinot Noir. And the skins are not heavily pigmented. The resulting wine tends to be light in color, almost like a rosé. But don't be fooled by the light color as…

  • Enderle & Moll - Great German Pinot that Should be Imported to the US, but isn't Anymore.

    15 Apr 2013 | 6:07 pm
    This past weekend I held a small tasting for some parents at my younger daughter's school. It was something that I donated (with generous support from Chambers Street Wines and Slope Cellars). The theme was Pinot Noir from various parts of the world. We tasted some very good wines, including Champagne by Brigandat, a Chandon de Briailles wine, a Belle Pente wine, and others. All of the wines cost between $30-40. There were no duds in the tasting - everything was good. One wine, however, was head and shoulders above the rest in terms of quality - the 2009 Enderle & Moll Pinot Noir…
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    Through The Walla Walla Grape Vine™

  • Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Weekly Wine Word Wednesday

    Catie
    15 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    The Weekly Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Meditrina Original painting by Emily Balivet -  2009 Move over fat, bloated, arrogant, and slothful wine gods, the wine goddesses are in town! Meditrina was the Roman goddess of wine and the daughter of Apollo, as well as the cousin of Cupid. She was the deity in charge of wine, longevity and health. In fact, she often used wine, along with herbs, for healing. There's a rumor that the word, "medicine" came from her name, however something tells me from the history of the alchemists, they would never use a woman's name and would prefer to burn…

  • The Artist Series: Woodward Canyon Winery

    Catie
    10 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    Woodward Canyon Winery, known for their premium award-winning wines, is tucked away in the Walla Walla Valley at Lowden, Washington and was founded in 1981 by winemaker, Rick Small and his wife, Darcey Fugman-Small. Their line-up of wines include merlots, chardonnays, many other wine varietals, and last but not least, Woodward Canyon's selection of cabernet sauvignons. Their current selection of cabernet sauvignons include: Walla Walla Valley, Old Vines Reserve, Nelms Road, and Woodward Canyon's Artist Series. Woodward Canyon's “Artist Series” began in 1992 when the winery made a decision…

  • A Stan Story: Stan Clarke Vineyard - Walla Walla

    Catie
    9 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance…” - Flavia Weedn  ... and some move our souls to plant. If you ever read my article in the 2009 November issue of Walla Walla Lifestyles, and also here, then you might remember The Stan Story.  The Stan Story was a short collection of people sharing their own stories about our Founding Associate Director of the Enology and Viticulture Program at Walla Walla Community College. This week the college just announced the new marker for the Stan Clarke Vineyard that was donated by College Cellars at…

  • Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Weekly Wine Word Wednesday

    Catie
    8 May 2013 | 11:36 am
    The Weekly Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Bacchus  Bacchus,  known as Dionysus in ancient Greece, was the name adopted by the Romans as the god of wine and grape harvest and all around wild and crazy parties.  You know, a lot like Spring Release in Walla Walla, with wine, intoxication, fertility rites, orgies, endless music, ritual madness, gluttony, ecstatic dancing, and often nudity. The prime years of Bacchus took  place around 200 BC. Spring Release in Walla Walla takes place every first weekend of May. Bacchus also happens to be a white hybrid wine grape created…

  • Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Weekly Wine Word Wednesday

    Catie
    1 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    The Weekly Walla Walla Wine Word for Dummies: Fumé Blanc First of all, there is no such grape variety as Fumé Blanc. The name is simply an approved synonym for Sauvignon Blanc, a grape with strong roots from the Bordeaux region of France.   However, no disrespect to Robert Mondavi, who created the name in 1968, as his effort was noble during a time when we, American wine consumers, were trying to find acceptance and understanding of wine. Instead of copyrighting or trade marking the name, Mondavi offered the name to anyone wanting to be progressive and market a dry Sauvignon…
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    Lisson - infos autour de la vigne et du vin - et d'autres choses

  • Vendredis du Vin # 55: le vin à contrepied

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    28 Apr 2013 | 5:12 am
      Prendre un thème pour les Vendredis du Vin en retard et à contrepied - cela n'étonnera plus tellement mes lecteurs ou les présidents éphémères du mois - comme pour cet Avril David Faria aka le Bicéphale Buveur . J'admets, que j'aurai du mal, à afficher son logo pour ce VdV - pas trop fan du foot ou d'autres jeux de ce genre, que je suis...   Je lui préfère le dessin du mois pour les Vendredis de Rémy Bousquet, toujours dans le contexte, mais plus discrète à mes yeux…

  • des belles rencontres on et off en début de l’année au  Millésimes Bio 2013 à Montpellier

    domainelisson
    19 Apr 2013 | 7:32 am
    des belles rencontres on et off en début de l’année au  Millésimes Bio 2013 à Montpellier

  • Saine lecture - pas seulement dans le train

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    18 Apr 2013 | 9:33 am
    Tronches de Vin - le guide des vins, qui ont de la gueuleun nouveau guide de vin, écrit par 5 blogueurs de vin bien connus des lecteurs de mon blog - ou, comme ils disent eux même:« Tronches de vin » est un anti-guide des vins conçu par un collectif de blogueurs ; soit cinq blogueurs du vin indépendants, réputés, et affichant, à travers cet ouvrage, la volonté d’être notamment une alternative aux guides des vins et aux critiques professionnels établis, souvent empêtrés dans des contraintes financières et publicitaires. Ou tout simplement blasés du buccal.En dressant le…

  • 26 Février 2001 - 12 ans - in memoriam

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    26 Feb 2013 | 12:29 am
    CLAUDE JOSEPH PAUL RUDEL   né à Saint Etienne de Gourgas, au contreforts du Larzac le 22. janvier 1949, dans les pierres calcaires, à quelques mètres des restes du château du village, dont il devait restaurer la tour en partie trente ans plus tard.  Joseph, comme tous les fils aînés des fils aînés de la famille Rudel. Du nom de son grand père paternel, et Paul comme celui du côté de sa mère. Et Claude, Claudius, comme l’empereur, allaient dire ses amis, Claude, comme claudicant, celui qui…

  • Hiver- premier voyage à Düsseldorf

    domainelisson
    16 Feb 2013 | 1:29 pm
    première rencontre avec l'hiver en ce fin d'année dans ma ville natale... froid dehors, chaus dedans ... Comme chaque année après la fin des vinifications, je pars en voyage à Düsseldorf - pour retrouver ma Maman, la chaleur accueillante de mes amis ... et l'hiver, comme aussi en Décembre 2012...
 
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    Lyke2Drink

  • Breweries Announced for Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting

    29 Apr 2013 | 2:54 pm
    Asheville, N.C. – Organizers of the inaugural Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting have released a list of confirmed breweries for the May 31 event. A total of 24 breweries will pour rare and exotic beers at the event. Brewers that have accepted invitations for the Asheville Rare & Wild Beer Tasting include: Asheville Brewing Co., Asheville, N.C.; Against the Grain Brewery & Smokehouse, Louisville, Kentucky; Allagash Brewing, Portland, Maine; Bell’s Brewing, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Big Boss Brewing, Raleigh, N.C.; Boulder Brewing, Boulder, Co.; Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Boston…

  • Tuesday Tasting: Mira 2011 Admiration White

    5 Mar 2013 | 7:10 am
    Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a wine from a relatively new Napa Valley vineyard. Mira Winery of Napa, Calif., is a 2009 startup winery that buys fruit from vineyards in the region. The winery makes three whites, a chardonnay, a sauvignon blanc – both made with 100 percent grapes of those styles – and Admiration White, a blend of 80 percent sauvignon blanc and 20 percent chardonnay. Mira recently made news by announcing it was testing the impact of aging wine in the ocean by…

  • Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV Beer List Announced

    14 Sep 2012 | 3:40 pm
    Denver, Colo. – The fourth edition of the Denver Rare Beer Tasting benefiting the Pints for Prostates campaign will feature 34 rare, exotic and vintage beers from of 32 of America’s leading craft breweries. “We are excited by the exceptional beers that will be presented at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV. It is an exciting group of a rare, limited release and vintage brews from some of America’s great craft brewers,” said Rick Lyke, a prostate cancer survivor, drinks journalist and founder of the Pints for Prostates campaign. “This will be a special day for true beer fanatics and…

  • Tuesday Tasting: Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

    10 Sep 2012 | 11:30 pm
    Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we sample a wheated Bourbon that is part of the Old Fitzgerald franchise. Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a 92 proof that pays homage to a U.S. Treasury agent who had the taste for the good stuff. An early bit of lore said that John E. Fitzgerald had founded a distillery in Frankfort , Kentucky. shortly after the Civil War. But in her 1999 book "But Always Fine Bourbon -- Pappy Van Winkle and the Story of Old Fitzgerald," Sally Van Winkle Campbell…

  • Pints for Prostates European Beer Adventure Scheduled for Sept. 12-22, 2013

    6 Sep 2012 | 11:19 am
    BeerTrips.com and Pints for Prostates are teaming up for a special ABCDs of beer adventure in Europe from Sept. 12-22, 2013, that will benefit the fight against prostate cancer. The nine night dream trip to Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne and Dusseldorf covers parts of three countries and visits four of Europe’s classic beer destinations. The trip includes beer tastings, escorted pub crawls, guided city tours, brewery visits, special meals and more in Holland, Belgium and Germany. The trip will include visits to famous breweries such as La Trappe, Cantillon, Uerige and Fruh. BeerTrips.com has…
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    Wannabe Wino Wine Blog

  • 2011 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc

    Sonadora
    6 May 2013 | 3:57 am
    *Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Bonny Doon Winery. With the weather finally turning to spring here (perhaps?) my thoughts have turned to white wines and (even more) bubbly. Keeping that in mind when I dove into the cellar for something to drink the other night, I popped up with the 2011 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc. I previously reviewed the 2010 vintage here. The current vintage is a bit more Grenache Blanc heavy, at 62% with the remainder being Roussanne. Last vintage was only 55% Grenache Blanc. The wine has a screw cap closure, clocks in at 12.5% alcohol by volume, and…

  • What’s better than wine for breakfast?

    Sonadora
    24 Apr 2013 | 3:16 am
    Cute bit of marketing from Wines of Brasil. *Disclaimer: Snooth provided transportation and boarding so I could attend this event. Not much, really. Except perhaps Brazilian wine for breakfast which was a new wine experience for me. Not the wine for breakfast part, the Brazilian part. I suppose I vaguely knew that wine is made in Brazil, similar to how I know wine is made in Kansas, but I’ve never seen any in the market. It appears that Brazil’s largest market is in Russia, with the US coming in 3rd, but a very distant third.  Overall, Merlot is the dominant red grape with about…

  • Heading to Baltimore!

    Sonadora
    12 Apr 2013 | 3:47 am
    Although I’ve lived in VA for a decade now, and in the Northern VA area for 7 years, I must admit that I’ve never had a wine from Maryland. I’ll attribute that mostly to being lazy – driving 40 minutes to a VA winery seemed much more convenient over the years. Admittedly, the closest MD winery is only an hour from my house, however, there isn’t a cluster of other wineries nearby, so it would be a 2 hour round trip solely for one vineyard. In any event, I will rectify that this weekend. I will be joining fellow wine and food bloggers, journalists, industry types,…

  • Scarpa via NYC

    Sonadora
    5 Apr 2013 | 3:23 am
    *Disclaimer: Snooth provided transportation and lodging so I could attend this conference. Where is Scarpa Winery, you might ask? On this particular night, it was found at Peking Duck in Manhattan, but in reality, Scarpa is in Piedmont, Italy. When I traveled to NYC a couple weeks ago to attend the Snooth People’s Voice Awards blogger conference, we were able to try quite the line up from this winery, which is not currently imported to the US, but is looking to come to the market ASAP. The Scarpa tasting kicked the conference off with a bang, with almost a dozen more tastings to follow.

  • NYC Bound!

    Sonadora
    22 Mar 2013 | 3:10 am
    I apologize for the relative silence around here. I’ve been a bit under the weather and feeling uninspired to write about wine when I was on the mend. I’m better now, and off on my next wine adventure. I’m headed to NYC this morning to attend the Snooth The People’s Voice Wine Awards event. A weekend in my favorite US city with my wine people and a dozen different exciting wine events should get things rolling around Wannabe Wino again. I’ll be attending everything from a Wines of Austria Master Class to an Oregon Wine Board dinner. Look for lots of upcoming…
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    Wino sapien

  • Giaconda Shiraz 2004

    Edward
    16 May 2013 | 6:36 am
    The 2002 edition, at least when I tried it, was more spiced, structured and satisfying. This seems warmer, more diffuse and generally less distinctive. A poor opening with raisins, leather saddle and bandages. The leather and any notion of Brett soon fades and I have to wonder if my mind is playing tricks. . . For much of the night it's a sweet, ripe core with grainy, meaty and appropriately assertive tannins. It will please many, but with my current set of blinkers, this feels too safe and middle of the road.http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the original context

  • Si Vinters Chincheclé 2011

    Edward
    14 May 2013 | 6:46 am
    I'm sure this will polarise opinion. I find it delicious and curious, textured, salty and crunchy, unctuous and marzipan like. Then I wonder if it is not more cider than wine; more mouse and glue than fruit; and more affectation than substance. I'm still not sure what I think, but would recommend it in a beat.Unfiltered and unfined and nurtured in concrete ova under a blanket of flor. You can smell the flint and match sticks, chalk and stone. Growing in the background a whiff of wax, bruised apple and mouse. It smells nothing like squeaky clean and green Margaret river Semillon. Savoury and…

  • Fanny Sabre Beaune Les Sceaux 2009

    Edward
    12 May 2013 | 6:58 am
    Another tour of Dogistsan which mostly means less sleep, much more walking and scooping up dog droppings. We've reached an understanding of sorts - I take him for 3-4 walks a day, feed him, play ball and wash him - and in return he stays off the sofa (at least until I'm out of sight).This is the third Fanny Sabre I've tried. Each has been notable for its lightness and perfume. The one word tasting note would be - stems. Of course I've scribbled many more descriptors. . . It's pretty, fragrant and curiously flinty and to open it reminds me of ash and char. This subsides leaving strawberry and…

  • A saturday duo

    Edward
    11 May 2013 | 7:49 am
    #1. Gigante Adriano 2010 Pinot Grigio. Friuli. Italy. Pale copper. Served very cold, so not much initially on the nose. Later - Feta (cheese), citrus, wax and lavender. Expressive and clean, gripping and slightly twisted, a suggestion of nuttiness and maybe an opening note of oxidation.#2. Isole e Olena Cepparello 2007. Again sealed with stelvin. Somewhat nonspecific to smell, it's firm and flamboyant with tea leaf tannins and a workman like handshake.Image: Three Five Three. The reflected wall art @ 353 Cambridge Street.Image: http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the…

  • May non fiction

    Edward
    10 May 2013 | 11:25 am
    Michael Pollan contends that cooking is the answer to several important problems. The environment, our bodies, our families. . . All can be improved by consciously stripping back modernity and embracing the stove and Grandma food.The rise of fast food and the decline of home cooking have also undermined the institution of the shared meal, by encouraging us to eat different things and to eat them on the run and often along. . . The shared meal is no small thing. It is a foundation of family life, the place where children learn the art of conversation and acquire the habits of civilisation:…
 
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    On the Wine Trail in Italy

  • Italy is “Open for Business”

    Alfonso Cevola
    15 May 2013 | 11:52 pm
    Ever since we touched down, this recent trip on the wine trail in Italy has been non-stop tasting and traveling. From three days in Piedmont and the Langhe to a day of travel in which we spent in the Veneto and Valpolicella, to our current base near Udine, we have been hitting it pretty hard.Tasting everything from Moscato to Arneis, Pelaverga to Barbaresco, Barolo to Amarone and now in Friuli, Pinot Grigio to Tocai. Today is the last day in Friuli before heading back to the Veneto and Valdobbiadene for the Vino in Villa event. It’s a bit of a blur, and the beat goes on.Not a death march,…

  • The Silence of the Alambic – The Spirit of Romano Levi

    Alfonso Cevola
    12 May 2013 | 5:10 pm
    We were walking around Neive, looking for a bite to eat. One of our colleagues, Michele, started talking to this forlorn looking fellow. As it turned out this young man, Fabrizio Sobrero, had recently separated from his wife. To make matters worse, that morning he took a walk by the house he had once shared with his wife and on the patio was another man smoking a cigarette. Fabrizio said to Michele, “I cannot even go into the vineyards; my back is bent over with the pain of loss.” Fabrizio works at the historic Levi distillery in town, and Michele asked him if we could see it. “Why…

  • “I don’t read wine blogs anymore”

    Alfonso Cevola
    10 May 2013 | 6:58 am
    One of the takeaways from this week in New York was the admission by a surprising number of industry folk and journalists I met with who said they just don’t read wine blogs like they used to. This comes on the heels of the breaking news in California from none other than the Hosemaster himself, Ron Washam, who commented on The Connoisseur’s Wine Blog, “I spent a day in a tasting room where I work occasionally asking everyone who entered if they read any wine blogs. Of the 200 or so ordinary folks I asked, not a single one, NOT A SINGLE ONE, had read one. An outcome I expected, but was…

  • An Italian Giant Passes

    Alfonso Cevola
    9 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    Photo from the film by Lisa ScafuroExcuse me for this diversion- I’ve been in New York all week for meetings and importer tastings. This seems to be wine week in NYC. I’ve seen everyone; New York has turned into a little wine town of friends and colleagues. But my mind is thousands of miles away, in the desert. Someone who influenced my life, not necessarily in wine, but in life, passed away. And I’ve been thinking about the impact his life and work had on my life and our planet.Paolo Soleri was born in Torino in 1919. When I first encountered him in the desert of Arizona he was younger…

  • Franciacorta vs. the World

    Alfonso Cevola
    6 May 2013 | 5:30 am
    Maybe it was the way he raised the glass when he toasted the group at our gathering. Perhaps it was the conversation we had about my next trip to Italy and where I was going. Or maybe he had grown used to it, after all these years. He was one of the most powerful men in Italy and he had chosen, when building his empire, to put his beloved Franciacorta on the map. He had accomplished a lot in his life on this earth, but Franciacorta wasn’t quite yet a household name.Franciacorta, ah Franciacorta. If you were to ask most Americans they wouldn’t be able to tell you what it was, let alone…
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    Write for Wine: It's Wine O'Clock Somewhere!

  • Such a pretty bottle, such a pleasing wine

    writeforwine
    12 May 2013 | 6:30 pm
    We finally decided to open our beautifully engraved bottle of 2008 Red Wine from Barrage Cellars – Kevin Correll’s featured wine of 2011 Taste of Tulalip, the annual wine and food extravaganza at Tulalip Resort. Kevin’s 2008 Red was originally known as Stealth, a new wine label in honor of his and Rebecca’s beloved dog, Murphy — a gorgeous chocolate Lab, known for his playfulness and surreptitiousness around the wine barrels. “Stealth,” a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, sold out almost immediately. We…

  • What’s in our glasses, recently?

    writeforwine
    5 May 2013 | 1:51 pm
    In the dark, damp winter months, it’s all about the reds. But with a spate of warm weather in Seattle in the last few weeks, out pop the whites too! Here is a list of red, white and rosé wines that have recently graced our glasses. 2011 JM Cellars Bramble Bump White: A blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvingon Blanc and a touch of Semillon, winemaker John Bigelow calls this crisp beauty a “Conundrum.” Not surprisingly, the 2010 vintage was named “Editor’s Choice” by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. We enjoyed this refreshing summer sipper with prawns on the deck. 2011…

  • Summer is in the Air at Chateau Ste. Michelle

    writeforwine
    25 Apr 2013 | 4:30 pm
    You always know summer is around the corner when Chateau Ste. Michelle starts selling tickets to its amazing Summer Concert Series. This year’s lineup of renowned musicians provides something for everybody, including jazz, rock, blues and contemporary music. The 2013 lineup features Pat Benetar and Berlin, Lyle Lovett, Chris Isaak, the Gipsy Kings, Counting Crows, Steve Miller Band, Gladys Knight & the O’Jays reunion, and two nights of Harry Connick Jr. The series begins on June 15 with a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and wraps up with…

  • A Taste of Summer from Carlton Cellars

    writeforwine
    13 Apr 2013 | 2:46 pm
    What an unexpected and pleasant surprise a few weeks ago to see Seattle temperatures hit almost 70 degrees — in March! You know what that meant … time to sit on the deck with a glass of white wine. Our wine of choice for the deck – and later to be paired with salmon barbecued on a cedar plank — was Carlton Cellars Proposal Rock 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp, elegant, refreshing, with strong notes of grapefruit, pear and citrus rind — perfect! You might recall that I went on a tour of Carlton, Oregon wineries with friends after the 2012 Wine Bloggers Conference in…

  • Random Thoughts from Taste Washington-Part 2

    writeforwine
    7 Apr 2013 | 2:19 pm
    This is a continuation of our random thoughts from Taste Washington, held March 23-24 in Seattle. To start at the beginning, please read Part 1 first. Another perennial favorite, 2010 Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, from Betz Family Winery, continues to showcase how this grape shines in Washington state. Smart thinking from Col Solare — at their booth, they offered an educational (and tasty) experience of how wine develops over the years, with a side-by-side tasting of the 2007 and the 2003 vintages. Somehow, we were lucky enough to taste Cooper Wine Company‘s stellar 2008…
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    The Wine Cask Blog

  • Cline Zinfandel 2011 wine review by (PB)

    13 May 2013 | 3:36 pm
    Nice rich black cherry hue with good Zin nose of solid black berry and wild forest floor or brambly goodness with a touch of cocoa.Rigid foundation with good acidity, rather intense borderline jammy black berry that is really good for a wine at this price point.Cline makes this front line Zin as their table Zin and is my go to Zin over the years as it is almost always reliable. I have reviewed numerous vintages of this wine so check out the blog if interested. I paid under %8 for this at Sam';s Club and its a decent Zin and a value wt this price point so raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine…

  • Erath Oregon Pinot Noir 2010 wine review by (PB)

    13 May 2013 | 3:30 pm
    This Oregon Pinot is a very light colored cherry hue with light sweet chery and strawberry bouquet. Slight rose petal and spice notes make this endearing. Palate--If I didn't know better (screw cap closure) I would say this wine is a touch corked. It is uncharacteristically austere with tight red beerry flavor with shallow strawberry hints. There seems to be a tea suggestion in the finish as well as a smokey ending.This is not what I was expecting; the aromas was quite nice but the palate just seems muted and out of whack. This runs around $18 though I think I paid $14 which is disappointing.

  • Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford-- Napa Valley 2010 wine review by (PB)

    11 May 2013 | 3:12 pm
    Straw hue with distinct bouquet of grass and wet hay with guava paste.Palate--Rigid acidity with forthright flavors of lemon and guava. Finishes bitter with some grass on the end.I expected a lot more out of this but wound up with more frog than leap. For $15 or higher--take a pass and go whip up some frog legs!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

  • Zenato Pinot Grigio 2011 wine review by (PB)

    11 May 2013 | 2:59 pm
    Apple and pear with citrus and slight melony notes in the bouquet.Palate--Wild acidity with substantial apple and lemon flavors; note-- the acidity i this wine may leave your tongue bleeding. (I love acidic whites but holy cow...)Short and fleeting finish.I have been focusing on Pinot Grigio this year following the lead of (NW's)wisdom in focusing on a particular grape each year. I wasn't eager to do so because my limited experience with the grape is generally lack luster and blah. This Italian from Delle Venezie is a good example of what I mean.I paid $13 on sale from $15 and I paid about $8…

  • Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Wine Review (NW)

    7 May 2013 | 4:57 pm
    Tasting notes:Inviting nose of dark berries and black licoriceFull bodied on the palateRaspberry, gamy notes, and spice on the finishSummary:One of the ways to summarize this wine is to say that it's very Cabernet-like. It has the dark fruit and black licorice profie of many good wines that accurately express the varietal.Beaulieu Vineyards makes many Cabernets, and this one is the basic Napa Valley bottling that runs $20 or so. I found it for $15 and grabbed a couple bottles because it's an easy go-to wine for the Cabernet crowd. Pair with a good meat dish, and raise a glass!--A Review from…
 
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    Organic Wine Journal

  • Simone Roveglia of Cento Filari

    Organic Wine Journal
    15 May 2013 | 9:21 am
    From the Jenny & Francois blog, here’s an interview with Simone Roveglia of Cento Filari. Simone Roveglia of Cento Filari from Jenny & François Selections on Vimeo.

  • FIVE – International Organic Wine Fair Goes Virtual

    Organic Wine Journal
    14 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    International organic wine fair FIVE (Feria Internacional del Vino Ecologico) will be held online this year from June 21st to June 30th. The onsite fair with now be biennial. Registration on the site www.five-bio.com/ begins on May 24th.

  • RIP Pedro López de Heredia

    Organic Wine Journal
    22 Apr 2013 | 9:19 am
    Pedro López de Heredia has passed away at 85. Alice Feiring has posted a chapter from her book about him on her website.

  • Bodegas Gómez Nevado, Pálido Seco NV, Vino de la Tierra

    Paul Howard
    22 Apr 2013 | 9:05 am
    Regular readers of these pages will know of my predilection for sherry. However, I have failed to discover a sherry made by certified organic methods from the Jerez DO region. If anybody is familiar with one I would be grateful to know and investigate. Fortunately for those looking for organic credentials there are one or two producers elsewhere in Spain that make wines in styles that are very similar to those sherries of Jerez, including a “fino style” and an “amontillado style.” One such estate is the family run Bodegas Gómez Nevado. They are based at a small inland town called…

  • “At Rest” Legislation Rears Its Ugly Head Again in NY

    Organic Wine Journal
    11 Apr 2013 | 9:14 am
    From The New York Daily News: State Sen. Jeff Klein’s campaign cup is spilling over with $33,000 in cash from a national wine distributor that would almost singularly benefit from a bill the Bronx lawmaker authored.But Klein’s re-election war chest is growing at the expense of small merchants and wine-loving consumers in New York, who could end up paying an extra $7 per bottle, critics charge. Empire Merchants LLC is pushing a measure that would require all wine to be warehoused in New York for at least one day before being sold in local stores. Empire has poured more than $500,000 over…
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    JancisRobinson.com

  • Above the Côte d'Or (Free for all)

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Wine is one of the most sensitive measures of climate change. A rise in temperature during the growing season can easily result - indeed has resulted - in riper grapes and fuller-bodied wines. Drought in areas such as much of Europe where irrigation is banned can leave grapes shrivelled and more.

  • From Copenhagen to La Paz (Nick on restaurants)

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    I have never yet devoted this column to a restaurant I have not previously eaten in. But such is my enthusiasm for the aspirations that lie behind Gustu in La Paz, Bolivia, which opened on 18 April and is already employing 30 young, marginalised Bolivians, that I trust I will be forgiven on this.

  • Win tickets to taste bordeaux 2012s (Inside information)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    As a Purple Pager, you have the chance to win a pair of tickets to UK wine merchant Bibendum's big tasting of 2012 bordeaux at Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW1,  on 5 June 2013.  Once again, Bibendum are hosting over 70 Bordeaux properties at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London giving.

  • Clos de Tart v Monfortino (Tasting articles)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Last February I was invited to an intriguing comparative tasting of Mommessin's Clos de Tart v Giacomo Conterno's Barolo Monfortino. Intriguing because, on the face of it, the wines have nothing in common: different grape variety, different terroir and different country. I thought it merely looked.

  • Codorniu, Selección Raventos NV Cava (Wines of the week)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    From €6.99, 9 Swiss francs, $10.99, Ca$13.95, £7.95, 99 Swedish krone, etc Find this wine This is a funny one. Although I am delightedly aware of some exceptional super-cuvées, I have to admit I am not the world's greatest fan of Cava. Too often I find it too frothy and uncomfortable to enjoy..
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    Vinix: latest wine tastings

  • Nosiola - Trentino DOC

    18 May 2013 | 1:51 pm
    Madonna delle Vittorie, Arco, Italia La Nosiola, autoctona della valle dei Laghi, in Trentino è uno dei bianchi emergenti in Trentino. La qualità è migliorata negli ultimi anni con una costante maggiore attenzione in vigna ed in cantina. Questa versione della cantina Madonna delle Vittorie, a pochi passi dal Lago di Garda, è equilibrata ma marcata al tempo stesso in bocca, non altrettanto al naso che non sento, ma potrei essere io, non il vino. La nocciola ( tipico sentore da cui il nome "Nosiola", in dialetto) risalta su altri sapori che non riesco ancora ad identificare bene. Ci…

  • Chambave Muscat

    18 May 2013 | 1:25 pm
    Anselmet, , Italia Un bel giallo paglierino, dal colore intenso e una ricchezza nel movimento che mi sorprende. Adoro gli aromatici prodotti come vini secchi, ma sono abituato a quelli dell'Alto Adige, che ruotano nel bicchiere in modo ben più scorrevole. Le differenze continuano anche nei profumi, decisamente più dolci che non verdi. L'aromaticità del vitigno si esprime comunque in modo netto con la salvia, accompagnata da frutta tropicale matura, melone bianco e mango. Una frutta quasi candita, in realtà, tanto che non conoscendolo lo avrei certamente scambiato per un vino…

  • Côtes de Bourg Château Gravereau

    18 May 2013 | 5:02 am
    Château Gravereau, Teuillac, France Vino in arrivo da un supermercato in Francia, pochi euro spesi, lo verso e nel bicchiere si mostra limpido e rosso granato di discreta consistenza, il primo naso mostre le tipiche note floreali del Merlot, anche se trovo la nota alcolica un pochino fuori dalle righe, anche essendo semplicemente 13%, molto floreale il primo naso, con un mazzo di fiori rossi freschi, la frutta con mora, mirtillo, ciliegia succosa, note di cioccolato al latte, e una nota speziata che condisce bene la frutta e non eccede, vaniglia consistente,di discreta intensità e…

  • Lambrusco di Modena Spumante Brut

    17 May 2013 | 1:13 pm
    Cantina Della Volta, Bomporto, Italia Lo ammetto non sono un'amante del Lambrusco, ma questa cantina mi è entrata nel cuore al primo fin dal primo incontro l'estate scorsa vuoi per la peculiarità di questi vini, vuoi per l'innata simpatia tutta emiliana di chi ogni giorno sostiene e porta avanti il progetto del Lambrusco rifermentato in bottiglia, schietto e gioioso come sua natura, ma dotato se si vuole di un pizzico di carisma e charme in più. Vanto dell'azienda è quella di non avere in cantina autoclavi per cui o rifermentazione sui lieviti (Metodo Ancestrale) o in…

  • Torbato Terre Bianche Cuvee 161

    17 May 2013 | 7:51 am
    Sella&Mosca, Alghero, Italia Il torbato è un vitigno della famiglia delle Malvasie trasportato in Spagna dai fenici e dai greci e introdotto in Sardegna con la dominazione catalana nella zona di Alghero. E' stato per diverso tempo a rischio estinzione a causa della sensibilità alle malattie e agli insetti e alla natura fibrosa dell'acino che ne rendono difficile la vinificazione. Ultimamente alcuni produttori ne hanno reintrodotto la coltivazione sulla scia della tendenza a recuperare i vitigni autoctoni o comunque rari della nostra penisola. Ho assaggiato il 'Terre Bianche…
 
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    CheapWineRatings.com

  • Meli Carignan

    Tim Lemke
    14 May 2013 | 5:49 pm
    I love to try different wines.  And this is one of those wines that isn’t totally off the wall, but it’s something you don’t come across every day. If you’ve ever had a Cotes du Rhone there’s a chance you’ve tasted carignan, but it’s probably less likely that you’ve tasted a wine that is 100% carignan. This is actually the second vintage of this wine I’ve tasted.  Last year I reviewed the 2010 Meli Carignan.  As I noted in that review, carignan from young vines can be rather astringent.  But the grapes in this wine come from vines that…

  • Cecchi Natio Chianti Made with Organic Grapes

    Tim Lemke
    7 May 2013 | 5:36 pm
    My last review was the Banfi Chianti Superiore—a really good value wine.  Tonight I’m checking out another Chianti, Cecchi Natio, which is also part of the Banfi portfolio of wines. This one bears the Chianti DOCG designation, which is the broadest zone and includes all of the sub-zone appellations and then some. It is also made with organic grapes.  And the phrasing of “made with organic grapes” is used versus “organic wine” because sulphites are used in the winemaking process. As a wine from the broad zone, theoretically you might think that it should be…

  • Banfi Chianti Superiore

    Tim Lemke
    5 May 2013 | 1:58 pm
    I love a good Chianti.  It’s my “comfort food” wine.  If you’re eating simple Italian food, particularly the Americanized versions such as pizza and pasta, you can’t go wrong with a good Chianti. But, as I’ve said before, Chianti is confusing.  There are so many zone and sub-zone classifications that I don’t know how the average consumer is expected to keep it all straight.  I deal with wine every day and even I still get confused about what the different classifications mean.  And the differences aren’t necessarily indicative of quality…

  • Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon

    Tim Lemke
    30 Apr 2013 | 5:42 pm
    I thought it would be interesting to compare two wines from the same producer, same vintage, same grape but from different parts of California and sold at different price points.  This could be filed under the “are more expensive wines better?” category.  Spoiler alert: In this case the more expensive wine was quite a bit better. These are two cabernet sauvignons from Robert Mondavi.  And certainly these aren’t the only two labels of cabernet sauvignon that Robert Mondavi produces, but it’s a nice comparison of a cheap one with a mid-priced bottle. The less…

  • Biodynamic Austrian Wines

    Tim Lemke
    25 Apr 2013 | 5:36 pm
    Last night I was invited to a #winechat on Twitter.  The theme of was Austrian biodynamic wines.  The biodynamic theme is tied to this being the week of Earth Day. For those who for those who aren’t familiar with biodynamics, it is an approach to farming that incorporates organic techniques plus crop rotation, biodiversity and other holistic farming methods.  It also can be a little on the new age side with farming activities based on the moon cycle and practitioners doing things like burying cow horns filled with ground quartz in the vineyards. An actually I should call it…
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    Rockss and Fruit

  • Michel Guignier: White and Red from a Winemaker's Winemaker

    Lyle Fass
    14 May 2013 | 10:56 am
    Most of the wines that I have offered to date have been serious, complex wines to drink, discuss and age; wines that will broaden your understanding of wine.  But you can't drink that kind of wine every night.  Some nights, you just want an incredibly well made wine that is absolutely delicious and forces you into an ear-splitting grin no matter how bad your day had been. Enter Michel Guignier.  Michel is a winemaker's winemaker.  Knowledgeable, hard working and focused on making delicious wines that are fairly priced. We're offering a red and a formerly unavailable (in…

  • Are Wines Bought or Sold and Who Does the Best Job of Selling Them?

