Wine

- Most Popular Stories
- Unfiltered: Blaze-y Days of Summer Return with Fires Threatening Mount Eden, Bien Nacido (Wine Spectator)
  
  WineSpectator.com: News & Features
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 1:00 pm
  
  Also in Unfiltered, Big Cork winemaker gets big, cork portrait, tequila's a Patrón of Guillermo del Toro's art and cheddarcrime slices English village
- Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 7/16/17
  
  Vinography: A Wine Blog
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 12:26 am
  
  Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Enjoy. What Makes a Great Wine Great? Dwight Furrow prefers great to not be subjective This Winery's Secret Weapon Is a Flock of 200 Sheep Tablas Creek gets woolly. Is Sauvignon Blanc the World's Most Reliably Good White Wine? Matt Kramer professes his admiration. Though I would vote for Santorini Assyrtiko or Vienna's Gemischter Satz…
- 1966 Rock n Roll vs The Greatness of 2017 California Wine
  
  Fermentation
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 4:54 pm
  
  In 1966 Bob Dylan Released Blonde On Blonde, the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds, and the Beatles released Revolver. It’s arguable that no three albums together had more influence on the history of Rock n Roll. And it all happened in one year. It was a seminal year for Rock n Roll and one we can look back on it and, again, make the case that it was the pinnacle of the Rock genre. I wonder if 2017 might, in later years, appear to be the pinnacle of the California wine industry—at least from the consumer’s perspective. This is not to say that it’s all downhill from here for…
- Hidden Gem of the Month: 2009 Cos d’Estournel Is a Legendary, But Controversial, Wine
  
  Vinfolio Blog
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 9:29 am
  
  For many collectors, the 2009 Cos d’Estournel is one of the estate’s greatest vintages of all time. Photo Credit: Wikimedia CC user Megan Mallen MENTIONED IN THIS POST: -Cos d’Estournel -2009 Cos d’Estournel -Harlan -Mouton-Rothschild If you want to get a room full of shy wine enthusiasts to talk, just say the words, “2009 Cos d’Estournel.“ I’ve seen collectors come close to fisticuffs over this seemingly unobtrusive vintage. This is the very definition of a polarizing wine; most collectors either think it’s the wine of the century, or that it’s the poster…
- A Good Appetite: Vegan Ice Cream Enters a Golden Age
  
  NYT > Food
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 1:04 pm
  
  With a huge variety of plant-based milks now available on the market, nondairy ice creams are getting better than ever.

- WineSpectator.com: News & Features
- Unfiltered: Blaze-y Days of Summer Return with Fires Threatening Mount Eden, Bien Nacido (Wine Spectator)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 1:00 pm
  
  Also in Unfiltered, Big Cork winemaker gets big, cork portrait, tequila's a Patrón of Guillermo del Toro's art and cheddarcrime slices English village
- Burgundy's Louis Jadot Buys Domaine Prieur-Brunet in Santenay (Wine Spectator)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 11:30 am
  
  The Beaune-based négociant winery adds to its Côte de Beaune holdings
- Restaurant Week Trend Booms as New York's Marks 25 Years (Wine Spectator)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 7:40 am
  
  As programs lure in new diners, wine plays a key role in turning them into repeat customers
- Turning Tables: Dovetail Chef John Fraser Opens Bar in New York City's Downtown Manhattan (Wine Spectator)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  Narcbar is ready for summer in the East Village. Plus, Nobu follows the techies to Silicon Valley, and Boka Restaurant Group opens in Chicago's Hotel Lincoln
- Restaurant Spotlight: Casa Luca (Wine Spectator)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  Share family-style meals and exciting Italian wines at Fabio and Maria Trabocchi's traditional trattoria
- Vinography: A Wine Blog
- Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 7/16/17
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 12:26 am
  
  Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Enjoy. What Makes a Great Wine Great? Dwight Furrow prefers great to not be subjective This Winery's Secret Weapon Is a Flock of 200 Sheep Tablas Creek gets woolly. Is Sauvignon Blanc the World's Most Reliably Good White Wine? Matt Kramer professes his admiration. Though I would vote for Santorini Assyrtiko or Vienna's Gemischter Satz instead. Seeking Depth in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Speaking of Sauvignon Blanc.... Unearthing...
- The Wine Dinner Advocate
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 11:37 pm
  
  On 5 July, the tyre company (and restaurant guide publisher) Michelin announced their ownership of a 40% stake in wine critic Robert M Parker, Jr's The Wine Advocate for an undisclosed sum. The press release issued by Michelin concerning the purchase is remarkably short on strategic intent. Even the closest read of the announcement would have you believe that Michelin made this investment in order to continue holding high-priced wine dinners that pair Michelin-rated restaurants with wine producers who have earned top scores from The Wine Advocate. The two publications have been organising such dinners around the world, notably in Asia, since 2016. 'The partnership between Michelin, the global reference in...
- Vinography Unboxed: Week of July 9, 2017
  
  15 Jul 2017 | 11:35 pm
  
  Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I'm pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week's wines, after several weeks of being a bit red heavy, lean towards the white end of the spectrum. Maybe it's just getting hot in San Francisco and I wanted some refreshment. Let's start off with a couple of whites from Idaho, whose wine industry has been making strides in recent years. They're still in their infancy as a region, but as they share the terroir of eastern Washington state, there's no reason they can't make great wine. This Sauvignon Blanc and dry Muscat are both...
- Vinography Images: The Approach
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 11:17 pm
  
  The Approach MARGAUX, FRANCE: An early morning mist filters light down the driveay approaching Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux. Margaux is one of four original Premier Grand Cru classé wines according to the famous 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The estate is located in the commune of Margaux on the left bank of the Garonne estuary in the M�doc region, in the department of Gironde. 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,...
- Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 7/9/17
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 10:24 pm
  
  Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Enjoy. Fire Nears Historic Vineyard and Wineries Ruh roh. Jefford on Monday: Value in the Langhe Andrew digs his Produttori. The Mother-Daughter Team Rocking Italy's Wine Scene Tom Mullen profiles the Masciarellis. Pairing Wine And Weed: Is It A California Dream Or Nightmare? Marijuana messes with your tastebuds, people. AligotÃ©, Burgundy's Other White Grape, Makes Its Case Eric Asimov advocates the unsung, rare white grape of Burgundy....
- Fermentation
- 1966 Rock n Roll vs The Greatness of 2017 California Wine
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 4:54 pm
  
  In 1966 Bob Dylan Released Blonde On Blonde, the Beach Boys released Pet Sounds, and the Beatles released Revolver. It’s arguable that no three albums together had more influence on the history of Rock n Roll. And it all happened in one year. It was a seminal year for Rock n Roll and one we can look back on it and, again, make the case that it was the pinnacle of the Rock genre. I wonder if 2017 might, in later years, appear to be the pinnacle of the California wine industry—at least from the consumer’s perspective. This is not to say that it’s all downhill from here for California wine. After all, the year following the release of Blonde On Blonde, Pet Sounds and Revolver, we got Aretha Franklin’s I...
- Booze Wholesalers Cause Emergency in Nevada Pot Sales
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 8:25 pm
  
  Believe me when I tell you, I am very familiar with State of Emergencies. They are no fun. I got my BA at Humboldt State University and lived through the now legendary “Blight of ’86”. No one really knows what exactly happened to cause it. But we all lived through those harrowing days. All the local dealers had the same story: “Sorry, No dope.” Even Brent, the most famous dealer on campus was out…For weeks. Growers stayed in the hills. Dealers were nowhere to be seen. Students were regularly caught scrounging their green shag for small kernels of bud (that’s an arduous process, let me tell you). And not a small number of professors were giving remarkably boring lectures. It was hell. My understanding is...
- Is the Southern-Glazers Wine Distributors Lawsuit Really A Surprise?
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 8:01 pm
  
  In a way, it’s shocking that a lawsuit and claims like this haven’t been filed before, given just Southern/Glazer’s target size. On the other hand, the claims of “unfair, unlawful, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices”, meticulously laid out in this class action suit against Southern/Glazers are shocking. Hell, if a quarter of them are borne out, it would be a shocking example of hubris, fraud, and corruption by the largest and most powerful entity in the American wine and spirits marketplace. Anyone who has been in the wine industry long enough has heard complaints about many of the types of charges listed below. Some of the most lurid complaints about wholesalers I’ve personally been told over the...
- Wine Distributors Forced to Eat Their Own Excrement
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 8:22 pm
  
  Monarch Beverage Company, one of Indiana’s largest wine and beer distributors, lost its appeal in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. That court said the state could bar beer and wine distributors from also distributing spirits. Boo-Fucking-Hoo!!! Monarch thought it unfair and unconstitutional that the state barred it from selling something in the way it thought it should be able to sell it. The irony. I wonder what Indiana’s wineries are thinking upon hearing about this decision, particularly when they think back 10 years when Monarch and other Indiana distributors lobbied that state’s legislature to revoke wineries’ rights to self-distribute to retailers and restaurants. Which they did! The court sided with...
- Is Anyone Still Pretending Cannabis Legalization is Good For Wine?
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 8:48 am
  
  More Wine & Cannabis News to chew on: According to a survey of 10,000 California Cannabis users, 87% have reduced their consumption of alcohol in reaction to their cannabis use. Meanwhile, 13% have completely ended their use of alcohol. First, there is no way to spin this as good news for the wine industry. Second, anyone who is surprised by the finding that legal cannabis will negatively impact the wine industry should ask themselves how reduced sales of wine is good for the wine industry. Third, these findings again raise the question, what disposition should the wine industry take toward the growing legalization trend? On this third question, it’s interesting to note the that at the upcoming Weed and...
- Vinfolio Blog
- Hidden Gem of the Month: 2009 Cos d’Estournel Is a Legendary, But Controversial, Wine
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 9:29 am
 
 For many collectors, the 2009 Cos d’Estournel is one of the estate’s greatest vintages of all time. Photo Credit: Wikimedia CC user Megan Mallen MENTIONED IN THIS POST: <ul> <li>-Cos d’Estournel</li> <li>-2009 Cos d’Estournel</li> <li>-Harlan</li> <li>-Mouton-Rothschild</li> </ul> If you want to get a room full of shy wine enthusiasts to talk, just say the words, “2009 Cos d’Estournel.“ I’ve seen collectors come close to fisticuffs over this seemingly unobtrusive vintage. This is the very definition of a polarizing wine; most collectors either think it’s the wine of the century, or that it’s the poster child for Bordeaux’s downfall. (If you’re looking for gifting wine ideas, this wine probably isn’t the one to choose). Perhaps...
- Your Guide to Bordeaux Vintages: How to Pick the Best Bordeaux Years for Your Collection
 
 14 Jul 2017 | 5:42 pm
 
 Any comprehensive guide to Bordeaux vintages will include wines from Sauternes and Margaux, since these regions produce high-quality, collectible bottles. Photo Credit: Pixabay CC user jackmac34 MENTIONED IN THIS POST: <ul> <li>-Cos d’Estournel</li> <li>-Lafite-Rothschild</li> <li>-Latour</li> <li>-Mouton-Rothschild</li> <li>-Haut Brion</li> <li>-Petrus</li> <li>-Cheval Blanc</li> <li>-Angelus</li> <li>-Talbot</li> <li>-L’Evangile</li> </ul> After spending nearly a week in France last year, I quickly learned which recent Bordeaux vintages were worth my time. I already knew which vintages critics loved best, like 2009 L’Evangile or 2005 Lafite-Rothschild, but trying these superb Bordeaux years in French restaurants was still an eye-opening experience. Most 2009 and 2005 Bordeaux bottles are...
- The 2017 Wine Harvest in Burgundy Could Be Shaped by Hail Prevention Technology
 
 13 Jul 2017 | 9:36 am
 
 This spring in Burgundy, silver iodide generators broke up hail in the clouds, which may change the quality of the grapes at the 2017 wine harvest. Photo Credit: Wikimedia CC user Esteban9 MENTIONED IN THIS POST: <ul> <li>-Ponsot</li> <li>-Liger-Belair</li> <li>-DRC</li> </ul> In 2016, a vineyard frost in Burgundy was the worst the region had seen in nearly 30 years. In response, this year, Burgundy’s top producers are being far more cautious with their delicate early buds. They’re using special “hailstone shields” in their vineyards to prevent the worst of the damage, and the early results show major promise. In vineyards where hail and frost would normally have destroyed the young grapes, buds were able to survive thanks to this...
- Alcohol Content and Wine Quality: How a New Law Could Transform Your Wine Collection
 
 7 Jul 2017 | 8:30 am
 
 A new law would make it cheaper for wineries to make high ABV wines, resulting in better alcohol content and wine quality. Photo Credit: Flickr CC user Dale Cruse MENTIONED IN THIS POST: <ul> <li>-Kosta Browne</li> <li>-Rhys</li> </ul> You might assume that it costs the same for a winery to make wine with high alcohol by volume (ABV) as it does to make wine with low ABV. But this isn’t the case in the United States. We actually tax low ABV wines at $1.07 per gallon, whereas we tax higher ABV wines at 50 cents more per gallon. It might not seem like much, however, that 50 cent difference could mean hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost revenue, especially for wineries that produce a great deal of wine. This tax law has forced...
- This Month in Your Cellar: Find the Best New Wines to Buy That Go Beyond the Trophy Wine Formula
 
 29 Jun 2017 | 7:57 am
 
 Matt Kramer says that Quarts de Chaume is one of the best new wines to buy because it tastes regal and makes your cellar more interesting. Photo Credit: Wikimedia CC user jamesonf � MENTIONED IN THIS POST: <ul> <li>-DRC</li> <li>-Screaming Eagle</li> <li>-Lafite</li> <li>-Margaux</li> <li>-Liger-Belair</li> <li>-Yquem</li> <li>-Krug</li> </ul> Critic Matt Kramer recently praised the “contrarian cellar” in his Drinking Out Loud op-ed. He thinks of a contrarian cellar as the opposite of what you’d normally see in a collection; instead of dust-covered bottles of DRC, you’ll find obscure Quarts de Chaume from Loire; instead of Screaming Eagle, you’ll find Malvasia Istriana from Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In short, being a contrarian collector means finding the best new...
- NYT > Food
- A Good Appetite: Vegan Ice Cream Enters a Golden Age
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 1:04 pm
  
  With a huge variety of plant-based milks now available on the market, nondairy ice creams are getting better than ever.
- City Kitchen: An Instant Way to Bolster Flavor
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 8:50 am
  
  Miso imbues everything it touches with a sweet, salty, nutty complexity.
- Hungry City: A Jackson Heights Oasis for Japanese Snacks: 969 NYC Coffee
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 9:16 am
  
  Rice balls with sashes of nori and other treats at a cafe on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens.
- Hot Enough for You? Try Eating Something Even Hotter
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 10:50 am
  
  On summer scorchers, Korean tradition calls for a boiling bowl of chicken, rice and ginseng that’s believed to work better than anything cold.
- What to Cook: What to Cook This Weekend
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 8:10 am
  
  Take the weekend to picnic: Make up some fried chicken biscuits with hot honey butter, pickleback slaw and a mint-flecked fruit salad.
- Wine Camp Blog: a points-free zone
- Pursue Your Passion
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 3:32 pm
  
  This article first appeard in the Dracaena Wines blog series "Pursue Your Passion" "the story of one person in the wine industry, as told my them" It all started with Watergate. How topical is that? That scandal hit just as I started college. Armed with no passion except football at that time in my life I suddenly saw a bigger world and signed on to my college newspaper. I was going to be Woodward and Bernstein. I packed on the history hours eventually spending a semester in Europe "studying" (Nixon resigned during my flight back). While I was graduated as...
- Loving Grana Padano
  
  29 May 2017 | 12:42 pm
  
  You're at the store with two pieces of cheese in your hand. They are equal in size. They are the same price. One is Grana Padano the other is Parmigiano Reggiano. You'd buy the Parmigiano right? The king of cheeses, why not go for the best? But think for a second. These two pieces of cheese are the same price. That means you're probably getting top-of-the-line Grana Padano, while the Parmigiano is almost certainly mass produced and on the lower end of the Parmigiano spectrum. Do you want to pay for the name or the cheese? You're at the store with two bottles of wine in your hand. They are equal in size. They are the same price. One is cabernet sauvignon the other is syrah. You'd buy the cabernet right? The...
- Table to Farm
  
  7 Apr 2017 | 4:40 pm
  
  Picking Vermentino at Troon Vineyard in the Applegate Valley� It's an iconic episode of Portlandia. Appearing in the very first season, it's a skit that even those that have not seen the show know. When you enter a search for Portlandia Chic... Google auto-fills the link before you even can finish typing. It's the Portlandia chicken episode. A couple in a Portland restaurant become so obsessed with determining just how local the chicken is that they actually leave the restaurant without eating to go to the farm itself.Like most things in Portlandia, as outrageous the skits are, anyone who knows the city understands that there is a bit of reality in...
- “Ignore the Snobs, Drink the Cheap, Delicious Wine"*
  
  20 Mar 2017 | 3:44 pm
  
  This weekend there was a wine article in the New York Times by Bianca Bosker, but it was not in the Food Section, you had to veer over to the Opinion Section to find it. These days the Opinion Section of the New York Times has been a refuge I seek out when trying to reclaim my sanity in these insane political times in the United States. However, today there was little comfort there as, in addition to the missives from both the right and left assaulting Trumpism, I found a piece about wine. Well actually not about wine, but about the business of a beverage alcohol product that also uses the noun wine to describe itself. “Ignore the Snobs, Drink the Cheap, Delicious Wine,” screamed the headline in the...
- New Workflows
  
  12 Mar 2017 | 3:09 pm
  
  Apple Touch Bar image from 9 to 5 Mac Apple’s technology has kept pushing me to evolve new workflows with each new generation of releases. As an “early adapter” to a fault, I have rushed to get each shiny toy. I ordered my 12.9” iPad Pro on the day it was released. It’s a great machine. However, now almost two years in I find I’ve abandoned my obsession to force it to become a laptop replacement. It just can’t compare with my MacBook Pro 13” (late 2014) souped up with TextExpander, Better Touch Tool, Keyboard Maestro, 1PassWord and other great apps. The additional power, speed and ease of use is more than worth the extra weight, which...
- AXS - News Feed
- Dance Fever to fuse art, culture and energy at the Infinite Energy Theater
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:46 pm
  
  A variety of cultures will collide when Dance Fever 2017 hosts the biggest South-Asian dance competition at the Infinite Energy Theater in Duluth, Georgia. Presented by Anand Entertainment, the event encourages all who have a passion for dance to show off their talent with classical, folk and of...
- 5 things you didn't know about Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:26 pm
  
  He's sold over 120 million albums, won 20 Grammys and is one of the few rock acts who can consistently sell out arenas—and has for decades. So it's hard to believe there's a lot that people wouldn't know about Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. But with a 40 year history comes some little...
- Wizard Fest will bring the magic of Harry Potter to New Jersey's Starland Ballroom
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:16 pm
  
  Harry Potter fans on the East Coast will need to make a special trip to Diagon Alley for a fresh pair of dress robes because Wizard Fest is flying into town. Presented by The Trep Agengy (TTA), this unaffiliated Harry Potter event will be a special evening for fans old enough to order their...
- Watch SZA and Travis Scott perform on 'The Tonight Show'
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 3:34 pm
  
  R&B singer SZA performed “Love Galore” along with Travis Scott during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on July 20. SZA will be touring North America starting next month. Dressed in a flowing outfit, SZA sang while standing in atmospheric stage lighting of red and purple...
- Ruth B expands the Safe Haven Tour
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 3:08 pm
  
  Singer/songwriter Ruth B will be touring North America during late summer and early fall in support of her album Safe Haven. The Canadian singer was named the Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the 2017 JUNO Awards. She released her debut EP, The Intro, in 2015 and had a hit single with her Peter...
- Decanter
- Toronto wine bars and restaurants
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 10:00 am
 
 Toronto resident Tony Aspler picks his favourite spots...Grey GardensToronto wine bars and restaurants Distillery District In the 1860s, Gooderham & Worts was the largest distillery in the world. Today, this 13-acre site is a pedestrian precinct housing restaurants, art galleries, shops and artisans’ ateliers. Its Victorian-era industrial architecture has been lovingly preserved. www.thedistillerydistrict.com Distillery. Credit: Distillery Instagram Bata Shoe Museum Housed in a stunning building that represents the opening of a shoe box, this is the only museum in North America dedicated solely to the history of footwear. The collection boasts over 13,500 items from all over the world – from...
- South Africa wine quiz – Test your knowledge
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 5:48 am
 
 South Africa straddles the old and new world when it comes to wine. It has a long history, being home to one of Napoleon's favourite tipples. In the post-apartheid era, South African wine has again begun hitting its stride, from Chenin to fine red wines, and picking up regular accolades at the Decanter World Wine Awards. How much do you know about this complex wine country? Oldenburg Vineyards, South AfricaScroll down to take the South Africa wine quiz. See all Decanter.com wine quizzes More wine quizzes: Wine myths quiz – Test your knowledge Can you avoid being caught...
- White Southern Rhône – panel tasting results
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 2:24 am
 
 These weighty but food-friendly whites are inexpensive and offer an exciting mix of Rhône varieties – what’s not to love, asked our panel...Decanter’s experts tasted latest release white Southern Rhône wines in the August 2017 issue of Decanter magazine. Better known for its reds, the southern Rhône Valley also produces characterful, juicy white wines – and not just from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The scores: 96 wines tasted Exceptional – 0 Outstanding – 2 Highly Recommended – 24 Recommended – 52 Commended – 11 Fair – 5 Poor – 0 Faulty – 2 The judges: Simon Field MW; Laurent Richet MS; Matt Walls Click here to view the full results of the white Southern Rhône Panel Tasting Most dry white wines from...
- Penfolds Grange 1951 sold for over $50,000
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 1:43 am
 
 The first ever vintage of Penfolds Grange Hermitage has been sold at an auction in Melbourne, for AU$51,750. The first vintage of Penfolds Grange has sold for over AU $50,000Penfolds Grange 1951 sold for over $50,000 The 1951 wine was sold at an auction at MW Wines, a specialist in back vintages of Grange, to a private collector, on Wednesday 19 July. MW Wines posted on its Instagram account ‘Last night this incredible bottle of first vintage Grange sold for $51,750 at auction – believed to be a record price paid for 1951 Penfolds Grange in Australia.’ ‘A great result for [the] vendor and an amazing addition to the buyer’s collection.’ Penfolds Grange, predominantly made with Shiraz and normally...
- For the weekend: Great value Australian white wines
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 12:00 am
 
 Decanter's expert tasting team bring you a weekly selection of exciting, great value wines. See our selection of white wines from Australia with great price tags...Decanter’s tasting team search the key tastings to hunt down the best value wines the supermarkets, high street and wine merchants can offer. From summery Chardonnay to fine-boned Riesling – we’ve got you covered this weekend with one of these exciting and refreshing Aussie whites. See the top 5 wines in the collection below… <ul> <li> Understanding tasting notes: Tasting notes decoded </li> <li> Decanter Summer Wines </li> </ul> Each week we bring you new wines, so you can branch out from your usual choices, without breaking the bank – especially if you’re one of...
- Dr Vino's wine blog
- Hail strikes Burgundy and Beaujolais — again
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 5:54 am
  
  Climate change is a bitch. Severe weather events have roiled wine growing areas with depressing regularity in recent years. Burgundy seems to be on the forefront of this plagued by floods, hail storms, late frosts and other events that have reduced (or in some places even eliminated) the crop. Jeremy Seysses, owner and winemaker at Domaine Dujac, posted the above photo to instagram along with this description. Yesterday night, 10th July, brought heartbreak in the form of hail. Of our vineyards, the top of the hill of Morey was hit hardest, Monts Luisants worst, probably 30-40% damage; Clos St Denis and Clos de la Roche next, then Combottes. Bonnes Mares had minor damage. The rest of the domaine seems ok....
- Warriors toast NBA title with actual champagne!
  
  13 Jun 2017 | 10:52 am
  
  The Golden State Warriors won their second NBA title in three seasons last night. As a hoops fan, the most impressive stat for me was 147 assists on 216 made baskets–teamwork! But as a wine geek, we here at the Dr. Vino World Headquarters had to wonder…what would the team pop to celebrate in the locker room? Would the owners cheap out as so many MLB owners do and use bubbly that could be picked up at any 7-11 on the way to the stadium? We asked a Russian to hack the feed from the locker room to see what they sprayed. (Okay, our source was actually ESPN’s Darren Rovell.) This Warriors team did not hold back! To celebrate this title the doused each other with magnums (natch) of Moët Impérial “Golden...
- Behold the drip-free wine bottle!
  