    Lyle Fass
    13 May 2013 | 7:05 am
    Most people who drink wine and talk about it are almost entirely focused on the inherent virtues of the wines they drink.  They often forget that winemaking is a business.  Most winemakers struggle to pay their bills and feed their families.  One of the most difficult decisions that a winemaker has to make is how to sell their wines in each market.  One of the most astonishing things that I have learned as a new importer is just how much incredible, well-priced wine is sitting in warehouses across Europe (and America as well).  Selling wine can be as difficult as…

  • Chateau Simone!

    Lyle Fass
    9 May 2013 | 11:40 am
    I remember like yesterday the first time I had Chateau Simone. I was meeting a friend at The Modern, which is the restaurant in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. The wine has always been variable at best in its availability. There was a better chance of never running into it than actually running into it. When I saw they were pouring the 1998 Blanc my eyes lit up like I was on the Nike website. And it was only $15 a glass. All I read and heard up to this point was that this estate was one of the great estates in the world. It was on my wine bucket list for sure. It is always exciting to cross…

  • Exclusive Offer Of Rare Bottling of Burgundy's Hottest Young White Winemaker

    Lyle Fass
    7 May 2013 | 9:30 am
    As I said in the red Santenay Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey e-mail, he is one of the top 2 or 3 white winemakers in all of Burgundy and with his 2010's and now his 2011's he is really entering his prime.  Pierre's white Santenay has never been sold in the states before so I am very excited to be the first to offer it stateside. White Santenay is a rare beast; Santenay is 98% red and 2% white and I have only had great white Santenay. Every bottle, now that I think about it, has been fantastic. There is an indescribable something that makes white Sentenay special. Something about…

  • On Drinking Ideology As Opposed to Wine

    Lyle Fass
    6 May 2013 | 11:34 am
    Many of you may think that because I defend natural wine against broadside attacks, that I am a fan.  And I am, of good natural wine.  I am also a fan of wine that is made with techniques that natural winemakers view as horrific.People who attack winemaking techniques in a broad manner and deride people who drink them are, in my view, not worth consideration by serious wine drinkers.  Having said that, I believe that people who buy wines based on ideology, as opposed to taste, are missing out.  This goes for people who exclusively drink natural wine and people who avoid it…
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    HaKerem: The Israeli Wine Blog

  • Favorite Wines From the 2013 White Festival in Herzaliya

    David Rhodes
    9 May 2013 | 1:02 am
    If you like white wines half as much as I do then you should stop by the last night of the 5th Annual White Festival at the Herzliya Marina. There is an amazing selection of Israeli and imported white wines, rosés and sparkling wines in one of the most scenic venues of any wine festival in Israel. While people all over the world like to vacation at Club Med, this is the “real Club Med” at a marina where you can watch the sun set over the Mediterranean and enjoy a wide array of wines and gourmet treats for a whole evening starting at NIS 65 (about $19) for all you can taste (and more than…

  • Two New Binyamina Yogev Whites released before Shavuot

    David Rhodes
    5 May 2013 | 10:47 pm
    Besides the heat and humidity, one way I can tell summer is creeping up is when Israeli wineries start releasing their new vintages of white wines and rosés. One of the first Israeli wineries to land their new wines on my doorstep this spring is the Binyamina Winery, Israel’s 5th largest winery, typically producing about 2.8 million bottles of year. The two white wines that will get me tuned up for the upcoming annual White Festival in Herzliya Marina, the week before Shavuot, are the 2012 Binyamina Yogev Aromatic Blend & the 2012 Binyamina Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay. The Yogev series…

  • New Red Wine Grape Previewed at Recanati WInery

    David Rhodes
    3 May 2013 | 6:24 am
    Not too long ago you may recall some rave reviews by me about some Recanati wines. Generally speaking I think they are consistently one of the best commercial wineries in Israel so when I heard they were releasing a new wine I was excited for the opportunity to taste what they crafted and when I found out it was a new single varietal to the Israeli wine portfolio, the red Marselan, to Israel and a varietal I wasn’t too familiar with as a wine geek I was easily persuaded to visit the winery in the Emeq Hefer industrial park adjacent to route 4 in Israel. The French commune of Marselan where…

  • Upcoming WIne Festivals/Events In Israel for May 2013

    David Rhodes
    30 Apr 2013 | 12:23 am
    Here’s what we know what’s coming up in May 2013 for wine events and festivals in Israel May 2nd Thursday 09:00-18:00 4th Annual Israeli Wine Convention & Festival in Rosh Pina Stop by the 4th Annual Israeli Wine Convention in Rosh-Pina, at the Cinemateque- a professional convention under the theme this year of: “Growing Vineyards & the Production of Sustainable Wines”. The Israeli Wine Convention (for professional participants), , this year, will focus on the growing of vineyards and the production of sustainable wines. The convention will review different…

  • Golan Heights Winery celebrates 30th Anniversary at Tel Aviv Port

    David Rhodes
    24 Apr 2013 | 2:31 am
    One Week of Festivities, One Great Winery If you have a chance, don’t miss the 30th Anniversary celebration for the Golan Heights Winery (Yarden, Gamla & Golan labels) being observed the next week at the port on the boardwalk in Tel Aviv. It’s free to just show up and mingle and hear the music as attendees get in the groove and it’s a reasonable price to try some of the thirty or so wines offered by Israel’s most lauded winery. Opening 700PM to 1100PM over the next week (ending Tuesday April 30th and not open Friday because of Shabbat/Sabbath) Saturday 830pm to 1130pm. This port…
 
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    יינות ישראל

  • ביקורת – הגנה חזקה נגד החברות

    admin
    17 May 2013 | 11:31 am
    באופן כללי, כפי שמראה בפועל, מרווח הזמן המתאים ביותר בין Enterprise בדיקות שגרתיות להיות 1 / 4. לקופה לביקורת רשאי, באופן עקרוני, בשיתוף עם היקף לחלוטין בכל תחומי החברה וכמובן המחלקות הרלוונטיות, או סתם חלוקה מסוימת הארגון. בכל דרך באמת לסמוך על יישום מוסמך של כל בדיקה. בנוסף לאספקת שירותי ביקורת, כגון חברה הוא מסוגל לבצע חשבונאות מכל…

  • כלי יעיל לניהול תהליכים עסקיים

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 7:34 am
    בנקים מסחריים הם עכשיו זקוקים פתרונות יעילים כדי למכן תהליכים עסקיים. מצד אחד – האוניברסליות של הפעילות שלהם כוללת מספר רב של תהליכים פנימיים, שחלקם שמטרתן עשיית רווח, חלקם נועדו לספק הפעילות של הבנק. מצד שני – פורמליות קיצוני של הבנקים המסחריים על ידי הבנק המרכזי דורש פיקוח מתמיד של זרימה של תהליכים עסקיים ניטור הביצועים…

  • "תוכנית שותפים – שאלות ותשובות!"

    admin
    7 May 2013 | 4:35 am
    ההשתתפות בתוכניות שותפות עם עולים חדשים רבים מעלה שאלות רבות, אשר באופן עקרוני לא כל כך קשה לענות. מאמר זה יעזור newbies מנסה להרוויח על ידי השתתפות תוכניות שותפים לענות על שאלות נפוצות. איך לבחור את תוכניות שותפים הטובה ביותר, כיצד לבדוק ועוד. # 1. כיצד אני יכול לבדוק את העבודה הקישור שלי? כדי לבדוק את הקישור שלך הוא עובד או לא, מה שאתה…

  • תקרת מתיחה – עסק משתלם

    admin
    30 Apr 2013 | 10:15 pm
    צהריים טובים, חברים יקרים! היום יציג לך את סוג העסק כארגון של תקרות המתח של המשרד. הרבה אנשים מחפשים רעיונות לעסק שלהם, הם רוצים zarabotka.No מהירה וקלה לעתים קרובות האנשים האלה להסתבך או מאבדים את כספם, או במקרה הטוב יש להם אף לא אחד מהם אינו משנה. מביאים את תשומת לבכם לפרק את סוג העסק: תקרות. הבה נבחן את היתרונות העסקי: 1. מינימום עלות על…

  • היתרונות של מיקור חוץ

    admin
    29 Apr 2013 | 8:54 pm
    מיקור חוץ – כאשר אתם שוכרים איש מקצוע או שירות יבצע עבורכם את העבודה. אולי כדאי לעשות זאת כאשר אתה טעון מדי עם משהו שאין לך זמן, אתה צריך מומחה או רוצה להגדיל את הפרודוקטיביות ואת לייצר מוצרים יותר, כאשר יש לך כבר מוכנים הזמנות. באינטרנט, זה קורה לעתים קרובות. למעשה, למשל, להזמין כמה עבודות מזדמנות: כתיבת תסריט, הנהלת פורום, צ'אט…
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    ShipCompliant: Wine Shipping Blog

  • Is the Marketplace Fairness Act Fair for Wineries?

    Jeff Carroll - VP of Compliance, ShipCompliant
    7 May 2013 | 10:48 am
    In short, yes, for a couple of reasons: 1. Wineries already pay sales tax in most states 2. The vast majority of wineries will likely be exempt from the law So what is it, exactly? Senate Bill S. 743, more commonly known as the “Marketplace Fairness Act“, is a pretty simple bill that would give states the ability to require out of state businesses that have “remote sales” in excess of $1 million annually to remit sales taxes. Each state would be able to opt in to the Act, but only after they have simplified their tax structure, either by joining the Streamlined Sales…

  • Nebraska Tightens up Existing Direct Shipping Law

    Sarah Werner - ShipCompliant Research Team
    6 May 2013 | 12:05 pm
    LB 230 passed Nebraska’s unicameral legislature and was signed by the Governor on April 24, 2013. The new law will go into effect on September 6, 2013. Nebraska is currently open to direct shipping from wineries and retailers (although there was some debate recently as to whether retailers should qualify under the current law), with easy-to-navigate regulations. The new law introduces several new restrictions that Nebraska direct shippers should be aware of before the new law goes into effect. Though the bill’s statement of intent indicated that only manufacturers (wineries) would be able…

  • Variety: The Spice of Life for Direct Shipping?

    Ken Vasko, Senior Manager
    24 Apr 2013 | 3:38 pm
    Among the most revealing facts in the new 2013 Direct Wine Shipping Report we recently released with Wines & Vines is that, given all the various types of wines produced and sold by wineries, a very select few types of wine dominate those shipped direct to the consumer. Together, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Red Blends, Chardonnay and Zinfandel represent 70% of the total volume of wine shipped and just over 80% of the value of all specified varietal wines shipped from winery to consumer. This line up of dominant direct-shipped wines is somewhat similar to the dominant wines in the…

  • October 1st Brings New Direct Wine Shipping Regulations to Montana

    Sarah Werner - ShipCompliant Research Team
    22 Apr 2013 | 7:04 pm
    Montana House Bill 402 was signed by Governor Bullock on April 12, 2013 and creates workable direct wine shipping laws in the state. The new law, effective on October 1, 2013, will replace the flawed consumer licensing system presently in place for wine shipping in Montana. Current regulations require that out-of-state wineries ship only to residents who hold a “Connoisseur’s License“; proof of the consumer license and a special sticker to affix to the shipping box must be provided to the winery before the shipment can be made. The new regulations will require out-of-state…

  • Does Size Matter? Absolutely, if You’re a Winery

    Ken Vasko, Senior Manager
    22 Apr 2013 | 9:16 am
    On April 16th, ShipCompliant, together with Wines & Vines, released our 2013 Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Report, which contains a treasure trove of useful information that could change the strategy of your business. Upon its release, we shared with you that the direct shipping business is growing. If we dig a layer deeper, however, we can see who is growing and who isn’t. And one of the key factors is the size of the winery. Wines & Vines segregates the population of wineries in America by total production volume. You can see a breakdown here: When we classify wineries in these…
 
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    Sommelier India - India's only wine magazine

  • Sommelier India Women's Wine Circle, sure hit!

    12 May 2013 | 11:57 pm
    The Sommelier India Women's Wine Circle got off to an excellent start on May 9. Italy was the flavour of the day - starting from the venue to the wine to the food. As the guests arrived at Enoteca, the wine bar adjoining Travertino at the Oberoi New Delhi, they were welcomed with a glass of chilled Ti Amo Prosecco.

  • Breaking News - Diageo's initial share in United drops

    1 May 2013 | 7:12 pm
    May 1, 2013 - Diageo's offer to buy a 26% stake in United Spirits (USL)has been "rebuffed by shareholders", says the Drinks Business. Diageo's offer was Rs 1,440 per share, which was very much higher than the prevailing market price at the time of the bid last year. The share price today is Rs 2,000. Although there is no comment from either company, speculation is rife that Diageo received just 65,000 of the up to 38 million shares when the tender offer closed on Friday.

  • The Sommelier India Women's Wine Circle

    28 Apr 2013 | 10:29 pm
    Here's something to cheer about - the Sommelier India Women's Wine Circle inaugural lunch. Get ready for a sensational summer lunch at the fine-dining Italian restaurant at The Oberoi, Travertino on May 9, 2013. You will be treated to three exceptional Italian wines - a Prosecco, a Felluga Illivio and a Chianti Classico from Castello Banfi to accompany a specailly crafted three-course meal. Ms Reva K Singh, Editor-in-Chief, Sommelier India, will introduce the food and wine pairing. The time is really short and the numbers restricted, so please email your phone number and address so that we…

  • What happens to Wine when it is Cooked?

    24 Apr 2013 | 12:15 am
    A meal tastes better when accompanied with wine, and so do the dishes on the menu when you add a splash of wine to them. Here's how to make the most of wine in the kitchen... When wine is heated, the alcohol evaporates. So you cannot get drunk on a plate of lamb ribs with honey and wine. (Recipe in SI, Issue 2, 2013). The sulphites in wine - which some people are allergic to - also evaporate on cooking. The aim of using wine in cooking is to get the concentrated flavour and essence of the wine.

  • Allied Blenders and Distillers create history

    17 Apr 2013 | 1:31 am
    That last peg from the bottle of Officer's Choice whisky that you just poured has probably helped set a sales record. Manufactured and marketed by India's largest domestic alcobev company, Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), Officer's Choice became the largest selling whisky in the world last year with its sales at the end of this sale year crossing 17.55 million cases. ABD has also created history with its sales touching 20 million cases in FY 2013 - a stupendous growth of 14% on the previous year.
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    Grape Wall of China

  • WoSA Sommelier Cup: Mainland China semi-final slated for Beijing

    admin
    15 May 2013 | 5:16 pm
    By Jim Boyce Full-time sommeliers from mainland China have the chance to go abroad as part of a competition run by Wines of South Africa. The WOSA Sommelier Cup involves three rounds, starting with an online test in June and then, for those who make the grade, continuing with a semi-final in Beijing on July [...]

  • China wine portfolios: CWS adds Inner Mongolia’s Chateau Hansen

    admin
    15 May 2013 | 2:20 pm
    By Jim Boyce Importer and distributor China Wines and Spirits is now handling wines from Inner Mongolia-based operation Château Hansen. Established in 2005 as the third international arm of the HWS Group, CWS carries wine from about a dozen countries, including Italy, France, Australia, South Africa and India. Hansen is on the edge of the [...]

  • Pairing at Pinotage: Cheese and South African wines in Beijing

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 10:10 pm
    By Jim Boyce I’m not the biggest fan of wine and food pairing given that many people tend to take it too seriously and that individual tastes differ. But with a group of friends in can be fun and that goes when using beverages from single malts to pale ales and foods from tofu burgers [...]

  • Chateau Hansen in China: Bruno Paumard pursues wine in ‘Grand Cru style’

    admin
    10 May 2013 | 2:16 am
    By Jim Boyce Inner Mongolia operation Chateau Hansen will soon launch a new ‘Red Camel’ wine that wine maker Bruno Paumard says is made in “Grand Cru style“. I tried five Hansen wines yesterday and will write about those and the winery soon, but for now a quick post about this new bottle. Paumard says [...]

  • Wine jobs in China: The Loop wine shop in Bejing seeks manager

    admin
    8 May 2013 | 4:06 am
    By Jim Boyce Soon-to-open wine shop The Loop in the Sanlitun-Gongti area seeks a manager. The position includes dealing with walk-in and established customers, arranging deliveries, organizing tastings and, no doubt, sampling quite a few bottles. The ideal candidate is able to function in Mandarin and English, has a strong interest in wine, and is [...]
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    Winerepublic

  • Live The Sweet Life With 4th Street At The Gugulethu Wine Festival

    Media Release
    17 May 2013 | 7:09 am
    The TOPS at SPAR Gugulethu Wine Festival is taking place at the end of May, and 4TH STREET wines will be there to showcase their range. 4TH STREET is all about living the sweet life and the sweet life is about being at places and being seen. And this year, visitors to the TOPS at

  • Changing Of The guard – New Chief Winemaker For KWV

    Media Release
    17 May 2013 | 6:02 am
    We are pleased to announce that Johann Fourie, formerly Senior Winemaker with KWV for the past eight years, has been promoted to the position of Chief Winemaker. Former Chief Winemaker, Richard Rowe, said “Johann has been a pillar of strength and inspiration in the winemaking team, and should be proud of his achievements. His promotion

  • Dad’s The Man At Nederburg This Father’s Day

    Media Release
    17 May 2013 | 5:52 am
    Do it for dad this Father’s Day at The Red Table restaurant at Nederburg in Paarl on Sunday, June 16, (also Youth Day). The restaurant’s braai-themed Father’s Day menu offers slow-roasted tomato soup, curried potato samoosas, succulent lamb and beef burgers, gourmet boerewors rolls, grilled chicken, vanilla ice cream and traditional malva pudding for only

  • Taste Rare Clos Malverne Limited Release Wines On Saturdays

    Media Release
    17 May 2013 | 5:46 am
    Restaurant puts lid on winter blues with complimentary lunchtime tastings The Restaurant @ Clos Malverne, a hidden culinary hotspot, idyllically situated on a family-run wine farm in the Devon Valley outside Stellenbosch, offers its guests the rare opportunity to taste the estate’s exclusive Limited Release wines on the house with their lunch on Saturdays. These

  • Van Ryn’s For A Connoisseur’s Treat This Father’s day

    Media Release
    17 May 2013 | 5:39 am
    The Van Ryn’s distillery close to Stellenbosch has lined up a series of great Father’s Day specials.  From Friday, June 7, to Saturday, June 15, if you bring your dad and pay for a brandy tasting and distillery tour for youCrself, he’ll be treated to the same experience for free.  The tour includes a demonstration
 
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    underthegrapetree.com

  • BREAKING THE CHAINS AND SLIGHTING THE GRANGE: THE DEUCE WAXES DELIRIOUSLY, MENTIONS A DOWN UNDER WINETASTING DEATHMATCH AND GETS TO A THREESOME FROM ROBERT OATLEY

    Kevin Keith
    16 May 2013 | 6:22 am
    Somewhere along the lines, the chains came off… That’s what has been going through my mind as of late.  I seem to have achieved something of a soul equilibrium I guess (for lack of a better expression).  Things at home are settling down, my wife is feeling a bit more alive, and I am starting to forget that feeling of the Apocalypse lurking somewhere outside my door.  And as for my writing, I am feeling that the need to keep things reined in has been unwarranted, and a simple diary of my on-the-job wine exploits is giving way to its integration with the mess of analog ideas, dreams and…

  • THE POLITICS OF WINE GEEKDOM: THE DEUCE CONTEMPLATES THE DUALITY OF WINE AND CONSUMERISM WITH LADY LINDA AND A TRIO FROM DAOU VINEYARDS

    Kevin Keith
    15 May 2013 | 10:13 am
    I’ve always mused about how complicated we winos tend to make the wine business.  For all intensive purposes, wine is just fermented grape juice.  Sure, there are thousands of grapes used to make wine, and wine is produced all around the world, with multiple techniques, changes in vintages, etc., etc., and all these factors make different wines.  For when you boil it down to basics, it’s fermented grape juice. So why do we, as an industry, tend to build up such an overwhelming mythos that normal, everyday consumers are still reluctant to approach wine, especially when the beer industry…

  • THE DRUNK BACKWARD, CONTINUED: MACROCOSMICALLY APATHETIC, MICROCOSMICALLY EMPATHETIC, AND PROFESSIONALLY COPASETIC

    Kevin Keith
    14 May 2013 | 10:17 am
    Out in the Big World:  The continuing whirlwind of life, out there amongst the masses, I cannot help but wonder why it’s all come to this, this divisiveness.  Is it all part of some grand conspiracy, The Man keeps us down, divided, angry at each other for what the other one has more of or less of?  Is it simply the inadequacy of human nature that keeps things all fucked up in the world? Whether you’re Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal, you have to notice that our elected officials seem hell-bent on maintaining said divisiveness, keeping the loggerhead in state of…

  • GEM CITY SPIRIT: A VISIT FROM THE PALOMARS AND VELETA WINERY, A BIT OF HOMESICKNESS, AND THE DEATH OF CAFE BOULEVARD GIVES WAY TO THE BIRTH OF LILY’S CAFE

    Kevin Keith
    13 May 2013 | 1:38 pm
    Not to be forgotten, I met with my favorite winemaking couple, Juan and Nola Palomar and their daughter, Nolita, recently, along with Tony! Toni! Toné!, Dijon and Heidelberg’s Kymber Tymber for a flight of their newest vintages, and I got to thinking about my last full-time restaurant gig – Café Boulevard.  It was almost 16 years ago when I went to work for what would become a mainstay of sorts in Dayton, Ohio’s Oregon District, anchoring part of the Westside of the downtown restaurant district.  I think about strolling into what I would eventually find out was the next door…

  • ITALY ON THE BRAIN: RUDY BASILE STOPS BY, ALFONSO AND THE HOSE INSPIRE, AND THE DEUCE CONTEMPLATES LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF RELEVANCE

    Kevin Keith
    13 May 2013 | 11:16 am
    Recently, there has been a lot of things Italian on my mind.  A little Milan AC, some Dante, my friend and Vias Imports’ rep Rudy Basile’s recent visit to TPS, and wine blogging comrade Alfonso Cevola’s recent blog post.  Last Friday, Alfonso, who masterfully waxes about all wines Italian at On the Wine Trail in Italy, uttered the fear all us wine bloggers fear – that nobody gives a shit. I would argue to say that 99.9% of us wine bloggers do this for the love of it, counting our peers and wine industry brethren as our readers (if we are lucky), and staring at the ghost towns of…
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    The Wellesley Wine Press

  • Value Wine Discovered...at a Steakhouse!

    11 May 2013 | 2:34 pm
    This post is sponsored by Ansonia Wines - a new French wine merchant with free delivery in this Boston area. Check 'em out. Finding value wines in a steakhouse setting is challenging. The big name wines (Cakebread, Caymus, Silver Oak, etc) are so marked up they're hard to enjoy. I usually "bail" and go for a couple wines by the glass to keep costs contained and try new things. Last week I was headed to The Capital Grille in Burlington, Massachusetts for a work dinner so I reached out to their Master Sommelier George Miliotes for a recommendation. He replied: @robertdwyer…

  • Trip Report: Wine Spectator Grand Tour Chicago 2013

    6 May 2013 | 3:44 am
    After stops in San Francisco and Las Vegas, Wine Spectator's 2013 Grand Tour came to a close in Chicago this past Friday. 200+ wineries hand picked by the maganize's editors for their pedigree of outstanding ratings were on hand, each pouring one of their signature wines. The event includes a 3 hour walk around tasting of top-scoring wines, a light buffet that's enough to make a meal out of, and a souvenir Riedel wine glass. The event is truly an embarrassment of riches. This was the second Grand Tour I've attended and just as with the first I found myself in stretches where I was…

  • Event Report: Francis Ford Coppola Winery at Ruth's Chris Boston

    1 May 2013 | 4:57 pm
    The Francis Ford Coppola Winery hosted a media dinner at Ruth's Chris in Boston last week. The purpose of the event was to increase familiarity with the Coppola offerings in the Boston area. I'd never been to this particular Ruth's Chris location, so it was a great chance to "kill two birds with one stone" while trying the Coppola wines in a fine dining setting. The Coppola lineup features no less than 10 brands, and that doesn't even include the Napa-based Rubicon/Inglenook winery they also own. Here's the run-down of brands within the Coppola portfolio with the wines we'd tasted in bold:…

  • Back to Basics: A Really Good $7 Red Wine

    21 Apr 2013 | 11:40 am
    I haven't been buying as much wine the last few months as I have in the past. Perhaps you're like me in that you've got more than enough wine on hand yet have a hard time finding bottles under $20 you're interested in (let alone enthusiastic) about opening? Part of the problem is I've done more buying online lately - usually in response to email offers from retailers and wineries. When buying online, I often go for wines in the $30-$50 range that retail for much more, and where shipping costs are easier to absorb. But the result is I've got more than enough "pricier" wines and not enough…

  • Massachusetts Only: Epic California Pinot Noir Deal!

    8 Apr 2013 | 7:08 am
    The great thing about having a stash of wine is that you only have to swing at the perfect pitches. In comparing notes with many of my pals who go in on wine deals with me, a lot of us are in a similar boat: We've got a lot of wine on hand but we're lacking in $15-$25 wines we're excited about opening. For those of us interested in luscious, outstanding California Pinot Noirs there's only so much Meiomi one can buy. We need variety. And that's where deals like this one comes in. Julio's Liquors in Westborough, MA (full review) is offering the 2008 Saintsbury Brown Ranch Estate Pinot Noir for…
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    eRobertParker.com - Wine of the Day

  • 2011 Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    2011 Mastroberardino Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio BiancoMastroberardino’s 2011 Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Bianco (Coda di Volpe) comes across as quite forward and bold in this vintage. It has more than enough fruit to fill out its bold frame. Lemon, earthiness, crushed rocks and white flowers are some of the nuances that flow through to the tense, powerful finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2014. Mastroberardino is another winery that seems to have found an extra gear or two over the last few years. The Taurasis remain the flagships, but readers should also pay close attention to the…
 
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    Wine Peeps

  • Milbrandt Vineyards: 2012 Traditions Pinot Gris and 2010 The Estates Cab

    Kori
    15 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Brothers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt planted their first vines in Washington’s Columbia Valley and Wahluke Slope in 1997. Today, Milbrandt Vineyards is comprised of over 2,000 acres of estate vineyards. After selling their grapes to wineries throughout Washington for years, the Milbrandts launched their own winery in 2005. Joshua Maloney, who previously worked for wineries in California and then as Chateau Ste. Michelle’s red winemaker, joined Milbrandt Vineyards as Director of Winemaking in 2011. The Milbrandt Vineyards tasting room is located in Prosser, Washington. Recently, we had the…

  • Challenging Wine Pairing: Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich

    LaGayle
    8 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    It’s always fun planning a challenging wine pairing dinner. I especially enjoy the “challenge” of determining a good wine pairing for a meal in which wine would probably not be the first beverage that comes to mind. This time, I decided to make Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, a Wine Peeps’ family favorite. Along with the sandwiches, we had sweet potato fries and a green salad mixed with peaches and grapes and tossed with Serrano honey balsamic vinegar. Once again, I referred to my favorite guide, What to Drink with What You Eat, for pairing recommendations and decided to try a Merlot…

  • A Wine for Tonight: NV Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava

    Kori
    1 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? If so, you might want to check out the Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava from Spain. Our selection criteria include: A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5) A price tag of <=$20 Must be widely available Freixenet, pronounced “fresh-eh-net”, is a family-owned company that grew from humble beginnings in rural Catalunya, Spain. In 1861, two winemaking families, the Ferrers and the Salas, set the stage for the company that would…

  • Another Chilean Wine to Try: 2010 Apaltagua Signature Cabernet Sauvignon

    Kori
    24 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    During my media trip to Chile last fall, I had the opportunity to visit many of Chile’s wine regions, meet many of the movers and shakers in the Chilean wine industry, and taste many of their wines.  Since returning home, I have continued to explore the wines of Chile. Recently, I had the opportunity to taste yet another Chilean wine in a blind samples tasting, the 2010 Apaltagua Signature Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley. Viña Apaltagua, founded by American businessman Edward Tutunjian, produces 235,000 cases annually, which are exported to 40 different countries. The Maipo…

  • A Wine for Tonight: 2012 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Expedition Pinot Gris

    Kori
    17 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? If so, you might want to check out the 2012 Canoe Ridge Vineyard Expedition Pinot Gris from the Horse Heaven Hills of Washington State. Our selection criteria include: A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5) A price tag of <=$20 Must be widely available Canoe Ridge Vineyard, located in Walla Walla, Washington, was established in 1994. The estate vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA was first planted in 1989. Canoe Ridge sources the…
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    girlwithaglass.com

  • Inspired by Earth Day: What is Really Important?

    Alana
    22 Apr 2013 | 10:00 am
    I’m not a fan of specific days or months being allocated to observe something, I like to think people are capable of caring about issues they believe in every day of their lives. However, perhaps declaring Black History Month or one day to celebrate Earth brings an awareness over time that helps raise people’s consciousness. [...]

  • 8 Wines I Would Buy Again

    Alana
    8 Apr 2013 | 6:20 am
      I’m introducing a bunch of wines to you today as a group.  Lots of fun details, I hope you enjoy and find some that you want to try. The wines in the picture each have a unique story. Starting from left to right, here they are: Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. Anyone who reads my [...]

  • Discovering Chilean Wine: Alto Maipo Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon

    Alana
    2 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    Many of us have a hobby.  I have friends who love deep sea fishing, searching for plants in the woods or doing puzzles. A hobby brings out childlike curiosity and pure enjoyment in a person.  It releases us from the mundane chores of life and noise of the day. This wine’s unique label is like [...]

  • Enjoying Wine in Spain

    Alana
    27 Mar 2013 | 7:22 am
    If you have ever been wine tasting, you have experienced tasting five wines in one sitting.  Now imagine this at every lunch and every dinner for eight days.  The trick of course is to not drink full glasses.  Eat small amounts and sip a bit of wine with each bite.  Wine writers don’t normally use [...]