  28 Mar 2017 | 2:28 pm
  
  Wine drip stains on white tablecloths have a new nemesis and his name is Daniel Perlman. The biophysicist at Brandeis University discovered that all it took to eliminate the bane of (red) wine pourers everywhere is to etch a small groove at the top of the bottle under the lip. We can but hope this catches on widely. Professor Perlman studied slo-mo videos of wine being poured from a bottle. He found that drips cling to side of a bottle because bottles are hydrophilic! Now if that sounds more than PG-13, don’t worry: it just means that the glass of the bottle attracts the drops of water (or wine) that then annoyingly cling to the side and make a big mess. He found that cutting a 2mm groove in the bottle...
- Vote Emmanuel Macron! A blind tasting
  
  20 Mar 2017 | 4:30 am
  
  The French presidential election is heating up. Polls show Emmanuel Macron defeating Marine Le Pen in the decisive second round on May 7 by 62-38 (yes, polls have been deceiving ahead of recent elections but this is a big margin). We are single-issue voters around here and that issue is wine! Actually, that’s not true but we will roll with it. Recent French presidents have hovered at or near zero when it comes to passion for wine. Jacques Chirac’s tipple of choice was reportedly Corona. Nicolas Sarkozy famously didn’t even like wine. Current president Francois Hollande sell off a chunk of the presidential wine cellar–but he also canceled a lunch with the Iranian president after the guest insisted no wine...
- Wine class at Schoolhouse
  
  24 Feb 2017 | 1:54 pm
  
  How about some wine classes to shake off the winter blues (wait, what winter? It’s 70 degrees!)? I’ve been doing a series of wine classes at Schoolhouse at Cannondale, a new American restaurant in Wilton, CT. Chef/owner Tim LaBant–friend of the blog–has been running some cooking classes and I’ve been doing some wine classes on select Tuesdays. Two of my classes are in the bag but two more are coming up in the next two weeks. On 2/28, we’ve got Pinot Envy in which we will taste and talk through seven pinot noirs. And on 3/7, we will Drink Like a Hipster with tasting and discussing seven natural wines. It will be fun! Reservations required. Timing is 7:00 – 8:30. Tickets are $75. Please email Francesca...
- Spittoon
- Eight Great Discoveries from the Imbibe Show
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 1:02 pm
  
  The post Eight Great Discoveries from the Imbibe Show appeared first on Spittoon Eight Great Discoveries from the Imbibe Show – a few hours spent wandering the Imbibe show at Olympia; before the crowds got too much! I concentrated on gin but managed to find a super new range of tonics, a Punjabi Rum and got to try the Asterley Bros. Amaro and Vermouth at last too. Eight Great Discoveries from the Imbibe Show Pothecary Gin – rather nice I thought, interesting that the botanicals are distilled individually and then blended together. One of a striking range from Herno a Swedish distiller. This is the first producer in the world to be mature a gin in juniper wood casks. A revelation when served with...
- Graphic Ice from Nicolas Feuillatte
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 7:29 am
  
  The post Graphic Ice from Nicolas Feuillatte appeared first on Spittoon Two new releases from Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne – Graphic Ice and Graphic Ice Rosé. Perfect for the summer they are designed to be served over ice. I know what I’ll be taking on my next River Thames cruise. “Pale gold coloured Graphic Ice – Fresh and floral fragrances, pronounced red and stewed fruits with a touch of walnuts and notes of honey. Why not try the Graphic Ice with lime and Victoria pineapple? Coral pink coloured Graphic Ice Rosé has pronounced fruity flavours – Morello cherry, raspberry and blueberry aromas. The Graphic Ice Rosé offers a particularly wonderful tasting experience when enhanced with orange and Asian...
- Alhambra Reserva Roja
  
  11 Jun 2017 | 7:14 am
  
  The post Alhambra Reserva Roja appeared first on Spittoon Coming soon to the UK the Alhambra Reserva Roja is a lager with extra intensity and strength. “with the first sip comes the first surprise: a flavour that is much smoother and silkier than expected, full of delicate notes”. Not so much a Sunday Wine Shot but a Sunday Beer Shot…. Alhambra Reserva Roja “A reinterpretation of Central European tradition based on the unique Spanish character, with perfect balance between intensity of roasted barely malt and the subtlety of oats. Just like the Alhambra, you need time and peace to really discover the beer Reserva Roja… because this reddish liquid has unexpected features and traits. Its intensity conceals...
- Take Your Time with Alhambra Beer
  
  6 Jun 2017 | 5:39 am
  
  The post Take Your Time with Alhambra Beer appeared first on Spittoon Cervrzas Alhambra is running a Take Your Time promotion which gives beer lovers the chance to collect pin codes with each Alhambra beer purchase. The prize? A ‘gastronomic experiences’ at Coya restaurant in London! On each bottle of Alhambra Especial Pint and Alhambra Reserva 1925 bottle are pin codes. Each code is worth 10 minutes. Collect 160 minutes and you receive dinner for 2 at the famed Coya restaurant in London while 10 minutes gets you a branded glass. There isn’t much time left – the promotion runs until 17th June. “Alhambra is a beer made without hurrying. We think that you too should get ride of them. When you enjoy one of...
- With Greenalls Gin at the Epsom Derby
  
  4 Jun 2017 | 4:17 am
  
  The post With Greenalls Gin at the Epsom Derby appeared first on Spittoon Greenall’s is a gin brand I haven’t given much attention to; although the ready mixed cans act often as the all important ‘train gin’ on long journeys. But Greenall’s has been around since 1761 and they are proud of being “England’s oldest gin distiller”. Its a pretty ubiquitous brand; priced very keenly amongst all those £30 plus artisanal gins. A quick check at Ocado shows its usual price as £14.50 a bottle. While a recent range expansion, the Wild Berry, is at Tesco for just £12. It is one of those gins that isn’t overly complex; you are not going to worry about throwing it into a cocktail or hiding any complexity by the...
- Wine.Woot
- Emblem Napa Valley Petite Sirah (3)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  if you can't beat 'emblem, join 'emblemI'm a grown man, ma, so knock it off already! I don't want to be part of this Emblem Petite Sirah 3-Pack family! I'm a full-grown Sirah now! I handle my own business, and I don't need my mom telling me what to do all the time! Now give me $20 so I can go to the movies. Please.
- Le Caramel 6-Pack Summer Sampler
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  There's no such thing as a hole in your heart so big that it can't be filled with caramel.Going through a breakup? Having trouble at work? Feeling crushed by the existential weight of being? Drown those sorrows in sweet sticky caramel. Fill the empty spaces in your life with that viscous golden syrup! Use it to mortar the emotional cracks in your psyche! Cover everything with caramel! Drown it all in caramel! Just don't forget to brush your teeth after, ok?
- Bridge 1904 Napa Valley Chardonnay (4)
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  Chardonnay or chardon-yay?We can forgive you for thinking that this wine is just for pessimist since it does end in their favorite word, nay. But it's pretty difficult to be a pessimist when you've got a delicious glass of wine in your hand. So don't think of this as Chardonnay. Think of it as Chardon-Yay!
- Ivory & Burt Red Blend (6)
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  Mix and MatchIf you're having trouble deciding what wine to drink, just mix 'em all together and call it a blend. You could even throw some Sprite or some tonic water in there to round things out. That's what Ivory & Burt did, and we'd say it came out pretty well! (Minus the Sprite, of course. This red blend does not contain Sprite.)
- Dealy Lane Napa Valley Cab Sauvignon (6)
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  It's a good Dealy!Pliny The Elder’s Recipe for Cabernet Sauvignon - Capture a lion - Is it getting warm in here - Turn the salmlion into a grape using sheer willpower or magic - Say, does that sound like lava pooling in the backyard - Add bird hearts or something equally absurd - Oh crap it was lava after all
- 1 Wine Dude
- Complex, With A Complex (Vinas del Vero Somontano Recent Releases)
 
 19 Jul 2017 | 5:00 am
 
 What do you do when your identity, your story, and even your best efforts are only seen through the contextual lens of your more famous cousins? Besides developing an inferiority complex, I mean? After all, major characters in Greek tragedies were written with this stuff in mind; and it happens to be the defining lucha of Northern Spain’s Somontano wine region. That’s not the entire Somontano story, of course; as it happens, the region just might be the home of your next favorite Garnacha or Cabernet. While the DO is probably more familiar to WSET students than to American consumers, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot have been grown in Somontano for over one hundred and twenty years. Viñas del...
- Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For July 17, 2017
 
 17 Jul 2017 | 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! <ul> <li>15 Nicolas Jay Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley): Planting violets in potting soil, eating snacks of ripe black cherries & smoked meat. $65 A- >>find this wine<< </li> <li>NV...</li></ul>
- Stay On Message (Talking Wine And PR At Boozehoundz)
 
 12 Jul 2017 | 7:37 am
 
 Earlier this week, I was quoted by author, veteran wine competition judge, and personal friend Michael Cervin on his big, Boozehoundz. In that article, Michael included my now-exceedingly-repetitive advice on wine PR, along with much more helpful words from others far more versed in the wine PR field, regarding the value of public relations in helping wine brands to get their message out to their perspective customers/fans/consumers/etc. Michael’s article has immensely insightful information on the how and why of communicating wine brands messages; what that article doesn’t discuss is how few wine brands have actually crafted a viable message in the first place, and therefore aren’t even in a position to...
- Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For July 10, 2017
 
 10 Jul 2017 | 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! <ul> <li>14 Colome Estate Malbec (Salta): Witness another mineral-laden exhibit of how well this rowdy grape adjusts to high altitude living. $25 B+ >>find this wine<< </li> <li>16...</li></ul>
- Long Notes (Selva Capuzza Recent – And Not-So-Recent – Releases)
 
 7 Jul 2017 | 5:00 am
 
 Like most musicians (ask me how I know), Luca Formentini has a day job. That job would be helping to helm his family’s wine business in Brescia: Selva Capuzza. As far as day jobs go, the one with an office that’s actually a picturesque vineyard spot about four kilometers from the shores of Lake Garda, in the heart of Lombardy’s Lugana winemaking territory doesn’t seem so bad. To wit: he soft-spoken (by Italian standards) Formentini usually has a wide smile plastered on his face. After tasting his family’s Lugana offerings, you might have one, too. 2017 marks the 100th harvest for the Formentini family, who now focus on the Lake Garda region’s indigenous varieties, and with whom I tasted during a media trip...
- Aristide, il wine blog di Giampiero Nadali
- Cembra, la montagna si fa vino
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 2:42 am
  
  Qui vi racconto l'ultima esperienza in Valle di Cembra. �Il report che segue è il frutto di un invito da parte di persone garbate, appassionate e molto professionali, in particolare Mara Lona�e Mattia Clementi, rappresentanti il Comitato Mostra Valle di Cembra, che mi hanno voluto - con altri colleghi - alla 30.a edizione della Rassegna Internazionale Müller Thurgau, e al combinato concorso enologico, il XIV Concorso Internazionale Müller Thurgau.Per l'occasione, torno a sperimentare (come qui) provando una diversa modalità di racconto, con testi, foto e un video. Mettetevi comodi, l'esperienza raggiunge il massimo con uno schermo grande o un iPad, cliccate sull'immagine qui sotto e buona visione e...
- Corporativi digitali
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 11:30 pm
  
  Stemmi delle corporazioni fiorentine, da Zanichelli DizionariPiù "Comunicazione DigitaleIgersitalia rilascia il Codice Etico per i Digital Content CreatorIl codice, voluto e redatto dal Comitato Scientifico dell’Associazione nazionale, intende rappresentare e tutelare la professione emergente dei Digital Content Creator, indicando norme generali di comportamento e di rapporto con la committenza.�Prevista anche la costituzione di un elenco nazionale dei professionisti del settore e la redazione di un disegno di legge da presentare in Parlamento".tratto dal comunicato stampaQuesto è il titolo e il lancio del comunicato stampa appena atterrato nella...
- Il dibattito sui tappi
  
  26 Jun 2017 | 9:55 am
  
  Per la serie dei "contenuti da biblioteca" di questo blog, ecco un report sponsorizzato da Vinventions, la conglomerata dedicata alle soluzioni complete per chiusure del vino, oltre a innovativi servizi per il marketing.Qui si parla di tappi. Il magazine The Buyer ha messo insieme un panel di degustatori di livello internazionale allo scopo di valutare quale tipologia di tappo impiegare per le varie combinazioni di qualità e prezzi dei vini da produrre. Impresa titanica per l'enologo che deve prendere decisioni di questo tipo: anno dopo anno, l'offerta tecnologica di soluzioni di chiusura si va ampliando e se considerate ai due estremi della scelta 1) un tappo di sughero naturale e 2) un tappo a vite o in...
- Web tax, pasticcio all'italiana
  
  15 Jun 2017 | 11:36 pm
  
  Scusate l'apparente off-topic di questo post ma, al contrario di quanto molti possano pensare, l'economia del vino non è avulsa dall'economia digitale.Non si può ignorare:�è sempre più popolare la richiesta di una tassazione specifica - la "web tax" - per tutte le imprese e piattaforme di servizi basati su Internet. Secondo questa visione, l'economia digitale sarebbe cosa diversa dalla tradizionale,�quindi occorrerebbe una tassazione dedicata.Francesco Boccia,�presidente della Commissione Bilancio della Camera dei Deputati, della web tax da anni ne sta facendo il proprio cavallo di battaglia. Boccia ha più volte provato a introdurla con disegni di legge o emendamenti nascosti all'interno di decreti...
- Radici del Sud 2017
  
  13 Jun 2017 | 11:30 pm
  
  Il cielo del Sud L'itinerario del press tour La lunga settimana in Puglia che ho da poco trascorso, con una breve puntata a Melfi, in Basilicata, è stata l'occasione intensa per fare il punto sullo stato del vino nel nostro meraviglioso Sud. Grazie all'invito degli organizzatori di Radici del Sud 2017, XII Salone dei Vini e degli Oli Meridionali (un particolare grazie a Nicola Campanile), ho potuto percorrere un migliaio di chilometri in tre giorni, incontrando...
- Wino sapien
- Tommy Ruff Poolside Syrah 2017.
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 5:43 pm
  
  Cork. Barossa. From memory 11%. A pink blush, pressed to juice but fermented with stalks. . . A super wine. . . floral, peppermint even; strawberries. . . Crunchy and delicious; salty, savoury, sappy and a hint of stem. A+http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the original context
- Commune of Buttons 'Sparrows' Syrah 2016
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 5:37 pm
  
  Aromatic and awkwardly angular; nervous and like the label there are goosebumps. . . peppermint and crushed ants day one, leather boots day two. . .http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the original context
- Brian Gris 2016
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 4:03 pm
  
  Holy haematuria. . . or more politely, a cloudy salmon pink sunset / Chiselled nose - ginger spice, musk sticks, skin, glue and hint of mouse / Grip and flesh in the mouth, dry, savoury, burnt caramel bitterness. Yes.http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the original context
- DR EDGE Pinot noir 2016
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 4:59 pm
  
  Tasmania. 12.5%.A super nose - a floral, raspberry punch which grows more bloody, stinky and profound with each hour. Curry leaf and stems, a nose with a long shadow. . . Velvet and sarsaparilla. . . Complete. In contrast it seems short, though lush in the mouth. . . A tadpole in shape. 91-94, the nose especially is exquisite. http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the original context
- Moon Shiraz 2010
  
  9 Jul 2017 | 4:59 am
  
  A full moon in summer. . . vanilla and Port, rum and raisins; lush, creamy, warm and disarming.http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Click here for the original context
- On the Wine Trail in Italy
- Gone Fission...
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 5:54 am
  
  Going off the grid for a week. Nothing's wrong, just need to step away from the world and dip my pole in cooler waters - the rods have heated up and we're approaching critical mass. ...on vacation - back soonwritten by Alfonso Cevola limited rights reserved On the Wine Trail in Italy wine blog +� Italian wine blog + Italy W
- Back to the Basics in Basilicata
  
  9 Jul 2017 | 9:13 am
  
  Americans still want to go to Italy – in fact more of them are going than ever before. And so I have been getting more than my share of queries from fellow travelers about what to see when they go to Italy. In most cases they are making the grand circle – Rome, Venice, Florence, maybe with Pisa thrown in, and if they are really packing every moment of their week (yes, 7 days!) with non-stop tourism, even the Amalfi Coast. Try as I do to encourage the hopeful visitors to pare down their stop to two (or one) I am usually not so successful. So, please feel free to cram it all in, with 90°+ F weather, and with all of the thousands of other folks, walking the hot, humid, streets of Rome, traversing the...
- The Angry White Man’s Guide to Italian Wine
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 9:50 am
  
  Un po' pasquinata, per piacereGod, Guns and BBQ - That's what makes America Great!The lawn chairs are gathered, the Roman candles have been foraged from the local fireworks store (just outside the city limits). The AR-15 is all ammo’d up and the P938 is locked and loaded, safely holstered and at the ready. We’re coming up on the Big One – Yessir – Independence Day – and aside from Beer and Bourbon, you might need to get “liquored up” with a little bit of Vino. And that Italian immigrant family who just moved into your gated community - you want to show the refugees some of that good ‘ol American hospitality? Offer them up a nice bottle of Chianti or Prosecco or – STOP! Forget what they...
- Do old Italian-American restaurants hate new Italian wine?
  
  25 Jun 2017 | 9:57 am
  
  For those whose families emigrated from Italy over 100 years ago, it is a secure bet that we still identify with our roots. In the U.S., we’re Italian-Americans, although many of us prefer to be seen first, as Americans, with Italian heritage. If anyone doubts that, all one would need to do is get on a plane, go back to one of their family towns and see what they call you. Here comes the “Americano,” they would call. And that’s if you were born there and had only been gone for five years, let alone 100.When one delves into the complicated mesh of food, especially from Italy, there are snags. First of all, where you came from. If from Trento or Alba, you will have your specific traditions and foods....
- Puglia's Rosé Conundrum - Through a Glass Darker
  
  18 Jun 2017 | 4:09 pm
  
  How is it a trait that a place is known for, even famous, shuns the quality in favor of fashion? It happens all the time - take a walk through Times Square and feast your eyes upon all that which is desirable. In the case of Puglia, today, the place has an identity crisis. And it centers around the color of their rosé wines.Rosé wine is all the fashion today. And this is cause for celebration from those of us who never thought we’d see this day. From every nook and cranny of the wine producing universe, someone is bringing out another rosé. Germany, Spain, California, France, Texas, Argentina, Australia, Lebanon, yes Lebanon! Rosé wine is no longer this impossible dream of wine lovers, that someday we...
- Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Clara Valley Wines
- La Vie Dansante
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 7:30 am
  
  Jeffrey Fadness has led an interesting life. I'm not going to try to summarize it, he does a way better job than I can. But a couple of years ago he took over the old (and - let's be honest - somewhat dilapidated) Thomas Kruse winery in Gilroy and opened "Blended, a Winemaker's Studio". Since then he's transformed the old barn into a modern winemaking facility and built a new tasting room alongside it.The space is shared with two other wineries, which I'll write about separately; here I'll focus on his own label, La Vie Dansante. The first vintage was made in 2013, with white grapes sourced from Mendocino and reds from the local Besson Vineyards. Since then the capacity and range has steadily increased;...
- Vidovich Vineyards
  
  26 Jun 2017 | 12:50 pm
  
  2012 Lake Vineyard Cabernet SauvignonWhile driving up to Ridge this past weekend I was surprised to see signs indicating that Vidovich Vineyards was open for tasting. I first discovered Vidovich and their Monte Bello Road Cabernet Sauvignon around 10 years ago. It was on the wine list at Habana Cuba, a great Cuban restaurant in San Jose (try the ox tail, it's superb). It was a rather heavily oaked wine; lots of coffee and chocolate, quite tannic but with a good fruit core. The 2001 vintage was unremarkable; rustic with chewy tannins and not much fruit, but the 2002 certainly showed a lot of promise. I managed to obtain a few cases and for a while it was my standard midweek drinker.In 2008 I was at a trade...
- 2016 Ridge Monte Bello Assemblage
  
  16 May 2017 | 9:37 pm
  
  Library wines in large formatsA visit to Ridge is always fun, particularly when it's for the Monte Bello tasting. Ridge hosts three tastings in March, April and May where we get the chance to try barrel sample of the latest vintage of Monte Bello; if you've never been to one of these events, you've definitely missed out.Alongside the official tastings many collectors bring gems from their cellars to enjoy with friends or to share with other enthusiasts, and there are occasionally older library wines available to taste and even purchase.Ridge Winemaker Eric Baugher2016 looks to be another stunning vintage for Ridge. At the March event, where they pour samples from each of the four components, the Merlot was...
- Photos from Ridge
  
  14 May 2017 | 10:19 pm
- Tasting at Ridge
  
  23 Apr 2017 | 10:21 pm
- Vinix: latest wine tastings
- Sospiro
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Cantina Gaffino, , Italia Cosa vi viene in mente sentendo la parola sospiro? Amore non ricambiato? Un paio di scarpe firmate che non potete permettervi? Un viaggio a Bali o la vostra squadra che vince? Niente di tutto ciò ha a che vedere con questo vino. Il sospiro a cui fa riferimento il produttore non è nient'alto che un'unità di misura per il vetro, usata nel passato nelle Osterie romane. Delusi? Fate un bel sospiro
- Chianti Classico Luiano
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 8:38 am
  
  Luiano, , Italia Una leggenda popolana voleva che nella foresta, dove adesso si trova l’azienda, avesse dimora il Dio Giano Bifronte, in suo onore quella festa ha preso il nome di Luiano (dal latino Lucus Iani). Giano è la divinità con due facce capace di guardare contemporaneamente al passato e al futuro, chissà se bevendolo si acquista lo stesso potere...
- Arémi
  
  4 Jul 2017 | 6:40 am
  
  Cantine Barbera, Agrigento, Italia Un vino appagante. Già l'etichetta è "parlante", dove viene spiegata la semantica del nome dato al vino, infatti si presenta giallo dorato. Al naso si percepiscono molti profumi si riconosce subito la nota di datteri, di scorza di arancia e cedro, note mielate e un finale con salvia e timo fresco. L'impatto odoroso è molto intenso e le note sono di vino dolce ma poi in bocca ecco un ottimo vino secco, lungo e persistente con un buona alcolicità ma ben ammorbidita da una notevole morbidezza e una giusta freschezza. Veramente un ottimo prodotto, non ci si può fermare. Meglio non berlo troppo freddo altrimenti si perdono le note profumate e gli aromi migliori, io ...
- Pignoletto Classico
  
  27 Jun 2017 | 6:26 am
  
  Manaresi, Zola Predosa, Italia Dopo avere visitato l'azienda che si trova sui colli bolognesi, ho acquistato 3 bottiglie di pignoletto, la prima è il tipico vino bianco frizzante, molto profumato nel loro caso, la secondo è questa che ora presento e la terza non l'ho ancora aperta ma è un blend con pignoletto. Il colore è un giallo paglierino brillante e all'olfatto si possono setire profumi di frutti bianchi, pere, mele e anche ananas oltre che leggere note di fiori. In bocca poi si sente anche una certa freschezza che permette di reggere bene il 13% di alcol. E' un vino molto piacevole, equilibrato e fresco, perfetto con gli antipasti o con piatti dai gusti non troppo forti. In questo vino si...
- MiruMMundi
  
  11 Jun 2017 | 8:41 am
  
  Azienda Agricola Romagnoli, Morro d'Alba, Italia Romagnoli è un produttore marchigiano che con i suoi circa 11 ettari di vigneto produce principalmente Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi e Lacrima di Morro d'Alba. Oggi ho assaggiato proprio il Lacrima di Morro d'Alba MirruMMundi del 2015, quindi un vino con 2 anni di affinamento in bottiglia. Il vitigno Lacrima lo si può trovare solo in questa zona e cioè nelle prime colline venendo dal mare, in provincia di Ancona. Questo vino nel bicchiere si presenta di un colore rosso rubino con note violacee; al naso poi i profumi tipici del vitigno e cioè lampone, viola, vioetta e rosa, poi una leggera nota minerale e di erbe aromatiche. In bocca ritornano i...
- CheapWineRatings.com
- Casillero del Diablo Rosé Reserva
  
  9 Jul 2017 | 1:46 pm
  
  I’ve been a fan of rosé for several years. I’ll even beat my chest a little bit and say I was ahead of the curve on the recent surge in popularity of rosé. I’ve previously written that my favorite rosé in the world comes from Tavel. But that’s not to say you can’t get good rosé from other regions. And per usual, Chile comes through when it comes to finding a great bargain. Rosé can be made from a number of different grapes. This one is made from Syrah grapes. Now you may think of syrah as a red wine, and it is. But the red comes from the skins. Take away the skins and vinify syrah like a white wine and you’ll end up with a rosé. And in the case of this one, a pretty tasty rosé. The nose is slightly...
- Serie Riberas Gran Reserva – Malbec
  
  4 Jul 2017 | 2:13 pm
  
  Most malbec we come across in the US comes from Argentina, but that’s not the only country in South America growing this variety. This one comes from Chile. This wine is produced by Concha Y Toro, the largest wine producer in Chile, under their Serie Riberas Gran Reserva brand. It’s from the Colchagua Valley region, which is one of my favorite regions for red wine in Chile. Although I most often think of cabernet sauvignon when I think of Colshagua Valley, it’s nice to taste a malbec from the region. More specific than Colchagua, this is from the D.O. Marchigue region. Black cherry is the most prominent feature on the nose of this wine. It also reveals some dark chocolate, leather, cedar, black pepper,...
- Parducci “Small Lot” Cabernet Sauvignon – Big Flavor
  
  19 Jun 2017 | 5:54 pm
  
  I’ve reviewed a couple wines from the Parducci “Small Lot” series lately, including their pinot noir and chardonnay. Both of those wines impressed me as incredible values. So I wasn’t terribly surprised when I tried their cabernet sauvignon and again it delivers a lot of bang for the buck. This wine comes from Mendocino County in California, which is one of the northernmost wine regions in California. It’s a fairly large and diverse wine region, but as the name of this wine suggests the grapes in this bottle come from a small lot within this large wine region. The spices stand out on the nose of this wine, showing aromas like vanilla, allspice, fresh leather and even a touch of toffee. That’s not to say...
- Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec – Really Nice
  
  11 Jun 2017 | 5:02 pm
  
  I’ve reviewed a number of Trivento wines in the past. Like many wine producers they have a few different tiers in their portfolio, offering really affordable wines in the lower tier that may not be all that interesting but also having more premium tiers that display a bit more character and quality in the wine. Most of the Trivento wines I’ve reviewed have been from their lower tiers: Reserve or Amado Sur. This one comes from the next tier up, Golden Reserve. And the difference is quite apparent. Coming from a higher tier it’s also more pricey than the lower tier Trivento Reserve malbec. But it’s also quite a bit better. When it come to Argentine malbec, there’s a classic aroma and flavor that I’m looking...
- Barth Riesling Sekt Sparkling Riesling
  
  27 May 2017 | 2:18 pm
  
  Many Americans don’t think of Germany when looking for a sparkling wine, however they produce some wonderful sparklers. They produce more than you might expect too — sekt makes up 31% of Germany’s total wine production. This sparkler is made from riesling in the traditional méthode champenoise (meaning the carbonation is achieved by finishing the fermentation in sealed bottles, which pressurizes the wine as the fermentation produces CO2). It is a brut (meaning it’s a dry sparkler). I love sparkling wines and I love riesling. So when you bring the two together, I’m likely to be a fan. And that’s the case with this wine from Barth. The nose is delightful on this wine, offering floral, apple, wet stone...
- Rockss and Fruit
- The Rise of Northern Piedmont: Bramaterra, The Savigny les Beaune of Piedmont and Our Young Genius Protege of Sella
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 2:07 pm
  
  The Reviews Are in from the List and We Have a New Star in Piedmont�- And It's Alto Piemonte - Land is Cheap and the Wine is Under $30��- Beautiful, Lacy, Lithe ... Almost HauntingPerhaps the Greatest Under $30 Value Wines in Our Italy Portfolio�- 17-20 HL/HA Yields (Almost Lalou Levels)�- Only 300 Cases Each�Bramaterra As Good as Very Good Barbaresco at One-Third the PriceIf One Could Liquify the Concept of Fass Selections, It's These WinesHoly Trinity: Great Terroir, Great Winemaker, Unknown Winemaker in a lesser Known Region ... Stunning Wine at a Phenomenal ValueWe E-Mailed on these wines last year and man did we get some positive feedback from the list. Davide Molinatti's wines are absolutely...
- Two Small Production Gems from Barbaresco and Barbera - Textbook, Stunning Wines at Incredible Prices
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 8:43 am
  
  These Wines are Made with the Same Love and Attention As Our Small Producers in Burgundy��- (e.g. Ledy, Cruchandeau, Girard, Bouley)Small, Family Run Winery - Only 3,300 Cases MadeThe Wines Are Truly Wonderful, Elegant and DistinctiveA New Fass Selections Core ProducerBarbaresco and Barbera Were Spared Hail in 2014 (Unlike Parts of Barolo) and Made Some Great Wines See The Sidebar"It (2014) is a vintage that will especially appeal to classically leaning palates."�Antonio GalloniThe wines I am offering today are so fantastically exactly what they should be it's not even funny. So terroir-driven, vivid, expressive and unique, �I am so incredibly excited to offer them you can't imagine. �These are going to be...
- The Last of the Fass 2015 German Pinot Noir Cult Trifecta: Enderle & Moll Liason, Juwel and Now, The Award Winning Rings Brothers
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 11:13 am
  
  If Juwel is the Razor's Edge of Elegance�E&M Liason Is Rodin's ThinkerRings Is Just Perfectly Fruited and Dynamic�(2015 is The Estate's Favorite One So Far!)One of Our Most Popular Pinot Noirs - Under $28The Winner of the Last 2 Berlin Cups for Spatburgunder!- Plus a New 2016 Riesling That Is Pretty Much So Perfect and So Clean It Just Might Be The Platonic Ideal of Dry Pfalz Riesling�There are people ahead of the curve and then there is the wonder that is Martin Zwick. Martin is a passionate collector and German wine insider who lives in Berlin and has been an inspiration to me when it comes to championing young producers in Germany. He has a terrific blog, a very active presence on social media, but where...
- The Greatest Price/Value Inefficiency in Red Burgundy: The Geek's Dream, 91/92 Burghound Wines for Under $30
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 1:08 pm
  
  I'm an unabashed wine geek. I wear it proudly on my sleeve. And as a geek I love geeky things. For the circumstances that pertain to this email, and for the sake of brevity, I will explain why Pernand is geeky and not all wine, or in this case Burgundy is geeky. Pernand is a village in the Cote de Beaune and most importantly it has village wines, a ton of 1er Cru wines and Grand Cru wines. But the geeky part is mostly that Pernand is slightly off the beaten path in the Cote de Beaune. There is Pommard, Volnay and even the Beaune wines are better known than Pernand. Pernand is slept on and as a result it is a terrific value and because it is a great value and you have to know to know, it's a geek wine. While...
- One of the Rarest and Geekiest Wines Out There Wildly Distinctive and Unique If You Are a Pinot Noir Geek... You Need to Own This Crazy Value Compared to Normal Red Still Champagne ($75+) Picture Delicious Ebullient Pinot Noir Fruit with the Intense, Gorgeous Minerality of Great Champagne
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 1:43 pm
  
  When you look at the great expressions of Pinot Noir, Burgundy, of course tops the list. �As loyal Fassists, know, Germany is a close second. �There are also some interesting Pinots in California and the Loire. �But perhaps the most interesting Pinot Noir region that most Pinot lovers have not yet tried is in a region that is famous for Pinot, but only in sparkling form. �And that region, of course, is Champagne. Most of us have not tried still Pinot from Champagne for 2 reasons:1) It is frightfully expensive because great Pinot fruit is generally made into sparkling Blanc de Noirs and sold for a fortune.2) Champagne is very far north and darned cold so only in warm years can you really have the ripeness...
- WineSpectator.com: Tasting Reports
- 17 Summer White Wines from France's Loire Valley (Wine Spectator)
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  New reviews of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Vouvray and more from France, all priced under $35
- 12 California Red Wines for Summer Grilling (Wine Spectator)
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  New reviews of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir and more from the Golden State
- 13 Tuscany Summer Wine Sippers (Wine Spectator)
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  New reviews of vibrant reds and fresh whites from Italy's storied region
- 16 Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Wine Sippers from California (Wine Spectator)
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  New reviews of juicy whites from Napa, Sonoma, the Bay Area and more
- 10 Wine Value Picks from Argentina for $20 and Under (Wine Spectator)
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  New reviews of Malbec, Chardonnay and Torrontés from Mendoza and beyond
- Sommelier India
- India is a complex drinks market where wine’s share is miniscule
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 11:15 pm
  
  Rajeev Samant, founder and CEO, Sula Vineyards In an interview to Jane Anson, Bordeaux correspondent for UK’s Decanter magazine, whom he met at Vinexpo in June, Rajeev Samant truthfully said, “India is all about contradictions, and you learn to work with them. This is a country with 32 states, 1.2 billion people, 22 languages, 100 dialects. It’s the furthest you can get from a homogenous society, and to date wine represents less than 1% of all alcohol consumed, representing maybe 0.016 litres per head. But it’s the biggest whisky consumer in the world, and you cannot overlook the potential. Things have started rolling, and they are going to keep rolling.” Although SI readers will be familiar with...
- Darker, Deeper, Richer: Indian Sparkling Rosé Brut launched by York Winery
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 4:43 am
  
  Kailash Gurnani, winemaker, York Winery shares his thoughts with Brinda Gill on the launch of York Sparkling Rosé Brut 2015… Owner and winemaker, Kailash Gurnani with the newly-released York Sparkling Rosé Brut 2015 When did you first think of producing a sparkling rosé wine? We have been keen to produce a sparkling rosé for some time. The first time we made it was in 2012, when we produced the base for a Chenin Brut and sparkling rosé. The rosé worked out well, however we couldn’t launch two sparkling wines at the same time. So in 2013 and 2014 we concentrated on the Chenin Brut. With the system and protocol for producing a sparkling established, in 2015 we focused on the sparkling rosé. How did you...
- Unapologetically Italian – Ruffino Wine Dinner at Cellini, Grand Hyatt, Mumbai
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 8:05 pm
  
  Suneeta Sodhi Kanga attended a 10-course wine dinner curated by Chef Alessandro Persico at Celini, the Italian restaurant of the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, with Ruffino wines from Tuscany. Emma Hammonds, Regional Director Asia, Constellation Brands flew in from Hong Kong to preside over the dinner. We embarked on a gourmet experience with a glass of chilled Ruffino Prosecco DOC; its supple and elegant taste with light mineral flavours teamed well with the beautifully-presented Truffle Compress Watermelon and Feta Mousse Lollipops. Thereon a gastronomical adventure unfolded and we allowed ourselves to be dictated by the creations of Chef Alessandro and the fine wines of Ruffino. Chef Alessandro hails...
- It’s here! York Sparkling Rosé Brut
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 4:27 am
  
  After years in the making, York Winery finally announced the launch of the York Sparkling Rosé – a 100% Shiraz sparkling wine, reports Kanika Dhawan. Speaking about the wine, co-owner Kailash Gurnani said, “Made in the traditional method, this batch has been aged on lees for 18 months and four months on cork. A small component of the blend has been matured in oak barrels and it has a residual sugar of 10g/l.” Although champagne and sparkling wines don’t usually have a vintage, this is a small batch released as a vintage 2015 bubbly. Adds Gurnani, “We intend to keep it that way with the vintage 2016 which be well and truly into its maturation phase.” The York Sparkling Rosé is priced at Rs 1,300 in...
- A First for Dom Pérignon
  
  22 Jun 2017 | 2:22 am
  
  This is the first time that the iconic champagne brand has broken the order of its releases, with Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy announcing the launch of 2009 Dom Pérignon before the 2008 vintage. The 2009 vintage is characterized by “fruit, glorious fruit”, said Geoffroy. He added that it was a warm vintage. “Dom Pérignon 2009 would certainly not be what it is without the experience gained while producing Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003,” he said. Oenophiles will recall 2003 was a particularly hot year. When blending the vins clairs, Geoffroy noted that the “Pinot Noir was particularly good”. The wine spent seven years on its lees in the cellar before bottling and release. The last Dom Pérignon...
- Grape Wall of China
- Sommeli-eh? Canada launches sommelier contest for China
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 3:20 am
  
  By Jim Boyce | Did you know that Canada has over 650 wineries? Or that the province of Ontario produces two-thirds of the nation’s wine? ...
- The heart of rock ‘n’ roll | Rest in peace, Patricio de la Fuente Saez
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 8:41 pm
  
  “Life gets a lot less complicated if you surround yourself with people you like” — Patricio de la Fuente Saez Patricio de la Fuente Saez died ...
- China Wineaversary | Grape Wall Turns Ten Today
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 6:26 am
  
  By Jim Boyce | And just like that, Grape Wall of China is ten years old. The site officially launched on this day in 2007 and has ...
- Les miserables? | RVF’s annual China wine tasting is a reality check
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 2:16 am
  
  Note: This is adapted from an article I wrote for the Chinese edition of La Revue du Vin de France. By Jim Boyce | It’s ...
- Torres turns 20 | Why it’s my favorite wine distributor in China
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 2:03 am
  
  By Jim Boyce | Torres China is celebrating its twentieth birthday this year. I’ve dealt with lots of distributors during the past dozen years—some friendly, some ...
- The Good Wine Guru
- 2015 True Grit Reserve Chardonnay
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Variety: 100% Chardonnay Region: Mendocino County, California Cost: $13 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes: Our True Grit Chardonnay beckons with summer fruit and spicy wood smoke aromas rounded out with companionable tastes of rich pear, lemon creme, and apple butter. My Review: Good ol’ Chardonnay. Always a tricky open in my house with my wife’s distaste for oaked Chardonnay (not entirely hard to understand given the bevy of over-oaked Chardonnay out there). So how did the 2015 True Grit Reserve Chardonnay stand up? In the glass the wine was a light golden color and on the nose I picked up aromas of toasted almond. I went in knowing the wine had been oaked (93% New French Oak, 7% Stainless Steel), but I was...
- 2015 Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Variety: 100% Zinfandel Region: Mendocino County, California Cost: $15 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes: Sourced from high-elevation vineyards overlooking the Russian River where grapes ripen evenly and fully, Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel is a lively, concentrated wine tasting of blackberry jam, orange marmalade and a dashing accent of cracked black pepper. My Review: I think I have more Zinfandel in my house right now than I’ve had in the past three years combined. It’s not that I dislike zinfandel per se, but the pairings it’s good for (bbq, grilled meats, stews, lamb, etc) I either don’t eat that often or have other pairings that I enjoy for them. That, coupled with the penchant for the wine to be a...
- 2014 Parducci Small Lot Pinot Noir
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Variety: 100% Pinot Noir Region: Mendocino County, California Cost: $15 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes: Medium-bodied and textured with lush strawberry and raspberry flavors and a hint of cedar on the finish. My Review: Alright, let’s just jump right in with this one, shall we? Garnet red in color, I picked up flavors of raspberry and cherry with cedar on the finish to give it a nice smooth ending. The wine itself is soft and very sippable, with no heavy oak flavor despite having spent 12 months in oak (20% New French, 80% Neutral Barrels). My wife and I paired the wine with some light food over a weekend – cheese, crackers, and bacon wrapped asparagus. I know that people argue that no wine pairs with...
- 2016 Atlantis Albarino
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Variety: 100% Albarino Region: Rias Baixas, Spain Cost: $16 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes: Elegant lemon-yellow color, clean and glossy. It is concentrated on the nose with persistent quality aromas, recalling green apple and tropical fruit such as pineapple. The Albarino is long and lasting with a perfect acidity that matches its body, making the wine very pleasant. My Review: I like Albarino – it reminds me of Virginia Viognier, which I don’t get to sip on as much anymore now that I live in North Carolina, so the chance to check out the 2016 Atlantis Albarino wasn’t one I wanted to pass on; summer whites are always in demand here in the South (at least in this house). In the glass the wine showed nice...
- 2016 Trivento White Orchid
  
  15 Jun 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Variety: 85% Torrontes; 15% Pinot Grigio Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina Cost: $11 (SRP) Winemaker’s Notes: According to winemaker Maxi Ortiz, the outcome is an off-dry, lighter-framed white, with a relatively modest alcohol level of 12%. There’s a hint of sweet, without being sweet, lots of action on the nose, and a harmonious, more nuanced palate that segues into a lengthy, refreshing finish. Think of it as an interesting alternative to Pinot Grigio, perhaps? My Review: As somebody who lived in Virginia for a lot of years, I really enjoy Viognier, and Torrontes has always brought that to mind for me, with it’s floral, tropical flavors and aromas. The addition of Pinot Grigio is an...
- lusciouslushes.com
- Rioja makes white wine?
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 1:50 pm
  
  � If you’ve like Spanish wine, you undoubtedly love Rioja. The backbone of Rioja was build on Tempranillo, and is dominated by rich, red wines, but did you know that Riojo also has refreshing and lovely white wine? While there actually is a Tempranillo Blanco grape, the shining star among the allowed white varietals in Rioja is Viura. A mildly acid white grape, it is often used as a blending component, and was nearly wiped out by phylloxera. When they replanted, much of it was replaced by Malvaia and Garnacha Blanca. Viura is also one of the most im . portant grapes in Cava production, where it is known as Macabeo. Viura is an excellent alternative to Chardonnay, and if you see the Lopez de Haro...
- Onward Wines
  
  30 May 2017 | 10:01 pm
  
  When I was first introduced to Onward Wines, I was intrigued by the thought of three wines made from Malvasia Blanca, as I thought of how to approach a piece on unique wines for weekend brunching. I love Malvasia, and there is really none to speak of in the US – save this little patch of land in Contra Costa County. Further investigation in to Faith Armstrong Foster’s wines, however, revealed wines that are expressive of terroir in its purist form, quality, uniqueness, and a sense of place in every glass. � Onward 2015 Pétillant Naturel, Malvasia Bianca, Capp Inn Ranch, Suisun Valley Beginning with the beguiling Pétillant Naturel, made from Malvasia Bianca, the Onward selections express freshness...
- Achaval-Ferrer – wines of distinction from Argentina
  
  17 May 2017 | 12:00 am
  
  When you think of a classic wine from Argentina, you probably think of Malbec. But would you also think of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and yes – even Merlot? What exactly is Cabernet’s role in Argentina anyway? Enter the upstart minds of Achaval-Ferrer. In 1995, the first twinkle in the eyes of the winery partners appeared, with their minds set to the gestalt of creating the best wines possible. In 1998, the first property was purchased, Diamonte Vineyard and the winery was founded. So, last month on #winestudio, we explored the wines of Achaval-Ferrer, from Malbec to Cab Franc, and what a journey it was! Wine Studio is an ongoing educational project that seeks to bring writers,...
- Rosé Colored Glasses: Sidebar Cellars
  
  15 Apr 2017 | 11:56 am
  
  When I first tasted the Sidebar Cellars Kerner, from the Mokelumne Glen vineyard in Lodi, I thought to myself, “wow this is a fun little white”, as I sat in the heat of Lodi in April. At that time, we were exploring the Mokelumne River AVA, and I didn’t make the connection to David Ramey of Ramey Cellars. Fast forward to 2016, and as I get my rosés ready to rumble, a little birdie told me that Sidebar Cellars did a rosé. Knowing how much I love pink wine around this time of year, I made sure I got my hands on one and I was glad I did! Sidebar Cellars was born out of Ramey’s desire to play around a bit, and presents a departure from the Ramey Wine Cellars more austere lineup of Chardonnay, Pinot...
- Rosé Colored Glasses – Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir
  
  6 Apr 2017 | 10:42 pm
  
  There is something about this time of year that is magical; cool foggy mornings and evenings are tempered with the mild warmth of daylight. The days are a touch longer, and we can be languid in the sunshine of the late afternoon. This is rosé season. Frankly, it’s always rosé season, but right now, in the promising first days of Spring, the wide rainbow of pale salmon, vibrant raspberry, and deep rose deliver a transitional beverage that is simply divine. Rose can be made from any varietal, but perhaps the most common is Pinot Noir. In 2016, Sonoma County’s Rodney Strnog Vineyards, which has been going strong for over 25 yeras, released their first rosé, expressly made from Pinot Noir grapes (no...
- Page not found – Backsberg
- 15 Health Benefits of Wine According to Science
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 6:24 am
  
  Author: Jen Miller Source: Jen Reviews Wine� In times of celebration, a wine toast may be just one of the most awaited part by many. Popping open the cork while the velvety oaked aroma fills the air and flowing effervescent liquid comes out from the bottle gives excitement to everyone. Bubbly is usually used to commemorate joyous occasions in one’s life as it symbolizes royalty and reflects love. But aside from taking part in celebrations, wines come with a host of important benefits. Wine has undergone intensive studies over the years and it has been proven to be an effective elixir. Who says a man needs a fountain of youth to live a long life? Pour yourself a glass of wine from the wine cooler and bottle...
- After Work Wine Down
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 1:53 am
  
  Savour the Cape Winelands in the heart of the city! Join us for an after work wine down at the tranquil�Sandton Lodge Rivonia in Johannesburg on the evening of Friday, 21 July. Enjoy a complimentary Backsberg Wine Tasting by one of our very own as well as decadent finger foods whilst your colleagues take on the dreaded close of day traffic.� Date: Friday, 21 July 2017� Time: 17:00 to 21:00 Fee: R80.00 Fee includes:�Wine tasting, finger foods/appetizers and a discounted sleep over rate� Dress code: Smart Casual RSVP by purchasing your ticket here:�http://fitnessfusion.nutickets.co.za/ *Please Note:�Backsberg wines will also be available for purchase, either by the glass or by the...
- Backsberg Releases “Go-to” Chenin Blanc 2017
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 3:37 am
  
  The release of Backsberg Estate Cellars’ Chenin Blanc 2017 underscores the excellence of this year’s South African vintage, as well as the exceptional quality of Chenin Blanc grapes grown in various regions of the Cape Winelands. According to Backsberg CEO Simon Back, Chenin Blanc remains one of Backsberg’s most popular varietal wines, with grapes being sourced from various Western Cape regions to create a signature house-style that over the past few decades has found favour with local and international consumers alike. “As a Paarl wine farm with a history dating back more than a century, one can probably say that there is no chance of Backsberg not making Chenin Blanc. It is a wine that is part of...
- SA Sommeliers Discover Brandy Excellence at Backsberg Tasting
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 5:35 am
  
  The fine quality of South African brandy was once again on show with Backsberg Estate Cellars recently hosting the South African Sommeliers Association (SASA). This group, comprising some of South Africa’s leading sommeliers working in the hotel and restaurant industries, took their seats in Backsberg’s atmospheric – if somewhat chilly – vat cellar. A great environment to experience some soul-warming potstill brandies. The line-up consisted of six brandies: one each from Tokara, Blaauwklippen and Avontuur, while the Backsberg range included the esteemed trio of a 10yr, 15yr and the 26 year old First Distillation. Danie Pretorius from the South African Brandy Foundation, the industry body...
- Backsberg Estate Cellars Welcomes Its First Dry Pinotage Rosé Wine
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 1:54 am
  
  The growing demand for dry rosé from its established customer base has led to the launch of Backsberg Estate Cellars’ maiden Pinotage Rosé. Made from the superb 2017 vintage, the Backsberg Pinotage Rosé 2017 is produced from grapes grown on the Backsberg Estate on the Paarl side of the Simonsberg, arguably South Africa’s premier wine-making address. This is the second rosé in the Backsberg range, complementing a semi-sweet wine made from Grenache and Shiraz. Grapes for the Backsberg Pinotage Rosé were picked at 21 degrees balling, just before optimal ripeness and so as to capture the bracing acidity and freshness required by this style of wine. “The sweet spot for rosé is in allowing the juice...
- Drinking Outside The Box
- La Croix de Chaintres Saumur Champigny 2015, Loire, France
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 4:30 am
  
  Lovely wine – and at the time of posting 20% off at Waitrose, making it £9.59… La Croix de Chaintres Saumur Champigny 2015, Loire, France (£12.79 Waitrose) Lovely fresh and crunchy young wine, gushing with blackcurrant and black cherry flavour with a lightly roasted edge, a hint of tar and even a touch of violet. […]
- Boya Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 7:41 am
  
  Boya Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Leyda Valley, Chile (£11.99/£9.99 if you buy 6 Majestic) Strikes an attractive balance between quite rich passionfruit and pineapple tropical character and tangier rhubarb and citrus freshness/greenness. One for lightly spiced Thai dishes. B+
- Quinta Nova Unoaked Douro Tinto 2015, Portugal
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 2:13 am
  
  Quinta Nova Unoaked Douro Tinto 2015, Portugal (~£13-15 Oakley Wine Agencies) Young, bouncy, Tigger-like wine, lots of dark fruit flesh pepped up by notes of ginger and orange peel, juicy and vibrant with punch and power, but supported by a framework of tannin and citrus freshness. Very tasty youngster. S(-)
- Three wines from Your Sommelier’s Bordeaux selection
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 2:04 am
  
  These three are part of Your Sommelier‘s subscription service which costs £36 per month – so the average price is £12 per bottle Château Dubois Gramont Bordeaux Blanc 2015, France Rich but tangy style, with notes of ginger and honey alongside the herby greengage, plum and lemon curd. Nicely balanced, quite weighty but always fresh. […]
- Two Sparkling French Rosés from the Loire and Champagne
  
  27 Jun 2017 | 2:42 am
  
  LaCheteau Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé NV, France (£14.99 Ocado) Young vibrant, style, with lots of rich creamy red fruit flavour and yeasty bite, can’t fault it for depth of flavour, but it’s not the most subtle of sparklers… B(-) Champagne Gremillet Rosé Brut NV, France (£24.99 WineTrust100) This is more like it, this is […]
- DBR - Wine News
- Foley Family Wines becomes exclusive importer of France's Lucien Albrecht
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 2:18 am
  
  Foley Family Wines has become the exclusive importer of Lucien Albrecht, based in Alsace, France.
- English wine industry now worth £132m
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 3:57 am
  
  An analysis by Funding Options has revealed that independent English wine producers saw their turnover increase to a record high £132m last year.
- EU-Japan FTA set to improve wine exports
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 3:52 am
  
  The European Union and Japan have concluded a trade agreement, which will improve wine exports for EU growth.
- UK wine industry agrees to form one united national trade body
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 12:57 am
  
  The United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA) and English Wine Producers (EWP) have voted to merge to form one single-industry representative body.
- King Estate Winery introduces new division
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 2:41 am
  
  King Estate Winery owners, the King family, have introduced a new division and a new brand, which will be available on Amazon.com.
- PALATE PRESS
- What We’re Drinking: 2016 J. Bouchon Pais Salvaje
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 9:10 am
  
  These now-wild Pais grapes came from Spain to the Canary Islands, through Mexico and then to on to Chile and Argentina.
- I Want My… I Want My… Throwback Cabs
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 11:51 am
  
  A former MTV executive has come to Napa to make classic Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Tasting Georgia: An Inspirational Guide to Georgian Wine Culture
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 8:45 am
  
  Carla Capalbo's new book is part travelogue, part recipe book and part guide.
- The Sauternes Dilemma
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 1:51 pm
  
  How will the famed region react to the global downshift in sweet wine sales?
- Exploring Minerality
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 12:50 pm
  
  What exactly is everyone talking about when they say a wine has minerality?
- Vin65
- 3 Ways to Boost Summer Wine Sales with Social Media
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 10:09 am
- Virginia DTC Roadshow - July 18
  
  7 Jun 2017 | 4:06 pm
- DTC Tips from Walla Walla and the Willamette Valley
  
  15 May 2017 | 3:55 pm
- How To Turn Tasting Room Visitors into Online Customers
  
  26 Apr 2017 | 12:34 pm
- Break Into the Top 20% of Wineries
  
  18 Apr 2017 | 3:26 pm
- Wine Blog
- Wine of the Week ~ 2016 Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 12:01 am
  
  As we finish our summer in July, August, and early September, here is a spalshingly refreshing, white wine for those lingering pool parties and trips to the beaches… Right out of the gate, let me say this 2016 Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns Blanc just knocked me out with its gorgeous flavors. […]
- Why is something so simple so hard? “Removing the Cork 101”
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 12:00 am
  
  Just can’t get enough of this one, as I watch people struggle all the time, including nervous waitservers. Why is pulling out a cork so darn intimidating? Because very few of us in our American culture were raised on wine, so we don’t know how darned easy it is. As we’re on stage when it’s […]
- SevenFifty Daily Needs To Be On Your Radar, if it’s not already
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 12:01 am
  
  [Image above is from the SevenFifty Daily Website.] On July 17, 2017, SevenFifty Technologies, Inc., the online platform for the beverage alcohol trade, launched SevenFifty Daily, a new online magazine, covering the business and culture of drinks. SevenFifty Daily is definitely on my radar screen. Editor in Chief Erica Duecy has created a Platform for […]
- If Napa is Disneyland of Wine, Then Disney Lives on at Silverado Vineyards
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 12:01 am
  
  Everyone loves to call Napa the Disneyland of Wine for adults. In many regards, it is. Now, if you love Disney… on top of that… take it to the next level. I don’t know how many times I had passed the Silverado Vineyards winery sign… too many to count, that’s for sure… but I never […]
- Wine of the Week ~ 2016 Trivento Argentina White Orchid Reserve Torrentes with Blueberries?
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 12:01 am
  
  2016 Trivento Argentina White Orchid Reserve Torrentes Mendoza, Argentina + blueberries! Yeah, blueberries… When I tasted this luscious wine, we had just purchased some blueberries from the farmers’ market. They were just sitting on the counter, where I was tasting. After I had professionally tasted the wine, thinking I was finished, with hunger nagging, I […]
- 4488: A Ridge Blog
- Our New Video Series
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 3:03 pm
  
  We are very excited to announce our newest video series. Last year, we engaged Six Finger Films to assist us in the creation of a variety of video features that cover several topics important to us here at Ridge. Following... Read More ›
- The Story of Benito Dusi and his Dusi Ranch
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 9:39 am
  
  THIS STORY BEGINS IN 1967 when Ridge founder, Dave Bennion, knocked on the Dusi’s front door and asked to buy 5 tons of grapes from the vineyard that was planted in 1923. Benito’s parents, Sylvester and Caterina Dusi immigrated to... Read More ›
- A Tour of Regional Barbecue Styles & Their Perfect Ridge Pairings
  
  27 Jun 2017 | 7:11 am
  
  Zins, Blends & BBQ! We invite you to dust off those grilling utensils this summer and join us for an exploration of regional barbecue styles and how to pair them with our different zinfandels. Kansas City, North Carolina, Texas, and... Read More ›
- What’s Your Story?
  