  • Catalan Country Cooking

    Alana
    26 Mar 2013 | 6:31 am
    At the hotel in Vilafranca, Spain there was a nice little library and couches where I would read before dinner. This book was written a few years ago and is hard to find but it is in English and I ordered one when I returned home.  Let’s hope it actually arrives! My interest is in pairing [...]
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    The Good Wine Guru

  • Bella Vita Wine Bags

    George Perry
    16 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Pictured, Chill It 1C Green and Chill It 6 Clear. Not pictured, the Chill It 1 Blue that we broke Not everything I do on here is reviewing wine. Sometimes I get to review wine related products. This happens to be one of those times. Several weeks ago some samples from Bella Vita Bags arrived for me to check out. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate and I didn’t get to use them until more recently as I wasn’t going anywhere that I would need them – namely my deck on a hot day. Fortunately the weather has changed and my wife and I have tried them out during…

  • Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Blanc 2011

    George Perry
    13 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Varietal:  Chenin Blanc Region:  Clarksburg, California – USA Cost:  $16 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  This wine opens with a melange of fruit on the nose. Initial hints of melon, juicy pear, and apple morph into honey and candied peach. Intermingling with the fruit profile is an elegant wisp of floral character that resembles apple blossom. On the palate, this wine is rich and luxuriant with luscious nectarine and white peach flavors. A strong burst of minerality drives this wine through a clean citrus finish. My Review:  I was eager to try this wine after having tried the 2011…

  • Pairing Wine with Sushi

    George Perry
    9 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    While the debate about what the hardest food to pair wine with usually devolves into artichokes and asparagus, sushi is regularly mentioned as being difficult to pair wine with, in part because of the myriad of flavors at work, especially when a wide range of sushi is selected. So, what are some good wine choices for sushi? Which wines can you order with confidence when ordering sushi for a meal? Dry Rose’ Dry rose’s are good pairings for sushi that uses salmon as a focus. The crispness of the wine does a nice job of cutting through the rich fattiness of the fish. Pinot Noir is a…

  • Giordano Primitivo di Manduria D.O.C. “Apulia Collection” 2010

    George Perry
    8 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Varietal:  Sangiovese Region:  Apulia Manduria Cost:  $14 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  The long oak aging gives this wine its intense red-violet color, a rich aroma with hints of figs and other Mediterranean fruits and vanilla, and a full-bodied, warm flavor with soft tannins for a velvety finish. Ideal with roasted or braised red meats and mature and sharp cheeses such as Stilton, Blue, Romano, or Parmesan-Reggiano. My Review:  The last of my Italian wines that showed up a few weeks ago. A dinner of surf and turf with the wife called for something red to pair with the steak, but…

  • Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Viognier 2011

    George Perry
    6 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Varietal:  85% Chenin Blanc; 15% Viognier Region:  Clarksburg, California – USA Cost:  $16 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes:  This wine exhibits a complex bouquet of tropical fruit and floral notes. Initial impressions of melon, apricot, and mango evolve into kaffir lime and mandarin. The fruit is framed by intriguing wisps of ginger and angelica. On the palate, the wine delivers rich stone fruit and pear flavors in a lush syrupy texture. The wine finishes fresh with hints of minerality and mandarin orange. My Review:  I’ve enjoyed the wines from Clarksburg Wine Company that…
 
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    Luscious Lushes

  • Bloggers are irrellevant? Really?

    winebratsf
    10 May 2013 | 12:16 pm
    How did we get here AGAIN.  I feel like we’ve had this conversation every year, since the year I began blogging.  Initially, it was a question of bloggers, online writers, whatever you want to call us, being irrelevant because we were the unknown factor.  Then it was an issue of credibility.  Now, it would appear, that a few people have taken it to the opposite extreme, and make a leap to the assumption that we are irrelevant because no one is reading us due to overload. While it may be true that people don’t read wine blogs the way they “used to”, it’s also…

  • Stancija Meneghetti – a retreat that is star worthy

    winebratsf
    7 May 2013 | 6:57 am
    **picture heavy post** After we settled in to the Hotel Lone, meaning we dumped our bags, dropped our jaws at the amazing location, and looked around, we were whisked off to our next Istrian Adventure locale of Stancija Meneghetti, just outside of town, to experience the farm, the guest house, and the delicious wine. Meneghetti is a beautiful old villa, located in the heart of Istrian vineyards.  From our location in the middle of the scrubrush, one could hardly tell we were a stone’s throw from the Adriadic, but the cooling breezes and climate are a large influence here.  As we…

  • Howell Mountain Cabernet has a special place in my heart!

    winebratsf
    4 May 2013 | 8:13 am
    There is something so special about mountainside fruit in Napa Valley.  With both Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain boasting some famous vineyards & producers, and a very different flavor profile emerging from both of these unique areas, they are both small AVAs that hold a special place in my heart. Napa Valley has been making Cabernet Sauvignon for over 100 years.  Napa can be, and generally is, synonymous with New World Cabernet.  But, for some people, the stereotypical big, fruity, over powering valley floor fruit can be too much.  Now of course, there are always expectations to…

  • Rovinj – an Italian gem, with a distinctly Istrian culture

    winebratsf
    23 Apr 2013 | 7:54 am
    After our adventures in Hum, the Wine-Premacy piled back in our trusty questionable mini van, and hit the road to Rovinj.  Sitting at the western edge of the Istrian peninsula, Rovinj is a city of cultural crossroads, and crumbling Venetian glamour.   The old fortified hilltown can still be seen with the main city gates, build during the Venetian rule, along with the city walls.  While most of the walls are gone now, there are still spots that you can see them, and the shape of the hilltown follows the original town walls. The stunning views of the Adriatic from the top of the church…

  • Dot…dot…dot…

    winebratsf
    22 Apr 2013 | 7:15 am
    I love a good rosé.  I’m also very picky about my rosé.  From pale pink to deep salmon, a rosé of pinot noir can be all over the map, but generally speaking, it is delicious. Sonoma County natives Jonathon and Chris, founded Ellipsis after returning to the area after college.  Jonathon holds a degree in Agribusiness, while Chris has his MBA, but they both realized they wanted to be back in the thick of it.In 2007, they headed back to Healdsburg and decided to combine talents and create a wine brand that created hand crafted, premium wines that showcased the best of the surrounded…
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    Backsberg » Blog

  • Celebrate your mom at Backsberg

    Alana Ridley
    6 May 2013 | 7:50 am
    Celebrate your mom at Backsberg. Join us this Sunday, for Mother’s Day, to celebrate your mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin or sister, along with all the other special women in your life. Settle under the sweeping willow trees and relax with family and friends. Listen to the soft background acoustic music and enjoy a delicious three-course buffet lunch, made up of all the family favourites and old treats. All moms receive a complimentary jar of home-made Backsberg Jam. Adults R215 Children R95 Mother’s Day Menu Starter Mushroom & Sweet Potato Soup Seafood Paella Spinach &…

  • Join Backsberg at Brandy Fusion 2013

    Alana Ridley
    5 May 2013 | 11:45 pm
    Visit Backsberg in the Boutique Pot-Still Brandy Lounge at Brandy Fusion 2013 in Cape Town. We will we showcasing our Sydney Back Brandy NV, our 10 year-old brandy and our bespoke 20 year-old brandy. Don’t miss this glamorous event and a chance to mingle with connoisseurs and Cape Town’s young and refined sophisticates. For more information visit Brandy Fusion 2013.     The post Join Backsberg at Brandy Fusion 2013 appeared first on Backsberg.

  • Dr Ramphele delivers the Smuts Hall Annual Lecture

    Simon Back
    3 May 2013 | 12:46 am
    Dr. Ramphele after delivering the Annual Smuts Hall Lecture We are proud to be the official wine partner of Smuts Hall residence at the University of Cape Town. After staying in Smuts for two years whilst at UCT, I have a soft spot for the res, and have been happy to assist with supplying wine over the last few years. Smuts host a number of top class events. Yesterday saw their Annual Smuts Hall lecture take place. Smuts were very lucky in having Dr Ramphele make the address. Dr Ramphele has played a role in a number of fields, from being a medical doctor, to university executive, to…

  • Join Backsberg at the Winter Sculpture Fair

    Alana Ridley
    25 Apr 2013 | 6:08 am
    Join Backsberg at the Winter Sculpture Fair and enjoy a day of art, wine, food and the countryside. The 2013 Winter Sculpture Fair presented by MasterCard is taking place on 4 and 5 May 2013 at the NIROX Sculpture Park near the Cradle of Humankind, just outside Johannesburg and Pretoria. A showcase of some of South Africa’s best contemporary sculpture, combined with the finest food and wine from the Franschhoek Wine Valley in the Western Cape, the Fair promises visitors an unmatched culinary and cultural day out in the country with friends and family. “The Winter Sculpture Fair will…

  • PPA Tread Lightly Women’s Mountain Bike Challenge

    Alana Ridley
    10 Apr 2013 | 12:33 am
    The PPA Tread Lightly Women’s Mountain Bike Challenge will take place on the 18th of May this year at Backsberg Wine Estate. After the success of last year’s event, this popular ride will offer a route geared for every fitness level ranging from a 5km course, to a 15km route for the more experienced rider and a 35km race for serious, competitive mountain ladies. Female cyclists can enjoy the scenic farm roads through vineyards, orchards and forest areas, whilst testing their endurance on some steep climbs, fast descents and non-technical, single-track sections. The route is marshalled…
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    WineBizNews

  • Baiocchi Wines joins 7 elite Brands in Sutter Creek with its new Tasting Room

    8 May 2013 | 7:23 pm
    Baiocchi Wines Opens New Tasting Room in Sutter CreekGreg Baiocchi, hammer in hand and ladder underfoot, puts the finishing touch on the Baiocchi Tasting Room sign, at 82 Main Street, Sutter Creek, CA.nDirections for wine fun beginning on June 1: Set your GPS for N38 23.58204 W120 48.14621 or just get on picturesque Route 49 in Amador County, CA. Head for Gold-Rush-historic Sutter Creek, and stop at the tasting room of Baiocchi Wines at 82 Main Street, Sutter Creek, CA.During the June 1 Grand Opening Celebration of their new tasting room, winery owners Greg and Sharon Baiocchi will pour their…

  • Truckee River Winery - The Highest and Coldest Winery in California

    23 Jan 2013 | 4:11 pm
    Enjoy wines by the fireplace!The wine, the fireplace and the good appetizers are three good reasons to stop into the cozy tasting room at the Truckee River Winery on Brockway Road, Truckee.  Allow time to chat with winemaker Russ Jones, and make sure that you taste his Pinot Noir.  It’s a perfect way to end a ski weekend! Russ Jones, WinemakerAfter Russ earned his B.S. in Oenology UC Davis’ famous winemaking program , he worked at a few wineries and returned to his hometown of Truckee. His vision was to source quality grapes, and then bring fruit to Truckee  to take…

  • Meeting Baron Eric de Rothschild and Tasting His Wines

    23 Jan 2013 | 4:02 pm
    A great way to learn about a wine is to meet the owner of a winery who is involved in every aspect of producing the wine, from selecting the vines, to determining the use of the land, to giving the go-ahead for harvesting, to tasting, tasting and tasting.   And when this person is Baron Eric de Rothschild of the famous Bordeaux winery Chateau Lafite, it’s a very interesting learning experience indeed. Lafite is one of the leading wines in the world, sought after by wine connoisseurs.   In 2012 in France, a bottle of Chateua Lafite Pauillac grand cru reached the price of…

  • Top Ten Wines of 2012: Numbers 1,2,3,4,5

    23 Jan 2013 | 2:33 pm
    Three of the Top 5 of 2012,per Wilfred WongWilfred Wong is one of the few wine experts that I follow on FaceBook. As Cellar Master for the 130-store retail chain Beverages & More (BevMo), he tastes more than 8000 wines a year.  I’ve found he has a great palate, and so I’m sharing details about his choices of the Top 10 Wines of 2012.  This column covers Numbers 5 to 1.    There are many great wines in this list. Be prepared to open your wallet. Number Five:  The 2011 ZD Chardonnay is an enormously popular wine.  Wilfred had put aside for many years,…

  • Top Ten Wines of 2012 per Wilfred Wong: Wines 6,7,8,9,10

    23 Jan 2013 | 2:25 pm
    Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse 2010, left,and Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc 2011, rightWilfred Wong is one of the few wine experts that I follow on FaceBook. As Cellar Master for the 130-store retail chain Beverages & More (BevMo), he tastes more than 8000 wines a year.  I’ve found he has a great palate, and so I’m sharing details about his choices of the Top 10 Wines of 2012.  This column covers Numbers 10 to 6..  Number 10: 2010 Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz, South Eastern Australia.  Australian Shiraz, once very trendy, fell out of favor for many years. …
 
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    vinoverve.com

  • Wine From the Sunshine State

    GMN
    16 May 2013 | 9:49 am
    Photo by Gretchen Neuman for VinoVerve.com When in Florida, you expect to see a lot of citrus. And man do you ever. But surprisingly enough you don’t really see many grapes. Particularly near Orlando. All you see there are mouse ears and you know who they belong to…. Nevertheless, I, your intrepid locapour am always on the lookout for the local wine. And even in the heart of Disney managed to located Florida wine. Florida Wine? Yes. The wine from Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards is made from grapes but not of the vinifera variety. These are muscadines, the native grapes of the south,…

  • LGBTQ History and Wine Collide

    admin
    15 Apr 2013 | 3:05 pm
    Etching of the Chevalier d’Eon by an unknown author and is in the public domain due to its age. I went to open a bottle of wine last night and saw something that surprised me. The wine that I opened (A white Burgundy) was named for a podcast subject. For those of you have haven’t watched my video podcasts about wine history, the October 28th subject was the Chevalier d’Eon. D’Eon, born Charles-Geneviève-Louis-Auguste-André-Timothée d’Éon de Beaumont in 1728 and was a French diplomat, soldier and spy. Working for Louis XV (Yes, Kevin Neuman, Louis XIV is dead)…

  • The Ohio River Valley AVA Meanders

    admin
    11 Feb 2013 | 1:04 pm
                      Just like the great river for which it is named, the Ohio River Valley AVA has changed its course. I alluded to this over the weekend when I mentioned the new Indiana Uplands AVA. But because I wanted to focus on Indiana Uplands and the also new Elkton AVAs, I didn’t get to the revisions the Ohio River Valley. Today this has changed. As a reminder, this is the original version of the map:                     And the new? Well, I assumed that the variation between the two maps…

  • Busy Week for AVAs

    admin
    9 Feb 2013 | 6:35 pm
    If you are interested in new American Viticultural Areas, then this has been the week for you as the TTB created two new wine regions and amended a third. But first the two new appellations: Indiana Uplands is located in the Hoosier State along the Ohio River. Unlike the old Ohio River Valley AVA, this new region extends further north to Bloomington. The next new appellation is in Oregon. The Elkton AVA is located within the currently existing Southern Oregon and Umpqua Valley regions. The area is located near the confluence of the Umpqua River and Elkton Creek. As for the amended Ohio River…

  • October 31st Wine History

    admin
    31 Oct 2012 | 4:09 pm
    Portrait of Christopher Columbus by Sebastiano del Piombo (1485-1547) and is in the public domain due to its age Powered by Bookmarkify™
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    JancisRobinson.com

  • Above the Côte d'Or (Free for all)

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Wine is one of the most sensitive measures of climate change. A rise in temperature during the growing season can easily result - indeed has resulted - in riper grapes and fuller-bodied wines. Drought in areas such as much of Europe where irrigation is banned can leave grapes shrivelled and more.

  • From Copenhagen to La Paz (Nick on restaurants)

    17 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    I have never yet devoted this column to a restaurant I have not previously eaten in. But such is my enthusiasm for the aspirations that lie behind Gustu in La Paz, Bolivia, which opened on 18 April and is already employing 30 young, marginalised Bolivians, that I trust I will be forgiven on this.

  • Win tickets to taste bordeaux 2012s (Inside information)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    As a Purple Pager, you have the chance to win a pair of tickets to UK wine merchant Bibendum's big tasting of 2012 bordeaux at Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW1,  on 5 June 2013.  Once again, Bibendum are hosting over 70 Bordeaux properties at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London giving.

  • Clos de Tart v Monfortino (Tasting articles)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Last February I was invited to an intriguing comparative tasting of Mommessin's Clos de Tart v Giacomo Conterno's Barolo Monfortino. Intriguing because, on the face of it, the wines have nothing in common: different grape variety, different terroir and different country. I thought it merely looked.

  • Codorniu, Selección Raventos NV Cava (Wines of the week)

    16 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    From €6.99, 9 Swiss francs, $10.99, Ca$13.95, £7.95, 99 Swedish krone, etc Find this wine This is a funny one. Although I am delightedly aware of some exceptional super-cuvées, I have to admit I am not the world's greatest fan of Cava. Too often I find it too frothy and uncomfortable to enjoy..
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    Drinking Outside The Box

  • Wine Tasting Video: Sauvignon Blanc from Chile & New Zealand

    Simon
    15 May 2013 | 1:15 am
    Tweet Miguel Torres Santa Digna Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Curicó, Chile (£7.99 Bablake Wines, Big Wines, Celtic Wines, Cotswold Vintners, Lewis and Cooper, Partridges, Portland Wines) Crisp, restrained but confident style, with grassy lemon, grapefruit and rhubarb flavours set against pithy river pebble minerality. S- The Society’s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough (£8.95 The Wine [...]

  • Wine Tasting Video: Three Non-Vintage Champagnes

    Simon
    13 May 2013 | 3:28 am
    Tweet Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaïque NV (£25 Majestic, Great Western Wine) An attractive mix of richness and crispness, with tangy apple (fresh and cooked) flavours combining with toasty maturity. S- Champagne Canard-Duchêne Authentic Green NV (£30-£35 Oddbins) Feels rather heavy-footed, with sulphury overtones dampening the flavours. Not a success. C(-) Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV (£30.99 [...]

  • Wine Tasting Video: Sangiovese from Tuscany & Corsica

    Simon
    8 May 2013 | 10:36 am
    Tweet Terra Nostra Nielluccio Corse Rouge 2011, Corsica, France (£7.25 The Wine Society) The bruised cherry edge and slightly tart, appley acidity seem more Italian than French, good fresh earthy style, but needs some fat and tomato to fight against. B+ Poggio del Sasso Sangiovese di Toscana 2011, Italy (£6.95 The Wine Society) It comes [...]

  • Wine Tasting Video: Portuguese White, Rosé & Port

    Simon
    3 May 2013 | 7:12 am
    Tweet Adega de Monção Vinho Verde 2011 (£5.95 The Wine Society) Young and briny, with an Alka Seltzer/sherbetty spritz, and tangy pear and ripe red apple flesh. B+ Quinta da Romaneira Douro White 2011 (£16.99 Corks Out, Wine Utopia, Winearray, The Fine Wine Company, Exel Wines, The Wine Reserve, Liberty Wines) Like a Sauvignon with [...]

  • Wine Tasting Video: Five Douro Reds

    Simon
    23 Apr 2013 | 3:39 am
    Tweet Tons de Duorum Red 2011 (£8.20 The Real Wine Company, Duncan Murray, Totnes Wines, Halifax Wines, Tanners, Wine Cellar) Joyously fruity youngster, with plush berry, damson and plum flavours, notes of earthy spice and a chewy backbone. S- Quinta da Romaneira Liceiras 2009 (£12.99 Vagabond Wines, The Hampstead Butcher & Providore, Quaff Fine Wine Merchant, [...]
 
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    PALATE PRESS

  • Visiting European Wine Regions? Throw Out the Itinerary!

    Evan Dawson
    14 May 2013 | 8:00 pm
    Wine tourists can be tempted to pack their schedule with winery appointments. Here’s why they shouldn’t The post Visiting European Wine Regions? Throw Out the Itinerary! appeared first on PALATE PRESS.

  • Embracing the Obscure

    David White
    14 May 2013 | 9:28 am
    California’s revolutionary vintners are willing to embrace the state’s vast and varied climate by avoiding popular grapes and bottling the obscure. They're worth celebrating. The post Embracing the Obscure appeared first on PALATE PRESS.

  • Terroir: Do We Have Evidence?

    Erika Szymanski
    12 May 2013 | 8:00 pm
    At this point, its reasonably common knowledge that terroir isn’t all about soil. Studies since the 1970’s have told us that wine from grapes grown on different soil types in different locations don’t necessary taste different. Nouveau chic wine critics – Steve Heimoff, Eric Asimov, W. Blake Gray, among others – have announced that they [...] The post Terroir: Do We Have Evidence? appeared first on PALATE PRESS.

  • Standing out of the crowd through crowdfunding: a new world for wine writers

    Jeff Siegel
    5 May 2013 | 8:42 pm
    In the old days, Alice Feiring knew exactly what she needed to do to launch her natural wine newsletter – find a publisher willing to give her an advance. But the old days are gone, and publishers are worrying about other things, like staying in business. So Feiring, perhaps the most respected natural wine writer [...] The post Standing out of the crowd through crowdfunding: a new world for wine writers appeared first on PALATE PRESS.

  • Wine With Salad: Pairing Tricks from the Pros

    Meg Houston Maker
    1 May 2013 | 8:00 pm
    You can't pair wine with salad, can you? Yes, you can, and here are a dozen tricks that show you how. The post Wine With Salad: Pairing Tricks from the Pros appeared first on PALATE PRESS.
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    Vin65

  • Five Automatic Emails and Why We Like Them

    30 Apr 2013 | 10:50 am
    1. The Tasting Room Visit Receipt Driven by sustainability and customer service, large retailers like Macy's, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Nordstrom, Best Buy, Whole Foods, Kmart, Sears and Gap all now offer consumers the option to have their receipts emailed to them.  In fact, a third (35%) of retailers offer digital receipts, and half of them do so at all their stores, according to a survey of 3,900 retailers released in 2012 by marketing firm Epsilon.  Is your tasting room taking a cue from this growing "green" trend?  This might be a great time to implement a…

  • Flea Market Finds for Mobile POS

    9 Apr 2013 | 10:41 am
    Guest post by Susan DeMatei - Susan is the owner of Wine Glass Marketing, a consulting firm specializing in Direct Marketing for wineries. She is the winner of a Direct Marketing Association Achievement Award, a Certified Sommelier, a Certified Specialist in Wine and has over 20 year's experience in Direct Marketing in the luxury digital arena. You can read her blog at wineglassmarketing.com/blog. An interesting benefit to the smart phone revolution is mobile payments. I can't remember the last time I used cash, can you? It seems that everything you buy from anyone can be handled with…

  • Your Website as a Tool to Grow Your Mailing List

    26 Mar 2013 | 11:24 am
    Typically, marketing is responsible for two things: Getting sales from the existing customer database, and Growing the potential customer database. Are you using your website to the best of it's ability to capture and grow your database?  If you monitor Google Analytics, you'll see the % of new visitors to your site - that is a large group of potential new customers to add to your mailing list. Furthermore, these new visitors that come to your site via search or SEO are high-quality potential customer.  Search-engine optimization (SEO - bringing people to your site who are…

  • Customizing Wine Clubs

    12 Mar 2013 | 11:30 am
    The more "custom" your club, the more specific, hands-on processing is necessary to meet each requests which increases the opportunity for mistakes If you’re like most wineries, you love your club members. There is no other industry that we know of where a customer says, “Just keep my credit card on file and charge me periodically for whatever you’re selling.” So, when one leaves, it hurts. Sometimes it is outside of your control, but one of the most common reasons for leaving a wine club is that the customer didn't like the wine you sent. Instead of the…

  • Top 5 Questions asked at January's Trade Shows

    20 Feb 2013 | 12:00 pm
    Like many of our colleagues and wineries, we attended both the Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium in San Francisco and the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento last month.  We were on-hand to demonstrate our new iPad Point Of Sale (POS) system, and answer questions about Vin65.  We thought we'd share the top 5 questions, and link to some of our documentation. Question 5: "Can I sell wine on Facebook?" Yes, there are a few different ways you can sell wine through Facebook. You can sell wine directly from your existing Facebook fan page or you can sell wine…
 
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    Hungry Crowd

  • I ♥ Cabernet Franc

    13 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Illustration © Alex Nabaum I don’t understand why Cabernet Franc is less popular than its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon—I love its herbal, tea-leaf scent, its lighter body and its vivid acidity. It grows well in a wide range of...

  • Almost-Extinct Grapes to Try Now

    10 Apr 2013 | 4:35 am
    Winemakers across Europe have worked to save indigenous grape varieties from extinction, often bringing them back from a few surviving vines. Here are four to try. Illustration © Alex Nabaum Malagousia In the late 1970s, winemaker Vangelis...

  • Superb Easter Wines under $15

    27 Mar 2013 | 5:00 am
    Illustration by Kathryn Rathke. Here, F&W's amazing Executive Wine Editor names his top picks for wines under $15 to celebrate Easter. NV Sciarpa Prosecco ($12.99)Easter dinner is usually either ham or lamb (at least here in the US), a...

  • Italian Wines for Chicken

    25 Mar 2013 | 8:00 am
    Photo © Michael Turek Before launching their much-anticipated new Manhattan restaurant, Charlie Bird, sommelier Robert Bohr and chef Ryan Hardy organized a wine tasting and dinner centered around a fantastic roast chicken recipe. Here, Boh...

  • Great Passover Wines Under $15

    22 Mar 2013 | 5:03 am
    Illustration by Kathryn Rathke. Here, F&W's fabulous Executive Wine Editor names his top picks for wines under $15 to celebrate Passover. 2011 Barkan Classic Chardonnay ($12.99)Barkan, Israel’s second largest winery, makes this C...
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    The Wine Making Guy

  • Wine Rack Plan

    Lydia Robie
    18 May 2013 | 5:41 pm
    www.andymangold.com Also Check Outwine makingWine DaddioVintage Green Wicker Wine Rack by @ssmith7157 liked by wickerparadise, visit our wicker furniture selection.Vouvray wine rack-0112.jpgTuscany Vin Santo (holy wine) home made, the sweet wine to drink with Cantuccini biscuits.Learn How to Make Wine

  • Wine Daddio

    Debra Gill
    18 May 2013 | 5:41 pm
    Sam’s Wine, Chicago Also Check Outwine makingWine Rack PlanVintage Green Wicker Wine Rack by @ssmith7157 liked by wickerparadise, visit our wicker furniture selection.Vouvray wine rack-0112.jpgTuscany Vin Santo (holy wine) home made, the sweet wine to drink with Cantuccini biscuits.Learn How to Make Wine

  • Vintage Green Wicker Wine Rack by @ssmith7157 liked by wickerparadise, visit our wicker furniture selection.

    Reginald Kelley
    18 May 2013 | 5:41 pm
    Vintage Green Wicker Wine Rack by @ssmith7157 liked by wickerparadise, visit our wicker furniture selection. via blog.wickerparadise.com/post/42720257598/vintage-green-wi… Also Check Outwine makingWine DaddioWine Rack PlanVouvray wine rack-0112.jpgTuscany Vin Santo (holy wine) home made, the sweet wine to drink with Cantuccini biscuits.Learn How to Make Wine

  • Vouvray wine rack-0112.jpg

    David Moore
    18 May 2013 | 5:41 pm
    Holiday snaps… The pupitre wine rack. www.cp-vouvray.com/vouvray-wine/cellar-visit/short-tour.html Also Check Outwine makingWine DaddioWine Rack PlanVintage Green Wicker Wine Rack by @ssmith7157 liked by wickerparadise, visit our wicker furniture selection.Tuscany Vin Santo (holy wine) home made, the sweet wine to drink with Cantuccini biscuits.Learn How to Make Wine

  • Expandable 12-bottle Custom Wine Rack

    David Moore
    18 May 2013 | 5:41 pm
    Also Check Outwine makingHanging Wine Glass RackCLEAR FISH BOWL – CLEAR FISH SHAPED BOWLLocal wine maker Chuck Egner explains the wine making process at his ’37 Cellars winery.Super Transfer Pump with Pre-FilterLearn How to Make Wine
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    VINEgeek

  • Tasting Trione

    Jim/VINEgeek
    8 May 2013 | 4:55 am
    Here’s a sextet of wines from Trione, tasted from 50ml Tasting Room samples. Trione 2010 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley Pungent nose calls to mind fresh-cut grass. Bright lime flavors with a saline quality (tequila shot?) and sharp acidity. It has a persistant, mineral finish. Some might find it too lean for their tastes, but I think it’s quite good. Off to a great start. Trione 2008 Chardonnay Russian River Valley Buttery baked goods & melon, creamy on the palate apples and  I feel the oak more than taste it. For a buttery Chard, it’s strikes me as not…

  • VINEgeek VINstagram

    Jim/VINEgeek
    17 Apr 2013 | 6:28 pm
    World #MalbecDay #vinegeek on Instagram: http://instagram.com/p/YOkYh8M5-O/

  • Mourvèdre Monday #30, Double-Feature: Vinavanti Mourvèdre & Rosé

    Jim/VINEgeek
    15 Apr 2013 | 6:55 am
    Vinavanti is an urban winery in San Diego whose Black Label wines emphasize a natural winemaking approach. Knowing my interest in Mourvèdre-based wines, Eric Van Drunen was kind enough to provide two bottles as samples for review. Both the 2011 Mourvèdre and Clara Rosé, sourced from nearby Temecula Valley,  are hand-picked, native-fermentation, unfined/unfiltered, no sulfite wines. Au naturel, mes amis. Let’s see what’s up. Vinavanti 2011 Mourvèdre Temecula Valley (Summit Vineyard) Nearly 100% Mourvèdre, with a little Grenache and Syrah Dried fruit character —…

  • Khal Drogo Says: Keep Calm And Drink Mourvèdre

    Jim/VINEgeek
    14 Apr 2013 | 5:50 am
    It’s nice having Khal Drogo on #TeamMourvedre! This wonderful image comes from the people behind Game of Rhones (why didn’t I think of that name!), a Rhone-focused wine event in Melbourne, Australia. Check out the website; they’re really all-in with the Game of Thrones theme. Oh, and the wine sounds awesome, too. I only wish I wasn’t on the other side of the world. Hidden message?  If you look closely, you can see the word “Hodor” just to the right of Drogo’s face. We’ll take Hodor on #TeamMourvedre, too.  

  • House VINEgeek: We Drink Only Interesting Wine

    Jim/VINEgeek
    7 Apr 2013 | 1:04 pm
      In preparation for Game of Thrones Episode 2 tonight, here’s my sigil for House VINEgeek: Make your own at JoinTheRealm.com
 
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    ELLOINOS

  • Boston Marathon

    Markus Stolz
    15 May 2013 | 8:24 am
    This guest article has nothing to do with wine, although in a wider sense with Greek roots. My long term readers know how passionate my wife is about running. She ran the Boston Marathon exactly one month ago. This is her recount. “In 2008 I ran my first ever marathon in Athens out of curiosity about myself. The sport got to me and six more followed whilst I kept pursuing two goals ever since: 1. To run a marathon in less than 3 1/2 hours. 2. To participate in the most historic marathon event in the world: Boston. The first goal required hard training and discipline. The second required…

  • Bosinakis Mantinia Moschofilero

    Markus Stolz
    9 May 2013 | 9:38 am
    Lime and stones, crisp acidity, sharp and focused. If I would stop with the wine descriptors here, one might think of Assyrtiko. But there is more to add: Aromatic, perfumed, with layers of rose petals. Enter a unique Moschofilero from Mantinia, the cool climate PDO appellation, which is deservedly famed for this variety. The Bosinakis family has a long winemaking tradition, yet the 2012 Mantinia Moschofilero is only their fourth vintage of this wine. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 650 metres/2150 feet; the soils are dominated by clay. The harvest took place in the first week of…

  • Biblical wines

    Markus Stolz
    23 Apr 2013 | 8:59 am
    Rarely has a wine book captivated me as much as the truly fascinating “Divine Vintage – following the wine trail from Genesis to the modern age”. I met the authors Randall Heskett, a biblical scholar, and Joel Butler MW, last year in Greece, where they visited as part of their ongoing research. At the time, I merely thought that the subject of the book was quite interesting. The book was released in November last year. After reading it for the first time, I was left not only richer in knowledge, but more importantly, the richness of the added context has profoundly impacted my…

  • Greek wine bargains hit Belgium

    Markus Stolz
    10 Apr 2013 | 7:03 am
    Many shifts are taking place within the Greek wine industry. Smart online retailers like House of Wine take advantage of the shattered distribution system and experience solid growth rates. Wine bars have become very trendy, and wine lovers enjoy small plates of food with extensive selections of wines offered by the glass.  In both cases, the combination of good value for quality and consumer education proves to be a winning combination. It is very satisfying to see these entrepreneurial businesses thrive, but they form only a part of the much larger picture. Greece is awash with unsold…

  • Koniaros

    Markus Stolz
    4 Apr 2013 | 9:13 am
    Fact File Koniaros Area grown: Serres, Macedonia, in the far north of Greece, close to the Bulgarian border. Currently Domaine Nerantzi is the only producer of a varietal Koniaros. History: Koniaros is an ancient variety that had been left behind due to low yields. Nerantzi Mitropoulos came across vines in 1998. He had them DNA tested, registered Koniaros with the authorities, preserved and cultivates it. Grapes: Large, thick skinned berries. Koniaros is a late ripening variety; harvest typically takes place in the last week of September. Nose/Bouquet: Blackberries, cocoa, coffee, spicy.
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    Uvinum's blog

  • An Albariño from California?

    14 May 2013 | 1:17 am
    The Albariño grape from Galicia and Portugal has exciting possibilities in California, and more specifically in the Russian River Valley. This vineyard seems to prosper in their harvest and Marimar Torres, from Bodegas Torres states that they have great expectations. "The Californian Albariño is not as sour as the Galicia Albariño. The one that we are reaping in the Russian River is round, aromatic and mineral". Let’s recall that the Albariño is a white grape variety used for wines with Denomination of Origin “Rias Baixas” and Portuguese “Vinho Verde”. The story says that the…

  • Whisky Glossary (II)

    13 May 2013 | 1:06 am
    In this second part of the Whisky Glossary we will continue with a brief explanation of some terms that are related to this spectacular drink: N New Make Spirit: Spirit just off the still, ready to be diluted to Cask Strensht for Ageing. Nose: The smell of a whisky. P Peated Malt: Malt whisky with the smoky smell that comes from treating barley with Peat. Pot Still: Stills used for batch distillation. The liquid is distilled usually twice, occasionally three times, first in a Wash still and then in a Spirit still. R Reflux: Vapour high in alcohol that…

  • Cosmopolitan: about cocktails

    10 May 2013 | 1:19 am
    We start a series of articles devoted to various cocktails from around the world. From gin and tonic to bloody mary to the latest cocktails. It appears that such combinations don't go out of style and are more alive than ever. To begin with... fancy a cosmopolitan?  The poshest drink, preferred by Carrie Bradshaw, the protagonist of the TV show Sex and the City, a character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, it does not know about trends, and survives the passing years. Madonna also made it famous in the 90s, drinking one in a bar, attracting the interest of many fans who were asking…

  • What is the difference between sweet and fortified wines?

    9 May 2013 | 1:15 am
    Confronted to the vast choice of wine available on the market we often have to take difficult decisions when it comes to choose one. Don’t forget the original flavours of the sweet and fortified wines! These are two options to consider when you are facing the wide (and wild?) world of wines. The most important difference between a regular wine and a sweet wine is its residual sugar content. Sweet wines are those that have a high percentage of alcohol and are sweet thanks to a long aging. The grapes are crushed and put to fermentation. The yeast then…

  • What is a “Prestige Cuvée” champagne?

    8 May 2013 | 1:26 am
    A champagne Cuvée Prestige (or Prestige Cuvée) is considered to be the very best product of each producer. One of the first Cuvée was Moët & Chandon Dom Pérignon, launched in 1935 thanks to the idea of Robert-Jean de Vogüe. As the Great Depression was striking he thought that only a luxury champagne could bring comfort to his privileged consumers. It is a mix between the best plots, made with grapes from the best Grand Cru. For being the highest quality product its price is higher than the rest of the options that we can find in the market. According to Richard Geoffroy,…
 
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    Wine Blog

  • Charm School Dropouts at Wine Tastings

    Jo Diaz
    17 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    This is a rerun, people, because it’s still so relevant. I know that not everyone in the business had read this – in fact, probably most people haven’t.  But, everyone I know who pours wine can relate, once they’ve read the following story. I love W. Blake Gray, of the Gray Market Report. When he [...]The post Charm School Dropouts at Wine Tastings appeared first on Wine Blog.

  • Do what you want trips, a wine friend of mine emerges as a traveling inspiration

    Jo Diaz
    15 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Ah to be young and unencumbered, and to be able to just “do what you want trips”… David Shabelman was working for The Hess Collection, last I knew, and then he just slipped away. It happens a lot in the wine business… It’s a swinging door of “who’s now where?” our here. With 6,000 wineries [...]The post Do what you want trips, a wine friend of mine emerges as a traveling inspiration appeared first on Wine Blog.

  • The Third Annual Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium is announced by Oak Knoll Winery

    Jo Diaz
    14 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    The Third Annual Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium is announced by Oak Knoll Winery, as Oregon Pinot Gris continues to gather national awareness and the effort for understanding it continues. It will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at Oak Knoll Winery. This year’s focus is going to be “What the marketing efforts for Oregon [...]The post The Third Annual Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium is announced by Oak Knoll Winery appeared first on Wine Blog.

  • Content Marketing for wine blogs just upped the ante

    Jo Diaz
    10 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    I’ve specifically written a blog post called, “Content Marketers: If you’ve *really* been reading my blog, then you know it’s my personal wine journal.” [Definition of content marketing: Wiki ~ "Content marketing is any marketing format that involves the creation and sharing of media and publishing content in order to acquire customers."] Now, when I’m [...]The post Content Marketing for wine blogs just upped the ante appeared first on Wine Blog.

  • BARRA of Mendocino is offering a wonderful way to honor your mom in wine country this Sunday

    Jo Diaz
    8 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    I got an Email and thought, “BARRA of Mendocino is offering a wonderful way to honor moms, with a Mother’s Day brunch?” … How lovely is that, and I wish I still had my mother, so I could honor her. Instead, I still remember her last words to me. She had been looking up to [...]The post BARRA of Mendocino is offering a wonderful way to honor your mom in wine country this Sunday appeared first on Wine Blog.
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    4488: A Ridge Blog

  • #RidgeSomms: To Dine In The Valleys

    Christopher Watkins
    17 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    When you are Ridge Vineyards, and you have invited 12 of the best and brightest food & wine luminaries in the country to your estates, you are faced with a daunting question: where do you take them for dinner? Part I. If you are Ridge Vineyards/Monte Bello , and you are 2300 feet above The […]

  • #RidgeSomms: Jackets Are Preferred

    Christopher Watkins
    17 May 2013 | 10:18 am
    If there is one thing I get teased about above all else, it is the fact that I always wear a sportcoat. In fact, it wouldn’t be far from the truth to say, that literally not a day goes by without someone remarking on my constant penchant for appearing so encoated. But to borrow a […]

  • 10 Years of the Geyserville: Celebrating 2011, Tasting 2001

    Christopher Watkins
    16 May 2013 | 3:19 pm
    We’ve been fortunate to have great cause for discussion of late, as regards the 2011 Geyserville, courtesy of  a recent honorific bestowed by the Quarterly Review of Wines: CO-BEST OF SHOW 2011 Ridge Geyserville, Sonoma County 2011 Ridge Geyserville, Sonoma County $38. Soft, spicy, textured, concentrated, with strawberry-cherry flavors and elegant finish. Delicious! CO-BEST OF […]

  • #RidgeSomms: One Mile High And Rising!

    Christopher Watkins
    16 May 2013 | 9:45 am
    I’ll endeavor to roll like a composer for a moment, and see if I can’t harmonize a few contrapuntal threads. Melody # 1 — make it the bass line — goes a little something like this: If you know football, you know Denver, and if you know Denver, you know the Broncos, and if you […]

  • #RidgeSomms: The Powers of Austin!

    Christopher Watkins
    15 May 2013 | 12:54 pm
    Great restaurants are of a place. They are an integral component in their regional eco-culinary oeno-system. They cannot, and should not, be considered separate – or separately – from their immediate environment. They are a thread in fabric, a note on a stave, a rhyme in a line, a dab on a canvas, a soul […]
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    Steve Ferree's feed

  • Wine events plentiful throughout California this weekend

    Steve Ferree, California Wine Examiner
    17 May 2013 | 7:49 pm
    Wine regions from north to south are inviting wine lovers to visit this weekend for many special events. One of these events should be close to you and provide you the opportunity to visit with winemakers, try some barrel...

  • Paso Robles Wine Festival - May 17-19

    Steve Ferree, California Wine Examiner
    13 May 2013 | 9:58 pm
    Come to the Paso Robles Wine Country this weekend to learn more about this wonderful wine region. This is a celebration of taste, tradition and the triumphs of wine ambition. The winemakers of Paso Robles invite you to...

  • Taste of Alexander Valley - May 17-19

    Steve Ferree, California Wine Examiner
    13 May 2013 | 9:28 pm
    The Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association invites you to the 16th annual Taste of Alexander Valley on May 18-19, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Over 30 wineries will host their own special wine and food...

  • Celebrate Lodi Zinfanels at ZinFest May 18-19

    Steve Ferree, California Wine Examiner
    12 May 2013 | 9:39 pm
    Lodi’s winemakers will come together on May 18-19 for Lodi’s premier wine tasting event, ZinFest, to celebrate California’s heritage grape with Zinfandel lovers from around the world. Visitors can savor the bounty of...

  • Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival coming May 17-19

    Steve Ferree, California Wine Examiner
    7 Apr 2013 | 10:15 pm
    The Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival on May 17-19 brings together some of the best Pinot Noirs from one of the best Pinot Noir regions. This festival has something for everyone from technical sessions to winemaker dinners to winery...
 
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    Wine Channel TV

  • Big Bold Meatball and Wine Pairings

    JustJess
    7 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    How do you like your meatballs? With spaghetti? Ravioli? Or a big bold glass of wine. Wine Channel TV enjoys them so much, we even judge meatball competitions around the world.  If you’re like me, you like the best of both with extra sauce and extra wine. From across the globe, here are a few versions             (thanks Wikipedia) of the popular meatball to pair with your big, bold wine: In Belgium, meatballs are called ballekes or bouletten in Flanders, and are usually made of a mixture of beef and pork with breadcrumbs and sliced onions. Many other variations exist,…

  • Wine Lifestyle – Winemaker For A Day with Raymond Vineyards

    JustJess
    10 Apr 2013 | 5:06 am
    “The more I taste, the less I know”, was a memorable thought from Jean-Charles Boisset on a Wine Experience tour at Raymond Vineyards. Move over Master Chefs, Top Chefs, Reality TV cooks. We’ve got the reality TV equivalent with the “Winemaker For A Day” wine lifestyle experience at Raymond Vineyards. Wine Channel TV CEO and Certified Sommelier  Jessica Altieri was onsite with Jean-Charles Boisset at Raymond Vineyards for a complete tour of the tasting experience. Here’s what you can expect at Raymond Vineyards:  “The Blending Room allows guests to…

  • Wine Lifestyle London with Wine Channel TV

    JustJess
    4 Apr 2013 | 4:02 am
    Shrouded in rich history and culture, Gordon’s Wine Bar is positioned in central London and has the status of the oldest wine bar in London, established in 1890. It’s a Wine Channel TV Wine Lifestyle pick of the week! Wine Lifestyle with Wine Channel TV This famous bar is adored by old and young alike thanks to the totally unique atmosphere in which time seems to have stood still. As you enter the bar there’s a room with old wooden walls covered in historical newspaper cuttings and memorabilia faded with age, only adding to the character. If the sun is out you can also sit outside…

  • International Wine Channel TV Awards Competition

    JustJess
    22 Mar 2013 | 5:09 am
    Announcing The First International Wine Channel TV Awards. Live Consumer Tasting Event and Award-Winning Wines to be Promoted Worldwide  on Wine Channel TV. Santa Rosa, CA – Vineyard & Winery Management (VWM) has just expanded its wine competitions to include the inaugural International Wine Channel TV Awards. Judging for the competition will occur September 4-5, 2013 in Sonoma County, California. The face of Wine Channel TV is Jessica Altieri, professional wine judge and media personality, who will step into the position as spokesperson and judge for the International Wine Channel TV…

  • Wine Lifestyle Cupcake and Cookie Classic

    JustJess
    18 Mar 2013 | 4:38 am
    How about a Butcher’s vanilla, maple, and bacon cupcake? Wine, cookies and cupcakes. Most of us could make it a habit. If you happen to be in wine Healdsburg, there are plenty of places to get that favorite bottle of wine. But cupcakes and cookies? That’s the wine lifestyle magic of Moustache Baked Goods. Wine Channel TV and wine lifestyle host Jessica Altieri stopped by to visit and see how the magic is “made” in the heart of downtown Healdsburg. What to try? How about “The Outlaw” which is a combination of chocolate cake with chocolate caramel frosting and sea salt. You like…
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    NorCal Wine Blog

  • Comments and Analysis on the 2012 Barrel Samples at Passport to Cabernet

    9 May 2013 | 8:19 am
    The 2013 Passport to Cabernet took place at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco on May 6. The annual event is put on by the California Cabernet Society. It’s goal is to promote California Cabernet... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • On Baseball & Bubbly: Mumm Napa & San Francisco Giants Co-Brand Wine

    8 May 2013 | 8:30 pm
    Monday was a big day at AT&T Park. San Francisco Giants fans reminisced about Willie Mays on his 82nd birthday. That morning, the team had also popped corks in honor of a new venture with Mumm... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Balance - In the Eye of the Beholder

    6 May 2013 | 6:57 am
    Thomas Riley recently published a thoughtful overview on the current debate about balance, ripeness and alcohol levels in California wine. It’s a difficult, multifaceted issue with intelligent and... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tasted—5 Rhone Variety Wines from Clos Solene

    3 May 2013 | 12:30 am
    I was in Paso Robles last weekend for the Cabs of Distinction events (more on that soon). There I met up with Guillaume Fabre, production manager at L’Aventure winery where he’s worked since arriving... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • 7 Wine Events for this Weekend, April 26 - 28

    23 Apr 2013 | 8:54 pm
    Passport to Dry Creek Valley - Saturday and Sunday The biggest event this weekend is Passport to Dry Creek Valley. However, if you don't have tickets already you will need to hope for cancellations.... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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    Wine of the Day

  • 2009 Cornerstone Cellars “The Cornerstone” Napa Valley

    7 May 2013 | 5:54 am
    2009 is the inaugural bottling of The Cornerstone, a best barrels blend of Cornerstone Cellars Bordeaux varieties. The intent is to produce a top-quality, age-worthy wine that is also a clear expression of the vintage. Included varieties and their ratios will vary from year to year, as befits the vintage and vineyards. This vintage is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from the U.C. Davis Oakville Station Vineyard which lies within the much larger To Kalon Vineyard. It was blended with 2.5% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. After barrel aging and bottling, Cornerstone Cellars held the wine for…

  • 2009 Laetitia Pinot Noir Single Vineyard La Colline Arroyo Grande Valley

    1 May 2013 | 9:10 pm
    Laetitia Vineyard and Winery primarily produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine from its estate vineyards in the Arroyo Grande Valley AVA. Their site is about 5 miles southeast of the town of Arroyo Grande and stretches from Highway 101 east up into the hills. From the higher vineyards you can easily see the Pacific Ocean just 3 miles away. Its tremendous cooling effect allows for very long growing seasons but excellent acidity in the grapes. Depending on where you stand, the soil is either alluvial, deep piles of volcanic rock or limestone. The La Colline vineyard is at the…

  • 2010 Lange Twins Chardonnay Estate Grown Clarksburg AVA

    29 Apr 2013 | 9:14 pm
    The Lange family has been growing grapes in Lodi since 1916. They have expanded their land holdings and areas of involvement within the wine business substantially over the years. In 2006 they established the Lange Twins Winery which produces wine under that label as well as Caricature and Green Hills. David Akiyoshi is the head winemaker. Prior to joining Lange Twins he was director of winemaking at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi which is also in the Lodi area. (David is also proprietor of School Street Bistro in downtown Lodi. I've eaten there twice and recommend it.) Lange has vineyards in…

  • 2012 Borra Vineyards Artist Series Kerner Lodi AVA

    26 Apr 2013 | 4:05 pm
    Borra Vineyards is among the oldest and best wine producers in Lodi. Stephen Borra etablished the winery in 1975 on 30-acre Barbera and Carignane vineyard he purchased from his family in 1966. Borra acquired an additional 200 acres of vineyard in another location in 1992. The winery and tasting room remain at the original vineyard on E. Armstrong Road. Markus Niggli, a native of the German-speaking part of Switzerland, has been the winemaker at Borra for 6 years. Most of the wines are made from varietals that you expect from Lodi: Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, Merlot, etc. Lately though, Niggli…

  • 2010 Wren Hop Pinot Noir “Fire Messenger” Sonoma Coast

    24 Apr 2013 | 3:02 am
    Wren Hop Vineyards is a small, Santa Rosa-based label operated by the father and son team of James McDonough and... James McDonough. The focus is Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from top vineyards in the Russian River Valley AVA and Sonoma Coast AVA. These include the Sunchase, Gap’s Crown and Goldrock Ridge Vineyards as well as the Wren Hop estate vineyard. The wines are crafted by Russell Bevan, a very talented producer of expressive, sensual wines. The 2010 Wren Hop Fire Messenger is dark ruby with a captivating nose of strawberry, Chinese five-spice, black raspberry, tangy herb and blood…
 
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    Snooth - Articles

  • Grilling Guide: Chicken

    Gregory Dal Piaz
    16 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    Chicken is like the blank canvas of the culinary world. Mild and amenable, it’s an easy vehicle to bring global flavors to life. So this summer, instead of just slathering on the barbeque sauce, let your chicken take you to the far flung corners of taste. With so many choices to choose from, you can be adventurous and inventive when it comes to grilling chicken. The meat tends to pick up flavors from marinades quite quickly, and if you are careful to prevent the skin from burning, you can really get a well-distributed layer of flavors that adds something to every bite. And don’t…

  • Cocktail of the Month

    Sara Kay
    15 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    The first time I saw a caipirinha (pronounced Kai-Pee-Reen-Ya) on a cocktail menu, I assumed it was a typo. Not only had I never seen a caipirinha at a bar, I’d certainly never heard of the base spirit that makes it so exceptional, cachaca. A big advocate of trying new things, I jumped at the opportunity to try this new libation that I wrongfully assumed was a signature twist on a margarita. One sip and I realized that not only was this nothing like a margarita, it was one of the most refreshing and unique cocktails I’d never tasted, making it the perfect Cocktail of the Month for…

  • Only In Piedmont

    Gregory Dal Piaz
    14 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    I'm sitting here in Piedmont on a beautiful late spring day, lamenting the coming rains as well as the masses of tourists. The fact that this spring has been decidedly wet certainly contributes to a mad rush like this when the weather turns, but what I’ve seen is ridiculous! Ridiculous, but expected. I mean how long can the treasures of Piemonte escape our collective attention? I am of course talking about the glorious wines, but also about the food. Even the people and the accommodations they offer are so Piedmontese! There is so much that one has to come to Piedmont to experience.

  • Bars We Love: The Wayland

    Sara Kay
    13 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    Alphabet City is one of New York City’s most eclectic neighborhoods, not just because of the diverse range of people who inhabit it, but because of the cultural attractions that are on every corner. Bars and restaurants of all different shapes, sizes and cocktail prices have set up shop in Alphabet City for the young and outgoing customer base that it attracts, making this a fairly overwhelming part of town, but a fun one nonetheless. The Wayland, a cozy cocktail bar on Avenue C, boasts an incredible cocktail menu that is bringing in more and more of these outgoing people who may enjoy…

  • A Calistoga Classic

    Gregory Dal Piaz
    13 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
    Last year I was lucky to have suffered from an excess of riches, but my travel schedule pushed reporting on many events to the bottom of my pile. I'm only now catching up with all of my notes, so while these notes are delayed, they certainly warrant publication. Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon is considered one of the blue chip Napa Valley Cabernets, with a long history of producing distinctive wines that age like few others. Chateau Montelena Barrels image courtesy of MasonCooper via Flickr/CC Originally founded in 1882 and operated through Prohibition, Chateau Montelena was…
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    The Wine Travelers

  • Linguine with Clam Sauce and Pancetta

    Joe
    18 May 2013 | 10:45 am
    I adapted this recipe for Linguine with Clam Sauce and Pancetta from the book “Heat” by Bill Burford. If you like cooking, this is a must-read book. You can literally feel the heat of the kitchen as you read through the book. The original recipe is found on pages 129 to 131 in the softbound edition of “Heat.” This is a fairly easy and quick home-cooking recipe, but the results are spectacular. You really need to get some fresh linguine for this recipe; it is the key. We have a couple of markets near us that carry packaged fresh linguine in the cold section, but we…

  • Kenneth Volk Vineyards

    Joe
    25 Apr 2013 | 9:27 am
    If you are touring the Santa Barbara wine country, make sure you give yourself time to visit the Kenneth Volk Vineyards. You’ll get a chance to taste some unique and delightful varietals of wine. Kenneth Volk Vineyards was our last stop on a daylong wine tasting adventure on the Foxen Canyon Road. We began at the Fess Parker Winery and made our way to four wineries. We had reached the end of the Foxen Canyon Road, but the winery road signs enticed us to go on. We are happy we did, because just a couple of miles away we discovered Kenneth Volk and his wines. We were lucky that Kenneth…

  • Santa Barbara Wine Country Travels

    Joe
    20 Apr 2013 | 9:13 am
    Those of you who follow this blog know that we rented a house in the Los Olivos area for one week, so we could explore the Santa Barbara wine country. Last post we gave an overview of Santa Barbara wine region and now it is time to discuss specific wineries in the Santa Barbara wine country. A Day on the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in Santa Barbara Wine Country We spent the entire day traveling the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail and visiting five wineries on this route. The first very thing we did was purchase a picnic lunch in Los Olivos at the Panino Deli. Panino also has delis in five other Santa…

  • Santa Barbara Wine Country

    Joe
    13 Apr 2013 | 10:09 am
    It’s been too long since our last extended visit to the wonderful Santa Barbara wine county, so we decided to spend an entire week in this beautiful region. We rented a gorgeous home in the wine town of Los Olivos with two other couples who love wine and wine country just as much as we do. The home sits up on a hill with a lovely view of vineyards surrounding the property. What a delightful place to stay! Exploring Santa Barbara wine country There are just over 100 wineries and tasting rooms to visit in the area. The wineries are spread over five AVA or wine appellations. In addition, in…

  • Escape Napa Valley and Sonoma

    Joe
    8 Apr 2013 | 3:17 pm
    No doubt that the Napa Valley and Sonoma County are numbers one and two in wine country tourism. It’s surprising how many from out of state think this is where all California wine is produced, but there are many other terrific wine regions to visit in California. These regions are less touristy and perhaps, more importantly, less expensive. Here are three regions that will take you to wonderful wine country. Think different and escape Napa Valley and Sonoma. Mendocino’s Anderson Valley This wine region is about a two-hour drive from San Francisco, heading north on Highway 101 and taking…
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    Napa Valley Wine Blog

  • Napa Valley Charbono Resurgence

    joe
    10 May 2013 | 6:49 am
    No, this is not the name of a new chic restaurant or B&B in the Napa Valley. It is a grape that at one time was highly reveled in the Napa Valley. It was famously made by the Inglenook winery from 1882 until the winery was sold to Francis Ford Coppola in 1998. Today there are only 52 acres of Charbono planted in the Napa Valley and another 27 planted elsewhere in California. Have you ever tried a Charbono wine? One important reason why there are so few Charbono vineyards is that the grape likes the same climate as Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet is the big cash crop in the Napa Valley. The…

  • Five Fun Things to Do in the Napa Valley in May

    joe
    1 May 2013 | 8:02 am
    Don’t just have a great time in the Napa Valley, have a phenomenal time! We suggest these five fun things to do in the Napa Valley in May. Enjoy! Five Fun Things to Do in the Napa Valley in May Play a round of Bocce Ball May is “Bocce Ball in Wine Country” Month. The game is easy to play and people of all ages can have an enjoyable game of Bocce. You don’t need to be a fabulous athlete to play this game. Here is a list of the wineries in the Napa Valley that have one or more Bocce courts. Pack a lunch and play Bocce at a winery in May. Simple rules of Bocce Bocce is fun! Oxbow…

  • Five fun things to do in the Napa Valley in April

    joe
    4 Apr 2013 | 11:58 am
    Don’t just have a great time in the Napa Valley, have a phenomenal time! We suggest these five fun things to do in the Napa Valley in April. Enjoy! View bud break Bud break is happening at this very moment in the Napa Valley and all of wine country. Vineyard managers and winemakers rejoice as another year of the grape begins. Bud break ranks just below harvest in importance in a vineyard year. The rows of vineyards look wonderful with the tiny bud leaves poking out towards the sky. It is a serene and lovely moment in wine country. Bud Break in the Napa Valley Combine art and wine Robert…

  • American Wine: Jancis Robinson and Linda Murphy at the Commonwealth Club

    joe
    19 Mar 2013 | 5:13 pm
    It was just a short time ago that all the good wine made in the U.S. came from California, Oregon, Washington and the Finger Lakes area of New York. That has changed dramatically with every state in the Union producing wine. There are now 7000 wineries in the U.S. In a new wine book, “American Wine: The Ultimate Companion to the Wines and Wineries of the United States,” Jancis Robinson and Linda Murphy have collaborated to give a complete picture of wine across the country. On Monday evening, March 18, we attended a meeting of the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco at which Jancis…

  • Napa Valley Wine Train: To ride or not to ride

    joe
    10 Jan 2013 | 3:03 pm
    Napa Valley Wine Train Every now and then a WCG reader will shoot us an email asking us for advice on taking a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train that runs through the Valley. I’m sorry to reply to these emails that I have never been on the Wine Train and therefore cannot make a recommendation. I have had friends who have taken the wine train, and for the most part we have heard a mixed bag of reviews. Some think it is an awesome time, while others thought the money would have been better spent on visiting wineries or buying wine. As far as I can see, the Napa Valley Wine Train is more like…
 
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    Dirty South Wine

  • 40 Under 40: Wine Enthusiast

    Hardy Wallace
    2 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    Wow.  I'm shocked and honored to be included in Wine Enthusiast's "40 Under 40:  America's Tastemakers" About 7 years ago, I started Dirty South Wine with no plan, and no direction besides to have fun-  Where that has taken me, I could never believe. Most of my time is now spent here-  Dirty and Rowdy Family Winery, where I have somehow found myself as the winemaker and co-owner along with my longterm partner in crime Rowdy (who I met via this blog), and our two spouses.  Most of our updates come through short blasts on our Dirty and Rowdy blog, instagram feed,…

  • Blood into Orange Wine- 1 Week Later

    Hardy Wallace
    21 Jan 2013 | 12:49 pm
    (the author showing off the next trend in skin fermented white wines--  cloudy, day-glo yellow wines that for some reason won't turn orange) (Warning:  Before reading this, please note that this post is satirical) Last week almost a dozen people gasped when Richard Betts, wine guru turned Mezcal Marauder, declared on Forbes.com that orange wine completely blows. If in print, the article would have been easily glossed over in thousands of physicians waiting rooms in retirement destinations across the US (primarily in the Southern regions where the elderly mock god and refuse to bear…

  • Dirty and Rowdy Family Winery is now Open!

    Hardy Wallace
    21 Aug 2012 | 11:15 pm
    If you've been wondering where I've been hiding....  I've been working like crazy on this...  I can happily say, we are open for business! Please check out our Dirty and Rowdy Family Winery site  www.dirtyandrowdy.com Also-  As I mentioned a few months back, most of my "social" activity has been on Instagram over the past year.  We were thrilled to be Instagram's "featured user" last week on their site. http://blog.instagram.com/post/29415502173/the-making-of-a-perfect-glass-of-red-the-making Thank you for all the patience and support while we were…

  • Change Your Life

    Hardy Wallace
    26 Jul 2012 | 9:47 pm
    Though I don't believe in wine and music pairings- 80min of this while following your favorite wine will change your life.

  • Wine and Jazz Banjo

    Hardy Wallace
    31 May 2012 | 7:37 am
    Soil is the music Grapes are the instrument(s) Sun is the conductor (The winemaker selects the speakers and adjusts the volume) Just something going through my head for the past few weeks.  I have been thinking a lot about "varietal correctness".  Some of the wines we''ve made, might be a stretch of typicity, but are they still what they are?  (If not, did we let them off the hook?) But that all gets me thinking about this in terms of music--  I think of jazz banjo, something that on paper sounds nuts, stupid even.  Until you hear Bela Fleck   Now the words…
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    STEVE HEIMOFF| WINE BLOG

  • Alexander Valley Academy: new appreciation for these fine Cabernets

    steve
    17 May 2013 | 6:46 am
    It’s Friday morning, day two of the Alexander Valley Cabernet Academy, where I’m moderating a series of panels for about 35 sommeliers, from all over the country, who were invited to the event, which is sponsored by the Alexander Valley Winegrowers. I think AVW’s feeling is that Cabernet Sauvignon is their primary grape and wine, and perhaps people don’t understand what makes it unique from other regions. This is remarkably similar to what’s occurring in Paso Robles, where I also moderated a panel just a few weeks ago for their Cab Collective, an event aimed–not at…

  • Alexander Valley, here I come!

    steve
    16 May 2013 | 12:10 am
    I’ve long had a soft spot for Alexander Valley, the AVA in Sonoma County that stretches up from Healdsburg to the Mendocino County line, at Cloverdale. I came to know the valley especially well during the year I spent writing my first book, A Wine Journey along the Russian River. I got it into my head to describe how the Russian River first “turned on,” and found that a description of its physical beginnings had never been written–at least, so far as I could tell. So I spent a great deal of time on and along the River, and talked to a great many geologists (none of whom agreed…

  • In defense of wine tasting notes

    steve
    15 May 2013 | 6:52 am
    I’m mad as heck and I’m not going to take it anymore! I’ve had it up to here [you can’t see me, but I’m holding my hand up to my forehead] with writers who complain that “wine consumers have little use and perhaps even less tolerance for wine tasting notes.” That is simply a falsehood. The truth is, wine consumers have little use for (and they may even hate) people who say that wine consumers have little use for wine tasting notes. Now, the anti-tasting note crowd may retort with the claim that wine consumers have little use for people who disagree with people who say that wine…

  • Global wine shortage could be good news for struggling wineries

    steve
    14 May 2013 | 6:41 am
    The shortage of California wine is rippling through the system, causing serious if not quite catastrophic consequences. Winery principles tell me that when their sales forces fan out across the country, buyers are unhappy at the lack of supply and in some cases are personally blaming the winery! I’m sure that distributors as well as retailers both on and off premise find themselves in an uncomfortable position when wines they’ve sold for years are suddenly unavailable. Of course, the rational part of them knows that no one at the winery is responsible for short crops: Mother Nature is.