  2 Jun 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  In case you haven’t heard, we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of our ATP membership program this year. 2017 marks four decades of California’s original winery wine club. As part of the celebration, we’ve asked to hear from you! Here are... Read More ›
- Introducing Our First Boatman Zinfandel
  
  20 Apr 2017 | 7:33 am
  
  We are proud to introduce our first zinfandel produced from the Boatman Ranch. This rocky, terraced vineyard sits in the hills between our Geyserville and Lytton Springs vineyards on the border of the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys. From our... Read More ›
- Blog – Napa Wine Tours
- Nightlife in the Napa Valley
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 11:08 am
  
  Napa Valley is famous for its great wines, hospitality and dining. But did you know that Napa now boasts a dramatic new nightlife scene, too? It’s the icing on the cake for this bustling town, as hip venues have been popping up with a dazzling array of live performances, dancing, DJ tunes, and certainly a Read more The post Nightlife in the Napa Valley appeared first on Napa Wine Tours.
- Newly Renovated Indian Springs Resort & Spa Adds More Charm to Calistoga
  
  30 May 2017 | 1:31 pm
  
  There’s new, sophisticated bohemian style shining in Calistoga, where Indian Springs Resort & Spa has undergone a $20 million renovation and expansion. The property has long been popular with visitors seeking rejuvenating volcanic ash mud baths and an authentic geothermal swimming pool, and now, the 17-acre oasis caters to higher end customers seeking luxury lodging, Read more The post Newly Renovated Indian Springs Resort & Spa Adds More Charm to Calistoga appeared first on Napa Wine Tours.
- Napa Valley Lodge Offers Luxury Bella Vista Experience
  
  8 May 2017 | 1:40 pm
  
  The vineyard view rooms at Yountville’s newly remodeled Napa Valley Lodge showcase more than just the neighboring grapevines. They mark the source of the lodge’s own wine, under a label called Bella, for the Bella Cabernet Sauvignon plot that resides just outside the hotel’s suites wing. Bella, which means “beautiful” in Italian, is also the Read more The post Napa Valley Lodge Offers Luxury Bella Vista Experience appeared first on Napa Wine Tours.
- NEW: Gatehouse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
  
  15 Apr 2017 | 11:31 am
  
  The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone is all about food, mostly for its students who come from across the country to learn how to cook. But now, the academy has opened a place for the public to enjoy the final results, with the new Gatehouse Restaurant. Orchestrated by CIA faculty-led students, Gatehouse Restaurant is Read more The post NEW: Gatehouse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone appeared first on Napa Wine Tours.
- A Look at Kunde Family Winery
  
  30 Mar 2017 | 6:27 pm
  
  Kunde Family Estate is one of Sonoma County’s best-known wineries, popular for tastings, tours, weddings, and guided hikes across its majestic Kenwood estate. Sprawled across 1,850 pristine acres from meadows to Mayacamas mountaintops, it offers multiple venues besides the main tasting salon, including the Dunfillan Ruins, Boot Hill, the Aging Caves, Olive Hill, and the Read more The post A Look at Kunde Family Winery appeared first on Napa Wine Tours.
- Wine Channel TV Digital Network
- Sip Some Austria with Jessica Altieri Wine Channel TV
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 7:05 am
  
  Danube River 60 Second Sip Jessica Altieri, CEO and host of Wine Channel TV, cruises down the Danube River with Christine Emberger of Wachau Schifffahrt. The ship cruises through the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful and breathtaking stretches of river valley in Europe. Wine Channel TV toured the Austrian countryside, taking viewers on a wine lifestyle tour to one of the world’s most unique wine regions uncovering countless blends and varietals that you need to try in 2016 and beyond. Wine Channel TV will be bringing you exclusive interviews with winemakers, tastemakers, and more to take you “inside” the Austrian wine scene. Austrian vineyards charm...
- OPEN ANOTHER WORLD™ Facebook Live Event with Wine Channel TV
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 6:59 am
  
  OPEN ANOTHER WORLD™ LIVE FROM CHICAGO July 19 5:45 CST Wine Channel TV Facebook Join Villa Maria Winemaker Helen Morrison and Wine Channel TV CEO Jessica Altieri Join Wine Channel TV CEO Jessica Altieri and Villa Maria Estate Winemaker Helen Morrison LIVE from Chicago on Facebook for the #OPENANOTHERWORLD event at facebook.com/winechanneltv. Join us for an unforgettable evening discovering Villa Maria’s award-winning wines and inspirational story about Villa Maria Founder Sir George Fistonich. Villa Maria was formed back in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich on 1 acre of land leased from his father and is still managed and owned by Sir George today. He has grown it from 1 brand to 9 key brands, 120...
- Tastes of Sicily Featured Wines – Wines of Sicilia DOC
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 3:41 am
  
  Sips of Summer with Wines of Sicilia DOC Tastes of Sicily Featured Wines On June 29, 2017, wine drinkers and connoisseurs in Chicago were invited to join Wine Channel TV and Formento’s kickoff to its Sips of Summer wine tasting events with a Tastes of Sicily themed event. Partnered with and located at Formento’s, an Italian restaurant within Chicago’s Fulton Market District, guests were treated to taste eight unique Sicilian wines- Alessandro di Camporeale Catarratro, Donnafugata Lighea, Mandrarossa Grillo, Morgante Nero d’Avola, Planeta Rose, Tasca Regaleali Bianco, Valle dell’Acate Frappato, Villa Pozzi Grillo, featured by Wines of Sicilia DOC. A representative of Wines of Sicilia DOC said they...
- The Generous Pour at The Capital Grille with Jessica Altieri
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 2:05 pm
  
  The Generous Pour Takes on Chicago Jessica Altieri Visits The Capital Grille Jessica Altieri, CEO and Certified Sommelier of Wine Channel TV had the opportunity in Chicago to experience this summer’s ultimate wine and food tasting experience, as The Capital Grille kicked off its ninth annual “The Generous Pour” wine event. The tasting experience features seven acclaimed wines from California and Oregon. Selected to pair with the restaurant’s signature menu items, The Generous Pour wine experience is available for $28 when paired with dinner from July 10 through September 3, 2017. The first wine I chose was what I call “summertime” in a glass. The WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Gris 2016 from the...
- Sips of Summer Presents Tastes of Greece
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 5:19 am
  
  Sips of Summer: Tastes of Greece July 27, 2017 Formento’s and Wine Channel TV are giving Chicago area wine drinkers a reason to celebrate with the Sips of Summer wine events in the dynamic Fulton Market District of Chicago! This series of wine events focuses on different regions around the world, and offers Chicagoans an opportunity to interact directly with wine produces. The next event on July 27 will revolve around Tastes of Greece! This 2 hour “live experience” will feature Greek wine brands with a tasting led by Jessica Altieri and a signature food pairing by Chef Todd Stein. Bites from Formento’s and signature wines will be provided, alongside interactive experiences with lifestyle brands,...
- Snooth - Articles
- This wine region is making waves.
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 9:00 pm
  
  This region may have a section at your local retailer, but perhaps you haven’t noticed it yet. Then again, the wines may appear in the catchall “Wines of the World” section, where they are hidden gems in a sea of choice. They’ve been enjoyed by wine drinkers for eons, but remained largely under the radar – until now. Finally, the wines of Israel are beginning to receive the recognition they deserve. Wine has been produced in Israel since Biblical times, perhaps longer than anywhere in the world. According to the authors of the Old Testament, Noah planted the first vines once the great flood subsided. From that point, there are several references to wines consumed by Moses, Micah, King David, and most...
- Spanish Wines Get Specific
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 9:00 pm
  
  As the world’s winemakers look to single vineyard wines to mark them out from the crowd, a trip through southern Spain with the Grandes Pagos de Espana took one-up-manship to a different level. Grab your passport and join me on this whistle stop tour. The Grandes Pagos de Espana are an association of top Spanish single wine estates, “equivalent to the Grand Crus of Bordeaux and Burgundy”, according to President Carlos Falco. There are 30 member estates spread throughout Spain from Rioja in the north to Jerez in the south. Look out for the black square logo on the back label. That said, I think the logo’s too small and should include “Single Estates of Spain” below “Grandes Pagos de Espana” to better...
- Snooth's Spirit of the Week is...
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 9:00 pm
  
  Booker’s Bourbon: In their nearly 30 year history, Booker’s Bourbon has become well known for several things in the Whiskey world. They’re one of a handful of Bourbon’s that’s bottled uncut and released at cask strength. Booker’s was created by Booker Noe, who in addition to being a 6th generation Master Distiller was also the Grandson of Jim Beam. Moving forward to the present, Booker’s son, Fred Noe selects every batch of Booker’s to ascertain that it meets the flavor profile and standard that his Dad set forth. Booker’s Bourbon “Blue Knight’s Batch” ($75): The Blue Knight Batch is the second Batch released as part of the 2017 collection. It honors the relationship that developed over many years between...
- What it means to be a wine icon.
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 9:00 pm
  
  There are lots of wine brands out there, but only some can be called iconic. These brands shape winemaking in a forward-positive direction. They lead the charge on new initiatives and dare to be different. They are established purveyors of consistent quality. � Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity dig deeper into an icon of this type. Villa Maria has paved the way for New Zealand wines since Sir George Fistonich bottled his first vintage in 1961. The winery – still family owned – has helped put New Zealand wines on the map. Villa Maria is New Zealand’s most awarded winery for good reason. In the words of Sir George Fistonich himself,� "...the desire to leave something for the next generation is an...
- Snooth's Spirit of the Week is...
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 9:00 pm
  
  Tequila continues to be one of the hottest spirits in the world. People love to mix it into cocktails, drink it neat and even infuse it with other flavors. So it’s not surprising that the Sebastiani family would get into the Tequila business through 3 Badge Mixology, their Spirits Company. They work with a third generation master tequilero, Felipe Camarena to create their portfolio of Tequilas. The name Pasote is derived from the spirit of Aztec Warriors. Everything about the packaging of the Pasote Tequila’s aligns with that. The bottles are comprised of handmade glass. Each is unique as they contain slight irregularities in shape as well as patterns. The labels are screen printed on; each expression...
- Wine Country Getaways
- Vineyards in Champagne
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 6:44 am
  
  Vineyards in Champagne near the town of Le Breuil Vineyards in Champagne Now is the time to visit vineyards in Champagne, producers of the wine, and it’s spectacular towns. See story The post Vineyards in Champagne appeared first on Wine Country Getaways.
- Using A Party Bus for Napa Wine Tours
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 12:47 pm
  
  This is a sponsored guest post by Napa Wine Tours Using A Party Bus for Napa Wine Tours The beautiful rolling hills of Napa Valley invite thousands of visitors every month, and rightfully so. This is a destination known around the world for its splendid beauty, warm weather, as well as the wine making industry. This relaxing area is filled with opportunities for enjoyment and education, especially if you’re interested in the process that goes into your favorite adult beverage. Boasting internationally known wineries such as O’Brien Estate, V. Sattui and Darious, you’re in for an exceptionally memorable winery tour. There are options to visit the tasting rooms, lounge on the patio areas, or embark on a tour...
- Vineyards in Alsace
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 12:32 pm
  
  Vineyards in Alsace Vineyards in Alsace Now is the time to visit vineyards in Alsace and it’s spectacular towns and wineries. See story The post Vineyards in Alsace appeared first on Wine Country Getaways.
- Downtown Napa Dining
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 8:40 am
  
  Torc – one of many fine restaurants in downtown Napa Downtown Napa Dining There once was a time when Napa Valley tourists would bypass the town of Napa. Ten years ago, Napa was a dreary city of old-fashioned shops, with barely any upscale dining. That has changed. Today, Napa is one of the hottest tourist towns in all of wine country. Two huge developments spurred the revitalization of downtown Napa. First was the Oxbow Public Market on First Street. It opened nine years ago and today is one of the Napa Valley most visited venues. Then came the Riverfront development. Restaurants and boutique shops on the Riverfront are thriving and busy with tourists. A couple of new developments have sparked additional...
- Peninsula Open Space and Thomas Fogarty
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 9:55 am
  
  Beautiful vineyards views at the Thomas Fogarty Winery Hike Peninsula Open Space and wine taste at Thomas Fogarty Hiking and wine country go hand in hand. Get in a lovely and invigorating hike and finish your day with a taste of wine and some healthy foods. The Peninsula Open Space offers many hikes along Highway 35 in the area of Palo Alto. Last Thursday we hiked a four-mile trail in Coal Creek Preserve. It is a tranquil hike with some fantastic views to the east and the San Francisco Bay. I rate the hike an 86 using the same scale as we do to rate wine. To get to Coal Creek, we headed south on Highway 85 from Highway 92 in San Mateo. After passing the Thomas Fogarty Winery, we looked carefully for Crazy...
- STEVE HEIMOFF BLOG
- Will Trump’s base tolerate firing Mueller?
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 12:10 am
  
  � So now Trump is threatening Mueller with some sort of undefined consequences if Mueller, as special prosecutor, dares to investigate the Trump family’s finances. I doubt if even the president’s most fervid supporters think that Donald J. Trump has been honest and above-board in his business affairs. You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. We may not know the details—the specific transactions, the quid pro quos, who got what in exchange for what, which banks were involved, if laws were broken or shortcuts taken, if bribes were paid, if lines were crossed, if America’s interests were sold out—but it’s pretty obvious that Trump, the businessman, and/or his underlings has...
- The Wall Street Journal as a non-recovering addict
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 12:10 am
  
  � Did you ever know a drug addict or alcoholic who hit bottom and swore they’d seen the light and would never do it again? Then you see them a day or two later, and they’re drunk or stoned and out of their minds, as if their previous promise had been a dream. It makes you realize: Addiction is a disease. You can never believe what an addict says, because they’re not in control. That’s how I felt this week reading two lead editorials in the Wall Street Journal. Monday’s was called “The Trumps and the Truth.” Tuesday’s was “The ObamaCare Republicans.” When I read Monday’s column, I thought, “At last Rupert Murdoch has grown a pair. He’s brave enough to admit he’s been wrong, wrong,...
- Democrats must NOT allow Republicans to repeal Obamacare
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 12:10 am
  
  � It looks like TrumpCare is dead, thank goodness, although judging from its resurrection in the House a few months ago, you never know if it will rise from the grave, Dracula-like, to haunt us again. Still, I welcome this latest blow to Trump’s agenda. Anything that slows him down and frustrates him is good for the country and the world. Actually, calling it an “agenda” is a stretch. I don’t think anyone truly believes Trump has an agenda, beyond empowering and enriching himself and his family. Even if he has the vague outlines of one—say, repealing and replacing Obamacare (which seems based more on his personal resentment of Obama than any true concern about healthcare), tax overhaul (which...
- A tale of two scandals: Why Trump is different from Clinton
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 12:10 am
  
  � It was exactly 30 years ago that a gossip named Linda Tripp, who had worked in the George H.W. Bush White House, began secretly taping conversations she had with her young friend, Monica Lewinsky. That quickly led to a situation in which Democrats were caught in much the same bind as Republicans today. Back then, Democrats were standing by their man, Bill Clinton. Caught red-handed in adulterous affairs, including the notorious Oval Office incident involving Lewinsky’s little blue dress, Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives and widely ridiculed across the country for what the political columnist Walter Shapiro called “his…unforgivable…solipsistic sins” and “ethical...
- Which yellow-dog Republicans should be indicted in Trump-RussiaGate?
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 12:10 am
  
  � If you’re a Republican these days, your job is to stand by your man. You know that Trump is bad news: repugnant, morally irredeemable, pugnacious and personally repulsive—an old man you wouldn’t let get near your daughter. But none of that matters if you’re a Republican. You have a grim job to do, and that is to protect him. There used to be a term, “Yellow Dog Democrat,’ meaning someone who would vote for anyone, or anything, as long as the candidate was a Democrat. Nobody knows the phrase’s origin, but no less a personage than Abraham Lincoln used it. It was 1848; Lincoln, in his second term in the U.S. Congress, was campaigning for the Whig presidential candidate, Zachary Taylor, whose...
- Jordan Winery
- “Despacito Embotellado” Official Wine Music Video Parody
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 2:11 pm
  
  When bottling a smooth wine like the 2015 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, we had to take it despacito. Hope you enjoy our newest music video spoof, “Despacito Embotellado,” inspired by Luis Fonsi’s hit song, which will be stuck in our heads all summer long. Ironically, “Despacito” broke the world record for most streamed video of all time yesterday–the day Jordan’s production team finished bottling season. You’ll see a few scenes from the original video in our parody. Now, only two years to wait until we release the 2015 vintage. Sube, sube!
- Jordan Uncorked Video | When to Drink 2005 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 5:19 pm
  
  Not sure when to drink a bottle of Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon you’ve been keeping in your cellar? With our “Jordan Uncorked” video series, Associate Winemaker Maggie Kruse and Assistant Winemaker John Duckett uncork older wines each month, giving consumers an opportunity to see how their Jordan bottles are tasting before pulling that cork (or purchasing a bottle). This month, they taste 2005 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon to see how it has evolved after a decade in the bottle. Drink now or cellar? Watch and see. What vintage would you like to see them uncork next? Leave your comments below for a chance to be featured. Tune in every month for “Jordan Uncorked” on our YouTube...
- Wine and Steak Pairing Tips: Best Steak Cuts with Different Styles of Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 4:45 pm
  
  There’s arguably no food and wine pairing more beloved by Americans than steak and a glass of cabernet sauvignon. Many U.S. restaurants, especially steakhouses, stock their wine lists with pages of these structured red wines. The combination is so naturally assumed—and celebrated—that diners tend to not overthink the pairing. A fine cabernet always tastes its best with an expertly grilled piece of beef. Or does it? After making cabernet sauvignon for 40 years, it’s easy to say with confidence that we have tasted dozens of different vintages of Jordan (and our favorite Bordeaux) with enough cuts of steak to make the World Steak Challenge judges blush. But we’ve never researched about how different...
- New Lower-Alcohol Wineries Wine Tasting Map
  
  22 Jun 2017 | 1:52 pm
  
  During many tours and tastings, we’ve received these types of comments from Jordan guests: “I get so tired of tasting heavy wines all day. I wish there was a guide to wineries that make elegant, lower-alcohol wines, as you do. It would be so much easier to plan our trips.” So, we decided to create the first official Sonoma Napa Low-Alcohol Wine Tasting Map on our food, wine and travel blog, Wine Country Table. This handy travel guide showcases the best wineries to visit if you prefer the charms of food-friendly wines that emphasize fruit and acidity over tannin and alcohol. Download Sonoma Napa Low-Alcohol Wine Tasting Map View descriptions of all wineries included at Wine Country Table
- Five Key Factors to Making 2015 Jordan Chardonnay
  
  21 Jun 2017 | 11:34 am
  
  A more difficult vintage than its three predecessors, 2015 underscores the importance of selecting the right vineyard sites and being proactive with farming practices when Mother Nature throws curve balls. Here are the five key factors that allowed us to overcome the challenges of the growing season and bottle a bright, elegant 2015 Jordan Chardonnay—more Chablis-like than any vintage of memory. Growing Season It was the best of times: a season of light, a spring of hope, but for many vintners, 2015 was a tale of two growing seasons, where “a finer thing” was crafting early ripening varieties like chardonnay from Russian River vineyards. If there was a “worst of times” in 2015, it was fitting for...
- Reverse Wine Snob®
- Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine – Something Special
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  The Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine has a whole lot of good things going on! The Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Sangiovese from Columbia Valley, Washington. It spends 15 months in French oak. The Kirkland Signature Series Columbia Valley Red Wine is part of the premium line of Kirkland Signature wines available exclusively at Costco. It sells for just $16.99 and is produced and bottled by Dolan & Weiss Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. From the bottle: Our signature series wine from Kirkland Signature is sourced from ultra-premium vineyard sites, and is produced by top winemakers. This limited production wine is...
- Zuccardi Q Tempranillo – An Eye Opener
  
  15 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  Mendoza channels a little Ribera Del Duero with the Zuccardi Q Tempranillo. 100% Tempranillo from Santa Rosa Vineyards, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina. The wine is aged in French and American medium toasted oak barrels for one year and another year in the bottle before release. SRP of $20 and available as low as $16. Sample submitted for review. Imported by Winesellers Ltd. From the bottle: “Zuccardi Q Tempranillo is sourced from select old vines on our Santa Rosa estate in Mendoza. This is a wine of great structure with notes of tobacco, leather and chocolate. It can be consumed now, but will age beautifully for several years. The front label image illustrates the stone walls of the Zuccardi winery...
- Q Collection Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Hard To Put Down
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  The crowd-pleasing and delightful Q Collection Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. 100% Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast, California. This review is brought to you by Q Collection Wines. The Q Collection Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has an SRP of $17.99 and is available for as low as $16. From the bottle: Every varietal has its own distinctive quality, but only a few wines capture its quintessential essence. When they do, they join the Q Collection. Sheltered by the low mountains of California’s Sonoma Coast, our Q Collection Pinot Noir enlists the cool climate to create the ideal expression of earth and cherry, and delivers it with a rich, soft mouthfeel and mellow acidity. 13.8% Alcohol The 2015 Q Collection Sonoma...
- Recit Roero Arneis – A Smooth, Subtle Italian
  
  8 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  Showcasing a white grape from Piedmont today with the Recit Roero Arneis! 100% Arneis from Roero DOCG in Piemonte, Italy. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for 4 months and 1 month in bottle prior to release. It has residual sugar of 4.0 g/L. The Monchiero Carbone Recit Roero Arneis has an SRP of $20 and is available for as low as $12. Ready to buy? Check your local retailers. 140,000 bottles produced. Imported by Winebow. Sample submitted for review. From the bottle: ReCit means “little King” in the local dialect of Roero/ This 100% Arneis wine has aromas of apples and pears rounded with hints of almonds. This wine has plenty of body and structure with a persistent dry finish. Enjoy with...
- Locations OR Oregon Red Wine – Absolutely Delicious
  
  21 Jun 2017 | 8:00 am
  
  A Bulk Buy rating on the Locations OR Oregon Red Wine! 100% Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, Oregon. The wine is aged in French oak barrels (25% new) for 10 months prior to release. The Locations OR Oregon Red Wine has an SRP of $23 and is available for as low as $14. Ready to buy? Check your local retailers. 3,000 cases produced. Imported by Locations Wines. Sample submitted for review. From the winery: Naturally, our first endeavor in Oregon had to be Pinot Noir. With a climate and soil profile ideally suited to the notoriously fussy varietal, we sought out the best region – The Willamette Valley. Graceful hillside slopes, ruddy volcanic dirt, and optimal diurnal swings provided spectacular fruit...
- RJonWine.com
- New Project Yields Profound Wine
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 7:02 pm
  
  Chamboulé’s Taylor Lane Vineyard, near Occidental in west Sonoma Coast It’s not often a wine made in California strikes me as “profound.” Don’t get me wrong, the Golden State makes delicious wines. The usually reliable climate in most of California’s winemaking regions leads to steady ripening and big, full-bodied, fruit forward wines. Some are capable of maturing into beauties. But for a young California wine to remind me of experiences I’ve occasionally had with old Barolo or mature white Burgundy? Those rare moments of awe when you sit in silence with a wine, sensing secrets and mysteries embedded there along with the sublime pleasure one is experiencing. That, for me, is an encounter with...
- RJ Selection of the Day: Delicious, Mature, Cool Climate Syrah
  
  24 Apr 2017 | 10:09 am
  
  Today’s offer is an incredible buy on a mature, savory, cool climate Syrah–the 2009 Clary Ranch. This was the last year Clary Ranch made a bottling from this windy vineyard situated in Sonoma’s Petaluma Gap. From 2010 onward, Arnot-Roberts has purchased all the fruit from this special site, and their Clary Ranch Syrah has scored very highly with critics (e.g., 97 points from Antonio Galloni on the 2015 vintage, 96+ for the 2014). The Arnot-Roberts version sells out quickly to their mailing list at $60. This delicious, complex bottling is available for only $22, and drinks like mature Syrahs from the Northern Rhone selling for two or three times that. If you like savory, cool climate Syrahs, you’ll love...
- Select Recommended Wines to be Available thru The Redd Collection
  
  19 Apr 2017 | 12:16 pm
  
  The theme of this blog is “the search for reasonably priced wines of character.” Wines of character are found all over the world, at a variety of price points. The most exciting finds, of course, are those that deliver at a high level of quality and enjoyment for a relatively low price. For years, I have recommended particular wines as being bargains at their price point. Some of those are widely available, like the wines I’ve identified in my grocery store Chardonnay project. Others are very limited in availability, often obtainable only through the winery itself or a limited number of retailers. In the case of really great, characterful wines that are also real bargains, I’d like to provide a service to...
- Brazil’s Medal Worthy Wines
  
  26 Jul 2016 | 6:03 pm
  
  amphitheatre of vines at Casa Valduga in Vale dos Vinhedos I’m thrilled the Olympic Games in Rio went so well, exceeding expectations. I am happy to report that another potential source of pride for Brazilians is the fact that some excellent wines—yes, even medal worthy—are now being made there. Surprised? So was I. I was fortunate to travel to the center of Brazil’s fine wine production last December, on a trip sponsored by Wines of Brazil. The trip was led by Evan Goldstein, Master Sommelier and author of the terrific Wines of South America. I’m a huge fan of Evan and have really enjoyed traveling with him in the past. I therefore took it on faith when he told me Brazilian wine country was worth...
- Surprising Wine Values at Whole Foods
  
  21 Jun 2016 | 9:52 pm
  
  A lot of people I know refer to Whole Foods as “Whole Wallet” because of its relatively high prices on produce and other food items. I shop there regularly for health supplements and specialty foods I can’t find elsewhere. I am finding, though, that their wine department, stocked with many relatively obscure organic and sustainably grown wines sourced by their buyers from around the world, does contain some relative bargains. When Whole Foods–the 30th largest retailer in the U.S., with over 400 stores around the country, as well as in Canada and the U.K.–recently offered to send me their “Summer Top 10 Wines,” currently on sale and highlighted with large display posters at local stores, I said I would be...
- Nosso Vinho
- Montessu 2005, um belo exemplar da Sardenha
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 8:05 am
  
  O Montessu é o segundo vinho da Agrícola Punica na Sardenha. É um vinho da denominação Isola dei Nuraghi IGT. Traz um blend bem complexo de 60% Carignano, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc e 10% Merlot. Estagiou por 15 meses em barricas de carvalho francês. O vinho entrega muita fruta madura, ameixas, com taninos redondos e um acabamento rústico que na minha opinião dá o charme ao vinho. Essa safra conquistou 87 pontos na WS e 1 Bicchieri da Gambero Rosso. Conheça também o Barruá da Agricola Punica. � Montessu 2005 O nome da vinícola faz referência às Guerras Púnicas ocorridas entre entre 264 a.C. e 146 a.C, envolvendo o Império Romano e República de Cartago,...
- Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa, Barolo “Tettimorra”, 2010
  
  1 Jul 2017 | 9:34 am
  
  Super Barolo Prosseguindo em nossa viagem a costa oeste americana, fomos conhecer o restaurante Mourad em São Francisco, um lugar muito modero e sofisticado que serve um maravilhoso cardápio da cozinha marroquina. Como estávamos acompanhados de amigos queridos, resolvi oferecer um vinho especial para ornar com o Pato assado que pedimos para o jantar. A escolha foi um Barolo da Antiga Casa Vinícola Scarpa, uma empresa de 1854, com mais de 160 anos de tradição. Tettimorra é um vinhedo de 10 hectares, perto da cidade de La Morra no Piemonte, Itália. As vinhas de Tettimorra são relativamente jovens com 30 anos. O nome significa telhados de La Morra. Este é um Barolo ultra tradicional, com sabor de...
- Paper Planes Rosé 2016
  
  1 Jul 2017 | 8:44 am
  
  Rosé do Russian Valley A esta altura estamos no inverno no Brasil, mas em uma recente viagem a Napa Valley na California, descobrimos este encantador vinho rosé feito 100% com Pinot Noir. Paper Plane é uma jovem vinícola de Laura Maguire e seu marido. Eles estão na 3a safra deste leve e elegante rosé do Russian Valley em Sonoma County. Foram produzidas apenas 311 caixas e pelo que sei a produção destina-se a própria região. Experimentamos o Paper Plane Rosé 2016 no badalado restaurante Morimoto da cidade de Napa. O Paper Plane tem rótulo elegante, é bastante fresco e um pouquinho cítrico, com aroma e sabor de pêssego. Um show de rosé. O restaurante Morimoto é mundialmente conhecido e seu...
- Remelluri Rioja 2004
  
  1 May 2017 | 8:45 am
  
  Esse vinho Rioja da Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri tem uma história no mínimo sinistra, pois no centro da propriedade existe uma necrópoles do século X. Isso mesmo pessoal, o vinho é produzido em um terreno onde existiu um cemitério há mil anos atrás. No século XIV monges se assentaram na terra e criaram a Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri. Existem registros da produção de vinho no local em 1596. O vinho é feito de 90% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacho e 5% Graciano, com 17 meses em barricas de carvalho. O vinho nunca foi avaliado com grande pontuação pelos críticos, mas eu gostei bastante desse 2004. Com aromas de carvalho tostado e couro, na boca tem forte presença de fruta madura e um...
- Vinhos vencedores do Tre Bicchieri 2017
  
  30 Apr 2017 | 10:35 am
  
  ABRUZZO Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma 2015 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2012 Valentini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2014 Villa Medoro Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Amorino 2012 Castorani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Chronicon 2013 Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane Zanna Riserva 2011 Illuminati Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Luì 2013 Terraviva Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Mo Riserva 2012 Tollo Pecorino 2015 Tiberio Pecorino Frontone 2013 Cataldi Madonna Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Bianchi Grilli per la Testa 2014 Torre dei Beati Trebbiano d’Abruzzo V. del Convento di Capestrano 2014 Valle Reale ALTO ADIGE Alto Adige Cabernet Puntay Riserva 2012 Erste+Neue Alto Adige Chardonnay Löwengang 2013 Tenute Alois...
- Hoot n Annie
- The Winemakers of Paso Robles – Book Release Party
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 12:23 pm
  
  Some more exciting news coming out of Solterra Strategies. This Paso Robles Wine stuff is really getting more and more interesting, isn’t it? Check it out: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Stacie Jacob, Solterra Strategies 805-286-6874; [email protected] The Winemakers of Paso Robles – A Large Format Photography Book – Now Available July 16 Book Signing Event – Studios on the Park in Downtown Paso Robles; Signed & Numbered Special Edition Books on Sale July 6, 2017 (Paso Robles, Calif.) – The Winemakers of Paso Robles is releasing a new large format, full color photography book designed to take you beyond the cellar door and deep into the craft of making the finest wines in the...
- 2017 SLO County Wine Industry Awards are Out!
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 2:40 pm
  
  This is pretty exciting news from the PRWCA for us Paso Robles winos! Check out the Industry Awards below… � THE 2017 SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY WINE INDUSTRY AWARDS RECOGNIZE LEADERS OF THE INDUSTRY AT THE CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR Awards to be Presented on Friday, July 21, at the Mission Square � PASO ROBLES, CA (July 11, 2017) – The San Luis Obispo County wine industry annually comes together to honor members of the local wine community. These awards recognize dedication, stewardship, innovation and leadership demonstrated in the San Luis Obispo County wine community. The 2017 San Luis Obispo County Wine Industry Awards go to – Wine Industry Person of the Year, Jason Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard;...
- Kurt Metzger Announced as Executive Corporate Chef at Thomas Hill Restaurant Group
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 10:44 am
  
  Our friends over at Parker Sanpei just released the exciting news. Check it out: Kurt Metzger announced as Executive Corporate Chef at Thomas Hill Restaurant Group Renowned culinary artist will oversee restaurants in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, as well as catering � July 11, 2017 (Paso Robles, Calif.) – A shared passion for farm-to-table cuisine brings together the all-star pairing of Chef Kurt Metzger and Debbie Thomas, proprietor of Thomas Hill Organics. The duo will continue to elevate the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, California restaurants, as well as the catering division, to a level on par with the best eateries on the West Coast. �A veteran of the California culinary scene, Metzger...
- Where to Eat: Blue Heron in Baywood Park, CA.
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 2:45 pm
  
  So, Blue Heron is a new spot in Baywood Park and we were recently asked to join a couple of friends (Stacie and Lisa) that were going to check it out on an industry night. The restaurant has been doing these “invite only/ soft opening” nights here and there to get feedback from industry folks as well as to work out any kinks they come across in the kitchen and front of house. I enjoyed the ambiance inside quite a bit. You’ll see from the photos in the slideshow below that they have an open kitchen, a small but cool looking bar, and a decent sized dining room which proved to be intimate and cozy. You have to expect for a room that size to get mildly loud when you have a full house but it wasn’t too...
- Visit Cambria: Centrally Grown at Off the Grid
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 12:35 pm
  
  On Father’s Day we decided to head over to San Simeon, Cambria, and Cayucos because, well, it was Father’s Day and I love being at the coast. On this outing we wanted to try out Centrally Grown at Off the Grid, formerly known as Centrally Grown. We had heard it had closed but had since reopened so not really sure about the story behind all of that but I’m glad we stopped in. It’s an eclectic joint that includes a market downstairs, a restaurant upstairs, an art studio of sorts, outdoor areas all around, and a stage so I’m assuming they do live music as well. I also noticed an outdoor pizza oven, which I’m jealous of. If we had room in our backyard I’d get one of those. Anyway, it’s an...
- Good Cheap Vino
- Hanna Sauvignon Blanc revisited
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 11:36 am
  
  2016 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2016 Hanna Sauvignon Blanc Over many years we have enjoyed the wines of the Hanna Winery. The Hanna Winery has two tasting rooms in Sonoma Wine County, one in the Russian River Valley and the other on Highway 128 in the spectacular Alexander Valley. The best bargain in all the Hanna wines is the Sauvignon Blanc. We have skipped the last couple of vintages of this wine in favor of trying other whites. I noticed on my Delectable App that wine guru Wilfred Wong wrote an excellent review of this wine, and that was enough to get me to buy the Hanna at my local Costco store. The Hanna Sauvignon Blanc is a large-production wine. I see it at many wine shops and...
- Locations F and E for $12.99
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 3:44 pm
  
  David Phinney’s Location E and F at Cost Plus World Market for a case sale of $12.99 David Phinney Locations Wines E and F for $12.99 The Vintage Wine Tasters recently participated in a video conference with David Phinney and tasted several of his Locations wines. We have also reviewed several of the Location Wines in the past. Last weekend, I stopped in at the Cost Plus World Market located in the Bridgepoint Shopping Center. In California, World Market’s wine department is currently having a wine case sale that will end on September 5. I spotted several excellent wine bargains, but none better than the two wines in the above photo. The case price, mix-or-match, is $12.99 a bottle for the E (Spain) and F...
- Two Excellent Red Wines for under $7
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 2:50 pm
  
  Are you having a big gathering soon? Do you only buy wines under $10? Here are two excellent wines for under $7 available now at many Costco stores. We were able to do a side-by-side with these two wines to compare and contrast the quality for everyday red wine drinking. Which one is better? Two Excellent Red Wines for under $7 2014 Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon We have reviewed the Montes Cab in the past, and we found this vintage of the Chilean wine from the Colchagua Valley to be quite enjoyable and an excellent buy at $6.99. The Wine Spectator likes it enough to rank it number 42 on its Top 100 Wines of 2016 and rates it at 90 Points. Robert Parker gives it 89 points. The average price...
- A California Grenache – Under $15
  
  16 Jul 2017 | 4:11 pm
  
  Joel Gott 2013 California Grenache $13.49 at Safeway Joel Gott 2013 Grenache is Worthy I am a big fan of Grenache wines from the Southern Rhone and the Languedoc in France. California Grenache wines are also excellent but tend to be above my purchase barrier of $20. I spotted the Joel Gott 2013 Alakai Grenache at the St. Helena Safeway. It is $13.49 for the six-pack price, mix or match. The grapes are from Monterey County and Knights Valley and are a blend of 92% Grenache, 4% Syrah, and 4% Petite Sirah This wine has plummy aromas and a fresh and spicy taste. This Grenache is light-to-medium bodied in style. It is something more gentle than some of the big red wines of California, as in Zinfandel and...
- 2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon – Safeway
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 9:04 am
  
  2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon – Organic Grapes 2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon – Organic Within the last couple of weeks, we took two trips to the Napa Valley to visit some extraordinary wineries. We tasted four Cabernet wines that retailed for well over $100 a bottle. Lucky us! Maybe you are thinking I am going to rate the 2014 Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon almost as good. Nope, the Bonterra is as different as night and day from these high-end Napa Cabs. What I like about the Bonterra Cab is that I can afford it and I don’t feel guilty drinking it. I purchased the Bonterra Cabernet and several other wines at the St. Helena Safeway. The Bonterra cost me $10.99. This morning, I stopped in at the...
- Washington State Beer and Wine
- Tour Yakima Valley
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 7:51 pm
  
  Experience the vineyards while meeting the growers and winemakers. A glass of wine might look like nothing more than fermented fruit. Now take a look at the color of that wine. Is it light and bright or dark and intense? Stick your nose in that glass and engage your senses in aromatic delight – or […]
- Mechanical Engineer Crushes it as Winemaker in Washington
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 3:59 pm
  
  Kathy Shiels, one of the founders of celebrated Washington winery Côte Bonneville, stands before a room filled with wine aficionados. Some of the great minds of the wine world are there having a lively discussion regarding the Côte Bonneville flagship wine. The price tag of $120 becomes a focus. They point out that in Washington […]
- Search Party
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 3:43 pm
  
  The Elysian’s Search Party really packed a lot of entertainment into its Seattle Center venue. An excellent lineup of lively larger and well known local to international bands kept the crowds happy while they sipped cold Washington beer on the lawn. There were rumors of a treasure hunt as part of Search Party but we […]
- Excuse our dust
  
  1 Jul 2017 | 12:21 am
  
  We are updating our website to make it easier for you to use when you are on the go. Over the next week or two, you will notice a number of transformations as we evolve. �Please be patient as we strive to serve you better. We are a work in progress, but we think you […]
- Celebrating Syrah with Epic Food Pairings
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 9:32 pm
- Virtual Wineknow
- How to Drink Champagne
  
  2 Nov 2017 | 9:45 am
- Hot Winter-Wine Drinks II
  
  1 Nov 2017 | 2:33 pm
- What Does Dry Taste Like?
  
  2 Oct 2017 | 8:56 pm
- Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé!
  
  1 Oct 2017 | 10:28 am
- Does Wine Breathe?
  
  2 Sep 2017 | 8:30 am
- The Wine Cellar Insider
- Wine Of The Week 2010 Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan
  
  26 Jun 2017 | 12:59 pm
  
  2010 Smith Haut Lafitte is the wine of the week! Since Florence Cathiard and Daniel Cathiard purchased the vineyard in 1990, things have only continued improving. The Cathiard family chose Chateau Smith Lafitte to purchase because the vineyard was able to produce both red and white Bordeaux wine. You know the old saying about patience is a virtue, well that is certainly the case here. In fact, it took 10 years of hard work, replanting and updating the cellars before they began producing quality wines here. However, at least in my eyes, it took an additional 5 years before Smith Haut Lafitte really stepped up their game. With the spare no expense attitude of the Cathiard family and the help of Fabien...
- The Best 100 Wines from the 2016 Bordeaux Vintage
  
  12 Jun 2017 | 10:10 am
  
  By now, I imagine you’re clearly aware that 2016 Bordeaux produced a plethora of exciting wines in the Right Bank and the Left Bank. Yes, Cabernet Sauvignon is King in this vintage. But there are also sublime wines from Pomerol and St. Emilion that rock, due to the ripeness of Merlot. In a semi-interesting campaign, 2016 Bordeaux turned out to be more if a tepid campaign. Wines offered for prices consumers are willing to pay have moved. Wines that for many reasons left consumers with ennui,remain unsold. While it’s always an interesting exercise to see how the market is taking the 2016 Bordeaux wines to heart, on a pure quality level, there are numerous fabulous wines that deserve to be tasted. With that...
- Wine of the Week 1961 Chateau Beychevelle Saint Julien
  
  11 Jun 2017 | 6:55 am
  
  Tasting older wines is my pleasure. Popping a bottle that has sat in my cellar for years with friends that also appreciate the secondary aromatics and textures that develop with the patina of age can make your day. Especially when the wine shows. And as you have probably heard far too many times, it is not the wine, it’s that bottle, meaning that as wines evolve into maturity, there are no great wines, just great bottles. So, when you get a good wine, everyone is psyched! 1961 Beychevelle was one of those bottles. People forget, but in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Chateau Beychevelle was considered one of the top wines of the Left Bank, not just the St. Julien appellation. The wine could sell for more money than...
- 2016 Bordeaux Wine Buying Guide Top 600 Wines Tasting Notes, Ratings
  
  6 Jun 2017 | 6:51 am
  
  2016 Bordeaux Report with tasting notes, ratings and reviews for the top 600 wines of the vintage along with a summary of our harvest report and a buying guide 2016 Bordeaux will be tasted, rated and discussed for decades. It will be natural to compare 2016 Bordeaux with the 2 previous vintages. There are wines in 2014 that are better than 2016 Bordeaux. There are chateau that made better wine in 2015 than in 2016 as well. There are also 2016 Bordeaux wines that compete in quality with the best wines from 2010, 2009 and 2005. But none of that can take away from the obvious high level of quality found in the 2016 Bordeaux vintage. The sheer amount of potential 100 Pt. wines in this vintage is astounding! I...
- Wine of the Week 1999 Chateau Palmer, Margaux
  
  5 Jun 2017 | 7:49 am
  
  1999 Chateau Palmer is the wine of the week. I know that bottles like this are truly special occasion wines. But there are those nights when a unique, wine tasting experience is what you need. Chateau Palmer has been on a roll since 1999. Vintage after vintage has shown improvements. For fans of the estate, who are aware that in many vintages, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Palmer are locked into a duel to see which property can make the better wine. There are vintages when it’s Margaux, and there are years when Chateau Palmer comes out on top. Since 2004, when Thomas Duroux joined the team, Palmer has really upped their game. There was a time when I was sure 2005 was the best vintage produced since 1961. I...
- Enobytes
- Winesong: Mendocino’s Premier Food & Wine Event
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 7:38 pm
  
  FORT BRAGG, CA – (July 2017) – Tickets are on sale for the 33rd Annual Winesong event — a spectacular weekend of award winning wine, fabulous food, fine art, music, merriment, and charitable giving. Produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation, the main event takes place at the gorgeous Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday, [...]
- Kaiken: Like Father Like Son
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 8:00 am
  
  In 2001, Chilean winemaker and founding partner Aurelio Montes Sr. of Vina Montes visited Argentina and immediately fell in love with its people, viticulture, enology, and terroir. He saw tremendous potential in Mendoza, and knew he could learn from and contribute his knowledge to an area that was open to innovation. A year later, ‘Kaiken’, [...]
- Wine Maps: Loire Valley — France
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 9:13 am
  
  There are many great wine regions in the world, but many can’t compete with the diversity of the Loire Valley. Separated by 59 appellations, each region offers great food friendly wines that are refreshing, with styles that range from light and zesty whites, to pretty reds and sharp Muscadet. But with diversity comes complexity, and [...]
- 2013 Gio Dominico Angelo Negro Prachiosso, Roero DOCG, Italy
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 8:55 am
  
  This historical Piedmont winery located in Sant'Anna di Monteu Roero was founded by Audino Negro in 1670. The Nebbiolo grapes used for this wine came from the Prachioss vineyard, which along with the Perdaudin parcel, are the two original estate vineyards planted in 1670. The winery’s current proprietor is Giovanni Negro who also made history [...]
- Here are The Top 10 Summer Wine Events Happening in Willamette Valley and Beyond
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 5:45 pm
  
  More than 530 wineries now call the Willamette Valley home, an area spanning roughly 100 miles between Portland and Eugene. Pinot noir made the region famous, but banner Rieslings, Chardonnays and Gamay noirs — coupled with an ever-growing culinary scene and a new generation of inventive vintners — have made it an unparalleled wine destination. [...]
- 50 States of Wine - A Food, Wine, Craft Beer, and Travel Blog
- Restaurant Review: Reclaimed Bar and Restaurant, Chicago
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 6:49 am
  
  On occasion, one hears about a restaurant outside the obvious restaurant destinations of Chicago like River North or the West Loop. Reclaimed Bar and Restaurant sits in Chicago's North Center area, a few miles West of Wrigley Field and well-worth searching out. Run by the husband and wife duo of Chef Craig Bell and Adrienne Fasano, this is a family business that is both a neighborhood joint and also more. The menu is Southern (mostly) and Italian food through the lens of the chef's experiences (training at Le Cordon Blue, a stage with Chef Hilario Arbelitz at Zuberoa in San Sebastian, Spain, and a background in competitive barbecue). Adrienne brings the Italian angle with special dishes on Sundays.Reclaimed...
- Casillero del Diablo 2014 Reserva Merlot
  
  8 Jun 2017 | 6:41 am
  
  One of my favorite Merlots in recent memory, the 2016 Reserva from Casillero del Diablo is a quaffable fruity wine with cedar notes and a pleasing undercurrent of acidity. I immediately thought of making Sangria - this would make an excellent base. *Wine provided for editorial purposes - all opinions are my own.Like 50 States Of Wine on Facebook Follow 50 States Of Wine on Twitter Subscribe to the 50 States Of Wine YouTube channel
- Rock River Chocolate Trail
  
  7 Jun 2017 | 6:48 am
  
  Over the Memorial Day weekend, my youngest and I enjoyed a road trip following the Rock River Trail, a route that follows the Rock River from Waupun, WI down to Rock Island, IL. We had a great couple of days driving down, visiting towns big and small, taking photos and creating memories.One aspect that we really enjoyed was trying to find identified candy stores on the Rock River Chocolate Trail. These are shops that the organizers of the Rock River Trail have found in the towns along the route. I counted�21 shops on the official route, and we planned on visiting 9 of them.Unfortunately, since our trip took place over a holiday weekend, not all of the planned stops were successful. Of the 9 we had hoped...
- Michael David 2014 Inkblot Cabernet Franc
  
  2 Jun 2017 | 6:43 am
  
  I remember drinking this for breakfast last year, poolside at Bare Ranch for the Snooth-Lodi Wine Media Trip, and thinking that any wine that's good for breakfast is probably a pretty damn good wine. I've had it several times over the years and it remains one of, if not the best, of all Cab Francs. This is like drinking Lodi in a bottle. Aromas of dark earth, blackberries, black pepper and spices; all of the above along with tart red berries on the palate; this is a 3-Dimensional wine, full in the mouth, tannins and acid duking it out in the background, with a full and lingering finish. Outstanding now, I can imagine this rewarding patient years of cellaring as well.*Wine provided for editorial content -...
- Vivanco: Sharing Wine Culture
  
  23 May 2017 | 6:07 am
  
  Located in Briones, La Rioja in northern Spain, the Vivanco organization consists of a winery, museum, and foundation. Third generation Pedro Vivanco was one of Spain’s first certified winemakers and is joined by his sons, Rafael the winemaker and Santiago running the museum and foundation. One of the things I really appreciate is that Vivanco makes wines using only native grapes vinified using traditional techniques, and presented in a bottle inspired in an original eighteenth-century bottle that is on exhibit at the Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine. The original building, a new, state-of-the-art winery, museum, educational center, tasting room, and restaurant sit on top of a naturally...
- Wine Folly
- The Guide to Finding Great Cognac
 
 17 Jul 2017 | 8:07 am
 
 Cognac is a brandy made from the white wine grapes grown in the Cognac region of France. Learn how to find great Cognac by understanding the region, the aging classifications, the major brands, and what to look for on the label. A room for a very lucky few. The Cognac Embassy in Kosice, Slovakia with thousands of different Cognac brandies. What is Cognac? All Cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is Cognac. Cognac is a wine grape brandy from the Cognac region of France (a region just North of world-famous Bordeaux!). This region is a controlled designation of origin, or AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée), with many rules and regulations regulating the quality of all the styles of Cognac. This is...
- What Types of Red Wines Are “Good” for You?
 
 11 Jul 2017 | 8:02 am
 
 Some red wines have significantly higher levels of what science has determined to be the beneficial ingredients found in wine. Evidence also suggests that younger red wines are better than older wines when it comes to health. Find out which red wines are the best for you – and surprise: it’s not Cabernet or Pinot Noir! We all know that alcohol can be bad for us, especially when consumed irresponsibly. However, imbibing moderately may carry with it some surprising benefits: Dr. Rimm’s statement isn’t just an opinion, it’s been deductively proven with hundreds of studies on alcohol and its effect on health. Of course, not all alcoholic beverages are created equally in terms of health. And, of the...
- Never Fear The Grill: Wine Pairings with Barbecue
 
 3 Jul 2017 | 8:03 am
 
 It’s summertime. It’s hot. And, it’s time to fire up the grill! But what type of wine is best to pair with those foods you’re cooking on the barbie? Let’s find out. It’s important to understand the reasoning behind why a certain style of wine fits well with different types of food, so that you’re able to select a wine based on what’s available. Barbecue Meat Wine Pairings <ul> <li>North Carolina Barbecue Sauce (sweet): Petite Sirah, Monastrell, Tannat, Pinotage</li> <li>Sorth Carolina Barbecue Sauce (spicy-mustard): Aglianico, Sangiovese, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo</li> <li>Kansas City Barbecue Sauce (classic): Carménère, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon or a Cabernet blend</li> <li>Plain Barbecue Pork: Zinfandel (or...</li></ul>
- US Firsts In Wine
 
 29 Jun 2017 | 8:02 am
 
 We may not always be proud of the political affairs in the US, but we can be proud (and thankful) for all the Americans and American Immigrants who created <a href="http://winefolly.com/update/50-states-of-wine-infographic/"target="_blank">this great nation of wine.</a> Take a moment to appreciate the history of some of the United States’ firsts in wine. US Firsts in Wine 1565 The first wine to land on US soil. The Spanish crown funded many expeditions to the New World during the “Age of Exploration,” and voyagers like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan began their journeys at Spanish ports like Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Cádiz. Stocking up on the wine from the area was a necessity. In all likelihood, Sherry was the first wine brought to American soil when Pedro Menéndez de...
- Introduction To Croatian Wines
 
 26 Jun 2017 | 8:02 am
 
 You’ve most likely already had a wine that originated in Croatia, you just don’t know it! In 1994, grape geneticist, Dr. Carol Meredith, discovered that Zinfandel (aka Primitivo) is identical to Croatia’s Tribidrag (or Crljenak Kaštelanski). Tribidrag also happens to be the parent grape of Croatia’s most popular red wine, Plavac Mali. So, if you love Zinfandel, you already love Plavac Mali! Let’s find out more about Croatia’s most important wines and wine regions. Four major wine regions span from Croatia’s mountainous coastline to its continental inland. The country of Croatia is situated just across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. It’s no wonder that Croatia has the perfect climate for making wine...
- Pure Luxury Transportation
- Sonoma Wine Country Weekend 2017
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 12:36 pm
  
  Sonoma Wine Country Weekend 2017 is almost here. There’s a new venue for the food and wine extravaganza this year, as the headliner Taste of Sonoma is now being held at the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. The new space means expanded entertainment, too, since instead of just one day, the event now Read more... The post Sonoma Wine Country Weekend 2017 appeared first on Pure Luxury Transportation.
- Wine Country Music Concerts and Summer Festivals
  
  12 Jun 2017 | 11:13 am
  
  We’re lucky here in the land of grapevines, with such wonderful summer weather and endless outdoor activities including live music concerts and music festivals. We’ve got great performances happening at wineries, in our parks, and even at farmers’ markets and on town square plazas. Want to hum – or sing – along? Broadway Under the Read more... The post Wine Country Music Concerts and Summer Festivals appeared first on Pure Luxury Transportation.
- The Sonoma Coast is Calling for a Getaway
  
  19 May 2017 | 2:50 pm
  
  As the spring rolls into summer, thoughts turn to beach getaways. And the Pacific Coast is your answer, so close to Wine Country with its 55 miles of spectacular sand landscapes, soaring cliffs, bluffs, and hiking trails. Now is a great time to book your vacation, at inns, to hotels, resorts and private rentals overlooking Read more... The post The Sonoma Coast is Calling for a Getaway appeared first on Pure Luxury Transportation.
- Join for the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate Farm-To-Table Dinner Series
  
  1 May 2017 | 2:18 pm
  
  Snap peas, ice lettuce, sorrel, garlic, fava beans, spirgarello and purple shiso. Those are just a few of the fine vegetables guests will savor at the May 13 Farm-To-Table Dinner Series at Kendall-Jackson. For each dinner, there’s a theme: May 13 – Sonoma County Lamb June 10 – 30-Day Dry-Aged Duck July 8 – Seafood Read more... The post Join for the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate Farm-To-Table Dinner Series appeared first on Pure Luxury Transportation.
- New Cocoa Planet Chocolate Factory, Tasting Room and Modern French Cafe
  
  14 Apr 2017 | 12:32 pm
  
  Mmmm, chocolate. And it’s extra mmmm, when that chocolate is healthy, packed with all-natural ingredients, premium Fair Trade-certified Guittard Chocolate Co. dark chocolate cacao, and low sugar. This is what we get at the new Cocoa Planet Chocolate Factory in downtown Sonoma. Even more, the recipes are non-GMO-verified, gluten-free, vegan, wheat, peanut-free, and made with lactose-free Read more... The post New Cocoa Planet Chocolate Factory, Tasting Room and Modern French Cafe appeared first on Pure Luxury Transportation.
- Wine Reviews and Tasting Reports - International Wine Report
- RENATO CORINO Barolo 'Del Comune di La Mora' 2013
 
 20 Jul 2017 | 2:19 pm
 
 The 2013 'Del Comune di La Morra' Barolo comes from various small vineyards in La Morra, and is a simply stunning effort in this vintage from Renato Corino. This Barolo instantly bursts open with pretty aromas of fresh strawberries, cherries, floral, tar, leather, spices and hints of eucalyptus nuances. Fresh, silky, and polished, this continues to impresses with its remarkable depth and focus, as red fruits and spice notes work their way through the beautiful long finish. A complete success in this vintage, this Barolo should continue evolve gracefully for years to come. (Best 2018-2030) - July, 2017 (JD) 94 Wine Specifications <ul> <li> Report Date: July, 2017</li> <li>Producer:� Renato Corino</li> <li>Vintage:...</li></ul>
- RENATO CORINO Barolo 'Rocche dell’Annunziata' 2013
 
 20 Jul 2017 | 2:19 pm
 
 The 2013 'Rocche dell’Annunziata' Barolo begins with aromas of strawberries and cherries, followed by floral stems, licorice, leather, spices and eucalyptus, all taking shape beautifully in the glass. On the palate this shows notable depth and structure, with a lovely silky texture, which ends with a lingering finish. While appealing now, it should certainly continue to become even more expressive with some short-term cellaring. (Best 2019-2030) - July, 2017 (JD) 92 Wine Specifications <ul> <li> Report Date: July, 2017</li> <li>Producer:� Renato Corino</li> <li>Vintage: 2013</li> <li>Drinking Window: 2019-2030</li> <li>Estimated Value: $50</li> <li>Country: Italy</li> <li>Region: Piedmont</li> <li>Appellation: Barolo</li> <li>Importer: Skurnik</li> </ul>
- PASSOPISCIARO 'Passorosso' 2015
 
 20 Jul 2017 | 2:19 pm
 
 The 2015 Passorosso is a lovely 100% Nerello Mascalese from Andrea Franchetti, which displays a light translucent color, followed by lively aromatics of fresh strawberries, wild herbs, exotic spices, orange zest and crushed stones all taking shape in this elegant, refined Rosso. Silky, well-defined and focused, this Rosso is beautifully balanced by bright red fruits and vibrant acidity, keeping it fresh and inviting. It shows a lovely inner-sweetness along with a zesty quality which continues on through the juicy finish. (Best 2017-2024) - July, 2017 (JD) 92 Wine Specifications <ul> <li> Report Date: July, 2017</li> <li>Producer:� Passopisciaro</li> <li>Vintage: 2015</li> <li>Drinking Window: 2017-2024</li> <li>Estimated Value:...</li></ul>
- QUILCEDA CREEK Cabernet Sauvignon, Galitzine Vineyard 2014
 
 18 Jul 2017 | 5:46 pm
 
 This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the esteemed Galitzine Vineyard in Red Mountain, which was first planted in 2000- 2001, and is owned and controlled solely by Quilceda Creek. Aged for 21 months in 100% French oak prior to bottling, the Galitzine Cabernet possesses an even more dense core than its ‘Columbia Valley’ counterpart. The aromatics are absolutely seductive, loaded with dark fruits including candied black cherry, black raspberry cordial, hoisin sauce, crème de cassis, roasted coffee and hints of crushed mint. The mouthfeel and texture is simply incredible, as the weight is massive at this juncture. The muscular tannins are beautifully polished and frame concentrated flavors of...
- CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE Chardonnay 'Ethos' 2014
 