  • My advice to the Chinese: don’t classify

    steve
    13 May 2013 | 12:10 am
    I was reading the other day that Ningxia, the Chinese autonomous region (roughly equivalent to a U.S. State) in north-central China, “will introduce the first winery-based classification system in China within the next few months.” The article explains how there will be “6 classes in this classification.” The director of the governing body [of the] Ningxia Development Bureau for Grape and Flower Industry explained its rationale this way: “In order to ensure quality, we raise the bar for entering the classification.” Ningxia, in case you don’t know, is China’s…
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    O'Vineyards Carcassonne Wine Blog

  • Goat cheese and herb appetizer

    mroconnell
    5 May 2013 | 8:14 am
    This receipe is for Donna VanAlstine and Chris Rud, our visitors from Toronto Canada. Use preferably a roll of “pâte sablée” (kind of shortbread dough). Could be replaced by another pastry such as the puff pastry and adding some honey over the goat cheese. cut the dough in 12 round portions Lay a slice of goat cheese on each portion of dough spray on top some dried rosemary mixed with fresh rosemary. add honey if you did not use the “pâte sablée” Lay another smaller round slice of dough fold and seal both slices of dough Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes in 210°…

  • Dining at O’Vineyards Carcassonne

    mroconnell
    5 May 2013 | 4:56 am
    Liz’s Salmon Rillettes At the request of our World Travelers Sabine Bessey and her husband Ebaheart, here is the receipe of Liz’s Salmon Rillettes: Get from the fish market about 200g of fresh salmon heat your oven at 200° Few drop of lemon, salt and pepper, roll your salmon inside of an aluminium sheet cook in the oven for 10 minutes Cool the salmon in the refrigerator smash it with a fork put in the ginger and garlic sauce back in the refrigerator until the serving time prepare the ginger-garlic sauce: 3 table spoon of mustard about 20g of garlic. 20g of ginger mix with about 3…

  • Bouillabaisse by Liz

    mroconnell
    27 Apr 2013 | 5:01 am
    I like to serve dishes, French or fusion, that our World Visitors can discover and appreciate. Travelers from Japan love sea food but I knew enough not to feed them shrimp tempura. I treated them to a Liz’s bouillabaisse. Here is the receipe: As for all my ingredients, the fish need to be very fresh! Then add onions, carrots, tomatoes and potatoes, salt and pepper. I use the carrots for the color and the potatoes to thicken the broth and give it more of a “bisk” look and taste. Sauté the fish before in a little amount of colza oil. Sauté oinions, carrots, tomatoes and…

  • Unique Fascinating World Visitors

    mroconnell
    22 Apr 2013 | 11:33 pm
    At O’Vineyards our visitors from around the World are fascinating and unique! The power of word of mouth: halfway around the World, in a Brisbane beauty salon, Jacinta was recommended to visit us by someone she just met, Barbara who was with us in January for her honeymoon! Adorable truth from Babe’s mouth: Piper 13, traveling with her parents from the US, told us she will be back when she will be 21! “A unique and lovely experience” Reviewed April 22, 2013. by Jacinta McMahon. Melbourne, Australia TripAdvisor. Senior Reviewer This photo of O’Vineyards Bed &…

  • Fresh Food & Wine

    mroconnell
    21 Apr 2013 | 10:58 am
    Memories: This is for you, our International Visitors who appreciate the Foods served and Wines that accomodate them! Good foods start with very good ingredients! Receipes posting soon! This photo of Domaine O’Vineyards is courtesy of TripAdvisor Related Posts:TripAdvisor Reviews: Don’t Be a Stranger! "C'était une très agréable visite pour nous, surtout parce que nous n'étions pas les seuls à nous amuser--eux aussi!" (It was a very enjoyable visit ...Carcassonne Wine & Dine Getaways Here are two Tripadvisor recent reviews about O'Vineyards Getaways! Thanks to Judi,…
 
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    Jordan Winery

  • Video chat and online tasting here on May 16

    Lisa
    15 May 2013 | 12:55 pm
    Watch live streaming video from jordanwinery at livestream.com Join us this Thursday, May 16, for a live web video chat and new release tasting with John Jordan and Director of Wine Greg Miller. A series of tastings will be hosted, so friends across the country can participate: THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 3 p.m. PST / 6 [...]

  • Watch our grapevines grow (budbreak time-lapse video)

    Lisa
    9 May 2013 | 8:18 pm
      For a few years, we’ve experimented with time-lapse video around Jordan Estate. The time-lapse shooting process required daily attention–a Canon 5D camera had to be set-up each morning and removed at night to protect it from the elements–which was easy to do when capturing the winery chateau changing colors during fall and much more [...]

  • Seasons of the Vineyard: Spring (a wine education video series)

    Greg
    7 May 2013 | 9:10 pm
    Over the next year, we’ll be documenting the life cycle and growing season of grapevines in our first video series, “Seasons of the Vineyard.” With our “Seasons of the Vineyard: Spring” video, I offer an inside look at this season in wine country. It’s a beautiful time of year to visit and an exciting time [...]

  • Infused olive oil recipe video: how to infuse oils for a garnish or gift

    Todd
    25 Apr 2013 | 3:43 pm
    Homemade infused olive oil is one of my favorite gifts for dinner parties, Mother’s Day or “just because.” Learn how to infuse your own oils at home with this video. Using these tips and techniques, you’ll learn how to make infused olive oil with Asian flavors and grapeseed oil with citrus. Both are perfect for vinaigrette dressing [...]

  • Skuna Bay Salmon chef challenge event photos

    Lisa
    18 Apr 2013 | 6:31 am
    Our Executive Chef Todd Knoll was a finalist in the first-annual Skuna Bay Salmon Chef Challenge, which challenged 30 chefs to create inventive salmon recipes for a chance to cook at the Kentucky Derby in May. The Jordan kitchen was the site of the competition’s Northern California finalist cook off last week, featuring Terry Letson of Fume Bistro [...]
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    The Rosa d'Oro Vineyards Blog

  • '11 on 11th - 2011 Barbera Release and Wine Tourism Day Party

    3 May 2013 | 11:29 am
    Rosa d'Oro will be participating in the first annual Wine Tourism Day on May 11th with appetizers AND the release of our 2011 Estate Barbera! Many Lake County wineries will be participating next Saturday so be sure to check in with our neighbors at Wildhurst as well. Visit Facebook for more details. See you there.

  • April Flight Night Menu - Morocco

    23 Apr 2013 | 8:44 am
    Here is the menu for next weekend. It will be Moroccan Night! Please email info@rosadorowine.com or call 707.279.0483 to check on reservation times. We are pretty close to full though. We will also have the last bit of 2009 Sangiovese and 2009 Primitivo (People's Choice Best Red and SF Chronicle Gold medal-winner) available also! April 2013 Flight Night MenuSpiced Moroccan vegetable salads with ras el hanout vinaigrette- paired with ChardonnaySpring Harira soup with Merguez sausage and shrimp- paired with 2009 Lake County SangioveseCrispy chicken Basteeya pastry with fennel and…

  • Kelseyville Olive Festival April 21st

    17 Apr 2013 | 12:29 am
    It is that time of year again, bring the whole family! Fourth Annual Kelseyville Olive FestivalSunday, April 21, 2013 from 11am to 5pmat the Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill5625 Gaddy Lane KelseyvilleJoin us for a day of family fun dedicated to the ancient and majestic olive withOlive Mill ToursProduct SamplesCooking DemonstrationsVendor BoothsOlive Pit Spitting ContestSilent Auction & RaffleLocal Beer & Wine TastingHula Hoop ContestPeople's Choice Olive Oil ContestChildren's Boothand more!Irish music from 1 to 3pm by Uncorked!The event is…

  • Primitivo takes a Gold Medal at the Consumer Wine Awards

    7 Apr 2013 | 8:16 pm
    The People have spoken, and Rosa d'Oro Vineyards received a gold medal at the fifth annual Consumer Wine Awards held in Lodi, California. This one is particularly interesting because all of the judges are regular wine consumers rather than "industry professionals" - something we actually appreciate even more. There will be a pouring of the gold-medal wines on April 20th, and we will be there. Don't forget that the Kelseyville Olive Festival is happening the next day on the 21st as well!Visit http://www.consumerwineawards.com/#welcome for more information.

  • Nebbiolo, etc.

    17 Mar 2013 | 12:14 pm
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    Cheers2Wine Blog

  • California Current Events

    28 Apr 2013 | 11:09 am
    This is your source for the latest California Current Events related to wine. Don't miss these fabulous current events in California happening soon.

  • Bishop's Peak

    23 Apr 2013 | 7:41 am
    Bishop’s Peak is a popular reserve in San Luis Obispo County for hikers and rock climbers. Treat yourself to a panoramic view from this rocky peak.

  • Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival

    23 Apr 2013 | 7:41 am
    Visit the Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the oldest and largest professional non-profit theatres in the United States. The Shakespeare Festival Ashland Oregon is a top venue for theatre.

  • Auberge du Soleil Restaurant

    23 Apr 2013 | 7:41 am
    Enjoy the best views of the Napa Valley while dining at Auberge du Soleil Napa Valley. This Napa resort is the perfect stop on a wine tour. Enjoy great views of the Napa Valley.

  • Calaveras County Golf Courses

    23 Apr 2013 | 7:41 am
    Play a round of golf in the Gold Country. Learn about the great Calaveras County golf courses where you can enjoy a round of golf in the scenic foothills.
 
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    The Reverse Wine Snob

  • Castellare Il Poggiale Chianti Classico Riserva 2009 - Crazy Good Chianti

    Jon Thorsen
    18 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Ciliegiolo from Tuscany, Italy. SRP of $35 and available for around $30 (Saturday Splurge). 750 cases produced. From the winery: "Made from 90% Sangioveto, 5% Canaiolo, and 5% Ciliegiolo grown in the Il Poggiale vineyard, the grapes come from an elevation of almost 1,500 feet above sea level. The combination of high elevation and extremely low yields results in a wine that manages to simultaneously show both restraint and layered richness. This classic red holds great aging capability. This Riserva is a brilliant…

  • Top 10 White Wines Under $20 - Summer 2013 Edition

    Jon Thorsen
    17 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    NEW LIST! Includes 9 new wines! It's time for the next update of The Reverse Wine Snob Top 10 White Wines Under $20 list, just in time for summer! This update brings a ton of new wine to the list of 12 wines. (Yep, that's right, there are 12 wines on the Top 10 list...thanks to a 3 way tie for the 10th spot.) In fact, we've had so much good wine recently that only 3 wines from the previous list even made the cut this time around! Check out the full list below and get your summer sipping on... A lively little number. 10) TIE 2011 Pazo Torrado Albarino - Made For Summertime Sipping on the Patio…

  • St. Francis Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 - A Hedonistic Delight

    Jon Thorsen
    16 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Makes a savory statement you can't help but enjoy. 89% Zinfandel with the remaining 11% being a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Mourvedre, Carignane, Syrah and Petite Sirah from Sonoma County, California. SRP of $24 and available for $15.99 at Costco. Sample submitted for review. From the bottle: "This wine was produced from hand-picked grapes grown on some of the finest "old vines" Zinfandel vineyards in Sonoma County. Aged for 15 months in American oak barrels, this deeply colored, rich red wine displays the unique character of "old world style" Zinfandel. 15.5% Alcohol"The grapes for today's…

  • Quinta Do Portal Reserva Red 2009 - Rich and Powerful

    Jon Thorsen
    15 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Deep. 50% Touriga Nacional, 40% Tinta Roriz and 10% Touriga Franca from Douro, Portugal. SRP of $28. Purchased at Costco for $19.99. From the bottle: "This lovely wine is a fine example of the quality potencial of the Douro region. The grapes are carefully selected from Classic red Douro varietals including Touriga Nacional (50%), Tinta Roriz (40%) and Touriga Franca (10%) from our best vineyards in the Pinhao valley. It has aged in new French oak barriques for 9 months in our cellars. 13.8% Alcohol"Today we've got another wine that likely only falls into our price range thanks to the…

  • Uvaggio Vermentino 2011 - Loco for Lodi

    Jon Thorsen
    14 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    A Reverse Wine Snob's paradise? Lodi Winegrowers declare: "Other regions can have Saturday night, we'll take the other six." 100% Vermentino from Lodi, California. SRP of $14 and available for as low as $12. Sample submitted for review. From the bottle: "Uvaggio - sounds like 'Bellagio' - is Italian for 'really great wine made by two incredibly hip wine lovers'. We have moved far beyond the conventional chocolate and vanilla by making Barbera, Moscato, Primitivo and Vermentino. We say since California has a Mediterranean climate, we should make wine with the grapes that actually thrive there.
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    Belated Growth

  • Disaster averted the nights of April 18 and 19.  Temps dropped...

    24 Apr 2013 | 4:17 pm
    Disaster averted the nights of April 18 and 19.  Temps dropped to the mid-twenties and thanks to Josh and the heaters we bought (and did not use) last year, only minor frost damage was sustained by the early budding Tempranillo and Grenache.  And we got some spectacular pics from the “event”.  Thanks again Josh!

  • Scenes from the grape farming life in Corrales.

    20 Aug 2012 | 10:00 pm
    Bull-headed Samson. Water for the vineyard workers (95-degree and up). Scenes from the grape farming life in Corrales.

  • These pictures were taken the weekend of August 11.  Tons of...

    20 Aug 2012 | 9:56 pm
    Some hungry caterpillar ate all my leaves! And some bother bug feasted on this one. The Queen vineyard needed some weeding... The Tempranillo decided to start maturing grapes. Nice fat black widow...denizen of the Goat Pen vineyard. These pictures were taken the weekend of August 11.  Tons of weeds that were taking water away from the vines so I hired two crews to have at them (no way I could handle it myself, in a lot of places the weeds were over 6-foot tall).  But the vine seemed pretty healthy.  I did a bit of trimming as a lot of growth had happened since my July pruning. It’s…

  • This looks ugly! I found a handful of vines when pruning that...

    18 Jul 2012 | 10:44 am
    This looks ugly! I found a handful of vines when pruning that had these weird growths.  Josh can’;t remember what they are called but they are no good.  That all got trimmed and we hope it won’t spread.

  • [These are the Acequia Road property photos]

    18 Jul 2012 | 10:41 am
    From Acequia Road Nice concrete irrigation ditch Beautiful cottonwoods The start of the bosque More cottonwoods in the bosque An open barn/shed/storage area Cool carpet of neat flowers (in bosque) [These are the Acequia Road property photos]
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    RJonWine.com

  • Santa Maria Valley: Low Profile, Cool Climate Excellence

    Richard Jennings
    3 May 2013 | 1:47 am
    looking toward northern end of Santa Maria Valley from Bien Nacido Santa Maria Valley is the country’s third oldest official wine appellation, producing distinctive, balanced, cool climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. So why do marketing consultants advise producers here that they need to highlight Santa Barbara County and/or California on their labels? Because, sadly, the vast majority of consumers don’t know where Santa Maria Valley is or why it’s so special. This alluvial plain that was once an extensive bay extending inland from the ocean is bounded on two sides by mountains in…

  • Exploring Terroir and Balance in Santa Barbara County

    Richard Jennings
    25 Apr 2013 | 7:08 am
    Morning fog dissipating at Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley Earlier this month, I spent five days in Santa Barbara County visiting wineries, talking with winemakers and touring vineyards, including very impressive new plantings. I hadn’t visited the region for a couple years and my interest had been piqued by great Santa Barbara wines I had tasted at the In Pursuit of Balance tastings I recently wrote about here and the Sta. Rita Hills appellation tasting I summarized here. My trip was organized by Sao Anash, formerly executive director of the Santa Barbara County Vintners…

  • 6th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine: A Culinary Extravaganza

    Richard Jennings
    10 Apr 2013 | 10:11 am
    Saturday Lexus Grand Tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine What would you choose for a special meal if you knew it was going to be your last? This is a question often debated amongst chefs when they relax with colleagues at the end of a long night of service. Celebrity portrait photographer Melanie Dunea had the idea of collecting last meal wishes from the world’s top chefs and taking photos of them inspired by their final culinary plans. Her 2007 book, My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals, served as the inspiration for just one of the delicious food and wine events at…

  • Fabulously Food Friendly and Ageworthy Grüner

    Richard Jennings
    31 Mar 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Ever need a wine that will pair especially well with healthy food choices—grilled vegetables, salads, light chicken and fish dishes? Could you use a fully versatile wine that goes not only with lighter appetizers and your vegetarian spouse’s dishes but even, for a white wine, surprisingly well with red meat? Do you sometimes enjoy vegetables, like asparagus or artichoke, that don’t seem to pair with wine at all? The wine that can manage all that is made from Austria’s most widely planted grape—Grüner Veltliner, or “GruVee,” as some in the U.S. and Britain have begun calling it.

  • Good Value ‘House Wine’? Try a Côtes du Rhône

    Richard Jennings
    20 Mar 2013 | 9:35 pm
    Côtes du Rhône wines Are you looking for a versatile wine you can enjoy with all kinds of casual food—grilled meats, pastas, pizza? Would you like to find a “house wine” for under $20 that still makes a meal feel special? France’s gigantic eastern appellation—the Rhône—may be a better value than you might think. The Rhone’s greatest appellations—Hermitage and Cote Rôtie in the north, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the south—command top dollar these days. Mid-level wines from these regions go for $50 to $80, and top cuvees easily fetch $100 to $200 or more. Other…
 
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    Nosso Vinho

  • Chianti Bossi 2008

    Paulo Queiroz
    12 May 2013 | 6:27 pm
    Temos aqui mais um Chianti Classico de boa relação custo benefício, produzido pelo Castello di…The post Chianti Bossi 2008 appeared first on Nosso Vinho.

  • Chateau La Croix de Marbuzet 2006 Saint-Estephe

    Paulo Queiroz
    11 May 2013 | 12:08 pm
    Provamos o Chateau La Croix de Marbuzet no aniversário de um grande amigo nesta semana,…The post Chateau La Croix de Marbuzet 2006 Saint-Estephe appeared first on Nosso Vinho.

  • Barbaresco Montestefano Rivela Serafino 2008

    Paulo Queiroz
    5 May 2013 | 5:19 pm
    Amigo Guido envia do Piemonte, Itália, mais uma recomendação única de Barbaresco. Desta vez um…The post Barbaresco Montestefano Rivela Serafino 2008 appeared first on Nosso Vinho.

  • Broglio La Meirana Gavi 2011

    Paulo Queiroz
    5 May 2013 | 3:02 pm
    Este vinho branco da região de Gênova na Itália é uma boa opção para acompanhar…The post Broglio La Meirana Gavi 2011 appeared first on Nosso Vinho.

  • Domaine Sorin Cotes de Provence Luc & Sergine Sorin 2011

    Paulo Queiroz
    5 May 2013 | 2:42 pm
    Este rosé de Provence é um vinho simples e refrescante que experimentamos na Pousada Ronco…The post Domaine Sorin Cotes de Provence Luc & Sergine Sorin 2011 appeared first on Nosso Vinho.
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    Wine Blog - Bacchus and Beery

  • Kelly Fleming Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2012

    Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog
    13 May 2013 | 12:10 pm
    2012 Kelly Fleming Wines Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA, $36 (S) – Rating 92 Made from predominately Sauvignon Blanc,  Sauvignon Musque clone. All lees aged with 62% in French oak. Don’t be tempted to over-chill; this beauty shows best as the temp. rises to pleasantly cool. A temptingly crisp nose of pineapple, citrus, white peach and intriguing aromatics. A round mouth-feel with juicy acidity offering flavors of ripe pineapple, citrus, minerality and hints of green apple. Lovely subtle notes of key lime and honeysuckle on the finish. Buy This Wine

  • Interview: Ray Isle – Food & Wine Magazine Executive Wine Editor

    Roger Beery
    9 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    Ray Isle “I still get excited when I find a $17 wine that blows me away.That is a continuous hunt for me at the magazine.” Ray Isle During the 2013 Austin Food and Wine Festival, I had the chance to sit down and chat with Food & Wine Magazine Executive Wine Editor, Ray Isle. A self-described “Texan living in New York,” Ray was one of the festival’s preeminent wine presenters, offering three seminars. His gentile Texan style eschewed any sense of wine snobbery as he shared his knowledge and passion for wine. B&B – Ray, Many wine lovers can point to one…

  • D-Cubed Cellars Zinfandel Rosé 2011

    Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog
    9 May 2013 | 10:34 am
    2011 D-Cubed Cellars Zinfandel Rosé, Napa Valley, Ca, $20 (S) – Rating 89 This rich dry Zinfandel rosé ain’t yo momma’s White Zin. An excellent picnic wine with enough juicy acidity pair with a array of foods. The nose offers bright notes of spicy cherry, raspberry and minerality. Deeper in color than many rosés. Flavors of bright red cherry, raspberry, red fruit and minerality with hints of tart cranberry on the finish. Buy This Wine

  • Anne Amie Vineyards Cuvee A Muller-Thurgau 2012

    Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog
    8 May 2013 | 2:08 pm
    2012 Anne Amie Vineyards Cuvee A Muller-Thurgau, Yamhill-Carlton, OR, $15 (S) – Rating 89 An attention grabbing bouquet of tart citrus and green apple with subtle notes of yeasty pie crust. This Muller-Thurgau, a Swiss white grape, offers mouth-watering acidity balanced with just a kiss of sweetness. Integrated flavors of citrus, green apple and floral notes plus white peach on the finish. A nice change of pace. Buy This Wine

  • Buena Vista Winery Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

    Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog
    8 May 2013 | 1:50 pm
    2010 Buena Vista Winery Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, CA, $16 (S) – Rating 89 Very easy drinking and immediately approachable. Excellent restaurant choice…good price…no decanting required. A rich nose of black cherry, dark spice and dark chocolate. A jammy mouth-feel but interestingly lean on the finish with soft tannins and balanced acidity. Flavors of cherry and plum with a bit of raspberry and spice with espresso on the finish. Buy This Wine
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    Wine Virtuosity

  • Tokaj – Soil Talk, Producers & Mouldy Cellars

    Niklas Jorgensen
    18 May 2013 | 3:40 am
    Furmint you think, is the great grape of Tokaj. Well, Stéphanie at Kikelet in Tarcal is not fully sure this is the case adding Hárslevelű as a serious competitor. Taste her 2011 Lónyai dűlő and you might be convinced. Third photographic teaser from Tokaj! Stéphanie Berecz Black mould covers the cellars of Tokaj. It needs to be experienced! István Balassa, explaining how they will cut the vines. Here at the Nyulászó site close to Mád.  Soil talk. The complexity of the soil in Tokaj are a main reason for the different expressions. Here dark clay and quartz at Betsek. Király; one…

  • Tokaj – Interpreting Terroir

    Niklas Jorgensen
    17 May 2013 | 1:35 am
    What makes Tokaj special - at least compared to the other wine regions of Hungary? Primarily the terroir of course although perhaps just as important are how the producers interpret the outcome of it. The styles between them differ a lot but it's quite rare to bump in to over-extracted bombastic wines which sadly still are highly regarded in the country's, mainly red wine regions. Some producers focus on the loess soil in the south, around the town of Tokaj for example, others on clay at the village of Mád. In the northern parts of Tokaj the single vineyards are not as well-known yet, but…

  • Tokaj – The Burgundy of Hungary

    Niklas Jorgensen
    16 May 2013 | 6:14 am
    Great variations in the soil structure, more than 400 single vineyard locations and a northern latitude. Add the fact that Tokaj are in possession of Furmint; one of the greatest white grapes in the world when it comes to expressing terroir.  This and a lot more makes the advancing Tokaj the perhaps most interesting wine region in Europe currently. At least the one with the greatest potential of joining those able to produce world class dry white wines. Interested in finding out more about the region and its wines and producers? Follow Wine Virtuosity here and on Facebook. Tokaj town; a cosy…

  • Domaine Auguste Clape – Cornas Greatness

    Niklas Jorgensen
    6 May 2013 | 6:21 am
    Perhaps not as refined tannins as in 2010, but that is compensated by a to die for-coolness in the vibrant and pure fruit. Add some oriental spices, black olives in brine, a dash of greenness, violets, loads of oozing wet rocks and you probably understand the 2011 Cornas from Pierre-Marie and Olivier Clape is right up my alley.  I'm not going to claim that Pierre-Marie's and Olivier's traditional winemaking approach results in a wine more true to its terroir. But at the very same moment I'm not sure my preferences can come up with a better example than Domaine Auguste Clape. Natural yeasts,…

  • A Hommage To Hermitage – A Syrah Lover’s Pilgrimage

    Niklas Jorgensen
    24 Apr 2013 | 6:05 am
    I must have been 22, perhaps 23, when I went on my first wine tasting. Amongst the wines presented there was this Saint-Joseph. Will never forget the smell and taste of raw meat and smoked sausages. Not to mention it felt like I'd bit my tongue. My entrance to Rhône... Yup, you guessed it; Rhône wasn't the reason for my wine passion to explode. That epithet belongs to Bordeaux. But when I today have a love and hate affair with the Gironde region, that blood tasting Saint-Joseph somehow couldn't really be pushed away, out of my mind. The wines simply fascinated and has continued to for…
 
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    Hoot n Annie

  • I’m Leavin’ on a Jet Plane

    Hoot 'n Annie
    17 May 2013 | 1:52 pm
    Well, the truth is I am not but I would like to. Annie and I have always managed to be quite busy in our life together but add a baby on top of that and it’s mind numbing just how busy we are. Annie works a full time job and does all the back end stuff for our blogs and I have two businesses and write 15 to 25 blog posts per month. Sammy is another full time job and we just recently (finally) closed on a house so we’ve been emptying a storage unit, started painting, and so on. So the thought of leaving on a jet plane for a while sounded nice, of course Annie and Sammy would go to but the…

  • More Good Food, Please!!!

    Hoot 'n Annie
    15 May 2013 | 1:53 pm
    Recently I had some thoughts regarding the restaurant industry, and because most of the dining I do is in my local area I will have to speak from my experience here. There has been this huge push for local, fresh, farm to fork type dining and I am a huge fan of it. I’ve also noticed the push toward taking certain foods, reinventing them, and creating a new craze. Two examples of this are foods that have been around for a VERY long time, bacon and macaroni and cheese. Both of these foods have started showing up in extremely creative ways locally. Another sign of this movement is that Paso…

  • A Hoot ‘n Annie Wine Run

    Hoot 'n Annie
    13 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    So, Happy Day After Mother’s Day! See, I think we can make everyday a Holiday of some sort and celebrate with alcohol and piñatas. Okay, maybe just the alcohol, no need to give a bunch of drunk adults baseball bats to swing blindly at a piñata…just seems like a bad idea. Now back to a Hoot n Annie wine run… Annie’s mom came up yesterday to spend part of Mother’s Day with us (and see Sammy of course, he is the star attraction) and we didn’t really have any plans other than hanging out, chatting, and of course the obligatory mimosa to celebrate Mother’s Day. However, we…

  • The Future of Hoot n Annie and Social Media

    Hoot 'n Annie
    8 May 2013 | 3:22 pm
    I posted this comment on my personal Facebook page (Matt Browne) yesterday: “I’m thinking about getting rid of our Hoot ‘n Annie and Little Browne Facebook pages. Instead of spending the time updating 3 different FB handles I would just do this one. We’ve been downsizing in life with stuff and bills and all that, now I want to attack the things that absorb so much of my time. I look at all the non financial stuff as mental or emotional debt…and I don’t like debt. Time to do an audit. Any thoughts?” And the response was more than what I expected. As of…

  • Our Three Favorite Wines from April

    Hoot 'n Annie
    6 May 2013 | 7:25 am
    Here we are…again. Another month gone that we’ll never get back and it’s a Monday…haha…just kidding. No negativity here. April flew by as all time does for us, nothing like having careers and a baby to soak it all up. We had some new wines last month and also revisited many that we were familiar with. My three favorites were: Baker & Brain (I’m not listing one, had a few at Earth Day and everything was awesome, period. Pinot Noir, Grenache Blanc…just go check them out!) 2010 Record Family Wines Merlot (Had this one at the Paso Robles CAB Collective, never had their wines…
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    Organic Wine Blog

  • 10 Dirty Foods to Buy Organic & the Wines to Drink With Them

    Nikki Goddard
    3 May 2013 | 5:06 am
    If you’re interested in drinking organic wine, you probably also enjoy purchasing organic food. There are many benefits to buying organic, some of which are quite obvious, while others are still the subject of much debate amongst scientific researchers. One of the more controversial topics is nutrition–a statistically significant correlation between organic produce and added nutrition has yet to be proven. However, there are plenty of other reasons to purchase organic food over conventional, including the lack of pesticides used in growing the crops (which should especially be…

  • Weird Winemaking: Here’s Some of the Strangest Biodynamic Wine-Making Practices

    Nikki Goddard
    23 Apr 2013 | 8:33 am
    Biodynamic wines, produced in accordance with the practices of biodynamic agriculture, are a popular if controversial subset of the organic wine genre. Grape-growers who practice biodynamics treat the soil, plants, and animals in a vineyard as one complete self-sustaining system. To the layman, some biodynamic practices can be considered pretty strange. Despite the fact that its detractors liken the field of biodynamics to little more than silly, useless voodoo/homeopathy/magic tricks, plenty of studies have been done to show its efficacy. Many highly acclaimed biodynamic wineries throughout…

  • Preparing The Ground For Portugal’s Award Winning Organic Wines

    Richard Hand
    8 Apr 2013 | 6:35 am
    It seems slightly peculiar in a country such as Portugal with its markets brimming with organic produce and historically being a wine-producing country that there are not more organic wines among its domestic and export sales. However, chemical companies are now being spurned by a growing number of producers to the point that for the second year in a row there is an organic wine producers competition in Estoril, located in the central western portion of the country. In the 2012 competition, there were 203 entries from producers in various countries and only 7 medals were awarded, with 6 of…

  • Wine and Popcorn: A Guide to the 10 Best Wine Movies Ever!

    Georgia Jauslin
    4 Apr 2013 | 7:09 am
    Wine has a noteworthy presence on the silver screen and has become the source of inspiration for many backdrops, story settings, plots and characters. Presented below are ten amazing wine movies that just make you want to sit back and relax with some popcorn or cheese and of course, a good bottle of wine. 1. A Good Year (2006) British investment broker and bond trader, Max Skinner (Crowe) discovers that his dear uncle has passed away and that he’s inherited a chateau and vineyard in Provence. He then finds himself in the French wine country with his first intention to sell the property.