 18 Jul 2017 | 5:46 pm
 
 The 2014 ‘Ethos’ Chardonnay from Chateau St. Michelle offers heady aromatics of Marcona almond, crème brûlée, whipping cream and Golden Delicious apple all taking shape in the glass. The silky texture is appealing to this wine, as rich flavors of crème brûlée, bananas foster, roasted pineapple and marzipan continue to leave an impression through the lingering finish. This is a gorgeous effort from the talented hands of winemaker Bob Bertheau. (Best 2017-2025) - July, 2017 (OB) 93 Wine Specifications <ul> <li> Report Date: July, 2017</li> <li>Producer:� Chateau Ste. Michelle</li> <li>Vintage: 2014</li> <li>Drinking Window: 2017-2025</li> <li>Estimated Value: $35</li> <li>Country: United States</li> <li>Region: Washington</li> <li>Appellation: Columbia...</li></ul>
- grapefriend
- rosé of the week: muri-gries
  
  15 Jul 2017 | 3:00 pm
  
  Ok, this is the exact opposite of the Provençal ones you’ve likely been mainlining all summer. Bold and full-bodied, this Lagrein-based rosato is perfect for food, especially something like these grilled peaches wrapped in prosciutto (a summer happy hour favorite).� Cool fact: it’s made in a Benedictine monastery in the Italian Alps! I LOVE the … Continue reading →
- rosé of the week: planeta
  
  9 Jul 2017 | 4:18 pm
  
  For our inaugural 2017 #RoséoftheWeek, we explore a lesser-used rosé grape and we’re rewarded. Nero d’Avola is pretty common in Sicily, so it’s not surprising Planeta gives it lots of space here. Their bright, savory rosé (about $15) is 50% Syrah, 50% Nero d’Avola and 100% great with sushi.� Continue reading →
- get that grüner in your glass
  
  14 Apr 2017 | 3:58 pm
  
  It’s spring – finally!!! The grass is growing, and the Grüner is flowing! Or at least it should be. The grassy, white peppery white wine from Austria is my spring go-to. Here are three good bottles to grab! fred loimer lois 2015 Freshly cut, yo! This is where you can really get a handle on … Continue reading →
- loving lynch-bages
  
  9 Feb 2017 | 11:46 am
  
  I love these Phenomenal Femmes wine dinners I go to a few times a year. Run by sommelier Marika Vida, she brings women winemakers and winery owners to Auden, the restaurant she works at in the Ritz, for them to walk us through their wines paired with a few different courses. Such a treat to … Continue reading →
- beaujolais nouveau: rookie of the wine world
  
  8 Dec 2016 | 2:00 am
  
  When Quintessential�wines asked me to partner with them for a post about Beaujolais Nouveau, it was a no brainer. After all, it’s fall, which means two things: I’m watching football and drinking light reds. So as I was watching the Cowboys-Vikings game last week and tasting the�Beaujolais Nouveau that was just released, it occurred to … Continue reading →
- YYC Wine
- What’s in your glass this evening? We are getting to know...
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 6:41 pm
  
  What’s in your glass this evening? We are getting to know a nice little Italian Rose bubble from @lagioiosawines dubbed Rosea. Slightly floral and soapy with elements of candied apple. Creamy on the palate with a hint of sugar with a dry finish. Around $21 available at @craftcellars and @willowparkwines @pacific_canada #yyc #wine #vins #italy #vino #bubble #prosecco #calgary #instawine #winesofinstagram #roséallday #drinkup #roséseason #rosé #patio (at Northwest Calgary, Calgary, Alberta)
- Getting geared up for the @cs_rodeo with the 2014...
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 11:28 am
  
  Getting geared up for the @cs_rodeo with the 2014 @buenavistawines The Count Founder’s Red Blend - notes of cherry, strawberry with hints of vanilla, concrete dust and spice. Soft, round mouthfeel with balanced acid, alcohol and tannin. Ready for ribs, beef on a bun and baked beans. Very drinkable! #wine #vins #photooftheday #wotd #buenavistawinery #sonoma #instawine #winesofinstagram #stampede2017 @pacific_canada @calgarystampede (at Downtown Calgary)
- From the @geologicsystems Spaghetti Western #stampede2017 with...
  
  11 Jul 2017 | 8:45 am
  
  From the @geologicsystems Spaghetti Western #stampede2017 with @rivercafeyyc - egg flatbread, roasted potato, pork sausage and French toast #breakfast #yyc #yyceats #photooftheday #nomnom #calgary @calgarystampede (at River Cafe)
- After a tough day of #stampeding with the fam, it is time for a...
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 6:33 pm
  
  After a tough day of #stampeding with the fam, it is time for a @gilpinsgin and @schweppesus tonic #ginandtonic @calgarystampede @pacific_canada #yycwine #geeandtee #yyc #gin #calgarystampede #cocktails (at Northwest Calgary, Calgary, Alberta)
- The 2006 @paulhobbswinery Crossbarn Napa Valley Cabernet...
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 4:55 pm
  
  The 2006 @paulhobbswinery Crossbarn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - beautiful showing with notes of violets, tobacco, cassis. Ultra rich and ripe on the palate, finish sails for an eternity. Paired with some rosemary butter seared then grilled Rib steaks, garlic mashed potato and corn. Wish every Sunday dinner was this good! #dinner #wine #vins #instawine #winestagram #paulhobbs #napavalley #california #cabernetsauvignon #yyc #calgary #bigjuice #photooftheday (at Tuscany, Calgary)
- HoseMaster of Wine™
- The HoseMaster of Wine™ Has Left the Building
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 9:19 am
  
  I’ve had a grand time writing HoseMaster of Wine™. It changed my life in countless unexpected ways. Many of those changes were wonderful, many were heartbreaking. Isn’t that life in a nutshell? In hindsight, I would do it all again, only much more critically,� much more relentlessly. I’ve churned out more than 500 pieces of satire in the past five and a half years, and made the acquaintance of some strange and remarkable voices in my head—Lo Hai Qu, Larry Anosmia MS, Avril Cadavril, Sam...
- The HoseMaster of Wine™ Short Listed for a Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 6:30 am
  
  On the rare occasions I read wine blogs, I usually wonder what motivates the person behind the blog. Notice I avoided using the word “writer.” It’s a word thrown around far too casually in the wine world, much like sommelier, or authentic, or award-winning. None of those words seems to have any real meaning anymore. It’s painful to read most of the wine blogs out there if you love the written word, or love wine. I recently read a blog that seemed to be aimed at being funny, but was tragically...
- The Threat of Global Wine Terrorism
  
  6 Jul 2017 | 6:30 am
  
  The threat of global terrorism has finally reached the wine business. Wineries, importers, sommeliers, wine writers—all have found themselves under siege from various loosely organized but determined groups of wine terrorists. Each of these groups has an agenda and is unafraid to use violence, force, and even weaponized Coravins to make themselves heard. It’s a story that the wine press has been reluctant to cover for fear of reprisal, but I’ve spent the last few years infiltrating the secret...
- Blind Book Review: Alice Feiring's "The Dirty Guide to Wine"
  
  26 Jun 2017 | 6:30 am
  
  I’m not sure what happened, but, apparently, my review copy of Reverend Alice Feiring’s latest sermon was misdelivered. I have no idea how this happened. I am certain that the publishers want my opinion of the book and must have sent me a copy. I can’t find it. But that’s not a problem. I’ll simply write my book review blind. Much as Feiring can predict the nature of a wine by the soil from which it originated without having to actually taste it, I can review one of her books without having...
- The Linoleum Project™--Philosophy First, Winemaking Second
  
  19 Jun 2017 | 6:30 am
  
  The Linoleum Project™ originated as a spoof of Abe Schoener's The Scholium Project, and as a reaction to a particularly loathsome puff-piece about Abe in the New York Times Magazine written by Bruce Schoenfeld. I returned to The Linoleum Project™ in this piece, originally written in September 2014. We're still talking about natural wines in 2017, but rarely about Scholium Project or the New York Times (the original piece may have been the first example of FAKE NEWS). I hope this piece is funny...
- Liz Palmer | International wine and Lifestyle Journalist
- Champagne Review: Baron-Fuenté NV Grands Cépages Chardonnay
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 8:23 pm
  
  Liz Palmer Champagne ReviewThis is Baron-Fuenté’s top wine. Light gold hue with expressive nose intermixing aromas of pear, nuts and citrus fruit; the palate is well-balanced; the minerality is palpable with a zingy edge and lemon-zest flavors which flow through to a long palate. Pair with: This fruity well-balanced champagne will be ideal with turbot and dill, lemon-pie or excellent as an aperitif. Variety: 100% Chardonnay Winery: Baron-Fuenté Sugar Content: 6 g/L Sweetness Descriptor: XD – Extra Dry Style: Rich & Complex Date Published: July 20, 2017 The post Champagne Review: Baron-Fuenté NV Grands Cépages Chardonnay appeared first on Liz Palmer | International wine and Lifestyle...
- Piper-Heidsieck To Launch Essentiel
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 7:40 pm
  
  Piper-Heidsieck is launching a cuvee this September aimed at the champagne connoisseur and will be exclusive to the UK on-trade and select wine merchants. Essentiel is a low-dosage offering at 5g/l compared to the Brut NV at 9/10g/l, and has received an additional 12-18 months of ageing. Additional information will be displayed on the label, such as, disgorgement and cellaring dates which will communicate that extra level of detail to an engaged champagne audience. Chef de Caves, Régis Camus states: “I am proud of this Extra-Brut cuvée which symbolises the essence of our champagnes. This extra-aged and lower dosage wine is the pure expression of Piper-Heidsieck style: a structured, crisp and ardent...
- Dom Pérignon Pop-Up at Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 4:38 pm
  
  Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, is celebrating summer in style with the launch of an exclusive Dom Pérignon Pop Up Bar in the Hotel’s lush garden. Located in the hotel’s garden among the bougainvilleas, rosebays and hibiscus, the Dom Pérignon Pop Up Bar offers an ideal setting to enjoy a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink. The décor is themed after Dom Pérignon’s elegant black and gold colours in a chic and cosy spirit. Benches and chairs with comfortable cushions are set up in a lounge-styled atmosphere around a fountain while tables are lit by candles creating an utmost romantic feel. Guests can sip on Champagne and taste a selection of food pairings from Executive Chef Yoric...
- AperoVIP Event: Liz Palmer Book Signing + Champagne at The Spoke Club Rooftop
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 7:53 pm
  
  You are invited to a very special event on the rooftop of one of the most coveted private members’ club’s in Toronto, The Spoke Club! The soiree will be all about champagne. While sipping your first glass of Perrier-Jouet, and enjoying the stunning views, the Award Winning Liz Palmer, author of The Ultimate Guide to Champagne, will talk about champagne and take questions on everything you always wanted to know on the topic! Liz will also take time to sign her book, which is a perfect gift for all champagne lovers. You can pre-purchase a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Champagne through Eventbrite or purchase it at the event. [*special event price] ApéroChic – Afterwork Socialising with a French...
- Champagne is on a strong upswing in the U.S. market
  
  27 Jun 2017 | 3:51 am
  
  Propelled by a new generation of highly aspirational consumers, Champagne is on a strong upswing in the U.S. market. Depletions have accelerated each of the past two years, advancing by 5% in 2016 to surpass 1.4 million cases, according to Impact Databank. Meanwhile, shipment value has exploded. Since 2010, Champagne shipments to the U.S. have grown by two-thirds—or about 11% annually—to reach €540 million ($607m) in 2016. Last year, the pace of value expansion slowed slightly, to 5%, and Champagne shipments’ per-case value dipped about 1%—but that marginal correction followed a breakout 2015 during which value had surged by 28%. Champagne marketers are bullish on the category’s future...
- Hudson Valley Wine Goddess
- Pairing Steak with Tempranillo
 
 20 Jul 2017 | 9:06 am
 
 Many times when you grill your steak you think of opening up a Cabernet Sauvignon or similar wine but there are many other red wines that go quite well with steak, especially grilled steak in the summer. Tempranillo from Spain is one of them. Recently we grilled a Delmonico steak and paired it with Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial 2013 from the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. This is the first time I’ve tasted wine from this producer. A little back story on Abadia Retuerta. Abadia Retuerta first began producing wine in 1996. The location winery is on the former site of the 12th century Santa Maria de Retuerta Monastery in Sardón de Duero. In 2012 the Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine Hotel opened in the...
- Looking Through Rosé Colored Glasses
 
 17 Jul 2017 | 12:57 pm
 
 In 2016 Bonterra won Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year so imagine how excited I was when the 2016 Bonterra Rosé showed up at my doorstep to taste for the June #winestudio program. Ya I was excited and honored. The folks at Bonterra wanted to make sure we looked hip and looked at everything through Rosé colored glasses they included a pair. I thought, this is going to be a fun tasting! Let me tell you a little about Bonterra. They planted their first organic vineyard in 1987 and in 1993 they released their first vintage of organically farmed wine. This year, 2017 they are celebrating 30 years of organic farming. Congratulations to them! Their three vineyards (ranches) are certified Biodynamic...
- Winephabet Street B is for Beaujolais
 
 16 Jul 2017 | 11:05 am
 
 Join Lori and me Monday evening at 8pm for the July edition of Winephabet Street. This month we explore Beaujolais. What is Beaujolais? We will explore <ul> <li>The general characteristics of Beaujolais</li> <li>The history of the grape variety</li> <li>Food and wine pairings</li> <li>5 quick facts about the variety</li> <li>What Beaujolais we are drinking.</li> </ul> Grab a glass of wine, even better if it’s a Beaujolais and join us. You can register here for the webinar. Register now The post Winephabet Street B is for Beaujolais appeared first on Hudson Valley Wine Goddess.
- Rose All Day with Domaines Paul Mas
 
 13 Jul 2017 | 10:14 am
 
 The Languedoc region is home to a variety of soil types and variety of grapes which makes it a great region to produce Rose wine both still and sparkling. It is also home to Limoux which is known as the birthplace for sparkling wine in France dating back to 1554. Who to make better wines from this region but Jean-Claude Mas who created Domaine Paul Mas in 2000 after being left 35 hectares of vineyards from his father Paul Mas. Jean-Claud is a forth generation grape grower and first generation winemaker. He believes luxury doesn’t alway equate to quality. He says “We are all about quality, which is, by its nature luxurious.” His wines are the result of his mission to inspire real emotions. Cote Mas...
- Late Afternoon Boat Ride with Arinzano
 
 10 Jul 2017 | 10:44 am
 
 It’s been quite a crazy spring and beginning of summer for us. We put our boat in the water back in April where it’s been sitting pretty, and just that, we’ve been so busy, in and out of town that we haven’t taken it out. The first weekend back we took the boat out for a late afternoon boat ride to end the weekend and since I missed a week of #winestudio where they featured Arinzano Chardonnay and Rosé I grabbed a bottle of the Chardonnay to take with us. Confession, this is the first time we took a bottle of wine out on the boat with us. Maybe it’s because we usually go out and fish, but this Sunday, we went out to burn some gas, anchor and just enjoy the late afternoon on the bay. The 2014...
- Hvino News | Georgian Wine News
- The world’s winemakers to compete for a gold “azarpesha”
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 8:29 am
  
  21.07.2017. What is an azarpesha? In Georgia, that’s how they used to call the elegant wine vessels with long handle, made of silver or gold. These richly decorated objects are now rare antique collectibles. Now, a miniature gold azarpesha is chosen as the top award of Saperavi World Prize, the first wine contest of Saperavi wines produced in all continents. Saperavi, the “signature” Georgian grape variety, is becoming increasingly popular with winemakers around the world. Saperavi wines are produced in USA, Europe, former Soviet republics, and even New Zealand, but it is Australia where this Georgian variety has become especially widespread. For the first time the Saperavi wines produced in all these...
- Georgian wine exhibition in Bordeaux to open late July
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 6:08 am
  
  by Thea Morrison21.07.2017. Georgia’s Minister of Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, has confirmed that from July 31 to November 5, the center of wine civilization - Cité des Civilisations Du Vin in Bordeaux, France, will open its doors for the Georgian wine exhibition. Read more at:� In 2017 the year of Georgia in Bordeaux will be celebrated at new Center for Wine and Civilizations and French President opens "Cité du Vin" in Bordeaux, meets with Georgian Prime Minister.)“It is a very important exhibition - Georgia is the first invited country and it is the proof that Georgia is the motherland of wine, the cradle of viniculture,” Davitashvili stated at the special press-conference on Wednesday.The...
- US wine experts are exploring Georgian wine
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 11:41 am
  
  14.07.2017 (Hvino News). A group of �wine experts from USA is visitig Georgia to explore wine cellars in Samegrelo, Imereti, Kartli and Kakheti. The visit was organized by the National Wine Agency.The group of wine professionals is headed by Julie Peterson of Marq Energie, an American marketing agency and National Wine Agency's contractor.“We are here this week in Georgia with a group of sommeliers from the US market, from some of the top restaurants, because we are trying to introduce them �to the exciting wine environment in Georgia. This year, exports have been up 43% from last year to the US market. In this group we have sommeliers from Chicago, Saint Louis and New York City, �and we have a waiting...
- Prime Minister inaugurated opening of Nelkarisi Winery in Kakheti
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 5:46 am
  
  12.07.2017 (Hvino News). Georgia's Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili�inaugurated the opening of Nelkarisi Winery complex�on July 9 near the village of Shilda,�Kakheti region.“This is one of the best samples of cooperation between government and private sector”, Kvirikashvili noted. “We have invested more than 4 million USD in this project, of which 600 00 USD is a preferential agro credit. We have employed 75 persons. This is very important. This place is of �serious historical importance, the home of winemaking in Georgia. I believe this archaeological project will open a new interesting page in history of Georgia. I believe this place will raise special interest of tourists and it will become one...
- Saperavi joins the ranks of the world’s fine wines
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 12:00 am
  
  by Robert JosephWhat makes a wine ‘fine’?12.07.2017. Along with 60 or so wine enthusiasts, professionals and consumers I was lucky to be invited by Nicole Sierra-Rolet, co-founder of the le Chêne Bleu estate in the southern Rhône to try to answer this question at a weekend think tank snappily entitled "Fine Minds 4 Fine Wines".The ‘fine minds’ Rolet had assembled included some eminent writers: Steven Spurrier, the man behind the Judgement of Paris tasting that first established California’s right to stand on the same vinous podium as Bordeaux and Burgundy; Jancis Robinson of the Financial Times and Oxford Companion to Wine; and Michel Bettane, the unchallenged intellectual supremo of French...
- DrinksFeed
- 10 Terms Every Tequila Drinker Should Know
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 5:00 am
  
  Tequila sales are booming and Mexico’s most famous spirit is now more popular than ever. But if you are someone who still just thinks of it as “that thing I used to shoot on spring break,” here are some terms that every tequila drinker should know.
- Spiced Duck with Vanilla-Celeriac-Potato-Puree and Ported-Blueberry Jus
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:00 am
  
  A restaurant-style dish of duck with a homemade jus.
- These Cocktail Glasses Turn Your Drinks Into Rainbows
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 5:00 am
  
  Bright, colourful foods are most definitely a thing right now, from rainbow pizza to unicorn summer rolls. But incorporating colour into your meals isn’t limited to food—drinks and beverages deserve some fun, too!
- Add some Piña Coladas Granola to your morning yogurt
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 12:00 am
  
  Beach or no beach, you’ll love this cheeky piña colada granola recipe loaded with the classic flavours of summer.
- The best drinks to pair with Hot Dogs on #NationalHotDogDay
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 6:00 am
  
  The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has designated July as Hot Dog Month and for 2017 Wednesday, July 19 as National Hot Dog Day.
- DiWineTaste Podcast - English
- Best Wine of June 2017: Batàr 2014, Querciabella
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 7:45 am
  
  The magnificent white wine of Querciabella - Batàr 2014 - conquers for the second time the title of best wine of the month, in this case June 2017. A masterpiece of wine making produced with Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc in equal parts, majestically made in a perfect symphony of aromas and elegance.
- Best Wine of May 2017: Gran Masetto 2012, Endrizzi
  
  31 May 2017 | 7:12 am
  
  Gran Masetto, the famous and celebrated red wine produced by Endrizzi winery of San Michele all'Adige, conquers - with vintage 2012 - DiWineTaste five diamonds and, for the third time, the title of the best wine of the month. A great wine made from Teroldego grape, an extraordinary expression of the magnificent autochthonous grape from Trentino.
- Best Wine of April 2017: Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero Riserva D0M 2006, Mirabella
  
  30 Apr 2017 | 2:00 am
  
  Mirabella in one of the historical wineries of Franciacorta, founded in 1979 by wine maker Teresio Schiavi and engineer Giacomo Cavalli, it has always been a well distinguished winery in the Italian wine scene for the excellence of its bubbles. Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero Riserva D0M 2006 certainly is the proof of the quality produced in Mirabella's vineyards, a Franciacorta or remarkable elegance and personality, having an organoleptic profile joining complexity to class. DiWineTaste five diamonds and title of the best wine of the month for April 2017.
- Best Wine of March 2017: San Leonardo 2000, Tenuta San Leonardo
  
  31 Mar 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Created by the intuition of Marquees Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, believing his land was capable of making wines of absolute excellence, San Leonardo 2000 - the first vintage to be made by wine maker Carlo Ferrini after the great Giacomo Tachis handed over the making - confirms the greatness and elegance of this immense wine from Trentino. Seventeen years of glorious evolution for an impeccable elegance confirming the excellence of the magnificent San Leonardo.
- Best Wine of February 2017: Montefalco Sagrantino Spinning Beauty 2006, Arnaldo Caprai
  
  28 Feb 2017 | 7:45 am
  
  Montefalco Sagrantino Spinning Beauty 2006 - a monumental wine aged for eight years in barrique - conquers the crown of best wine of February 2017 and DiWineTaste five diamonds. A superlative wine, fruit of the experimentation and far-sightedness of Arnaldo Caprai winery, led by Marco Caprai, taking Sagrantino, once again, to the top of worldwide Olympus of wine making.
- DiWineTaste Podcast - Italiano
- Il Migliore Vino di Giugno 2017: Batàr 2014, Querciabella
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 7:39 am
  
  Il grandissimo vino bianco di Querciabella - Batàr 2014 - conquista per la seconda volta il titolo di migliore vini del mese, in questo caso Giugno 2017. Un capolavoro enologico prodotto con Chardonnay e Pinot Bianco in parti uguali, magistralmente eseguito in una perfetta sinfonia di profumi ed eleganza.
- Il Migliore Vino di Maggio 2017: Gran Masetto 2012, Endrizzi
  
  31 May 2017 | 7:04 am
  
  Il Gran Masetto, celebre e celebrato vino rosso prodotto dalla Cantina Endrizzi di San Michele all'Adige, conquista - con l'annata 2012 - i cinque diamanti DiWineTaste e, per la terza volta, il titolo di migliore vino del mese. Un grande vino da uve Teroldego, straordinaria espressione della magnifica uva rossa autoctona del Trentino.
- Il Migliore Vino di Aprile 2017: Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero Riserva D0M 2006, Mirabella
  
  30 Apr 2017 | 2:00 am
  
  Mirabella è una delle storiche cantine della Franciacorta, fondata nel 1979 dall'enologo Teresio Schiavi e dall'Ing. Giacomo Cavalli, si è sempre distinta nel panorama enologici italiano per l'eccellenza delle sue bollicine. Il Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero Riserva D0M 2006 è certamente la dimostrazione della qualità che si produce nei vigneti di Mirabella, un Franciacorta di notevole eleganza e personalità, con un profilo organolettico che coniuga complessità a classe. Cinque Diamanti DiWineTaste e titolo di migliore vino per il mese di Aprile 2017.
- Il Migliore Vino di Marzo 2017: San Leonardo 2000, Tenuta San Leonardo
  
  31 Mar 2017 | 8:45 am
  
  Nato dall'intuizione del Marchese Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, convinto che nella sua terra si potessero creare vini di assoluta eccellenza, il San Leonardo 2000 - la prima annata prodotta dall'enologo Carlo Ferrini dopo il passaggio di testimone ricevuto dal grande Giacomo Tachis - conferma tutta la grandezza e l'eleganza di questo immenso vino del Trentino. Diciassette anni di gloriosa evoluzione per un'eleganza impeccabile che non smentisce l'eccellenza del magnifico San Leonardo.
- Il Migliore Vino di Febbraio 2017: Montefalco Sagrantino Spinning Beauty 2006, Arnaldo Caprai
  
  28 Feb 2017 | 7:30 am
  
  Il Montefalco Sagrantino Spinning Beauty 2006 - un monumentale vino maturato per otto anni in barrique - conquista la corona di migliore vino per il mese di febbraio 2017 oltre ai cinque diamanti DiWineTaste. Un grandissimo vino, frutto della sperimentazione e lungimiranza della cantina Arnaldo Caprai, guidata da Marco Caprai, che porta il Sagrantino, ancora una volta, nella vetta dell'Olimpo mondiale dell'enologia.
- Mad about Madeira
- Anibal d’Oliveira – One of the great men of Madeira
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 3:26 pm
  
  � Anibal d’Oliveira, one of the great men of Madeira wine during several decades, passed away this weekend. A real gentleman and such a warm soul. He always asked about my kids when I visited, having met them several times; how are they doing now, their age and life in general. He was good at talking to people because it wasn’t just talk, he cared. It was easy to feel that. Last time I met him, in November 2016, I brought my youngest daughter, Esther, and he really shined up. He loved kids. We sat down, had a chat and he told me he was getting older. But it was the same bright Anibal with curiosity, asking questions: How is it in Sweden, are you happy with your politicians, how are the kids, do you like...
- July 1 Is #madeirawineday – 2017
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 5:39 am
  
  � “Dia da Madeira” (Madeira day) is celebrated on the 1st of July, the date when Portugal granted Madeira its autonomy back in 1976. It is hence a perfect occasion to show you support the craftsmanship carried out by those involved in the Madeira wine production, from growers to producers. One of the world’s greatest wines and yes, you probably know this by now – for the author of this site it is the greatest. Such a historically important and unique wine deserves a day like this and 2017 marks the third time we are doing #madeirawineday. In other words, it is starting to smell like tradition! Everyone are welcome to join: restaurants, retailers, producers and most importantly, consumers. So...
- Eastwell Madeira
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 2:13 am
  
  � In the 19th century it was, especially in the United States, common to see Madeira wine named after the ship that transported the wine to America. Back then, Madeira wines traded in casks and hence were stenciled after ship names such as Earthquake, Hurricane or Liberty to mention just a few. The practice ended a long time ago but now a new Madeira wine named after a ship has reached the market – Eastwell. Behind the wine is the knowledgeable Portugal friend Moritz Peeters who runs Wijnhandel Peeters in Rotterdam. This particular wine has been on his mind for several years and I have been fortunate to follow the project and receiving updates along the way. The wine shop in the harbor city of Rotterdam is...
- HM Borges Releases A Tinta Negra Colheita
  
  30 Mar 2017 | 5:42 am
  
  � It’s still a bit of a novelty although two years has already passed since Tinta Negra was upgraded to a recommended grape – and allowed to be written on the front label. But perhaps it’s due to the fact that we haven’t seen so many Tinta Negra wines yet hitting the market; something which indicates that the producers are playing their cards right and knows a pragmatic approach is the only way when it comes to the island’s workhorse. From selected Tinta Negra grapes harvested in Covão, a part of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos on the south coast, HM Borges’s winemaker Ivo Couto noticed that the company’s 2005 developed very well. Hence it was chosen as the company’s first Colheita labeled Tinta Negra. The...
- Blandy’s 1979 Verdelho
  
  9 Mar 2017 | 6:02 am
  
  � Last year the Swedish Wine Magazine I write for, Livets Goda, published an in-depth article about the latest news from the Madeira wine scene. Among many things mentioned, I highlighted the brilliant quartet of Vintage wines released by Blandy’s. Here on Mad about Madeira, I’ve already presented their 1966 Bual and 1975 Sercial – now it’s time for the next. Say hi to the oh so beautiful 1979 Verdelho. The Blandy’s 1979 Verdelho was bottled in 2015 after spending 36 years in the various attics of the company’s lodge in the center of Funchal. It shares some common denominators with their 1973 Verdelho which was bottled in 2014, but I find the 1979 to have more of the ‘electric acidity’ which makes Madeira...
- Total Wine & More
- 4 Top Drinks for the Fourth of July
 
 3 Jul 2017 | 8:32 am
 
 We’ve curated our top drink picks for July 4th thanks to the help of our blogger friends This Silly Girl’s Kitchen, Shabbyfufu, and Busy Wife Busy Life. Serve these delicious drinks at your summer gatherings and take your entertaining to a whole new level! Strawberry Limoncello Slush Our friend at This Silly Girl’s Kitchen has put together a delicious, refreshing and easy to make Strawberry Limoncello Slush made with our Bellini Limoncello and Cruse Demi Sec Sparkling Wine. Find all you need to recreate this recipe at our Sparkling Cocktails and Recipe Page! � Limoncello Watermelon Spritzer Blogger Shabbyfufu shows us how to make a fresh and delightful Limoncello Watermelon Spritzer. With this recipe,...
- Featured Wine of the Week: Buttercream Chardonnay
 
 23 Mar 2017 | 7:16 am
 
 Our featured wine this week is a new arrival at our stores. With spring in bloom, it’s time for flavorful wines to take center stage during all of your seasonal activities. If you enjoy a Chardonnay that tastes like silken butter dripped over a fresh croissant, this one is for you. Buttercream Chardonnay 750ml, California Butter, butter, butter, Buttercream Chardonnay packs in butter with every sip, along with notes of oak, vanilla, pear and apple. This wine is delicious on its own, but pairs wonderfully with shellfish, such as lobster, cheeses and any dish with a rich, creamy sauce. Stop in and pick up our newest Winery Direct arrival during your next visit, or order it online and have it ready in...
- Accessories for under the tree
 
 22 Dec 2016 | 12:05 pm
 
 Are you making a list, checking it twice and still finding yourself in need of some inspiration? At Total Wine & More, we have beer, cocktail and wine accessories that can satisfy friends and family of all stripes, from the hopivore to the cocktail master. When it comes to enjoying beer, one of the most important elements (besides the beer itself) is the glass in which it’s served. Our Libbey Craft Brews Set features six different glass styles, including the classic Pilsner, English pub, Belgian Ale, craft pub, Porter/Stout and wheat beer glasses. While some may dismiss the importance of the beer glass, aficionados will tell you it’s an integral part of the drinking experience. Take the famed Pilsner...
- Gear up for game day
 
 21 Sep 2016 | 8:19 am
 
 With football season in full swing, Sundays become much more than yards rushed and touchdowns made. Victory stands on the back of coolers and snack tables across the country, and Total Wine & More can help you make the perfect play when it comes to pairing brews and food. Chips, Salsa, and Dip In the realm of party snacks, there are few things more sacred than chips and salsa. Malt- forward and boasting a touch of sweetness, Amber and Red Ales complement this dynamic culinary duo, countering the heat of the salsa and the saltiness of the chips. We carry a wide assortment of highly rated Amber and Red Ales to satisfy any fans, no matter what jerseys they wear. Given a score of 92 from Draft magazine and...
- Hennessy Pasión – Pineapple Mango Cocktail Recipe
 
 24 Aug 2016 | 9:16 am
 
 Pineapple and mango seem to be the hit flavors for summer cocktails. Or at least that’s what our customers are searching for! If you’re looking for Pineapple Mango Hennessy, we’re sorry to say there is no such flavored cognac currently produced by Hennessy. But don’t get discouraged! You can still make this happen. All you need are the right ingredients and a “can-do!” attitude to help you power through the summer heat with this tropical cocktail recipe. Hennessy Pasión To make this cocktail, you will need: <ul> <li>1 1/2oz Hennessy Black</li> <li>1 oz mango juice</li> <li>1/2 oz passion fruit juice</li> <li>½ oz pineapple juice</li> <li>¼ oz freshly squeezed lime juice</li> <li>1 oz club soda</li> <li>Pineapple wedge, for garnish</li> </ul> Instructions: Add...
- Fareham Wine Cellar
- 2015 Vintage Port Offer & Tasting 25th July 2015
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 7:38 am
  
  As anyone who follows Vintage Port will know, 2015 was a good vintage, a handful of Port houses declared a main vintage, but it was nowhere near a general declaration. This is mainly because Port Houses do not generally like to release two vintage Ports in adjacent years and most are holding back for the […] The post 2015 Vintage Port Offer & Tasting 25th July 2015 appeared first on Fareham Wine Cellar.
- Wine Tasting and Dinner with Seresin Wines Tuesday 5th September 2017
  
  20 Jun 2017 | 6:28 am
  
  Wine Tasting and Dinner with Seresin Estate, New Zealand Tuesday 5th September 2017 at Clifford Brown’s Brasserie, South Square, Knowle, Knowle Village PO17 5FL Price: To Be Confirmed Tickets: Please book in advance with Clifford Brown’s Brasserie (T:01329 834241 or email [email protected]) The evening will take the format of a short tutored pre-dinner wine tasting, […] The post Wine Tasting and Dinner with Seresin Wines Tuesday 5th September 2017 appeared first on Fareham Wine Cellar.
- Port Wine Tasting Wednesday 11th October 2017
  
  20 Jun 2017 | 4:21 am
  
  Port Wine Tasting w/ Matthew Nutt of John E Fells 7.30pm Wednesday 11th October 2017 The Hampshire Room, Lysses House Hotel, Fareham Price: To Be Comfirmed Tickets will be available in advance only from Fareham Wine Cellar. A sit-down, tutored tasting of various different styles of Port wine. Matthew works for John E Fells who […] The post Port Wine Tasting Wednesday 11th October 2017 appeared first on Fareham Wine Cellar.
- Torres Chile Wine Maker Dinner Thursday 8th June
  
  11 Apr 2017 | 4:32 am
  
  A tutored wine tasting and three course dinner presented by Torres Chile head wine maker, Fernando Almeda. Thursday 8th June 2017 @ Lysses House Hotel 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start Also at our Facebook Events Page. Torres Chile Wine Maker Dinner On Arrival Cordillera Brut Pinot Noir Methode Traditionelle, Curico Valley Pre-Dinner Wine Tasting Tormenta […] The post Torres Chile Wine Maker Dinner Thursday 8th June appeared first on Fareham Wine Cellar.
- Louis Latour Wine Tasting and Masterclass
  
  28 Feb 2017 | 5:43 am
  
  Wednesday 22nd February 2017 The Hospital Club, Endell Street, London As well as being one of the largest Burgundy producers, Maison Louis Latour own the UK-based Louis Latour Agencies. Louis Latour Agencies distribute, not only Latour’s wines, but also wines from other wineries that Louis Latour own (Henry Fessy in Beaujolais and Simonnet-Febvre in Chablis) […] The post Louis Latour Wine Tasting and Masterclass appeared first on Fareham Wine Cellar.
- Great Northwest Wine
- Lenné Estate 2014 Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, $45
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:18 pm
  
  Steve Lutz pays tribute to his late father-in-law, Lenny, an English farmer who served as inspiration to plant this steep, 21-acre property near the town of Yamhill, Ore. (Lenny’s profile also appears on the label.) The flagship Pinot Noir for Lenné Estate is a product of the most fruitful vintage in the vineyard’s 15-year history. While five clones are planted, this bottling focuses on the Sept. 16-18 harvest of Dijon 115 and the hedonistic Pommard. Inviting aromas of cherry punch, boysenberry, Almond Roca and minearlity are realized on the palate that’s balanced with medium tannins, juiciness and finished by a nibble of raspberry. The 2010 vintage will be paired by chef Karl Holl with Coal-Roasted...
- Eritage resort prepares to open this fall in Walla Walla
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 2:16 am
  
  Eritage is a new 300-acre project in the Walla Walla Valley, led by Justin Wylie of Va Piano Vineyards, that will include 10 small resorts and a restaurant headed up by James Beard Award-winning chef Jason Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Fire & Vine Hospitality) WALLA WALLA, Wash. — It’s a dream that’s been in decade in the making, but Va Piano Vineyards founder Justin Wylie is poised this fall to open Eritage, his wine country resort just outside of Walla Walla. Eritage will feature 10 luxury suites and a restaurant partnership directed by Jason Wilson, the Seattle-based chef whose work with Washington cuisine and wines earned him the James Beard Award for Best Northwest Chef in 2010. “As a...
- Seven Bridges Winery 2013 Prima Nata Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $36
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 11:50 pm
  
  A reference to an Italian reference to “first born,” Portland vintner Bob Switzer continues to slowly grow his flagship wine – the Prima Nata, a Left Bank Bordeaux-styled blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (61%), Merlot (19%), Malbec (10%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot. He works with a half dozen of Columbia Valley growers, many of them elite, and creates a balanced nose of red currant, Rainier cherry, plum and blueberry with barrel toast. Inside, it’s a round, juicy and easy drinker that hints at black cherry, black currant and blackberry. Sandy tannins, dusty herbs and sweet blueberry combine for a pleasing finish. Rating: Outstanding! Production: 225 cases Alcohol: 14.7% Winery website Subscribe...
- Mercer Estates 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $42
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 12:43 pm
  
  The Mercer family’s Cavalie Vineyard is a particular sweet spot for Cabernet Sauvignon, and winemaker Jessica Munnell pulled Malbec (16%) from Spice Cabinet Vineyard for the well-crafted presentation of Cab. Fun aromas of Chukar Cherry, plum, Lucky Charms Blue Diamond marbit and light toast. The superb fine-grained tannin structure allows for fulfilling flavors of rich cherry, vanilla and boysenberry with bittersweet chocolate and a finish of espresso. Suggested pairings include Duck Confit, prime rib and game such as bison, elk or venison. Rating: Outstanding! Production: 262 cases Alcohol: 14.1% Winery website Subscribe to our Wine of the Week newsletter Save The post Mercer Estates 2014 Reserve...
- Sparkman Cellars 2013 Stella Mae Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $52
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 11:46 am
  
  Chris Sparkman, the Honorary Vintner for the 2017 Auction of Washington Wines, leads with Red Mountain sites Klipsun and Obelisco for this Left Bank Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Malbec (11%) and Merlot (11%) with the Petit Verdot arriving last to his Woodinville crush pad on Oct. 19 from lofty Olsen Brothers Vineyards near Prosser. The 22 months in 56% new wood, a blend of French producers Mercurey, Seguin Moreau, Taransaud and American white oak from Canton builds aromas of heavy toast, dark cherry, coffee and blueberry. It’s a mouth-filling blend of dusty cherries, pomegranate and vanilla, backed by more toast. Savor it with prime rib or a porterhouse. Rating:...
- twoguysfromnapa.com
- Brasswood Estate: More Than Just A Winery
  
  2 Jul 2017 | 11:34 am
  
  Brasswood Estate Have you been to Brasswood Estate in the Napa Valley lately? If not, you should add this “lifestyle property” to your future plans. Want to go wine tasting and tour some wine caves? You can do that here. In the mood to do some shopping? There’s an onsite Bottleshop + Mercantile store selling luxury goods, wine and liquor. Need a place for dinner? The Brasswood Bar + Kitchen is here to help. Has your day just started, and you’re already desperate for a Bloody Mary or a Breakfast Burrito at 8 am? Well, they can cover that too at the Brasswood Bar + Bakery. The concept here is to celebrate the local bounty by making elegant wines and delicious foods, and creating a warm and...
- Santa Lucia Highlands: Some Lovely Highlights
  
  12 Jun 2017 | 8:32 am
  
  Santa Lucia Highlands We’d like to tell you about one of our favorite appellations, Santa Lucia Highlands. If the name “Santa Lucia Highlands” doesn’t automatically ring a bell, chances are the vineyards will. This AVA includes Doctor’s Vineyard, Garys’ Vineyard, Lone Oak Vineyard, Mer Soleil Vineyard, Paraiso Vineyard, Peterson Vineyard, Pisoni Vineyard, Rosella’s Vineyard, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Smith & Hook Vineyard, Soberanes Vineyard and Tondré Grapefield Vineyard. So, you may already be familiar with excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines made from grapes grown here. J. McFarland Wines Blanc de Blanc The Santa Lucia Highlands American Viticultural Area (AVA)...
- Travel Advice: Stags Leap District
  
  6 Jun 2017 | 10:14 am
  
  Regusci Winery Appellation Name: Stags Leap District Where: Napa County in California Officially Established: January 27, 1989 Location: In southeastern Napa Valley, centered along the Silverado Trail. The appellation is roughly bounded by Yountville Cross Road on the north side, Oak Knoll Avenue on the south side, and is only about one mile wide. For an exact, 8-step description of the official boundaries, please go here. To see a map of the area, please go here. Stags Leap Wine Cellars 2014 SLD Cabernet Sauvignon Background: The Stags Leap District has been growing grapes since the mid-1800’s, although the first Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines weren’t planted until 1961, by Nathan Fay. In 1976,...
- Taste of Howell Mountain: Wines, Auctions and More
  
  30 May 2017 | 6:34 pm
  
  Celebrate the end of Spring at the delightful Taste of Howell Mountain, a Wine Tasting and Auction event in upper Napa Valley on Saturday, June 17th. This is one party you should definitely RSVP for because the festivities include premium wines from the Howell Mountain appellation along with gourmet food pairings, live entertainment, and both Silent and Live Auctions. We’re talking about wineries such as Aloft Wine, Arkenstone, Davis Estates, Dunn Vineyards, Lamborn Family Vineyards, Robert Craig Winery and Round Two Wines all pouring tastes in one location, at Charles Krug Winery (2800 Main Street, St. Helena). Between noon and 3 pm at the 2017 Taste of Howell Mountain you’ll enjoy a Walk-Around...
- Lake County Wine Adventure: Pirates, Pigs & Premium Wines
  
  6 May 2017 | 2:01 pm
  
  There are a lot of things happening the weekend of May 20-21 but if you’re not committed yet, we suggest attending the 2017 Lake County Wine Adventure. On both Saturday and Sunday, between 11 am and 5 pm, you can enjoy award-winning wine, delicious food, music and more. There are 27 wineries participating this year and the weather should be gorgeous (high 70’s). If you get a little warm, the good news is you’re right next to Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in California. Lake County Wine Adventure tickets are only $55 for two days of fun (or $40 for Sunday-only) if you purchase them online by May 19. When you do, you’ll have your choice of places located all around the county...
- Wine, Beer And Spirits Articles – VinePair
- A Night Out With: Dead Rabbit’s Jillian Vose
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 5:00 am
  
  New York City’s best bartenders don’t have a lot of time off. But when they do get a chance to go out, they know the best bars, the best places to eat, and all the late-night spots. In VinePair’s new Night Out series, we’ll be speaking with some of the top bartenders in the city to learn what they do when they aren’t hard at work. Consider this your guide to the perfect night out. The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog in the Financial District of Manhattan is one of the most influential bars in the world. It’s been named the No. 1 bar by Drinks International magazine, and it attracts some of the most talented bartenders in the country. And behind the award-winning cocktail menu is beverage director...
- An Illustrated Guide to California Zinfandel
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:45 am
  
  Zinfandel may not have originated in California — studies show it to be an ancient grape variety likely from Croatia — but no other place in the world has adopted Zin as the Golden State has, making it a signature variety of sorts. Historically considered to be a less-noble grape (hence the origin of the low-alcohol, overly sweet White Zinfandel), the best, true red Zinfandels are boldly juicy and full-bodied, sometimes reaching 15 or 16 percent ABV! Get to know more about California’s adopted grape with our illustrated guide. The post An Illustrated Guide to California Zinfandel appeared first on VinePair.
- Sour Beer, Explained
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:30 am
  
  A good sour beer is like that friend you have who gets along with everyone she’s ever met. Beer geeks love the layers of flavors in a sour, while people who don’t like beer love that it doesn’t quite taste like a typical beer. And while the style was once hard to find, sours have become increasingly easy to get, thanks to craft breweries around the country. Still, many people remain unfamiliar with sours. Here’s everything you need to know before you order one. What is sour beer? Sour beer is the oldest type of beer in history. Nearly all beer used to be at least somewhat sour before pasteurization and sterilization was entirely understood. Sours today are tart-tasting, and made with wild bacteria...
- You May Be Drinking Tempranillo Without Knowing It
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 4:15 am
  
  Undoubtedly the most important red grape of Spain, Tempranillo has secured its place among the major varieties of the world, holding its own among even international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. But did you know that there is actually more Tempranillo hiding on wine lists and shop shelves than you think? Though the vast majority of Tempranillo plantings are localized to the Iberian Peninsula, the grape is actually known by many names. In general, Tempranillo tends to be full-bodied with plenty of tannin and acidity. The flavors are plentiful, including but certainly not limited to tart and ripe red fruit, savory herbs, red flowers, tobacco, spice, and earth. While there are plenty of young...
- The Umami Cocktail Is Our New Obsession
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 4:45 am
  
  We’re conditioned to understand the taste of sweet, sour, bitter, and salty foods from a young age. But comprehending umami — the Japanese term ascribed to savory deliciousness, found naturally in ingredients like miso and mushrooms – can be a bit more challenging. Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda first identified the meaty flavor profile that we now call umami in 1908. Ikeda believed the umami flavor stemmed from glutamate, or glutamic acid – amino acids that naturally occur in many living things. Cooking, aging, or fermenting an ingredient – think dry-aged beef, miso, soy sauce — can boost its umami. Oh, and remember MSG? That’s man-made umami. The Silvertone at Midnight Rambler/Tony...
- Jameson Fink
- There Are Shower Beers But Are There Shower Wines?
 
 18 Jul 2017 | 6:13 pm
 
 Tis the season for the shower beer. The perfectly refreshing brew to have while cooling off in the shower. It’s especially relevant for me, as I live in a sweltering Brooklyn apartment with no AC. The best way to reduce my body’s core temperature is a cold shower and an icy beer. This got me thinking. Is there a wine that’s the equivalent of a shower beer? Wither, shower wines? So I tackled this topic for my latest Snacky Tunes podcast segment. I did so while sweating profusely in my bathroom to add an extra layer of realism, demonstrating I willingly suffer in order to provide podcast pleasure. I select two shower-appropriate wines. Well, let’s just say delicious refreshing products containing a great...
- Anxiety, Blind Tasting, and Wine Education
 
 25 Jun 2017 | 8:28 am
 
 I am an anxious, hand-wringing individual. It manifests itself in many aspects of my life, including wine. While putting together some (very poor man’s) Ira Glass-esque commentary for the latest episode of the Wine Enthusiast podcast, I was transported back to a few of my anxiety-ridden moments of doubt and second-guessing. Particularly when it comes to blind tasting. So if you want to hear from not one but three brave souls pursuing formal wine education, giving up hours of their lives a day, plus my interludes and inserted thoughts/reminiscences, check out this episode. There’s 4am flash card studying, late-night flights (of wine), and a few cold beers: For more anxious moments, read my personal essay...
- My New Wine Segment on the Snacky Tunes Podcast
 
 21 Jun 2017 | 6:15 am
 
 � I’m a huge fan of the podcast that talks about food and talks about music, Snacky Tunes. So I was absolutely delighted when asked to submit a monthy wine segment for the show. And my first one is now available! I focus on red wines you can chill and enjoy all summer long. So dig learning about chillable reds: Also on this episode: <ul> <li>Go deep into Project 258, a cookbook from Hudson Valley, NY restaurant Fish & Game. Chef Zakary Pelaccio and author, photographer and illustrator Peter Barett stop by.</li> <li>A live, in-studio performance by New York City electro pop singer Julietta of her single, “Runaway.” It’s perfect for your summer dance parties, according to show hosts (and brothers) Greg and...</li></ul>
- Three North Fork Long Island Summer Wines
 
 17 Jun 2017 | 10:27 am
 
 I spent a delightfully relaxing weekend at a friend’s home in Mattituck on the North Fork of Long Island over Memorial Day weekend. Naturally, there was wine. Here are few highlights in the form of a white, a rosé, and a red wine. What unites these three? All low in alcohol, in the 11-13% range. So perfect for your summer sipping. And each winery has great outdoor seating. A Trio of North Fork Long Island Wines To Try Paumanok Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2016 The afternoon we arrived coincided with the release of the 2016 vintage. How serendipitous! Enjoyed a refreshing bottle on the patio with vineyard views. This is a wine to have on hand by the case. Bridge Lane Rosé 2016 Bridge Lane is the second label of...
- What It’s Like to Be a Wine Buyer at a Grocery Store
 
 24 May 2017 | 6:01 am
 
 I spent years working as a wine steward at the Broadway Market QFC in Seattle. It was a wonderful experience. I walked to work. Customers became my friends. As far as the wine selection, there were must-haves as part of the corporate set. But I got to buy weird, cool shit, too. I loved visiting my neighborhood pals and seeing fridges full of inexpensive, tasty Vinho Verde, rosé, sparkling wine, 1L bottles of Grüner Veltliner, and more. At this store in Capitol Hill, it was never a dull moment, to say the least. Both good and bad. But I always had a great time. I also learned a lot about the wine business by working with sales reps, distributors, importers. And being in charge of beer buying was also an...
- Vegas Wineaux
- The Potlikker Papers – Time Machine to the Past…with a Fork
  
  27 Jun 2017 | 9:00 pm
  
  Closing Note: Despite the memories, there are several reasons why I’d never move to the South, and none of them have to do with racial politics. Too many mosquitoes, a paucity of wine growing, and an abundance of humidity, hurricanes, and tornadoes. No bueno.
- Why We’re 100% Cork – St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Sonoma – A Tribute to Chris Silva
  
  23 Jun 2017 | 6:00 pm
  
  If the customer perceives the cork as being cheap (as in synthetic corks and screwcaps), then the perception will be that the wine is cheap, too.
- Nebbiolo, the New World, and Food
  
  8 Jun 2017 | 12:00 pm
  
  Nebbiolo has always been Italy’s wine. No matter what, it seemed as if the grape wanted to stay firmly attached to Piedmont’s hind teat and refuse to be weaned into the new world.
- Binge-Watching Bartending – YouTube Nirvana
  
  1 Jun 2017 | 6:00 pm
  
  I began my foray into the bartending world by starting as a barback. It was easily the hardest work I’ve ever done for less than minimum wage in my life.
- After the House, the Search for the Perfect Merlot
  
  29 May 2017 | 9:00 am
  
  Personally, I have a hard time with Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec because they are real bruisers. Unless, of course, there's a candlelit, air-conditioned romantic dinner involved...
- Wine and Spirits
- National Vanilla Ice Cream Day for Grown Ups
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 2:46 pm
  
  July 21, 2017 – Calorie counting is banned this Sunday, July 23 as we observe National Vanilla Ice Cream Day. And, of course, the celebration of America’s most popular ice cream flavor calls for a boozy twist. In 1984 President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream month and the third Sunday as National Ice Cream Day. Ice cream is more than just one of life’s pleasures. The industry contributes $39 billion to the U.S. economy as well as an estimated 188,000 jobs. The average American stokes the economic engine by consuming more than 23 pounds annually. Adding splashes of liquor or liqueur to vanilla ice cream is always a quick and easy dessert that can be dressed up with...
- Put a Cork in it, but Don’t Sniff it
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 9:58 am
  
  July 20, 2017 – Wine drinkers in the U.S. like their wine bottle to sport a cork according to a recent poll of 1,549 wine consumers by the Portuguese Cork Association and the California-based Cork Quality Council. Unsurprisingly, nearly all respondents viewed cork as an indicator of wine quality and when ordering wine in a restaurant, 91 percent preferred a cork closure. About the same number felt that wine purchased as a gift should have a cork but when taking wine to a dinner party the number dropped to 86 percent demanding cork. That’s odd because wine for a dinner party is a gift, isn’t it? Maybe if dinner is on the patio a screw cap is OK. Cork as a wine closure dates back to the...
- Banana Rum for the Perfect Summer Drink
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 1:41 pm
  
  July 14, 2017 – Ready to invoke Caribbean breezes and sparkling waves as we slowly simmer in summer heat? Bacardi Banana is the answer with its aromas of fruit and candy banana, caramel and vanilla. The aftertaste is burnt sugar and butterscotch. It can be served splashed over ice or try it with one part Bacardi Banana and three parts pineapple juice. Scroll down for a luscious Tropical Rum Punch recipe. Bacardi Banana is available nationally with a suggested retail of $12.99 for a 750 ml bottle. http://www.wineandspirits.com/2017/06/29/independence-day-weve-got-you-covered/
- Independence Day – We’ve Got You Covered!
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 7:51 pm
  
  June 29, 2017 – The Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday this year but we’re still going to party like we’re 241 years old, because we are. If it’s hot and sticky, just think of how it was in 1776 in Philadelphia in a room without air conditioning and those clothes and wigs the Founders were wearing. Not only do we have air conditioning, we have better drinks and we’re sharing a whole lot of terrific recipes right here. They are mostly fairly simple and based on liquor and flavorings you probably already have on hand. After all, it’s a holiday and the host and hostess want to party too. There’s one group of Americans that deserves to be remembered on Independence Day and that’s our...
- Time to Stop and Smell the Hops
  
  23 Jun 2017 | 6:00 am
  
  June 23, 2017 – There’s a crisis in America! No, not that crisis de jour. We’re talking about a real crisis of people not using all their vacation time. Last year more than half of workers surveyed by Samuel Adams and Project: Time Off admitted to leaving vacation time on the table. That amounted to 662 million vacation days – equal to approximately 1.3 billion hours of golf, 662 million sunsets, and 2 billion beers with friends. The survey also found that only seven percent of workplaces offer Summer Fridays, a perk that started way back in the 60s allowing workers to leave early to relax and recharge during the summer months. Stressed, tired, cranky employees are not good for business. ...
- Wine Tourism in Portugal Blog
- Taste Portuguese Wines and Visit its Wine Regions
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 1:00 pm
  
  Portugal is mostly known for its immense coastline, filled with stunning golden beaches, exceptional sunny weather, fine gastronomy, football (or soccer if you're from the USA), and Port Wine. Regarding the wine industry, Portugal has a lot more to offer than just Port Wine.What do you know about Portugal's wine regions and its wines? (Quiz at the end!)
- Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Douro Valley
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 1:00 pm
  