  • What’s the Deal With Sulfites? Myths and Truths Uncorked

    Nikki Goddard
    2 Apr 2013 | 5:05 am
    If you spend a day wine tasting or an evening lounging at wine bar, you may overhear someone exclaim that they cannot drink red wine because the sulfites will induce a headache. You might even be that someone. However, science-minded imbibers know that this is not actually the case, for several reasons. The dreaded SO2 molecules are not, in fact, the hangover-inducing culprits many believe them to be. And even if they were, red wines would not be the ones which deserve to shoulder the blame! Image Credit: Fermentarium.com It is true, some people do have a genuine sulfite sensitivity, but the…
 
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    Wine Values and Bargains

  • Value Wines of the Week May 13

    Joe
    13 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    A couple of weeks ago I received the Weimax Wine newsletter. The flyer comes out about 4 times a year and the very first thing I peruse is proprietor Gerald Weisel’s “Best Buy” list. I purchased several wines on the list and a few others for a case discount. Gerald also gives an additional discount if you pay by cash or debit card. I have been tasting these wines over the last two weeks. Here are three that I like very much. Value Wines of the Week Losen-Bockstanz Riesling 2011 – $10.99 When was the last time you tried a German Riesling wine? For me it’s been several…

  • Gruet Brut Rosé

    Joe
    6 May 2013 | 8:13 am
    This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day, and what better way to celebrate this wonderful day than to serve sparkling wine to honor all mothers? We are recommending a delicious and wonderful dry Rosé made by a New Mexico winery. It’s the Gruet Brut Rosé. Gruet Brut Rosé You can find this bubbly at Weimax in Burlingame, K&L Wines, BevMo and the Safeway. The best price that I could find is at K&L Wines where is sells for $13.99. Gilbert Gruet, who founded the Gruet Winery in Albuquerque, New Mexico, started his winemaking career in his native France. There he made Champagne, but on a…

  • Mexican Food and Wine Pairing – The May 2013 Poll

    Joe
    1 May 2013 | 8:08 am
    What wine with tacos?I thought it would be fun to do a wine and food matching poll for May. Cinco de Mayo is upon us, so I thought I would go with a Mexican food theme. Most people choose to have beer with Mexican food, but I think wine is a better choice. It is a little tricky trying to find a wine that pairs well with the spiciness of Mexican dishes. Whether it be enchiladas, tacos, chile rellenos, tamales, fajitas, or a huge burrito, what wine would you choose to drink with any of these dishes? Take the Poll: Mexican Food and Wine Pairing What wine with Mexican food? Ceja Vineyards is one…

  • Terra Sávia Chardonnay is Wine of the Week

    Joe
    29 Apr 2013 | 7:54 am
    Hopland Wineries We are still backlogged with Santa Barbara wines from our weeklong adventure in Los Olivos. We did however manage to sample some wines from our local wine shops last week. I reviewed the Tribunal Red Wine 2011 currently in the Trader Joe’s stores, and I think it’s worthy of a purchase at $9.99. I also found a Chardonnay from the Hopland area that I like very much. Have you been to the Hopland wine area of Mendocino County? It’s about another 30 miles north of Healdsburg. In Hopland there are 16 wineries making wine from vineyards located in the Sanel Valley, Redwood…

  • Tribunal Red Wine 2011

    Joe
    24 Apr 2013 | 8:51 am
    The Tribunal Red Wine, $9.99, is now on the shelves at Northern California Trader Joe’s stores. This is our third vintage review of this wine, the so-called “clone” of Orin Swift’s popular Prisoner wine ($38). We loved the 2009 but thought the 2010 was just okay. How will the Tribunal 2011 taste and how will it stack up to the past two vintages? Tribunal Red Wine 2011 North Coast There is something different that caught my eye on the label of the Tribunal 2011. The 2009 and 2010 wines were labeled Red Wine Sonoma County. The 2011 Tribunal is labeled Red Wine North Coast. That means…
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    Willamette Valley Vineyards

  • Pairings: Steelhead Sliders with Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

    Willamette Valley Vineyards
    2 May 2013 | 9:06 am
    Our Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, because of its unique structure, is our most versatile food wine. It can pair with everything from pizza and barbecue to Thai and sushi. Our Chef, Eric Nelson, has crafted a seasonally-inspired recipe we hope you enjoy!Roasted Garlic Dill Steelhead Sliders on Thyme Focacciapair with 2012 Whole Cluster Pinot NoirSteelhead Patties - 12 oz. Steelhead Salmon, ground- 1 oz. Roasted Garlic Puree- 1 oz. Fennel, small diced- 1 oz. Red Onion, small diced- 1/2 oz. Scallion, chopped- 1/2 oz. Dill- 1/2 oz. Garlic, fresh chopped- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt- 1/8 tsp Pepper- 1/4…

  • Wine Advocate Scores - 2010 Pinot Noirs

    Willamette Valley Vineyards
    16 Apr 2013 | 9:23 am
    The Wine Advocate has given us plenty of reasons to celebrate with their review of our 2010 Pinot noirs! Four of our wines were rated 90 points or higher:92 Points for 2010 Hannah Vineyard Pinot NoirFrom the top of the hill that is otherwise occupied by Tualatin Estate Vineyard, planted with a wide rang of selections in a soil littered with marble-like pisolites (calcium carbonate accretions), the WVV 2010 Pinot Noir Hannah turned my head with its scents of rose petal and hibiscus; red currant and red raspberry; citrus oils and cardamom. Silken in texture; subtly glycerin-rich; yet…

  • Jim Bernau Advocates for Fermentation Science Funding

    Willamette Valley Vineyards
    5 Apr 2013 | 9:49 am
    Founder & Winegrower, Jim BernauOregon State University's Fermentation Science program was started in 1996 with an endowment from our Founder, Jim Bernau. Jim saw a need for an educated workforce for the Oregon wine industry and approached the school and asked what it would take.  His financial gift established a program, one of just a handful in the nation, addressing the use of microorganisms as processing agents in the production of wine and beer, as well as a variety of other fermented foods such as cheese, yogurt, soy sauce, bread and vegetables. Reported in…

  • Video: Jim's 30 Year Quest

    Willamette Valley Vineyards
    15 Feb 2013 | 9:41 am
    Our highly anticipated 2010 Estate Pinot Noir is set to be released in mid-March! To celebrate, we've captured our Founder, Jim Bernau, on video sharing a few key stories about his 30 year quest to grow all of our barrel-aged Pinot noir as "Estate-grown". The 2010 vintage of our Estate Pinot marks the first time we will be able to do that.Watch the video now and learn about Jim's quest!2010 Estate Pinot Noir

  • 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

    Willamette Valley Vineyards
    14 Jan 2013 | 10:42 am
    The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is one of the largest and most respected competitions for American wines in the world. On Friday, January 11th they released their 2013 results! 8 northwest wines received top awards, including our Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris (Gold) and our 2011 Riesling (Double Gold).This is a great article from Andy Perdue:Great Northwest Wine
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    Liquid Education with Brian Mitchell

  • Wine of the Day - Vie di Romans Chardonnay, 2010

    15 May 2013 | 5:54 am
    Ok, not the cheapest, or even the most modestly priced, or even really one of the best value-no-matter-the-budget wines, but this is really good.  If you have the money (and we are not talking huge money - about $65-ish retail), and you love deliciously balanced and elegant chardonnay - this is your baby. Very mellow nose, with just a touch of oak and apple and pear; fleshy, smooth feel on the palate with a bit more oak flavor building, but still well checked; finishes quite elegantly with abundant length.  Overall, the wine is balanced and soft, and has lovely acidity under the…

  • Vertical Tasting of St Supery Elu shows Vintage Distinction and Style Evolution

    7 May 2013 | 12:58 pm
    Just tasted through the 2005 to 2010 St Supery Elu (red meritage) vintages, led by winemaker Michael Scholz. He did not make the 2005, 2006 vintages and finished 2007, 2008, but these wines are unique and really are reflective of vintage character. Blended to the style of those vintages, there is a difference in the cepage from year to year, plus oak treatment has changed. 2005, 2006 included the use of American oak, but the winery is now exclusive to French oak.  The 2008, 2010 and especially the 2009, are the vintages to really find. 2005 was very interesting if you can find some.

  • Morning in Napa

    7 May 2013 | 9:18 am
    Spending part of the week in Napa, this week, primarily visiting with St Supery Winery in Rutherford, and then a few others, plus a day in San Francisco. Yesterday we went out to the Dollarhide Ranch in Chiles Valley, and had a great seminar on Ampelogrophy (vine identification) plus a climate and soil discussion. Tasty lunch by the lake, enjoying St Supery Rose, Cab and Sauv Blanc, plus a fabulous selection of local foods. Then back to dinner at Morimoto, which was good, not great, but very enjoyable experience. Today off to Rutherford for library tasting and a couple of other seminars, plus…

  • A.B.I.P.A. - Anything But I.P.A., Pleas

    2 Apr 2013 | 7:17 am
    As a part of my job, I get to taste a lot of beverage products, and one of the things that's always been a constant is that, when there is a strong selling brand or style created, there will inevitably be a million others who'll do the same.  For many years, there's been a glut of Chardonnay and even Cabernet Sauvignon produced by just about every winery on the planet.  The idea here is that, as the number one selling varietals in their respected white and red wine arenas, then there would always be room for one more - as well as room for expansion.

  • 27 Mar 2013 | 11:04 am

    27 Mar 2013 | 11:04 am
    by Brian Mitchell In my wine education plan, Malbec is considered to be one of the “other big six” grape varieties, by which I mean that it is not one of the six most common varietals, but is a significant enough player that we can place it among the very top selling and most important grape varietals to learn about.  Malbec’s traditional home is not Argentina, but in fact is France.  In France, many regions – including the Loire and Burgundy wine areas - would have grown Malbec, but it is in the southwest that it is best known; Cahors being the principle area where the…
 
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    Washington State Beer and Wine

  • 5th Annual Rockin’ Sips Fundraiser

    Bean
    17 May 2013 | 10:36 pm
    EFESTE is thrilled to announce the winery’s annual fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Ironically, a heartbreaking event inspired this annual celebration of wine and music. In 2006, winery owners Kevin and Angela Taylor learned that their young son Joe, grandson to ‘Big Papa’ Daniel Ferrelli and Helen Ferrelli, was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was 5 at the time. Happily, Joe completed his treatment in March of 2011. This adverse experience resulted in the family’s desire to contribute to medical advances in the fight against cancer. Consequently, the wine Tough…

  • Cask Beer Festival 2013

    Ed
    17 Mar 2013 | 10:45 pm
    The 2013 Cask Festival continues to be one of the best annual beer events to attend. Amazing varieties of exotic brews that exhibited the great skill of our Pacific Northwest Brew Masters. The Bell Harbor venue was excellent. One major, awesome attribute that I would give this event is that many of the beers were served at an excellent temperature, one that exemplified the notes or their respective styles. My favorite beers continue to be Black Raven’s Petite Mort and Silver City’s Scrooged and Fat Scotch ale. There were two new breweries here at the cask festival that also…

  • 4th Annual Exotic Wines Festival

    Bean
    16 Mar 2013 | 2:32 pm
    Explore some of Washington wines more “exotic” varieties in the exotic atmosphere of Teatro ZinZanni. For four years, Seattle Uncorked has partnered with Teatro ZinZanni to cast a spotlight on some of the more unusual wine varieties in Washington state. Washington state may be better known for Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot, Riesling and Chardonnay but those are far from the only wine varieties that Washington can excel at. At the Exotic Wine Festival you can taste varieties like Mouvedre, Albarino, Siegerebe, Tempranillo, Rousanne, Marsanne and more. Come find your new favorite…

  • Mac and Jack Brewers Dinner at Alderbrook

    Bean
    7 Mar 2013 | 9:07 pm
    While others are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with green beer, you can be enjoying a gourmet dinner at Alderbrook Resort paired with Mac and Jack beers. On Saturday, March 16, 2013, join other beer lovers for an exclusive and delicious dinner paired with beer at Hood Canal. Alderbrook Resort, close to Hood Canal Signature dishes from Alderbrook’s Executive Chef Lucas Sautter will be complemented by Mac & Jacks’ delicious brews, creating the perfect St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Reservations can be made by calling (360) 898-5500. Want to make a night or two of it? Stay for…

  • Happy Anniversary Foggy Noggin!

    Bean
    5 Mar 2013 | 7:46 am
    Saturday, March 16th, Foggy Noggin Brewing is celebrating their third anniversary.  Between 1-4pm, the public are invited to the garage tasting room to help Foggy Noggin celebrate! Part of the celebration includes tapping  2013 Anniversary Ale (English Olde Ale). Foggy Noggin will also tap one keg each of the 2011  and 2011 Anniversary Ale. During the party, sample 4oz pours of the anniversary ale for $5. Bottles of the 2013 Anniversary Ale will be on sale from the tasting room. This limited edition beer will sell out quickly so, if you want it, you should pick them sooner than later.
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    The Wine Cellar Insider

  • 2012 Bordeaux Tasting Notes Buying Guide for the Top 365 Best Wines

    Jeff Leve
    13 May 2013 | 9:38 am
    This page offers tips for the best 2012 Bordeaux wines, the top values wines from the 2012 Bordeaux and should be used a buying guide on what are the 2012 Bordeaux wines that deserve to be seriously considered for buying. Each of the links brings you to a page filled with 2012 Bordeaux wine tasting notes, ratings, reviews and images. By clicking on any of the links in the pages, you can also access complete profiles of each chateaux and find links to buy the wines if you desire. If you want to read detailed interviews from the top Bordeaux wine makers from every major appellation that offer…

  • Seafood Fava Beans Chardonnay Perfect Spring and Wine Food Pairing

    Jeff Leve
    10 May 2013 | 9:17 am
    We eat a lot a myriad of different types and styles of fish and seafood at home.  The variety of things to cook and the ways they can be prepared are endless. It’s healthy, easy to make and allows for a lot of fun in the kitchen.  And more importantly, depending on the desired results, fish works equally well with red wine, white wine or Champagne. For any meal, especially fish, the key is buying high quality, fresh ingredients. The main reason fish is better at so many restaurants, aside from the lavish amount of butter they use, is they buy the best, freshest fish possible. Buying…

  • 2012 Bordeaux Value Wine Tasting Notes in Barrel Ratings

    Jeff Leve
    26 Apr 2013 | 10:37 am
    While wines like the First Growths and the most famous wines of Pomerol and St Emilion garner most of the attention of the press, that does not paint the entire picture of Bordeaux wine. In fact, much of what the appellation does best, is produce, charming, character filled wines that offer value. 2012 Bordeaux value wines are going to be easy to find, especially from the various satellite regions, Bordeaux Superieur, Cotes de Castillon and other areas. Plus, because the wines are most often made in large quantities, they will be easy to buy, and 2012 Bordeaux value wines for the most part,…

  • 2012 St. Emilion Bordeaux Wine Tasting Notes in Barrel Ratings

    Jeff Leve
    26 Apr 2013 | 9:16 am
    2012 St. Emilion lacks the level of consistency found in Pomerol, its Right Bank rival. But do not kid yourself, there are some very strong 2012 St. Emilion wines, but it’s on a property by property basis. At their best, the wines are stylish, sexy wines of character and quality for the most part, will drink well on release. 2012 Angelus – From a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the wine shows good depth of color. Smoke, truffle, espresso bean, blackberries, earth and spice create the aromatics. Medium bodied in density there is a core of dark spicy plums in the finish.

  • 2012 Pomerol Bordeaux Wine Tasting Notes in Barrel Ratings

    Jeff Leve
    26 Apr 2013 | 8:21 am
    2012 Pomerol are wines to be taken seriously. At their best, 2012 Pomerol wines can be rich, plummy, silky, opulent and fresh. Many chateaux produced very strong wines close to the level of quality found in 1998. Some of the smaller, less heralded properties made the best wine in their history! This is great news for consumers seeking stylish, quality wines at fair prices from Pomerol. While 2012 Pomerol produced the majority of the stars found in the vintage, this is not a year where consumers can purchase blindly as some estates clearly did better than others. 2012 Bonalgaue – Flowers,…
 
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    WinePassionista.com

  • The start of an American wine immersion: Oregon!

    Wine Passionista
    25 Apr 2013 | 9:13 am
    As you may know, a few weeks ago I moved back to the States after living in London for the past 6 years.  I love London, it’s an incredible, vibrant, fascinating city (and it’s where this site was born!), but I’m very excited to be back in the US of A because now I can ...

  • Tasting & Talking Cava with the Winemaker of Codorniu

    Wine Passionista
    11 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am
    For me a bottle of bubbles isn’t just for a celebration – unless you’re celebrating the end of the day! Cava is one of my favorite sparkling wines with an everyday price and special occasion quality. I recently caught up with the winemaker of one of the best known Cavas in the world - Codorníu – ...

  • Talking & Tasting Cava with the Winemaker of Codorniu

    Wine Passionista
    8 Apr 2013 | 6:20 pm
    I love a bottle of bubbles – don’t you?  I especially love it when I open one on a Tuesday night for no other reason than I’m in the mood – and since I don’t manage a hedge fund, Cava fits not only my bubbly desire, but my budget as well! Recently I met up ...

  • Recap: The Punch Down Episode 4 with guest: Jancis Robinson!

    Wine Passionista
    2 Apr 2013 | 9:35 am
    We had a blast on The Punch Down today! Jancis Robinson joined us and she is just fabulous – not only erudite and eloquent, but also great fun! Jancis has been a Master of Wine since 1984, is the author of countless books on wine, is an award-winning TV presenter and is wine columnist for ...

  • Recap: The Punch Down episode 3 with guest: Gary Vaynerchuk!

    Wine Passionista
    4 Mar 2013 | 7:33 am
    Thank you so much to everyone who tuned in for our 3rd episode of The Punch Down today!  For those who weren’t able to be there, Joe and I were super excited to welcome Gary Vaynerchuk to the show.  He is the guy who single-handedly changed the way people think about, talk about and approach ...
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    WineZag

  • Blind Tasting: Varied Styles of 2010 Northern Rhone Reds

    adamjapko
    10 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    One might assume having tasted ten Northern Rhone red wines from the same 2010 vintage and two new world 2010 Syrahs side-by-side, blind, that the Rhone wines showed as siblings while the two new world Syrahs tagged along as genetically distinct and adopted brothers. As our Boston tasting group discovered blind tasting the 2010 Northern Rhone vintage’s cool spring, hot and cold summer, small yields, and long ripening that protected acids and allowed places of origin to shine through in each wine, stylistic commonality was in short supply. To make matters more complicated, we compared…

  • Josko Gravner Draws Amber Line in Orange Wine

    adamjapko
    2 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    Driving ever-so-slowly on the twisting road that meanders back and forth across the Slovenian/Italian border on the approach to Josko Gravner’s home is advisable; it is the only reliable way to catch a landmark glimpse of the few spent giant amphoras serving as signposts to the home that Gravner’s father raised him in and that Josko still lives and raises his own wines in.  My son and tasting partner Alex made the non-trivial commitment to planes, trains, and automobiles starting out in Copenhagen, and me from Boston, to meet up in these drop-dead gorgeous rolling hills that are…

  • Valentina Cubi Naturally Connects Valpolicella With Food

    adamjapko
    22 Apr 2013 | 12:46 pm
    It is debatable whether Amarone, or even Valpolicella, have ever occupied a comfortably suitable spot on the dinner table. These combinations of dried Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes can easily overwhelm most dishes with raisin-prune flavors, powerful concentration, oak, high alcohol, and heat. There are acceptable food pairing exceptions like Gorgonzola and other strong cheeses, for example. And there are exceptional producers, such as Quintarelli, where pricey wines are tamed into submission over extended periods of years inside oversized oak barrels. So, it is of no small…

  • Breathing Quintarelli

    adamjapko
    18 Apr 2013 | 11:44 pm
    Alex pointed towards a hilltop as we entered the valley town of Negrar and I respectfully inhaled a first breath of Quintarelli air.  We were on our way to visit Francesco Grigoli, Guiseppe Quintarelli’s grandson.  Climbing a series of switchback roads and white knuckle turns landed us at a modest home sitting atop the cellars that had been ground zero for Guiseppe Quintarelli’s work, and now for the rest of his family that is capably embracing his legacy. We parked in front of an open kitchen door releasing wafts of reducing ragu that lured us closer.  Franca Quintarelli,…

  • La Subida: Friuli Venezia Giulia Taste Soloist

    adamjapko
    16 Apr 2013 | 3:16 am
    Walter Filipitti’s book The Taste Soloist, heavily supported by Stefano Scatà’s photography, will lure you closer to a Friuli Venezia Giulia visit and witnessing a powerful expression of ancestral driven wine and food culture.  Photos, recipes, and tales featuring a cooperative of the region’s best knife, cheese, prosciutto, vinegar, wine, and artisan food makers are perfect foils for a landscape of intoxicating rolling hills that eventually cozy up to the horizon’s more distant Alps. As a local county agroindustrial councillor says in the book, “it’s…
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    londonwinegirl

  • English sparkling wine and irritatingly delicious Japanese food at Sake No Hana

    londonwinegirl
    12 May 2013 | 8:28 am
    I wanted to hate Sake No Hana. On paper, it has all the hallmarks of unbearable pretentiousness. It’s in St James, stomping ground of hedge fund tossers; they have a second branch in Dubai; it’s from the team behind uber-expensive Hakkasan: basically, it seems like the kind of place where Tamara Beckwith hangs out. Annoyingly, they have a really good wine and sake list, including the really fantastic 2011 Camel Valley Pinot Noir Brut, a rose sparkling wine from the Camel Valley Vineyard in Cornwall. It’s a lovely fresh, fruity and dry fizz that went perfectly with what I can…

  • LWG’s Greek bargain

    londonwinegirl
    2 Apr 2013 | 11:18 am
    The wine: Hatzidakis 2011 Santorini Assyrtiko Where’s it from? Santorini, Greece Where to buy it: Waitrose or Ocado What it will set you back: £8.60 How boozy is it? 13.5% Greek wine is the butt of many a joke, and many of us have washed down a halloumi salad with some seriously dodgy pine-flavoured Retsina. So when I was doing the Easter Ocado shop (Four massive dark chocolate Lindt rabbits? An Easter essential.) and the Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko popped up as an “item I might be interested in”, I wasn’t immediately sold on it. Yes, my rug does need hoovering. But I…

  • Pink, fizzy, fruity and thoroughly girly – Innocent Bystander Moscato wine review

    londonwinegirl
    10 Mar 2013 | 1:38 pm
    The wine: Innocent Bystander Moscato 2012 Where’s it from? Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia Where to buy it: Whole Foods Market, High St Ken What it will set you back: £6.95 How boozy is it? 5.5% The totally yummy Innocent Bystander Moscato 2012. Every now and again, I get tired of wine that you have to think about, wine that’s sophisticated, interesting, sharp and not pink. On Friday night, I had one of those moments – and I saw this fizzy pink flowery wine in a beer style bottle calling to me from the fridge in the High St Ken branch of US hippy, foodie grocery store Whole…

  • Ten reasons not to give up wine in January

    londonwinegirl
    3 Jan 2013 | 2:10 am
    1. January is a tough month – for a lot of us, it’s grey, boring and we’re skint. Wine is a little pleasure at a time when others are scarce. 2. Wine bargains abound at this time of year – for example, Bollinger on offer at Majestic 3. You can drink the rest of your Christmas wines: after all, it’s the season of leftovers. Don’t finish the liqueurs though, it will just add to your malaise. 4. It’s freezing outside, and it calls for a big plummy red like this bargain Californian Blackburn & James Shiraz from Waitrose. 5. Celebrate every January…

  • LWG’s wine trip to Piemonte

    londonwinegirl
    29 Nov 2012 | 8:28 am
    Autumn is an exciting time in wine-making. The grapes are picked, sorted, squished, and the process of making them into wine begins. It’s a time for marketing hype about how great the wine year is, and more importantly, it’s when crisp whites give way to bolshy reds at the dinner table. So I was properly excited to visit Piemonte, a region in Northern Italy famous for Barolo and Barbaresco wines and for producing truffles, last week. It’s a gorgeous area and a top destination for foodies. We visited quite a few wineries, and apart from the big, sharp Barolo wines made to be…
 
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    Enobytes

  • 2010 Mairena Bonarda Luján de Cuyo Argentina

    Marc Hinton
    12 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    If you are not aware of this varietal from Argentina, you might want to know that there are other red wines from Argentina besides Malbec. You might have tasted the Bonarda grape before and not known it because it also goes by the name Charbono. The bulk of Bonarda’s I have tasted from Argentina usually [...]

  • How Italians Changed the Wine World

    James Scarcebrook
    6 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Italians have been a part of my life from the day I was born. My mother’s stepfather migrated from a small village south of Rome to Australia when he was 14 and his four younger brothers eventually all joined him. He was one of the most intelligent people in my life, and the person I [...]

  • 2010 Angel Vine “Hellion” Washington Red Blend

    Marc Hinton
    30 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    This wine is a blend of Primitivo, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah all from the Stonetree Vineyard, the warmest source in the Wahluke Slope for Angel Vine. This blend is big and bold—and the super structured Petit Sirah brings out the best of all of them. The resulting wine is fairly large but very balanced and [...]

  • Will the “Real” Australia Please Stand Up?

    Pamela Heiligenthal
    22 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am
    We all know Australia produces ripe, rich wines like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. But what if I told you Australia produces cool-climate style wines as well? Would you believe me? On a recent trip, I participated on an international panel of wine writers to uncover the true character of Australian wine. What I found was [...]

  • Pebble Beach Food & Wine (The 5-Minute Recap)

    enobytes
    13 Apr 2013 | 1:46 pm
    Here is the 5-minute Pebble Beach Food & Wine recap. Interviewed: Drew Barrymore.  She says that women like ice in their wine, and her “Pinot Grigio has beautiful notes and it is lacking in acidity.” Interviewer tries not to look horrified. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Vino reports on the statements as Jon Bonne chimes in on [...]
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    50 States of Wine - A Food and Wine Blog

  • WBC13 = New Business Cards!

    17 May 2013 | 3:53 am
    Nothing like a Wine Bloggers Conference to impel me towards professionalism (not that it's ever going to happen). First order of business, business cards! Love going on the websites and just playing around with the designs. It just so happens that Vistaprint is having a sale on their "Premium" business cards (much like rug stores, business card websites are always seemingly having going out of business sales). I've designed a card once before for the blog, but it's somewhat flowery and fey and hard to read, not the image I want to project. Today I found a nice simple design (as seen above)…

  • JL Quinson Rosé

    15 May 2013 | 3:26 am
    Rosé for Mother's Day: 2012 JL Quinson Côtes de Provence - nice floral aromatics, citrus and stone fruit taste, good tart acidity, good with food, a great value for the price. Like 50 States Of Wine on Facebook Follow 50 States Of Wine on Twitter

  • 2011 Zuccardi Torrontés

    13 May 2013 | 3:45 am
    This 2011 Zuccardi Torrontés from Argentina is light straw in color, with orange blossom on the nose, pears and a hint of lychee on the palate, crisp acidity, and a smooth finish. Like 50 States Of Wine on Facebook Follow 50 States Of Wine on Twitter

  • III Forks Chicago

    10 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    The Chicago Tribune recently reported that Mayor Rahm Emanuel dined at III Forks Chicago, so we were really excited to head over there for a restaurant review recently. We actually walked over after the Wines of Portugal Grand Tasting, a pleasant walk along the Chicago River into Lakeshore East, one of the newer neighborhoods in the downtown area. Lakeshore East is a jewel of a park, surrounded by mostly high-rise buildings, giving a feel of quiet luxury after the noisiness of Michigan Avenue. III Forks sits above the park, with majestic views from the rooftop, where we ate dinner. The…

  • SakéOne Virtual Tasting

    9 May 2013 | 5:53 am
    Last night, a virtual tasting opened my eyes up to the whole new world, to me, of Saké. Tasting samples were sent to me and, with SakéOne's owner and brewer, along with a bunch of high-level wine bloggers, we tasted and talked. I definitely wasn't the only newbie, so plenty of questions were thrown and answered. Saké is not beer. It is not wine, nor is it a distilled spirit. It is a brewed rice beverage made from rice, water, yeast and koji. Koji (aspergillus Oryzae)—are mold spores introduced to steamed rice in a traditional cedarwood-lined room. The mold digests the rice with…
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    Wine Folly

  • The 18 Noble Grapes Wine Challenge

    madelinep
    17 May 2013 | 12:19 pm
    A Spectrum of Wine in Just 18 Noble Grapes Want to experience the entire range of wine? — It’s time to ditch the same ol’ wine you’ve been drinking and expand your palate. No more of that bottom-shelf TJ’s select or that bottle of Apothic Red. Why? Well, because not only will you get to try all 18 noble grapes, but by doing so you’ll be on the fast track to becoming a wine expert. Make a list of the grapes below and challenge yourself to try every one of them.   What Are The Noble Grapes? There are 18 red and white noble grapes (listed below) that…

  • Chardonnay Wine Guide: Something For Everyone

    madelinep
    16 May 2013 | 7:27 am
    Chardonnay is always classy. credit Why Love Chardonnay? If you’re not a Chanel-clad clubhouse member, you can still drink Chardonnay. Why? Because Chardonnay is the most diverse –and most planted– white wine grape in the world. It’s used for everything from rich Sonoma Chardonnay to the light-and-zesty ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne. Get to know the wide variety of styles of Chardonnay and pinpoint the one that’s perfect for you. Did you know? In 2011, Burgundy produced more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir. Read More Two Major Styles of Chardonnay If you like the idea of butter…

  • Sonoma Wine Map

    madelinep
    13 May 2013 | 12:19 pm
    It doesn’t really get any better than this. photo courtesy sonomawine.com Sitting in-between the Pacific Ocean and Napa Valley is Sonoma County. The region silently produces almost 2 times as much wine as Napa Valley and is responsible for some of the biggest names for Pinot Noir and Sparkling Wine in the United States. If you love Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, you should get comfy with your knowledge of Sonoma. Sonoma silently produces almost 2 times as much wine as Napa Get a lay of the land as well as learn the basics of all the Sonoma County AVA’s from the tiny…

  • Many Different Shades of Rosé Wine

    madelinep
    9 May 2013 | 10:03 am
    The pinker side of life.. by LUKSEMBURK   What is Rosé Wine? When a wine isn’t quite red, it’s rosé. Technically speaking, this pinkish beverage is produced differently than red wine but with the same grapes. For example, White Zinfandel is produced with the same grapes as Red Zinfandel but the two wines are stunningly different.   Learn all about Rosé wine, from the different styles and grapes to the varied flavors. Rosé wine is serious business –Seriously pink–   Unlikely Origins: Bordeaux The development of Rosé wine perhaps started with the…

  • Wine for Beer Drinkers

    madelinep
    7 May 2013 | 12:46 pm
    How come we don’t see this kind of fun with wine? credit Wine for Beer Drinkers For every bottle of wine drunk in the United States at least 20 bottles of beer are consumed. That means twenty-to-one your friends are drinking beer. So how do you get your friends to drink (and enjoy) more wine?   Below are six major styles of beer with a complimenting style of wine. Discover wine from a new perspective: wine for beer drinkers. Lager and Light Beer Pale Ale India Pale Ale Wheat Ale Belgium Ale Porters and Dark Ales How Does Beer Stack Up? Check out the big differences in Beer vs. Wine…
 
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    Pure Luxury Wine Tours

  • Healdsburg Jazz Festival

    gina
    15 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    Charlie Haden Jazz – the definition of it can be hard to present in a way that pleases all critics and fans. But one thing is certain, you know it when you hear it whether listening to ragtime, swing, latin jazz, smooth jazz, or any of the other numerous types of jazz. And the best way to sample a feast of Jazz, is to attend a Jazz Festival like the Healdsburg Jazz Festival that takes place from May 31 to June 9, 2013. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival and opening night is already sold out! With performances at indoor and outdoor venues, this year’s…

  • Grab a Seat for The Seghesio Family Vineyards Chef’s Summer Dinner Series

    Carey Sweet
    14 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Seghesio chef dinner Established in 1895 by Edoardo Seghesio, Seghesio Family Vineyards is best known today for its world class Zinfandels. But when summer arrives, the winery is celebrated for its excellent dinners, served in landmark vineyards that the winery established over more than a century, for 300 acres in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. Pete Seghesio It’s the return of The Seghesio Family Vineyards Chef’s Summer Dinner Series, a popular event that for $200 per person offers the opportunity to dine among the vines of the historic properties where the landmark…

  • The New Santé Sonoma is a Delicious Destination

    Carey Sweet
    10 May 2013 | 11:55 am
    The new Sante sophistication In January, Santé closed, as the flagship restaurant at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa underwent extensive renovation. But now, the shiny new space has reopened, and diners are enjoying a fresh new look for the space, which now sports a modern minimalist style with contemporary furniture and lots of local art, plus a brand new, 56-seat Santé Terrace for al fresco meals. The work isn’t done yet, however – the adjacent lobby bar is getting its own nips and tucks and will reopen in July. Happily, though, executive chef Bruno Tison and chef de cuisine…

  • Napa Valley Vintners Auction Napa Valley 2013

    gina
    8 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    In 1981 the Napa Valley Vintners fundraiser, Auction Napa Valley, was founded with the intention to raise funds for the Napa community. Since then, Auction Napa Valley has raised over $110 million benefitting Napa non-profit organizations that help Napa residents with affordable housing, youth development, and health care. Proceeds continue to focus on programs dedicated to community health and children’s education. Auction Napa Valley 2013 is sold out; however, you can still take a look at everything this incredible event offers and be sure to mark your calendar to purchase tickets for…

  • 16th Annual Taste Alexander Valley

    gina
    1 May 2013 | 10:30 am
    Located north of the city of Healdsburg in northern Sonoma County, you will find Alexander Valley. Mostly known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Alexander Valley’s other varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Syrah have also received critical acclaim and praise from all people who love great wine. This year the Alexander Valley Winegrowers Association presents the 16th annual Taste of Alexander Valley – an incredible event that welcomes guests to visit Alexander Valley and sample stellar wines firsthand. Things you need to know: Taste of Alexander Valley takes…
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    Jacksonville Wine Guide

  • Kupljen “Spirit of Svetinje” White Wine Blend, Slovenia.

    Kris
    16 May 2013 | 10:23 am
      Grapes 34% Chardonnay, 33% Renski Riesling, 33% Pinot Gris   Facts Ahhh yes! There’s nothing better than getting home from a hard day’s graft ( after staring at a computer for most of the day) than to kick off my shoes, and reaching for a bottle of Kupljen “Spirit of Svetinje” from the Jeruzalemsko-Svetinjske hills of north-eastern Slovenia… Ok, so that’s a lie. Firstly, I mainly work out of my house, so my shoes are pretty-much off all day. Secondly, this happens to be the first bottle of Slovenian wine which has ever entered the Chislett household; and indeed, the…

  • The World in Wine – INFOGRAPHIC

    Kris
    15 May 2013 | 5:36 pm
    Wine infographic brought to you by: www.wild-grapes.co.uk

  • 23rd Annual Jacksonville Foodfight

    Kris
    15 May 2013 | 5:00 am
      What Each year volunteers representing the local restaurant community host an event called “The Jacksonville FOODFIGHT” that features 60 of Jacksonville’s finest restaurants and beverage wholesalers/distributors who come together in friendly competition to “take a bite out of hunger” by raising funds and awareness for Second Harvest North Florida. More than 1,200 guests are tempted to taste everything they see from the glorious variety of the finest foods and spirits displayed throughout two floors of the fabulous Touchdown Club East at EverBank Field.

  • EVERYTHING Pairs With Pinot!

    Kris
    9 May 2013 | 7:56 am

  • Wine Down Every Wednesday in May.

    Kris
    7 May 2013 | 5:28 am
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    Nectar Tasting Room and Wine Blog

  • Introducing the New Kid on the Block

    drinknectar
    16 May 2013 | 10:40 am
    Well, you may have heard that the original wine slinger, Ben Hilzinger, is moving on to rainier pastures in Seattle. Benny (as we affectionately call him) has been the face of Nectar for nearly 2 and 1/2 years. Check out my touching tribute to him here. After an exhaustive search, I am excited to announce [...]

  • Farewell my Friend, Best Wishes Ben Hilzinger

    drinknectar
    7 May 2013 | 2:46 pm
    Every once in a while you meet someone who becomes incredibly special to you and your life. In January 2011, shortly after Nectar opened, a tall skinny, good looking kid came in and asked how he could help with Spokane Wine Magazine. He worked at Arbor Crest, Lindaman’s, and was very passionate about wine. I [...]

  • Beauty and the Vine at Nectar

    drinknectar
    2 May 2013 | 9:16 am
    Attention ladies, we have put together an event just for you! Imagine being pampered by a massage therapist, make-up artist, and medical spa in one place. Now, imagine all of that with wine. We have put together an amazing event with the help of sponsor Glo Medical Spa, Zuri Skin Spa, Threshold Fitness, Brick House [...]

  • Spring Release Weekend in Spokane

    drinknectar
    2 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    In celebration of Spring and in honor of mothers everywhere, Spokane area wineries will host a special weekend of wine tasting as part of the Spokane Winery Association’s annual Mother’s Day Spring Release Weekend. The event runs May 10-12 during the event hours of 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. each day at the local wineries. [...]

  • Nectar Spokane Wine Events May 2013

    drinknectar
    1 May 2013 | 7:40 am
    It seems as if May is the kick off of Summer around these parts. Local wine events heat up along with the weather. In the world of Nectar and our five Washington Wineries, it is a time for big sales, new releases and lots of activity in the tasting room. In May we introduce a [...]
 
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    Wine Reviews and Tasting Reports - International Wine Report

  • VEUVE DOUSSOT Champagne Memory Cuvée Guy Joly 2005

    14 May 2013 | 10:07 am
    A blend of 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, this Champagne has a light yellow-golden color with perfumed aromas of white flowers, lemon curd, toasted brioche and ginger. The long, subtly acidic finish shows hints of smoky minerality and fresh fruit. This is drinking nicely now and should be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years. (Best 2013-2020) - May, 2013 (MD) 90 Points

  • ROBERTO VOERZIO Dolcetto d'Alba Priavino 2007

    13 May 2013 | 10:01 am
    Dark berries, crushed rocks mineral hints of mint leaves. Well-structured with a silky, round texture and long lingering finish. Roberto Voerzio produces 15,000 bottles of this Dolcetto from the clay and calcareous soils of the Priavino vineyard. Picked in mid-September, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks, and the wine is aged for five months in bottle. (Best 2013-2016) - May, 2013(JD) 90 Points Suggested Price: $26

  • QUINTA DO VALE MEÃO Douro 2007

    12 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    The 2007 Quinta do Vale Meão Douro is stunning, blackberries, crème de cassis, thai Spices, crushed violets, chocolate and salty minerals are just some of the aromas that leap from the glass. Dense and concentrated with gorgeous acidity keeping this fresh and inviting. This shows impeccable structure, balance and finesse all the way through the long finish. It is just starting to hit its stride and should have no problem lasting well over another decade. Just a remarkable wine and easily one of the best reds I have ever tasted from Portugal. Composed of Touriga Franca (45%), Touriga…

  • CHATEAU MONTELENA Chardonnay 2010

    11 May 2013 | 4:55 pm
    The 2010 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena brings pretty aromas of sliced pears mixed with tropical fruits followed by stony minerals, citrus zest and honeysuckle. Focused with a soft creamy texture balanced by racy acidity ending in a clean, mouth-watering finish. This is an excellent chardonnay made in a Burgundian style that will certainly develop with time. (Best 2013-2020) - May, 2013 (JD) 91 Points Average Price: $50

  • CHATEAU MONTELENA Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

    11 May 2013 | 8:35 am
    The 2010 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon offers inviting aromas of fresh black currants, cherries, bell peppers, spices with hints of smoke and minerals. Well-structured with gorgeous tannins and a beautiful velvety texture which carries over onto the long finish. This is an excellent showing for The estate's entry level Cabernet and although excellent right now, it also indicates potential for some aging. Composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc which spent 14 months French and Eastern European oak. (Best 2014-2020) - May, 2013 (JD) 92 Points Average Price: $50
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    grapefriend

  • ace of spades swiftly kicks every other bottle service’s ass

    grapefriend
    17 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    So Ace of Spades now has this thing called Armand de Brignac Dynastie that’s a collection of every available bottle format it comes in. It goes for the low, low price of half a million bucks. Why’s it called Dynastie? Wouldn’t have anything to do with Jay-Z’s Dynasty album, would it now? This Dynastie includes nine … Continue reading »

  • throwback thursday: carrie & big

    grapefriend
    16 May 2013 | 7:18 am
    Forget Cosmo’s. Sex and the City also had tons of Champagne, a few bottles of wine, and Big even wound up moving to Napa. Oh, and look whose glass is empty? Miss that show.  Continue reading »

  • reese and rosé: two months later…

    grapefriend
    15 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    What a difference a two months and one arrest make. Yesterday Reese and Jim Toth were spotted having lunch at the Soho House. While Jim is going for the grape, Reese looks like she’s very politically drinking water. But remember her birthday in Cabo in March?  Ah, but that was all pre “Do you know … Continue reading »

  • prince harry gets grapey at the british embassy

    grapefriend
    14 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Oh hey, have you heard? Prince Harry’s in the US. The Daily Beast is doing rolling updates on his every move which is hilarious. Grapefriend is heart-warmed at all the pics of him visiting soldiers and stuff, but come on, all we really care about is the wine he was served at the British Embassy … Continue reading »

  • skip your lunch, not your wine!

    grapefriend
    13 May 2013 | 1:10 pm
    It’s that time of year! Once again, Team Grapefriend takes a little break from the grapes to raise funds for Skip Lunch Fight Hunger, City Harvest’s annual campaign that asks people to donate what they normally spend on lunch to help feed New York’s hungry children and their families. During the summer, access to free … Continue reading »
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    Grapelines

  • It All Depends Upon The Grapes – And The Winemaker’s Skill

    Lou
    7 May 2013 | 11:18 am
      Review of the Soreka Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 and two single cask Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.   By Joshua E. London and Lou Marmon   Washington Jewish Week  – May 1, 2013   One question we are periodically asked is, “How do they get all those flavors into the wine?” The thought presumably being that the winemaker is somehow like a chef, creating finished dishes from a variety of ingredients besides just the primary one – that somehow winemakers add additional elements into their fermentation vats, perhaps throwing in…

  • It’s Almost Summer – Daiquiri Season

    Lou
    2 May 2013 | 10:19 am
      A review of the Yatir Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and a look at the Daiquiri.   By Joshua E. London and Lou Marmon   Washington Jewish Week – April 24, 2013   Sauvignon Blanc is one of our favorite warm weather wines. It is produced around the winemaking world in a number of different styles ranging from dry to very sweet dessert wines. The bright flavors and balanced acidity typical of well made dry, nonsweet versions of Sauvignon Blancs pair well with lighter summer fare, including cheeses, salads and even sushi; it makes for delightful backyard deck or picnic sipping.

  • Vicchiomaggio – A Destination For Wine Lovers

    Lou
    25 Apr 2013 | 8:17 am
      A review of the wonderful wines from Tuscany’s Castello Vicchiomaggio.   By Lou Marmon   Gazette Newspapers  April 25, 2013   There are few places in the world more picturesque than the Tuscany hills, especially when viewed from Castello di Vicchiomaggio while sipping some of their excellent wines. Located on a commanding summit just north of Greve in Chianti, the site’s first castle was constructed in the 5th century by settlers who named the place Vicchio dei Longobardi. During the Renaissance the name was changed to its current “Village of May” and it was…

  • Spluring On Fortified Wines

    Lou
    18 Apr 2013 | 6:51 am
        A review of the Zion Miharmartif and several Port-finished Whiskies.   By Joshua E. London and Lou Marmon   Washington Jewish Week  April 17, 2013   While we love a bargain wine, every so often it is fun to splurge, especially when the bottle remains drinkable for a long time after the cork has been pulled. This is the domain of the fortified wine, that middle ground between wine and spirit. Some fortified wines, such as Port and Madeira, can provide pleasure for weeks after opening while others retain their flavors only if kept refrigerated. These wines are…

  • Introducing The “Cab Franc”

    Lou
    15 Apr 2013 | 5:21 am
        Reviews of the  Alexander Reserve Cabernet Franc 2009 and several Tomintoul Single Malt whiskies.   By Joshua E. London and Lou Marmon   Washington Jewish Week  April 10, 2013   Cabernet franc is one of the lesser-known grape varietals. Aromatic and with a softer feel than its better-known progeny cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc is usually added to enhance aromas and mellow a wine’s structure without sacrificing its ability to age. Cabernet franc, or “cab franc” as it is often called for short, even plays a prominent role in several of the…
 
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    JJ Buckley Fine Wines - Blog

  • Torbreck’s ‘The Laird’ – Pursuing Perfection in One of Australia’s Greatest Wines

    JJ Buckley Fine Wines
    10 May 2013 | 1:10 pm
    Torbreck’s ‘The Laird’ – Pursuing Perfection in One of Australia’s Greatest Wines Post by Chuck Hayward | May 10th, 2013 Not one, but two (!) vintages of ‘The Laird’ So what is it like to drink perfection? It’s a question frequently asked by consumers and the trade. The following story is about tasting 100-point ‘perfection’. And it begins many years ago… In the summer of 2010, I heard that Torbreck, one of the Barossa Valley’s leading wineries, had released a new wine from the 2005 vintage called ‘The Laird’. The textured…

  • Where to Wine & Dine: Bordeaux

    JJ Buckley Fine Wines
    1 May 2013 | 1:49 pm
    Grand Bar Castan: Oldest Bar in Bordeaux Where to Wine & Dine: Bordeaux Post by Chuck Hayward | May 1st, 2013 For anyone traveling to the wine regions of France, it’s assumed (and rightly so), that an immersion into local cuisine should be part of the experience. After all, what is a trip to Burgundy without eating escargot or fine dining while visiting Champagne? So it goes without saying that a trip to Bordeaux will be incomplete unless you dip your toes into the local dining scene. But the geography and the way business is conducted in Bordeaux conspire to make it difficult to…

  • In 2012, The Right Bank Gets it Right

    JJ Buckley Fine Wines
    17 Apr 2013 | 3:17 pm
    In 2012, The Right Bank Gets it Right Post by Chuck Hayward | April 17th, 2013 Definitely not running late to our appointment…for lunch Visiting en primeur is not only a test of mind and palate – it’s also a trial in organizational skills (or occasionally, lack thereof). With so many tastings and wineries to visit, all spread across the wide swath of land that makes up Bordeaux, it’s imperative that appointments are scheduled in such a way that one spends more time tasting than travelling. It can take an hour to go from Bordeaux to Chateau Calon Segur in St. Estephe.

  • Pontet-Canet ‘Saddles-Up’ in 2012

    JJ Buckley Fine Wines
    16 Apr 2013 | 3:16 pm
    Pontet-Canet ‘Saddles-Up’ in 2012 Post by Alex Fondren | April 16th, 2013 Pontet-Canet vineyard view from the chateau In a variable vintage like 2012, it’s often hard to find consensus on which appellations and wines showed best. Our first official day tasting up and down the Haut Medoc proved no different, with some very spirited debates regarding the success of several big name properties. One estate that proved incapable of rousing much controversy, however, was Pontet-Canet. Probably one of “the” wines of the Left Bank in 2012, the majority of us left impressed with what…

  • Bordeaux 2012: An Insider’s Look at This Year’s Pricing and Strategies

    JJ Buckley Fine Wines
    15 Apr 2013 | 2:26 pm
    Bordeaux 2012: An Insider’s Look at This Year’s Pricing and Strategies Post by Chuck Hayward | April 15th, 2013 JJB’s Ryan Moses and Jeff Loo take notes on the vintage My fourth consecutive visit to Bordeaux en primeur was accompanied by the usual meetings with negociants and wineries. It wasn’t long before I began to pick up on the topical trends that began to occur with every conversation. At first, there’s always a discussion of the weather – understandable given the way it shapes the quality of the region’s star commodity. Then the chatter turns quickly…
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    drunk.com

  • 2013 Vintage – Part 3 of 5

    drunkard
    21 Apr 2013 | 5:27 am
    Shiraz has left its mark on me. In addition to working closely with a winemaker in a tiny winery in the Adelaide Hills for the past four vintages, this year I’ve also been working at what could be described as a medium-sized winery that makes use of fruit from across South Australia. While not an especially large winery when compared with names like Penfolds or Casella, it’s been a big step up for me in terms not only of scale and varieties, but in terms of my role in a team. The first big difference was that I was hired as a casual cellar hand for the vintage and paid an hourly…

  • 2013 Vintage – Part 2 of 5

    drunkard
    16 Apr 2013 | 2:16 pm
    Whole bunches of Sauvignon Blanc grapes. As with the previous three years, I worked the 2013 vintage at a winery in the Adelaide Hills.  It was a small vintage, not because of yields in the vineyard but rather because the owner / winemaker has been cutting back on his wine production and selling on more of his fruit.  We worked with three crops of grapes:  Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills is a distinct expression of the variety, distinct from the better known wines of the Loire Valley in France or the now ubiquitous New Zealand…

  • 2013 Vintage – Part 1 of 5

    drunkard
    6 Apr 2013 | 10:03 pm
    Pinot Noir grapes – hand picked whole bunches I’ve been working vintage this year, which for me is one of the most important aspects of the relationship I have with wine.  It’s my fourth, and I wrote a bit about it last year as a break from writing about wines that I was drinking.  This year it was a much more time intensive process, and so writing has been largely set aside.  However, as vintage draws to a close, I’m going to take a week to write up what this vintage has meant to me while it’s still fresh in my mind. One thing I’ve not properly…

  • Best’s Great Western Old Vine Pinot Meunier 2010

    drunkard
    28 Feb 2013 | 12:38 am
    Best’s Great Western Old Vine Pinot Meunier 2010 It’s been a tough week and a half so far working vintage.  Early starts and long days are par for the course, so I can’t complain about them.  Equipment issues are more of a pain, with a pair of pumps needing repairs so far.  The worst for me though is the physical exertion, in stark contrast to my otherwise fairly cushy life, and this year it’s been compounded by an accident (which was completely my fault) involving a forklift, a barrel rack and my head.  Three stitches and a tetanus shot later later I’m fine,…

  • The 2013 Vintage Has Started

    drunkard
    18 Feb 2013 | 4:01 am
    As some may remember from last year, I work vintage.  This year, in addition to having plans to work again with a producer in the Adelaide Hills, I’ll be doing some work with a producers best known for McLaren Vale wines.  Today was the first day, and I’m generally knackered from an invigorating start, punctuated by the general lack of sleep experienced by someone with a newborn in the house.  So yes, a new daughter, my second, and the start of vintage, my fourth.  If not for just how good beer tastes after a day of making wine, I’m not sure how I’d survive. In…
 
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    Blog Your Wine

  • Kupljen “Spirit of Svetinje” White Wine Blend, Slovenia.

    Kris
    16 May 2013 | 10:10 am
      Grapes 34% Chardonnay, 33% Renski Riesling, 33% Pinot Gris   Facts Ahhh yes! There’s nothing better than getting home from a hard day’s graft ( after staring at a computer for most of the day) than to kick off my shoes, and reaching for a bottle of Kupljen “Spirit of Svetinje” from the Jeruzalemsko-Svetinjske hills of north-eastern Slovenia… Ok, so that’s a lie. Firstly, I mainly work out of my house, so my shoes are pretty-much off all day. Secondly, this happens to be the first bottle of Slovenian wine which has ever entered the Chislett household; and indeed, the…

  • The World in Wine – INFOGRAPHIC

    Kris
    15 May 2013 | 5:36 pm
    Wine infographic brought to you by: www.wild-grapes.co.uk

  • EVERYTHING Pairs With Pinot!

    Kris
    9 May 2013 | 6:55 am

  • Sauternes – Ain’t Nobody Got Time Fo’ Dat!

    Kris
    30 Apr 2013 | 6:04 am
    Even though Bordeaux remains the Old World wine of choice for many with new money to burn, their tastes are no-doubt changing. When people think of Bordeaux, sweet wine is more than likely the LAST thing on their mind! Sauternes and Barsac, in the Bordeaux region of France, make a very different kind of wine than people have come to know Bordeaux for; namely, sweet and white. But growers in the region have slowly started to move away from producing sweet whites, after they’ve seen it fall out of fashion with the general public. “It’s sad because Sauternes has never been better,” said…

  • Baldacci Cabernet, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley.

    Kris
    19 Apr 2013 | 1:23 pm
      Grapes 100% Cabernet   Facts There’s Napa and there’s Napa. The term “Napa Cabernet” is all too often used to refer to any wine that hails from “The Valley.” This rhetoric quite effectively tars all wineries with the same brush: from the behemoth brands, supplying many of the large grocery stores with their generic-tasting wine-flavored alcohol; all the way through to the small estate properties, producing miniscule quantities of truly hand-crafted wines each year. The problem here is that there’s a growing number of smaller wineries who are placing great emphasis on…
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    SourMashed

  • Review: Vendange Chardonnay

    sour1382
    17 May 2013 | 5:27 am
    I picked up a tetra pak of Vendange Chardonnay the other day. Why would I ever do such a thing? I can give you at least three reasons. First, I wanted to review Vendange Chardonnay. Second, I always find it somewhat humorous to drink wine from a box, so why not amuse myself? Finally, I wanted an excuse to use the phrase “tetra pak” at least six times in a review. Like I said, drinking only gets you so far and you have to do more to keep yourself amused. When I first popped open this tetra pak of Vendange Chardonnay, I did not detect much of an aroma. After about five minutes of…

  • Review: Bogle Merlot

    sour1382
    16 May 2013 | 5:24 am
    If you have made it this far in your life without trying one of Bogle’s wines, you are one of the few wine drinkers in America who has not. Bogle is known for making affording, pretty good wines that you can find at every grocery store in the country. The Bogle Merlot is no exception. We picked up this bottle at our local neighborhood Jewel-Osco for around $11. The Bogle Merlot is made from a blend of grapes from Clarksburg, Lodi, and Monterey, and the wine spends a full year barrel aging in American Oak. The resulting product has a surprising heft for a Merlot. Too many cheap Merlots…

  • Review: Middle Sister Smarty Pants Chardonnay

    sour1382
    15 May 2013 | 5:22 am
    I picked up this bottle of Middle Sister Smarty Pants Chardonnay for one reason. If you read a lot of our reviews, you’ve probably noticed that I have been somewhat fed up recently with way too many oaky bottles of Chardonnay. Not that there is anything wrong with an oaky Chardonnay, I have just OD’ed on them for the moment. Some kind soul recommended this wine as the answer to my problems. And they were right! Middle Sister Smarty Pants Chardonnay has practically no noticeable oak flavors whatsoever! It is made from a blend consisting of around three parts Chardonnay and one part…

  • Review: Biltmore Century White Wine

    sour1382
    14 May 2013 | 5:19 am
    Sometimes you buy a wine simply because it has a striking bottle or because it has won numerous awards. I could completely understand if you grabbed your first bottle of Biltmore Century White Wine for either reason. Having won two double golds and two golds in wine competitions as well as having a gorgeous bottle, this wine is hard to resist. The Biltmore Century White Wine occupies a fascinating spot in the sweetness continuum. It is sweeter than the Biltmore Riesling, which I found interesting. Most blended whites that I have tried tend to shy away from the sweet. That is definitely not…

  • Review: Blue Fin Pinot Noir

    sour1382
    13 May 2013 | 5:59 am
    With a price of only $4, how could I say no to picking up a bottle of Blue Fin Pinot Noir? It barely even matters what it taste like. $4 wine is practically free wine in my book. After all, that is an entire bottle of Pinot Noir for less than I have to pay for a Miller Lite at the bar down on the corner. With a wine like Blue Fin, I evaluate the value like this: would I rather sit at home and have a bottle of this or go down to the corner and have a Miller Lite at the bar? Yep, that sure is a high bar. So is Blue Fin Pinot Noir a better value? The crux of the matter is how drinkable it may…
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    paul gregutt's washington wine blog – unfined & unfiltered

  • kevin white – doin' it right!

    16 May 2013 | 11:53 pm
    There’s a sea change in the way new, tiny, boutique wineries are being prepped and presented, at least among some of the more compelling examples that have appeared here in the Pacific Northwest in the recent past.Credit better education, mentoring, global experience, youthful energy, a bit of history to draw upon, the challenging economy, changing tastes and lifestyles – any or all of the above come into play. But in more than a few instances, I’m seeing wineries debut with limited releases of well-crafted, well-designed, affordable wines that showcase fruit and vintage and variety,…

  • nose in the nooze

    15 May 2013 | 8:24 am
    Some odd tidbits from the digital flotsam and jetsam arriving on the tide this morning...From the Drinks Business online comes word that Swedish and Spanish engineers have invented an electronic nose that works better than a human organ. There are still a few hiccups to be worked out, however. As the article reveals, the nose, which resembles a deconstructed vacuum cleaner, only works with chopped apples and pears. Its main claim to fame is that it can detect methane and butane. Nonetheless, its creators are convinced that eventually it will replace wine critics. Not that anyone would really…

  • the stu sutcliffe and pete best of bordeaux grapes

    12 May 2013 | 3:12 pm
    Students of Beatles trivia know that Sutcliffe and Best were both Beatles (playing bass and drums respectively) before the group solidified as a quartet, with McCartney on bass and Ringo on drums. I’ve often felt that among the six red Bordeaux grapes, Sutcliffe and Best must be the Malbec and Carmenère. John Lennon’s the Cabernet Sauvignon, Paul’s the Merlot, George the Cab Franc and Ringo the Petit Verdot (obviously). But Stu and Pete are destined to remain footnotes to greatness, as were Malbec and Carmenère in Bordeaux.At least until South America got hold of them. Somehow, Malbec…

  • friday wrap - while i was at the beach

    10 May 2013 | 8:29 am
    I am catching up after a week on the road. Of course, everything important seems to happen when you’re gone. Spring not only came to our Waitsburg gardens, it exploded into full-blown glory. This barely a week after temps had dipped into the upper 20s at night. Grapevines are fine, but some of the roses and early-budding trees took a hit.An official announcement from Walla Walla Community College welcomed Dr. Alan Busacca to the position of Director of Enology and Viticulture at the College. Dr. Busacca has an extensive background in both education and the wine industry – he is a…

  • the hunt for oregon’s iconic white wine

    7 May 2013 | 4:29 pm
    Much of the discussion among winemakers and those in the audience at last Saturday’s Oregon Chardonnay Symposium centered around the idea of defining an ‘Oregon’ style of Chardonnay. Winemakers noted that they sensed a lot of enthusiasm for the grape among their tasting room visitors, but the question of how (or if) to describe a specific Oregon style seemed to be a bit of a head-scratcher.My take – there is no such thing as an Oregon style, nor need there be. Now, I am the same guy who has spent much of the last two Oregon Pinot Gris Symposiums preaching just the opposite. Stop…
 
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    HoseMaster of Wine™

  • The Feiring Squad Misses The Rapture

    16 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    They were just gone one day. All of them. It had been prophesied, but who believes prophets? There are rarely real prophets in the wine business. Not for those who’d disappeared anyway. One day the landscape was littered with Natural Wine winemakers, the next day they had vanished quicker than the finish on one of their wines. They weren’t at a conference. They weren’t at a public wine tasting selling their wines to novice wine drinkers drunk on their own righteousness, the deluded who profess...

  • Vornography

    13 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    In February 2010, I published this lampoon of Alder Yarrow's Vinography. I think his was the first wine blog I parodied, and it raised something of a ruckus. Not as much as my later piece about Alice Feiring, but plenty. I was always offended by Yarrow's nonsensical notion that he could adequately taste several hundred wines in a few hours, and his post about the 2010 ZAP tasting must have pushed me over the edge. Though it doesn't take much to push the HoseMaster over the edge. The original...

  • Good Things Come to Those Who Waitsburg

    9 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Waitsburg Cellars Wines I’m Using to Write About Me Waitsburg Cellars 2012 Pinot Gris Old Vines Columbia Valley $15 Waitsburg Cellars 2012 “Cheninierès” Old Vine Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley $17 Waitsburg Cellars 2012 “Chevray” Old Vine Chenin Blanc Columbia Valley $17 Waitsburg Cellars 2012 Riesling Old Vine Columbia Valley $15 Waitsburg Cellars 2011 “Three” Merlot Malbec Mourvèdre Columbia Valley $25 I think most wine bloggers would agree that the one genuinely satisfying aspect of...

  • Better Off Dead--New Wine Books

    6 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    I decided it was time to review the latest cascade of new wine books, so I have done so over at Tim Atkin's wonderful blog. Once a month, Tim allows me to bring the conversation down to a HoseMaster level, and insult our wine friends in the UK. I like to think of it as satire. Tim has a stable of talented wine writers publishing on his blog. I'm just the guy who cleans up the stable. Shoveling crap--it's what I do! Everyone seems a bit reluctant to comment on Tim's blog, but I actually think...

  • Aesop's Wine Fables

    2 May 2013 | 8:00 am
                                            The Winemaker and the Cow A cow was calmly grazing in her pasture when she was approached by a winemaker with a chainsaw and a bucket. “I need your horns,” the winemaker said. The cow ruminated a moment, then responded, “Go fuck yourself.” Obviously, this...
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    Champagne+

  • Armand de Brignac Dynastie

    admin
    17 May 2013 | 9:27 am
    Armand de Brignac Dynastie is a rare collection of Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Champagne which includes various bottle formats from the standard 750ml bottle to and including the exclusive 30-litre Midas. Hakkasan Las Vegas, a new five-level culinary and nightlife mecca at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, is the first nightlife complex in the world to offer the Armand de Brignac Dynastie collection. Hakkasan has exclusively listed the package for $500,000, making it the world’s most extravagant bottle service experience. Collectively, the Armand de Brignac Dynastie amounts to 109 bottles…

  • Researchers Reveal Link Between Champagne and Cognitive Health

    admin
    11 May 2013 | 8:34 pm
    A recent study reveals that drinking champagne, anywhere from 1 to 3 glasses per week, could benefit your memory and postpone the onset of dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain disorders. The study was recently published in the journal Antioxidants and Redox Signalling. The research team, consisting of scientists from the University of Reading, in the United Kingdom, discovered that the phenolic compounds that are found in champagne are responsible for improving spatial memory. This is the type of memory involved in the gathering of information related to the…

  • Moët & Chandon is the official Champagne The Great Gatsby

    admin
    28 Apr 2013 | 12:51 pm
    Moët & Chandon has joined a stellar list of sponsors for the Great Gatsby production — The Baz Luhrmann movie is based on the classic novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald and is due to hit theatres May 10th. Great Gatsby is set during a time when importing wine from Europe to Canada was done illegally. Coincidentally, Moët & Chandon is putting their 1921 vintage on sale — perfecting marketing on both ends. Leonardo DiCaprio is part of the collaboration and promises to be in Cannes. We are not sure what they have in mind – a “Gatsby” inspired cocktail is almost…

  • Sunshine to Launch Canada’s First Veuve Clicquot Snow Bar

    admin
    18 Apr 2013 | 7:02 pm
    Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard resort will unveil Canada’s first Veuve Clicquot Champagne and Oyster Bar officially on Saturday, April 27th, 2013. The on-mountain venue, located in the spring patio of historic Trappers Saloon, will offer guests an exclusive location to take in Sunshine’s Spring Concert Series. Sunshine’s new après ski offering, which is well-known in resorts around the globe, will enable guests to sample one of the most recognizable Champagne brands while enjoying freshly shucked West Coast oysters. “Veuve Clicquot snow bars are recognized at top…

  • Global Champagne exports rise 3.4%

    admin
    4 Apr 2013 | 4:09 pm
    Champagne exports across the globe have increased by 3.4% in value while the number of bottles exported fell by four million in 2012, according to the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC). The UK topped the list with Champagne exports increasing by 0.5% in value despite volumes dropped by 6.1% to 32.4 million bottles. The increase in value was due to heavy spending from wealthy consumers from Russia and China living in London and often visit restaurants, hotels, bars and clubs – these places account for 30% of UK sales. UK Champagne Bureau, the educational and…
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    Hudson Valley Wine Goddess

  • New York Gruner Veltliner by Fulkerson Winery

    Debbie
    16 May 2013 | 5:21 am
    When you hear Gruner Veltliner you think of a Austria.  Well it’s only natural because Gruner is the most dominant grape planted throughout the country. But where else can you find wine made with the same grape outside Austria. We don’t have to look to far, just to the Finger Lakes region of New York. Fulkerson Winery is one of a few wineries in the Finger Lakes region producing Gruner Veltliner.  Planting their Gruner in 2010, the 2012 vintage is their inaugural release. The wine is all estate grown and was harvested at 20.8 brix.  The alcohol level clocked in at 12%. The nose…

  • Summer of White Wine & Bubbly

    Debbie
    13 May 2013 | 6:22 am
    I was recently looking in my wine cellar for a white wine to bring to a party and realized my choices were quite boring.  I had many California and New York Chardonnays and nothing out of the box.  You know what? I am getting bored!  I told my husband, no more California & NY Chards and we are going to explore different wines from different countries. This summer join me as I explore the white wines of the world.  No more NY or CA Chardonnays.  Quite honestly, I really can’t say there will be no Chardonnays, because Chardonnay produced in a different country like France,…

  • Life of a Wine – My Journey with 12 Bottles of Syrah

    Debbie
    9 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    A few weeks ago I was a guest blogger for The Wine Key.  It’s a post I have been waiting to write, because how many times do we open a bottle of wine we have been aging and it’s on one side of the other of that bell shaped curve. Not the side we were expecting.  Does it change again? Join me on my journey with 12 bottles of Syrah. http://www.the-wine-key.com/blog/2013/4/16/the-life-of-a-wine-the-journey-of-12-bottles-of-syrah.html

  • Notes From the Captain Lawrence Tasting Room, Vol. 59 Re-imagining the Grapefruit Diet

    Debbie
    7 May 2013 | 6:33 am
    They came from far away, on bicycles, and they came from so close they could walk. They sipped a new beer that makes clever use of a fat, round, semi-sweet fruit, and they sampled some tried and true brews as well. While Captain Lawrence’s digs will never be as pedestrian-friendly as the old Pleasantville spot, a foursome from Elmsford did, in fact, hoof it to the brewery on a gorgeous Sunday. “It’s such a nice day, and we figured we’d bring the dog along,” says Alyssa Jacobs of Elmsford, nodding at the sweet-dispositioned Chihuahua-Shi Tzu mix huddled under the picnic table. Her…

  • Tousey Winery’s Rose and Riesling Release Party

    Debbie
    6 May 2013 | 6:20 am
    A couple of Saturdays ago I drove up to Tousey Winery for their Rose & Riesling Release Party.  I had found out about the party when  I was attending an event at Cru Club Wine Bar in Rhinebeck. On this beautiful Saturday I set forth for the ride to Germantown to do some Rose and Riesling tasting. We began the tasting with the 2012 Rebellion Rose that was 100% Blaufrankisch. Aromas of red berry and strawberry filled my glass.  It was quite delightful! The palate was just bursting with bright red fruit. Many of you may know that I have been trying to find a Rose that I like.  I can…
 
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    Découvertes de Vin

  • California Cabernet Society 2013 Passport to Cabernet Tasting

    winediscoveries
    9 May 2013 | 2:19 pm
    Sneak previews of the 2012 Vintage in a tremendous tasting event This past Monday on May 6th, the California Cabernet Society put on their Spring tasting event. The tasting consisted of current Cabernet releases and barrel tastings of the 2012 vintage. The wineries present were from all over California including Napa and Sonoma as well as the Central Coast. The event was held at the Bentley Reserve in San Francisco’s financial district. An elegant setting to show off these world-class wines. Tasty aged cheeses and artisan breads and meats were expertly provided by Winery Chefs. The…

  • AVA Spotlight – Dry Creek AVA

    winediscoveries
    30 Apr 2013 | 1:15 pm
    Diversity and true excellence in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Welcome to our first AVA Spotlight. This is a new series that will focus on different American Viticultural Areas including history, wineries, climate, soil, and other interesting facts. Our first is the Dry Creek AVA in Sonoma California. The Dry Creek Valley AVA came onto our radar only very recently while working on our Sonoma Supermarket Finds showdown. While researching that piece, we found a tasty Fume Blanc and very nice Cabernet from Dry Creek Vineyards. Both had very nice price points and were quite food friendly. As we began…

  • Supermarket Finds – White Wines April 2013

    winediscoveries
    25 Apr 2013 | 1:59 pm
    Nice spring sippers for nice prices With new releases hitting the store shelves and the weather warming up, we rounded up some nicely priced whites to enjoy with the warm weather. Here we  revisit the new vintages of some old favorites and also add some new favorites. La Vielle Ferme 2010 Blanc DdV: 87 Price: $9.99 1.5L Blend: Bourboulenc , Grenache Blanc , Ugni Blanc , Vermentino Source: AOC Luberon  - France Easily the best deal for a 1.5L bottle of tasty white out there. Regularly $9.99 at Costco! Their red wine made our supermarket find of the year last year and this white is right on…

  • 2013 Mount Veeder Spring Tasting

    winediscoveries
    12 Apr 2013 | 3:12 pm
    An amazing showcase of world-class wines in San Francisco’s Presidio This past Wednesday April 10th, The Mount Veeder AVA held its spring wine tasting event at the Golden Gate Club in San Francisco’s Presidio. Twenty eight wineries were pouring their world-class wines from the AVA that rises above the southern Napa Valley. The event consisted of trade, media and consumers and occurred on a perfect San Francisco spring day. Tasty bites including artisan breads, cheeses, and nuts were perfectly presented by Winery Chefs. As we will describe below, the wines sourced from this magic…

  • A Different Take on Easter Ham

    winediscoveries
    31 Mar 2013 | 4:28 pm
    We go a bit out of the box with outstanding results Giving thanks, time with family, and a delicious ham dinner is standard for Easter. Also standard is the eternal question of which wine to pair with the ham and fixings. The basic rule has always been: “if you like white go Chardonnay, if you like red go Pinot.” While that is fine advice, we wanted to find a truly fine match for our chosen menu and decided to go out of the box. While taking wine pairing chances on major holiday dinners is not always the wisest idea, I felt extremely confident in my choice and was not…
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    Hudson Valley Wine Goddess

  • New York Gruner Veltliner by Fulkerson Winery

    Debbie Gioquindo
    16 May 2013 | 5:21 am
    When you hear Gruner Veltliner you think of a Austria.  Well it's only natural because Gruner is the most dominant grape planted throughout the country. But where else can you find wine made with the same grape outside Austria. We don't have to look to far, just to the Finger Lakes region of New York.Fulkerson Winery is one of a few wineries in the Finger Lakes region producing Gruner Veltliner.  Planting their Gruner in 2010, the 2012 vintage is their inaugural release. The wine is all estate grown and was harvested at 20.8 brix.  The alcohol level clocked in at 12%.The nose…

  • Summer of White Wine & Bubbly

    Debbie Gioquindo
    13 May 2013 | 6:22 am
    I was recently looking in my wine cellar for a white wine to bring to a party and realized my choices were quite boring.  I had many California and New York Chardonnays and nothing out of the box.  You know what? I am getting bored!  I told my husband, no more California & NY Chards and we are going to explore different wines from different countries.This summer join me as I explore the white wines of the world.  No more NY or CA Chardonnays.  Quite honestly, I really can't say there will be no Chardonnays, because Chardonnay produced in a different country like…

  • Life of a Wine - My Journey with 12 Bottles of Syrah

    Debbie Gioquindo
    9 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    A few weeks ago I was a guest blogger for The Wine Key.  It's a post I have been waiting to write, because how many times do we open a bottle of wine we have been aging and it's on one side or the other of that bell shaped curve. Not the side we were expecting.  Does it change again?Join me on my journey with 12 bottles of Syrah. http://www.the-wine-key.com/blog/2013/4/16/the-life-of-a-wine-the-journey-of-12-bottles-of-syrah.html

  • Notes From the Captain Lawrence Tasting Room, Vol. 59 Re-imagining the Grapefruit Diet

    Debbie Gioquindo
    7 May 2013 | 6:33 am
    They came from far away, on bicycles, and they came from so close they could walk. They sipped a new beer that makes clever use of a fat, round, semi-sweet fruit, and they sampled some tried and true brews as well. While Captain Lawrence’s digs will never be as pedestrian-friendly as the old Pleasantville spot, a foursome from Elmsford did, in fact, hoof it to the brewery on a gorgeous Sunday. “It’s such a nice day, and we figured we’d bring the dog along,” says Alyssa Jacobs of Elmsford, nodding at the sweet-dispositioned Chihuahua-Shi Tzu mix huddled under the picnic table. Her…

  • Tousey Winery's Rose and Riesling Release Party

    Debbie Gioquindo
    6 May 2013 | 6:20 am
    A couple of Saturdays ago I drove up to Tousey Winery for their Rose & Riesling Release Party.  I had found out about the party when  I was attending an event at Cru Club Wine Bar in Rhinebeck.On this beautiful Saturday I set forth for the ride to Germantown to do some Rose and Riesling tasting.We began the tasting with the 2012 Rebellion Rose that was 100% Blaufrankisch. Aromas of red berry and strawberry filled my glass.  It was quite delightful! The palate was just bursting with bright red fruit. Many of you may know that I have been trying to find a Rose that I like.
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    Hvino News | Georgian Wine News

  • Georgia and its Wine

    18 May 2013 | 2:20 am
    by Shirley Wade McLoughlin, Associate Professor, Keene State College18.05.2013 (Hvino News) Although it may seem an odd topic for this blog, I would be remiss to write about my Fulbright experience in Georgia without mentioning wine. To be sure, in the United States, I enjoyed a nice bottle of chardonnay, but never have I experienced the variety of wines, the passion of the winegrowers, the dominance of the grape in a culture, and the inclusion of this important commodity into so many components of the Georgian way of life.When my husband and I first arrived here, we were driven from…

  • Huge success of Georgian wines at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

    17 May 2013 | 6:28 am
    17.05.2013 (Hvino News). Georgian wines have won 10 medals at The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, which was held on May 10-12 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The winners were announced today. 34 Georgian wines were competing at the contest, which means 1/3 of all presented wines have been awarded. Congratulations with this huge success!Among the received awards, there are 3 Grand Gold Medals, awarded to Chateau Mukhrani Reserve Prince 2007, Saperavi Premium by Winery Khareba, and Tamada 2011 by GWS:NameMedalCountryAreaAppellationManufacturer / DistributorChateau Mukhrani…

  • Affairs of the heart at the New Wine Festival (with video)

    17 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    by Robert Linkous17.05.2013. Early on the morning of Saturday May 11 at the scenic, mountainous Ethnographic Museum over two dozen Georgian wineries and a worthy contingent of producers of homemade wine set up camp, and before long the 4th New Wine Festival was in full swing. Thanks to the Wine Club, the National Wine Agency, and Tbilisi City Hall, admission – and wine! - was free. Does public service get any better than that?A grateful, goodly throng of Georgians and foreigners turned out, to bunch around tasting booths and stand shoulder to shoulder before the lengthy barbecue where…

  • Askaneli Brothers protest against Russian state agency Rospotrebnadzor (with video)

    16 May 2013 | 12:43 pm
    16.05.2013 (Hvino News). Georgian wine and spirit producer Askaneli Brothers asks for an explanation from  Russian state agency Rospotrebnadzor regarding its recent statement.At today's press conference held at Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Tbilisi, Jimsher Chkhaidze Askaneli, one of the founders of Askaneli Brothers said  the company asked Gennady Onishchenko, Russia’s Chief Sanitary Inspector, to explain the spread information about quality of brandy produced by Askaneli Brothers.“Information was spread that Gennady Onishchenko criticized the quality of brandy produced…

  • Georgian wine industry: recent past and the way forward

    16 May 2013 | 1:23 am
    16.05.2013. We are very happy to host on our blog a commentary by Jacques Fleury, the person behind the resurrection of Borjomi and a key player in the Georgian wine industry.Jacques reflects on the experience of surviving the Russian embargo, on the one hand, and dealing with a series of heavy-handed and incompetent government interventions, on the other. In the second part of his comment, to be published next week, Jacques also proposes a new vision for the future of the Georgian wine industry, a future in which the government and the private sector work hand-in-hand to support small vine…
 
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    The Wine-Beater

  • 2001 Lopez de Heredia Rioja Vina Tondonia Reserva

    15 May 2013 | 2:04 am
    Lopez de Heredia is one of the legendary producers from Rioja in Spain. They are known for their traditional Rioja wine making style. The winery has a total of 170 hectares of vineyards in Rioja, divided into 4 different vineyars; Tondonia, Cubillo, Bosconia and Gravonia. The largest and also the most famous is the Tondonia vineyard, The vineyard is 70 hectares.The 2001 Vina Tondonia is from a legendary vintage in Rioja. After 2000, this is by far the best vintage. In my opinion the next best is the 2004. The 2001 wine consists of a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 10% Graciano and…

  • 2009 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett

    10 May 2013 | 12:56 am
    Joh. Jos. Prüm is one of the stars of the Mosel region in Germany. The estate was split up in 1920 when the S.A. Prüm winery was established. Today the winery holds 14 acres of vineyards in Mosel. The vineyards in their portfoloi are; Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich, Bernkasteler Lay, Bernkasteler Badstube and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. Depending on the vintage, the winery produces between 10,000 and 13,000 cases of wine each year. All wines are 100% Riesling based.I find German Rieslings facinating. The kabinett wines from J.J. Prüm are ment to be on the lower end of the quality range,…

  • 2008 Produttori del Barebaresco Barbaresco

    29 Apr 2013 | 4:02 am
    It's not long ago i posten a tasting note on the 2007 Produttori del Barebaresco Mucagota Riserva. That was one of the single vineyard riservas from the coop. This time i decided to taste the standard Barbaresco from 2008, which I have read good thins about. PdB did also produce Riserva's in 2008, but the standard Barbaresco usually offers some good value even in these vintages.Tasting note on the 2008 Produttori del Barebaresco BarbarescoI'll divide this tasting note into 3 stages:1. After 2 hours of decanting2. After 4 hours of decanting3. Half of the bottle left in the fridge over night…

  • 2005 Chateau Musar

    22 Apr 2013 | 12:11 am
    I've posted a TN on a Musar earlier, but then it was the 2004 Chateau Musar Hochar Père et Fils. Now it was time to try the big brother, the Chateau Musar.Tasting note on the 2005 Chateau MusarStraight out of the bottle the nose shows strawberry, cigar and plum on the nose. The palate is dominated by cigar and leather, with some undelying flavours of fruit.After 2 hours of decanting this wine starts to really show. The palate has changes from being dominated by the cigar and leather to being dominated by fruit and floral notes. The cigar, leather and earth is now the underlying notes, which…

  • 2010 Joseph Drouhin Gevrey Chambertin

    15 Apr 2013 | 6:55 am
    It's been way too long since I posted the last tasting note on here. I'm so sorry for that. My wine consuption goes up and down, meaning that I don't always taste a lot of wine each week. In addition to that, work and other stuff can also get in the way. All those factors combined, do cause me to not updating this blog as often as I want to.I thought I'd start my "comeback" right where I left off, with a 2010 Joseph Drouhin. Last time we went for the 2010 Joseph Drouhin Santenay, this time I took it a step ut to the Gevrey Chambertin village. I've read somwhere that this has some 1er cru…
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    winetimes » News

  • 5 Award Winning Wines for the weekend

    Anel Grobler
    17 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Nothing beats the feeling of knock off time on Friday and the best way to get the weekend off to the right start is with a couple of bottles of wine. Here are 5 award winning wines that are well worth a try. The best part is that non of them will cost you an [...]

  • Entries now open for 2013 Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award

    Anel Grobler
    17 May 2013 | 1:36 am
    Entries for First Round of The Bollinger Exceptional Wine Service Award 2013 are now open and candidates are urged to enter soon as entries close on the 31 May 2013. See below for entry details. The high standards attained by previous winners, Wayve Kolevsohn in 2012 (Sommelier at The Roundhouse at the time and currently [...]

  • Gugulethu`s Glamour Weekend

    Anel Grobler
    17 May 2013 | 12:05 am
    Glamour up and get down to the TOPS at SPAR Gugulethu Wine Festival on the Mother City’s GLAMOUR weekend, Friday 24th and Saturday 25th May 2013. There is so much happening at this famously fun festival that it will be treasured by all those who experience it. A VIP sponsor at the festival befitting of [...]

  • The Perfect Winelands Lunch: Good food, fine wine, old friends and views forever

    Wine Tourism South Africa
    16 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    There are so many wine farms on the Stellenbosch Wine Route – over 200 – that choice paralysis can easily set in. So how to know where to go, leave alone find the perfect lunch spot amongst the many options on offer? Sometimes, sticking some pins into maps and maybe the odd nod at wine reviews [...]The post The Perfect Winelands Lunch: Good food, fine wine, old friends and views forever appeared first on Wine Tourism South Africa.

  • Join Hermanuspietersfontein for dinner and good company

    Hermanuspietersfontein
    16 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Join Hermanuspietersfontein for an Italian dinner at Mountain Manor in Cape Town.
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    Drinking Made Easy » Wine

  • Wooden Wine Holders Shaped Like Animals

    drinkadmin
    29 Apr 2013 | 2:21 pm
    Displaying your wine can almost be as good as drinking it. Well, not really but still, showing off your wine is part of the experience and it is important to use something that matches your personality. Take these little Animal-Shaped Wine Holders from Conte Blue for example. Choose a design that matches your favorite animal and watch as guest gleam over it. “Oh what a cool wine holder” will quickly turn into “Lets have some wine!”

  • Don’t Break The Bottle Puzzle – Wine Gift

    drinkadmin
    20 Apr 2013 | 2:48 am
    Now why in the world would you want to make it harder to get to your wine? Perhaps if you are a cruel friend who delights in torturing your friends, then you might enjoy this product. Don’t Break The Bottle is a puzzle system that forces the owner to solve the puzzle before drinking. If the person tries too hard or makes the wrong move, the bottle will break. From the manufactuer The next time you’re invited to a friend’s home for dinner, bring along a bottle of wine that you’ve locked in this beautifully-constructed wooden puzzle gizmo and watch the fun start to flow!

  • Unspillable Wine Glass

    drinkadmin
    14 Apr 2013 | 2:50 am
    Sometimes it seems that wine glasses were designed to tip over. Like some elaborate scheme to stain your rug or clothes. Well, these wine drinkers have had enough. The Saturn Wine Glass by Christopher Yamane of Fragile Studios loses the wine glass stem and adds a protective ring around the glass that keeps the glass from tilting over. Bravo. The ring also works as a fill line, so you know how much to pour. So all you winos can drink in peace knowing you have safe guard against spillage when you’ve had a few too many.  

  • Win a Trip to A Top Wine Destination

    drinkadmin
    2 Apr 2013 | 2:21 am
    Wine Enthusiast is holding a contest to send a few lucky individuals to some of the top wine destinations in the world. Learn more about the contest below or visit their website for more information. This year, Wine Enthusiast wants to do more than announce the Best Wine Travel Destinations of 2013—we want you to visit these top regions to experience the fine wine, food and cultural adventure that landed them on our list. That’s why we are offering all-inclusive trips to FOUR of this year’s best wine travel destinations. Enter to win a trip for two…

  • ‘Red Wine Pill’ Captures All the Benefits (Almost)

    drinkadmin
    30 Mar 2013 | 2:00 am
    So you have probably heard that wine can help fight cancer, is good for your heart, and is full of antioxidants to do the body good. The problem though is that to truly to be effective in certain cases, like fighting cancer for instance, you would need to drink about 100 glasses of wine a day. Though it may be fun to try, this method is not too efficient when it comes to your health. Luckily, a new study suggest that resveratol, the ingredient in wine that can fight Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and type 2 diabetes, could be made available in pill form. It is estimated that pills with 100…
 
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    DiWineTaste Podcast - English

  • The Appearance of Sparkling Wines

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    6 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    In the evaluation of sparkling wines' appearance, effervescence and bubbles generally play a fundamental role. The aspect of sparkling wine is not, of course, bubbles only, it is however this characteristic to determine the quality of production method.

  • Best Wine of April 2013: Cinqueterre Tramonti 2011, Arrigoni

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    25 Apr 2013 | 11:50 am
    The Arrigoni family makes wine in Liguria and in Tuscany. Their Cinqueterre Tramonti 2011 conquers the title of the best wine of April 2013, a wine rich in personality and character, with a charming smell of sea breeze.

  • The Color of Red Wine

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    17 Apr 2013 | 4:45 am
    The color of red wine gives the taster many information about grape cultivation, variety, territory, soil and wine making technique. Most of the times a low transparency is considered as a quality factor, but not all the red berried grapes are capable of making wines with a dark and impenetrable aspect.

  • Nebbiolo: Power, Elegance and Nobility

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    5 Apr 2013 | 11:45 am
    Mother of the greatest red wines from Piedmont and Lombardy, Nebbiolo is also found in Vallée d'Aoste and Sardinia. Indisputable king of the vineyards in Piedmontese Langhe, Nebbiolo has a powerful character to which is added a noble elegance.

  • Best Wine of March 2013: Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Caramelli 2011, Mossio

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    30 Mar 2013 | 12:00 pm
    The vineyard and winery of Mossio Brothers is located in Rodello, in a hill dominating the city of Alba. Here we find, at the top of the estate, Bricco Caramelli where are being cultivated Dolcetto grapes giving this wonderful wine character, power and elegance.
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    DiWineTaste Podcast - Italiano

  • L'Aspetto dei Vini Spumanti

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    6 May 2013 | 4:14 am
    Nella valutazione dell'aspetto dei vini spumanti l'effervescenza e le bollicine svolgono generalmente un ruolo fondamentale. L'aspetto dei vini spumanti non è, ovviamente, solo bollicine, ma è da questa caratteristica che spesso si può determinare la qualità del metodo di produzione.

  • Il Migliore Vino di Aprile 2013: Cinqueterre Tramonti 2011, Arrigoni

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    25 Apr 2013 | 11:45 am
    La famiglia Arrigoni produce vino in Liguria e in Toscana. Il loro Cinqueterre Tramonti 2011 conquista il titolo del migliore vino di Aprile 2013, un vino ricco di personalità e carattere, con un affascinante profumo di brezza di mare.

  • Il Colore del Vino Rosso

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    17 Apr 2013 | 4:30 am
    Il colore del vino rosso fornisce all'assaggiatore molte informazioni circa la coltivazione dell'uva, la varietà, il territorio, il suolo e la tecnica enologica. Spesso la ridotta trasparenza è considerata come fattore di qualità, ma non tutte le uve rosse sono capaci di creare vini dall'aspetto cupo e impenetrabile.

  • Nebbiolo: Potenza, Eleganza e Nobiltà

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    5 Apr 2013 | 10:30 am
    Madre dei più grandi vini rossi del Piemonte e della Lombardia, il Nebbiolo è presente anche il valle d'Aosta e in Sardegna. Re incontrastato dei vigneti nelle Langhe piemontesi, il Nebbiolo unisce un carattere di potenza al quale si sposa una nobile eleganza.

  • Il Migliore Vino di Marzo 2013: Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Caramelli 2011, Mossio

    Antonello Biancalana - DiWineTaste
    30 Mar 2013 | 11:50 am
    La vigna e la cantina dei Fratelli Mossio si trova a Rodello, su una collina che domina la città di Alba. Qui troviamo, nella parte più alta della tenuta, il Bricco Caramelli dove si coltivano uve Dolcetto e che regalano a questo magnifico vino carattere, potenza ed eleganza.
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    MAD ABOUT MADEIRA

  • Mad About Madeira – Not Entirely About Wine

    Niklas Jorgensen
    9 May 2013 | 8:57 am
    Mad about Madeira is exactly what it indicates and not entirely a Madeira wine love affaire. Madeira is so much more; it's for example: Beautiful sunsets Architecture (Oscar Niemeyer, Pestana Casino) Colors of the season Fresh caught fish Espetada - Skewered meat on a bay leaf stick Relaxing Joy!The post Mad About Madeira – Not Entirely About Wine appeared first on MAD ABOUT MADEIRA.

  • The Rare Wine Co.; Historic Series Madeira – Stratford Hall

    Niklas Jorgensen
    22 Apr 2013 | 11:24 am
    Charleston has one. Savannah as well. Boston too. And New York. New Orleans got a rare Special reserve. Baltimore has Rainwater. Now there's also one dedicated to a Virginia family; the Lees at Stratford Hall. History was my favorite subject back in school. The past fascinated. Still does. Furthermore, as a friend of Madeira wine, there's really no way to bypass history. Madeira simply is drinking history. The founder at The Rare Wine Co., Mannie Berk, knows that. Mannie's Historic Series of Madeira wine is a reminder of how important a beverage it was for the American society and why…

  • 1958 Vintage Boal Bottled By Pereira d’Oliveira

    Niklas Jorgensen
    18 Apr 2013 | 5:48 am
    The 1927 Bastardo, the 1969 Sercial and the 1958 Boal from d'Oliveiras all three have one thing in common; they originally come from the cellar of Adega do Torreão. When sold in the beginning of the millenum Pereira d'Oliveira bought the Torreão business and all its remaining stocks. Besides originating from this canteiro and further aged by the new owner before bottling, the wines also differ a bit in style from d'Oliveiras, especially the elegant and quite floral 1969 Sercial. The 1927 Bastardo is such a unique wine and the most recent taste reminded me more of the house style of the new…

  • Wine Writing – Who Can You Trust?

    Niklas Jorgensen
    10 Apr 2013 | 3:55 am
    There was this magazine on the flight when I flew home the other day. You know, the kind of paper that every airline today offers. Travel tips, what to see when here or there, what's trendy or not and so on. In a wine article, Madeira was mentioned as: "The island's most famous export besides Cristiano Ronaldo is made from white grapes, with the fortified wine ranging from bone dry to sticky sweet." Oh, what happened to Tinta Negra? Last time I checked Tinta Negra was a red wine grape covering 85% of the vine cultivation on the island! I know it's not always the most popular having a bad…

  • Terrantez – Save The Grape!

    Niklas Jorgensen
    2 Apr 2013 | 6:02 am
    The global economic situation has haunted Portugal for quite some time now. Madeira is no exception. And when it rains it pours meaning Madeira has suffered more than one can imagine. But in my world you take the difficult decisions during times of financial setbacks, not only when all is good. That goes for the Madeira wine industry as well. Ask a friend of Madeira wine which grape he or she considers the most prominent on the island. Some will say Malvasia, some perhaps Sercial or Verdelho. I'm pretty sure though, that the majority asked will tell you about Terrantez. Terrantez suffers.
 
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    From Fruit to Wine

  • What To Do With Old Wine Barrels?

    vhobs
    2 May 2013 | 1:43 pm
    What are some fun uses for old wine barrels?  Here are some found online: One Sink: Two Sink: Red dog bed: Blue art? A table A chair Something for your mare: A planter: A wine rack: Or how about a clock? What other ideas do you have? The post What To Do With Old Wine Barrels? appeared first on From Fruit to Wine.

  • Clarification and Stablization

    vhobs
    25 Apr 2013 | 3:13 pm
    Clarification is the processes winemakers use to remove the particles in wine prior to bottling.  The particles may cause cloudy wine if not removed, and can include dead yeast cells, tannins, grape skin, stems, and bacteria.  There are many clarification methods, and we will address a few common ones. Racking: the process of moving the wine from one fermentation vessel to another, leaving the bottom of the wine (lees) behind.  Most of the particles will settle to the bottom of the wine, using gravity as the particles are heavier than the wine.  From Fruit to Wine uses racking to clarify…

  • Oak Wine Barrels

    vhobs
    18 Apr 2013 | 9:20 am
    Wineries will age wine in a variety of containers, including stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.  Today we will discuss the latter.  Oak barrels originally served three purposes to store wine: they are strong, can be rolled (easy to transport), and add benefits to the wine.  Only the last of these benefits is relevant in modern times, but oak barrels continue to play a prominent role in wine making. Wine barrel makers are called coopers.  It is a complicated process with many factors affecting the flavors imparted into the wine.  This includes how the toasting was conducted, the…

  • Racking the Wine

    vhobs
    11 Apr 2013 | 8:07 am
    Racking is the process of taking the wine off of the sediments at the bottom of the fermenter.  The sediments are also known as lees. The lees consist of dead yeast cells and other precipitated particles.  If left on the wine, the lees can cause off-flavors such as rotten eggs (which is from hydrogen sulfide).  When the yeast has eaten all of the sugar, the yeast cells will break down the dead yeast cells to consume them – this is what causes the bad flavors and odors.  Racking also helps with stabilization and clarification of the wine It is important to minimize the wine’s exposure…

  • Fermentation

    vhobs
    4 Apr 2013 | 8:04 am
    Fermentation is what turns juice (usually grape juice, but it could be another kind) into wine. Yeast eats the sugars in the wine, producing carbon dioxide and alcohol (ethanol). Key Factors: Oxygen: There must be a balance – fermentation needs some oxygen, but too much will be inhibit the production of alcohol (defeating the purpose!) Temperature: the fermentation process can create heat, which could take the wine out of the desired temperature range. Usually white is fermented between 64 and 68 degrees, red a bit warmer (up to 85 degrees) Sugar content in the must: This determines the…
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    Total Wine & More

  • Interview With Craft Beer Expert “Dr.” Bill Sysak: Part 2

    robertstewardtotalwine
    15 May 2013 | 12:59 pm
    If you missed Part 1 of our interview with Dr. Bill, you missed half of an awesome conversation. Start there and we’ll see you back in a few minutes! Total Wine: What is your personal favorite food and beer pairing? Everyone really does want to know. Dr. Bill: One pairing that I think is absolutely amazing is also at the top of Garrett Oliver’s list. Although I often stray from Garrett’s pairing guidelines as I like to take pairings to the next level, there is no improving on a well-aged Colston-Bassett Stilton with an aged barley wine. The earthiness of the cheese with the…

  • Interview With Craft Beer Expert “Dr.” Bill Sysak: Part 1

    robertstewardtotalwine
    14 May 2013 | 7:21 am
    With American Craft Beer Week taking place this week, we couldn’t think of a person more perfect to chat with about the subject than “Dr.” Bill Sysak. Dr. Bill is a Certified Cicerone® and holds the position of Craft Beer Ambassador at Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens in Escondido, California. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us today. Total Wine: A beer doctor? That is extremely awesome. Most fans know the nickname comes from your time as a military medic and your professional experience working in hospitals. However, we…

  • Mint Julep Inspires Straw Invention and Thousands of Fans at Kentucky Derby

    robertstewardtotalwine
    3 May 2013 | 2:05 pm
    With the Kentucky Derby being run this weekend, we thought it would be fitting to explore the history of the Mint Julep, the traditional drink so closely tied to the race. Juleps are the ancestors of centuries-old drinks from the Middle East known as julabs, which were made with water and rose petals. Juleps at some point made their way to the U.S. where their heritage dates to the 1700′s when the drink was probably made with brandy or rum or other spirits that were readily available. In the early 1800′s, Henry Clay, a popular Senator from Kentucky, helped change the face of the…

  • It’s Wil-LAM-ette, Damn It: An Introduction to a Great Wine Region

    Angela Logomasini
    1 May 2013 | 12:41 pm
    “Oregon grapes have it tough,” says Karen MacNeil in The Wine Bible. Unpredictable weather changes along with sun and heat shortages in some years pose challenges to winemakers, she explains. Yet somehow complexity and unique characteristics emerge from the struggle to make great wines, particularly in the coolest region in the state: the Willamette Valley. When he established Eyrie Vineyards in 1966, University of California at Davis-trained enologist David Lett planted the first commercial Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in the Willamette Valley and the first Pinot Gris grapes in…

  • Wine Geek Speak: Three Treatments that Shape Chardonnay

    Angela Logomasini
    25 Apr 2013 | 3:28 pm
    Chardonnay styles easily range from light and crisp unoaked varieties to full-bodied oaked versions that display toasty impressions. If these were the only variables, Chardonnay would still cover a broad spectrum of flavors and aromas; but there is more to this story. Wines often undergo other treatments that profoundly affect flavor, and Chardonnay is no exception. Any combination of three particular treatments often determines a winemaker’s true signature and can make individual styles stand out. Understanding these easily can impact your wine knowledge and experience as you shop for…
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    Amateur WineAmateur Wine

  • Tasting Talisker Port Ruighe in Skye

    Qin Xie
    8 May 2013 | 5:18 am
    A couple of weeks ago I went to the Isle of Skye in Scotland for the launch of Talisker Port Ruighe, the latest release from Talisker and a new permanent addition to the Scotch malt whisky’s portfolio. The name, Port Ruighe, is a nod towards the Gaelic way of writing Portree, the location of the distillery on Skye, and the port casks that the whisky has been finished in. In essence, Talisker Port Ruighe is the Talisker 10 finished in casks that had previously contained port. In the company of journalists from UK, France, Germany, Italy and elsewhere in Europe, we tasted both the…

  • The Chinese Wine Market: an update from Château d’Anglés

    Qin Xie
    6 Mar 2013 | 3:57 am
    Not long ago, I attended a tasting and dinner at Ampersand Hotel focusing on Languedoc AOC in the South of France. Specifically, we tasted a selection of wines from Corbières Boutenac AOC, La Clape AOC and Minervois La Livinière AOC. I had the great fortune of sitting next to Vianney Fabre from Château d’Anglés, who was happy to discuss the Chinese wine market at great length. Château d’Anglés has the pedigree Château d’Anglés is a family owned vineyard in La Clape AOC. The owner and winemaker, Eric Fabre, was once winemaker at Château Lafite Rothschild. The…

  • Grower Champagne, fromage and French Bubbles

    Qin Xie
    26 Nov 2012 | 3:53 am
    It’s fast approaching Christmas and there’s one word on everyone’s minds – celebration. And nothing says celebration quite like champagne. Most of the champagnes that I’ve been drinking this year have been from one of the big Champagne houses. There’s something to be said about that – you will always get consistency of quality, good or bad. What is missing, especially in non-vintages, is character. I’m keenly aware of the fact that much of the choice of champagnes comes down to branding and little to the stories behind the brand. Even as someone who…

  • Duval-Leroy at The Greenhouse Mayfair

    Qin Xie
    13 Nov 2012 | 4:00 pm
    When we think of champagne, we inevitably think of canapés; indeed, this is the most frequent mode of delivery. At a stretch, perhaps, we think of demi-sec or sec with desserts. But outside of champagne enthusiasts, how many of us sit down to champagne matched to every course? Well, as I discovered over a Duval-Leroy lunch at The Greenhouse, the French serve nothing but champagne at weddings, making it the ultimate celebratory drink. That’s a rather apt discovery since Duval-Leroy is one champagne house that’s very focused on their food. Take their Lady Rose, which was originally created…

  • Voyager Estate – a visit from down under

    Qin Xie
    22 Oct 2012 | 4:56 am
    Trade tastings can get pretty tough. Imagine going to a wine festival and having hundreds of wines to choose from. What do you go for? The region? The grape? The producer? Or indeed, which ever bottle happen to look the most appealing when you extend your tasting glass for a pour? The choice is mind-boggling. Well scale that down and imagine, say, just 50 wines but you have to taste all of them. That’s still a lot right? With tastings generally starting at around 10am, you can imagine that by lunch time the palate is as confused as the head. A recent tasting of Margaret River’s Voyager…
 
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