  When it comes to wine tourism, the Douro Valley doesn't need much of an introduction. One of the most ancient wine regions in the world and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Douro's unmatched beauty continues to wonder each and every single new - and returning - visitor. Have a look at our Douro travel tips and make the best out of a visit.
- Why Visit Lisbon in the Summer
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 1:00 pm
  
  Most of the times, big cities are full of tourists in the summer, making it hard to have a nice calm getaway. Summer in Lisbon is no different from the other great European cities, but there are a few reasons that make Summer a great season for visiting Lisbon.
- Wine and Food in Portugal: Portuguese Food Is as Good as Its Wine
  
  30 Jun 2017 | 1:00 pm
  
  If you are in the Douro region, everyone will talk about the great Douro wines (which they are!) and the wine tasting tours in wonderful vineyards (which is obviously a must-do!). But even if you are visiting Douro for the wine and the landscapes, there is one thing you need to know about Douro: Its food is as good as its wine and Douro is home to some of the best restaurants in Portugal.
- 15 Health Benefits of Wine, According to Science
  
  23 Jun 2017 | 1:30 pm
  
  In times of celebration, a wine toast may be just one of the most awaited part by many. Popping open the cork while the velvety oaked aroma fills the air and flowing effervescent liquid comes out from the bottle gives excitement to everyone.
- Vinspire
- Mint Junip: Wild Island gin cocktail recipe with Juliettes Interiors
 
 18 Jul 2017 | 5:00 am
 
 Got a space in your lounge, or dining room, or maybe even your designated bar room that’s just crying out for a new drinks trolley?But you don’t just want any drinks trolley… it has to be special. Fit all your gin. Be luxurious. Well, let me introduce this beauty – Juniper – by Juliettes Interiors. I mean, just look at it. It’s got a built-in ventilated cabinet and mini fridge, a walnut garnish board, and polished stainless steel drip tray for starters. I think I am in love and I'm going to buy several Lottery tickets for this weekend. To celebrate Juniper, the lovely people at Juliettes were looking for a gin cocktail recipe, made with either Wild Island, or Pickering’s 1947 gin, that is...
- Learning about Cava with Juvé & Camps
 
 12 Jul 2017 | 2:30 am
 
 I was lucky enough to attend a press trip last week to visit Juvé & Camps, one of Cavas premier producers. This proved to be an absolutely fascinating trip and confirmed my suspicions that well made Cava represents one of the best value wines, particularly in relation to the world of sparkling wine.� The family and the vineyardOne of the nice things about Cava is that most of the businesses are owned and run by families with a tie to the region. Juvé & Camps is no exception with the current joint CEOs being Meritxell Juvé Vaello (see photo left) and Laia Rosal Juvé who are the fourth generation from the Juvé family having recently taken over from the inimitable Joan Juvé Santacana who ran the business...
- Darnley’s Gin refresh and move to Fife
 
 3 Jul 2017 | 11:30 am
 
 After a rebrand earlier this year, Darnley’s gin has made the jump from London to Scotland.Edinburgh-based company Wemyss Malts has spent the past year renovating a farm cottage on the grounds of its whisky distillery in the East Neuk of Fife, to be the new home of Darnley’s. Scott Gowans, the company’s new gin distiller, will oversee all aspects of production and recipe development, using copper stills imported from Italy.Darnley’s recently changed its name from Darnley’s View, to Darnley’s, and re-emerged with some beautiful new packaging, with hand-drawn botanicals by UK illustrator, Martin Hargreaves, on the bottle. The range consists of an Original (40%, £28.33 Master of Malt) – inspired...
- Le Tour de France drinking game
 
 1 Jul 2017 | 2:30 am
 
 "Sod it. To the pub..."Since everyone loves drinking until they think they are good at sports, here is a drinking game for the Tour de France which starts today (don't attempt to cycle after playing...).You will need:<ul><li>Beer (copious amounts): Beer and cycling go hand in hand.</li><li>Shots of Vodka: Wiggo's favourite drink (when served with soda).</li></ul>The rules are simple... you must of course be watching the cycling.This game can be played in two forms; either when you are watching the hour-long highlights programme on an evening, or, if you are a serious trooper, you can play while watching the five or so hours of live coverage throughout the day. If you take the second option I respect you highly. I don't necessarily...
- Gin & Tonic can chicken recipe
 
 26 Jun 2017 | 6:00 am
 
 The perfect Roast Chicken is a tough thing to master. My old man always cooks a chicken upside down, which kept the breasts and rest of the meat nice and moist compared to a bird traditionally roasted on its back with legs akinder, but this was at the expense of crispy chicken skin. Mmmmmmmm…. Crispy Chicken Skin. Bear with me, this piece is going to be full of innuendo…I love Beer Can Chicken; a fun-yet-unorthodox way of roasting a bird stood up with a can of beer shoved up its bum. It’s great to watch in the oven too, and I can’t help but giggle uncontrolably. I always imagine it doing an imaginary chicken dance.Today I’m going to try something different. I went to a BBQ at the weekend, and...
- blog
- Liv-ex 100: Is the pound king?
 
 21 Jul 2017 | 3:30 am
 
 <img class="center" src="http://www.wineinvestment.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600337-LivEx10years.png" width="600" height="337" alt="" title=""/>The level of the Liv-ex 100 has increased 25.5% over the last 10 year in its denominated currency, sterling, but has fallen 19% in dollars and 4% in euros, new analysis shows.According to Liv-ex, the Brexit vote in June 2016 meant foreign buyers took advantage of the weakening pound to make the most of their purchases, which led to a price rise. The Liv-ex 100 rose 18.3% in the second half of 2016, but only 6% in euros and 2.6% in dollars.But this year’s data from the Liv-ex Fine Wine 50 (which is...
- All eyes on Solaia as it outperforms Super Tuscans
 
 19 Jul 2017 | 3:00 am
 
 <img class="center" src="http://www.wineinvestment.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600434-Solaia.png" width="600" height="434" alt="" title=""/>The Solaia Index, which tracks the prices for the 10 most physical vintages, is up 27.8% year-on-year, according to Liv-ex, outperforming the Italy 100, which is up 15.7% for the same period.The best-performing vintages of the last year have been the 2005 and 2006, up 45.8% and 44.2% respectively. The 2004 follows, up 29%.The 2013 is the only vintage of the last 11 to drop in value, falling just -1.4% since its release in September 2016.Last month, the 2010 was one of the best-performing wines of the...
- Cava announces first ‘single estates’ classifications
 
 18 Jul 2017 | 3:23 am
 
 Cava has announced the first 12 sites that will be added to the single classification ‘Cava de Paraje’, which was first proposed in May 2015.The sites, which are owned by some of the biggest Cava producers in Spain, includes: Torelló (Vinyes de Can Martí), Recaredo (Turó d’en Mota and Serral del Vell), Alta Alella (Vallcirera), Juvé i Camps (La Capella), Freixenet (Can Sala), Codorníu (La Pleta, El Tros Nou and La Fideuera), Vins el Cep (Can Prats), Gramona (Font de Jui) and Castellroig (Terroja).The new Cavas will become part of the ultra-premium tier of the traditional Spanish sparkling category. Their labels will include the term ‘Cava de Paraje Calificado’.To...
- Extremely rare Yquem sells for £36,000
 
 17 Jul 2017 | 2:33 am
 
 Four bottles of extremely rare 1869 Yquem were sold by Bonhams in London for a total of £35,838.The bottles, which had been kept in a cellar of an English country house for the last 50 years, were initially valued at £5,000-£6,000 each but were sold for £8,959 apiece.Bonhams international director of wine, Richard Harvey MW said: “1869 was a great year for Château d’Yquem, regarded by many as the world’s finest dessert wine. Examples of this vintage rarely appear at auction and collectors took full advantage of the opportunity to acquire such a legendary wine.”Elsewhere in the sale top lots included six bottles of 1947 Romanee-Conti, a case of 1972 La Tache and a case of...
- English winery revenues are accelerating
 
 14 Jul 2017 | 12:57 am
 
 Independent English winery turnover has almost trebled in the last five years, new research shows.According to analysis from finance firm Funding Options, revenue has jumped from £55.7m in 2010/2011 to £132m in the tax year ending 31 March – up 16% on the previous year.Exact figures on English wine aren’t known, which according to trade body English Wine Producers (EWP) is a good sign of its success. EWP spokesperson Julia Trustram told Decanter: “This is another good news story for English wine – and is in line with what we already know. Production is up, in vineyards planted and volume going out."Related link:<a...
- Sediments – The Last Bottle Wines Blog
- Salmon Champagne: The Pinot Meunier Experts
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 8:39 am
  
  Of the roughly 19,000 growers in Champagne about 5,000 of them make their own wine, aka “Grower Champagne”. Only 28 are part of the exclusive “Club Trésors de Champagne” otherwise known as the Special Club. Champagne Salmon is one of those elite chosen few. That simple fact is reason enough to pay attention to their wines. But it’s far from the only reason we love these guys. The family The Salmon winemaking legacy spans three generations, and their history of growing grapes stretches back even further. Michel, the grandfather, was born and raised in Chaumuzy, a sleepy little town in the Ardre Valley. He worked in the vineyards most of his life before acquiring a plot of land for himself. In 1958 he...
- 10+ ways to prevent soul-crushing hangovers from ruining your life
  
  14 Jun 2017 | 3:30 pm
  
  At Last Bottle, drinking is part of the job description, and with this great responsibility comes a need to dampen the receiving end of a long day’s work. Luckily, we’re trained experts, and today we’re sharing some accumulated wisdom on how to prevent or at least minimize the mind-numbing, bone-aching, soul-crushing effects of a hangover. Phase 1 – Before you start drinking As the wise Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Definitely true because the hangover prevention protocol starts BEFORE you start drinking. Pop some NAC At least 30-60 minutes before your first drink, take around 500-1000mg of NAC, short for n-acetyl cysteine. This is a key ingredient in many of...
- In Grenache We Trust: The Wines of Mont Thabor
  
  17 May 2017 | 11:17 am
  
  We import some great wines from a gang of terrific producers in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. While we can’t pick a favorite (they’re all good or we wouldn’t waste our time!) we can say Mont Thabor is for sure tops in our book of amazing discoveries. And not just because Daniel Stehlin has one of the most epic moustaches in the Rhone Valley. The vineyards We rolled into Mont Thabor on a sunny spring morning during our recent trip to Chateauneuf in March. After arriving at the winery the three of us squeezed into the back seat of his old Land Cruiser and set off on a tour of his vineyards with Daniel and his daughter. The best Chateauneuf-du-Papes are among the most natural expressions of grapes, place and...
- Wine tasting makes you wicked smart. Here’s the scientific proof!
  
  28 Apr 2017 | 10:50 am
  
  Solving a complex trigonometry equation. Driving a golf ball perfectly straight. Listening to Beethoven. Reasoning with your wife. What do these all have in common? They have far less snail-gel-stimulating power than tasting wine. In his recently published book, Neuroenology: How the Brain Creates the Taste of Wine, Yale neuroscientist (and our new hero) Gordon Shepherd lays out some groundbreaking research, ultimately concluding that wine tasting delivers more brain stimulating power than, say, solving a complex math equation. “We show that just as with creating the flavors of food, creating the flavors of wine engages more of the brain than any other human experience,” Shepherd writes in the...
- The Best Wine Movies On Netflix and Amazon Prime
  
  19 Apr 2017 | 11:55 am
  
  Digital streaming services from Netflix and Amazon Prime have blessed us with a nearly endless amount of content to gorge on. The only downside is most of that content consists of movies you’ve already seen, others you’ve never heard of, probably for good reason, and a few gems hidden in between. The good thing is, for anyone interested in wine, there’s actually some pretty decent stuff to watch. Here are some of the best wine documentaries and movies available right now. SOMM Available on: Amazon Prime, Netflix IDMb: SOMM Rotten Tomatoes: 77% critic, 82% audience This is one big reminder of how absurdly difficult it is to become a Master Sommelier. SOMM follows four guys as they prepare for the...
- A Wine on VI
- The 2017 harvest begins
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 12:07 pm
  
  And with the most southern reaches of Spain we come to the first grapes to be harvested in all of Europe for the 2017 vintage. In this case, we cast an eye to DO Montilla-Moriles where they have begun to harvest the Sauvignon Blanc grapes now. While this DO and in general, the south of Spain, is usually earlier than everywhere else, this start date is two weeks earlier than 2016 where they had started August 2nd. They say that while it appears to be a quality harvest, the overall total is down. This is a trend we’ve been seeing in Spain for the last three vintages or so, depending on the region. Montilla-Moriles will quickly be joined by others as I’ve been visiting Cava producers over the last couple of...
- The list of the first qualified Cava de Paratge vineyards
  
  14 Jul 2017 | 11:41 am
  
  For some time there has been a lot of information floating around about the forthcoming Cava de Paratge (Spanish: Cava de Paraje) qualification for specific vineyards and parcels within the boundaries of DO Cava. If you’re not sure what a “paratge” (pron. pa-RA-cha) is, please read up to better understand where they’re trying to come from on this. Essentially, it seems that the wines were going to come on to the market at the end of last year, but these things are bureaucratic and thus it took longer for it to come about. In the meantime there was no official list of the Cavas that were going to gain the certification, just those that applied and from last year until now, the list has changed a little but...
- Cartema Blanco 2012
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 7:00 am
  
  Hell hath no fury like July in Catalonia and one with little chilled wine to drink. Given this heat and blustery humidity, I was scampering about to find something to chill and while reds are fine a bit on the cool side, a white was really more desired so it was a bottle from Cartema I stumbled upon that was left over from the article I wrote about DO Méntrida for Decanter a year and a half ago. Buf, I thought. This is a blend of Moscatel a Petit Grains and Sauvignon Blanc that in my notes from then, I put, “barrel regimen structure that hides a good deal of the fruit and leads in to a rather short finish” and gave it 87 points. Thankfully, in addition to this, I also stated that the ideal drinking age was...
- What is wine “news”?
  
  9 Jul 2017 | 10:46 pm
  
  The other day my inbox was crying out to me. I felt its pain as well as a healthy lick of smartassery and put up the following tweet: Tip to all marketers: The scores Wine Advocate or for that matter, ANY scoring outfit give a wine do not a press release make — Miquel Hudin (@hudin) July 8, 2017 The inbox I refer to is separate email for press releases: [email protected]. Please make use of it. I welcome any and all wine news information there. Note that if I tell you to send certain emails to that one, please don’t be offended as I use it to keep track of and reference everything I’ve been sent as far as wine news goes. It’s very useful in a day and age wherein email can be easily abused and it’s here...
- Tomàs Cusiné – Finca Comabarra 2012
  
  8 Jul 2017 | 4:57 am
  
  I was quite excited to taste this wine as previous experience with Tomàs Cusiné wines as seen in the “Mineral” made in a negociant fashion down in DO Montsant or then the “Cara Nord” white and red that are made in DO Conca de Barberà. While they have a few projects like this around Catalonia but their main base is up in DO Costers del Segre. With this wine, in the marketing materials, they make a great deal of allusion to how it’s the “best selection from their highest altitude vineyards” from the property called, “Finca Comabarra”, but they don’t really stipulate how high that is. Catalonia is mountainous but that could be from 300-800m which changes the profile a great deal. As it sits, it speaks more...
- Moonshiners club
- Prune Wine Recipe – Dried plums wine recipe
 
 16 Jul 2017 | 10:36 am
 
 Properly made prune wine is remembered by its characteristic aroma of ripe plums with light hints of dried fruits and slightly “smoked” taste. Let’s look through the recipe and complete winemaking technology. Its main advantage is that raw materials for wine are available all year round–a good opportunity for home winemakers to practice favorite hobby while waiting for the next season of fresh berries and fruits. Any type of prunes will do. But if you want to go with the best ones, prunes from Sochi (Abkhazian and Tuapse) of Hungarian plums variety are considered as such. It is important that fruits used aren’t spoiled, rotten or moldy. All used containers should be sterilized or boiled for safety to...
- Classic Honey Beer Recipe
 
 8 Jul 2017 | 2:42 pm
 
 If you stick to the recipe your homemade honey beer will turn out yellow or amber with a delicate floral aroma, light hints of hops, lush foam and bitter aftertaste. It’s hard to compare its taste with other beverages. You’ll have to try it at least once. The method of brewing beer from honey is simpler than traditional brewing since it does not require saccharification of malt (as it’s not used at all). This eliminates the need to adhere to a narrow temperature range during brewing. We will set aside disputes on whether you can consider a beverage without malt a beer. Honey wort is called “honey and water.” The following recipe was built upon the technology proposed in the book “Mead brewing or the...
- Fragrant Moonshine from Dried Fruits with and without Sugar
 
 1 Jul 2017 | 3:28 am
 
 In order to make dried fruit moonshine you can use unnecessary or substandard raw materials which have expired. Even slightly moldy fruits can be used (boiling them will destroy the mold), but you should cut away the rotten parts to avoid bitterness. Following the described method will let you produce a fragrant distillate with light fruit notes. Theory. Any dried fruits are suitable for making moonshine: prunes, figs, dried apricots, dates, raisins, apples, pears, cherries, etc. You can mix different types of fruits in one brew, getting the original flavor and flavor tones. Just remember that prunes give bright smoky notes which are very prominent when combined with apples and pears. During the drying...
- Cherry wine recipe with Pits
 
 25 Jun 2017 | 4:52 pm
 
 You won’t be able to forget the light bitterness and characteristic almond flavor of cherry wine with pits. But cherry pits contain harmful substances: cyanide and prussic acid. In order to make both safe and tasty beverage, you’ll have to thoroughly follow the proposed method. The correct aging time and increased sugar content neutralize harmful substances. You’ll need sweet-and-sour berries to make cherry wine. Start by thoroughly sorting cherries, removing unripe, tainted or rotten berries. Even one tainted or moldy fruit can spoil the whole batch. To avoid contamination with pathogenic microorganisms, the used containers must be sterilized with boiling water and wiped dry. You should handle must...
- Bread Beer recipe – easy to make Carbonated Black Bread Beer Drink (Imitating Stout)
 
 19 Jun 2017 | 11:11 am
 
 This is a proven method of home brewing beer from black bread rusk without any special equipment. Aside from the ingredients, you’ll only need pots, cans, bottles, and gauze. Ultimately you’ll end up with a natural beverage slightly reminiscent of the legendary English Guinness. Warning! The suggested recipe is for a beverage that only imitates the taste of a beer but technically is not one. It is a simplified variant which doesn’t require a multi-hour wort boiling and maintaining temperature pauses (for the conversion of malt). Ingredients: <ul> <li>Water – 5 liters</li> <li>Rey bread – 2.2 lbs/1 kilo</li> <li>Hop cones – 1 oz/30 grams</li> <li>Sugar – 10.5-12 oz/300-350 grams</li> <li>Yeast – 0.2 oz/5 grams of dry (0.7 oz/20 grams...</li></ul>
- Wine Tasting Bliss
- The Resurgence of Rosé
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 11:00 am
  
  Rosé wine has a long and storied history, soaring and plunging in popularity over the decades. Of late, rosé wine is enjoying a resurgence as wine makers produce a “not your parents’ rosé” in tune with modern trends. Rosé wine is thought to be the very first style of wine produced. This was probably not an overt choice, but rather because it was the easiest type of wine to make. Pick some grapes, mash them up (often with hands and feet) and collect the juice. Once the juice ferments, wine is produced. The brief grape juice contact with the dark skins results in a pale pink color that we now call rosé. During the Middle Ages, rosé wines from Bordeaux were among the most prized, with clarets...
- Mineral Wines Impresses Again
  
  13 Jul 2017 | 11:01 am
  
  It was a roasting-hot Fathers’ Day in Murphys and we had just completed a fun tasting at Gossamer Cellars. Our enthusiasm for wine tasting was still quite high, but our appetite for walking great distances in the triple-digit temperatures was low. Great news: one of our favorite tasting rooms was mere feet away. Mineral Wines, it was meant to be! Although Mineral Wines has a great new patio with plenty of tables and chairs, the weather made the indoor tasting room much more appealing. We entered to strains of the Moody Blue’s first album on the sound system, no doubt anticipating their concert that night at Ironstone Winery. We chose a comfortable spot along the tasting bar and readied ourselves for...
- Gossamer Cellars Keeps It Cool
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 11:01 am
  
  Summer in Murphys is not for the faint of heart. Some days bring a new meaning to the chestnut, “It’s a dry heat.” With the temperature passing 100 degrees before lunch, we knew that we needed to be very focused with our wine tour. With only a few hours before it would be too hot even for wine tasting, we went to some favorites, like Gossamer Cellars. We have followed the birth and growth of Gossamer Cellars with joy. Owner/winemaker Gary Grant makes both wine and winery fans with taste and style. As we entered on this sweltering morning, Gary was talking with two wine club members. Although we had not visited in a year, Gary immediately recognized us and welcomed us back! That is why Gary and Gossamer...
- Roadtripping for Rosé at Almendra Winery and Distillery
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 3:03 pm
  
  It’s wedding season, which means it’s time to spend way too much money on Nordstorm.com, jockey for the most unique items on the registry, and hit the road. Recently, our friends got married in Chico, CA, where they both attended college. Chico has a bit of a reputation preceding it for partying hard, but we wanted to actually make it to the wedding, so we decided to be real adults and go the wine tasting route instead. Can you feel the heat radiating off this picture? If not, just open your preheated oven and wave your phone in front of it. After 3 and a half hours in the car with me, I’m pretty sure my boyfriend would have stopped at an abandoned shack just to get some breathing room, but luckily...
- New Releases from Ayrael Vieux
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 11:00 am
  
  The road into Murphys is lined with wineries, each trying to distract visitors from their quest for the tasting rooms of downtown Murphys. One winery that should not be passed is Ayrael Vieux. Don’t worry, Murphys will still be there when you’re done! Guardian and chief greeter: Ollie Arriving at Ayrael Vieux Winery is alway rewarding. The winery dog, Ollie, has an encyclopedic memory for returning guests. Even if it is your first visit, Ollie will greet you as a long lost friend. He is an incredibly perceptive judge of character, because everyone is immediately his buddy. Only after a respectful amount of time is invested in petting Ollie it is possible to be greeted by owner (and amazing jazz sax player)...
- Wines et al Blog
- Sparkling Wine: the top 5 things you need to know
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 6:07 am
  
  Sparkling wine is a wine with significant levels of carbon dioxide in it, making it fizzy. To get the most out of your bottles, we present the top 5 things you need to know (to enjoy your sparkling wine more than everybody else).1. Don’t open a bottle when it’s at room or cellar temperature. Some people, in a hurry, pop the cork on a bottle of bubbly before it is chilled, expecting to simply drop it into a bucket of ice to chill it down quickly. Unfortunately, when you open a bottle of bubbly at room temperature, you often lose a significant amount of the wine through it foaming wildly upon popping. Chill it down, and open it slowly and carefully (see below), in order to keep the bottle from foaming...
- What Is the Difference between Cognac and Whiskey?
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 5:07 am
  
  One of the most obvious differences between cognac and whiskey is that cognac makers use grapes, and whiskey makers use grains. Although both processes use fermentation to create the liquors, cognac makers use a double distillation process. Government regulations require that cognac makers create the liquor solely in the region of Cognac in France, using only certain species of grapes. Whiskey makers are free to make whiskey in many countries, and some countries, such as Ireland and the United States, are famous for their whiskey.As with many foods, cognac and whiskey have a long history of development and refinement. Cognac differs from other fruit-based liquors because wine makers double distill it and...
- What you should know about Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey
  
  20 Jun 2017 | 4:43 am
  
  Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey is one of the best selling honey based whiskey in the world today made from a blend of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey and a proprietary honey liqueur.Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey is amber yellow in color, this liqueur looks a lot like a bottle of clover honey. The nose is sweet and spicy, with solid cinnamon notes and a light floral undertone. The entry opens with clear honey notes which is quickly backed up by a perfect level of cinnamon. There’s more spice here than heat and the spice is absolutely dialed in. The cinnamon fades in the mid-palate and gives way to a subtle milk chocolate note which lingers after a fairly swift finish. There’s absolutely no heat...
- The Secret to Serving Perfect Chardonnay
  
  9 Jun 2017 | 2:39 am
  
  Chardonnay is such a beloved and standard varietal. �Chardonnays have become the drink of choice for many white wine lovers, particularly for women. �It’s easy to love this grape, a good Chardonnay produces wine with such smooth drinkability. �Furthermore, there are many styles of Chardonnay, leaving room for a variety of preferences and allowing for exploration. Despite the popularity of this varietal, many drinkers make a fundamental mistake that holds the wine back from its true potential. �It’s funny how something so small can make such an impact upon the flavors of a wine.The most common mistake amongst Chardonnay drinkers is serving the wine at the wrong temperature. �In general, many people tend...
- LOUIS XIII COGNAC UNVEILS £4,300 LIMITED EDITION
  
  27 Nov 2016 | 6:22 am
  
  Cognac house Rémy Martin has launched a new collection of limited edition expressions that pay tribute to the history of its Louis XIII brand, starting with The Origin – 1874.Each Cognac in The Time Collection is said to communicate a chapter in Louis XIII’s history. A new expression will be released under the range every two years.The first release, The Origin – 1874, is a blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie drawn exclusively from the Grande Champagne region.It is inspired by the original 1874 decanter of Louis XIII, which was first created by Paul-Émile Rémy Martin 142 years ago, featuring fleur-de-lys medallions, 13 dentelle spikes and a stopper shaped as an upturned decanter.Made of Saint-Louis crystal,...
- Surprising Wines - Wine
- Ixsir "Altitudes," Lebanon Rose 2016, A Pale, Light Wine That Calls To Mind Provence
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 8:10 pm
  
  by Patrick OgleIxsir Altitudes Lebanon ros� 2016 is a pale, light rose with strong similarities to those from Provence, but with differences as well. The wine is a blend of syrah, cinsault (usual rose suspects) and caladoc. Caladoc is a more unusual creature. It is a crossing of malbec and grenache and is a little grown grape and a relatively recent creation.Altitudes has a lots of red fruit: strawberry, cherry and plenty of watermelon. It has a hint of bitter on the finish and it , unsurprisingly goes really well with olives, hummus, tomatoes and dolmas. It isn't a tiny wispy rose though. It has some heft. Well, perhaps not heft but it has a bigger "mouth feel" than many roses."Mouth feel" is a term you...
- "The Notch," Tennessee Muscadine Table Wine, From Tsali Notch Vineyard, Is An Odd Wine That Will Reward The Adventurous
  
  8 Jun 2017 | 5:20 pm
  
  by Patrick OgleThe Notch Tennessee muscadine table wine from Tsali Notch Vineyard is perhaps the oddest wine we've written about (maybe excepting Le Canon). It is yellow gold in color with a nose that calls to mind something spicy like a gewurztraminer or the oddball grape also talked about--symphony. But symphony is a cross between European grapes.This is all American. It smells like it is going to be sweet but it isn't.I had this wine for weeks before I got to drinking it. It scared me. I was at the beautiful vineyard talking to the erudite and informative employees, taking a break from a long brutal drive. And when I was told all they made was muscadine wine? My expectations were limited. I tried a...
- Stefan Vetter Sylvaner (2014), A Fine Introduction To The Varietal
  
  5 Jun 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  by Patrick OgleStefan Vetter Sylvaner 2014 is a great introduction to the varietal. I did this ass backward. I took a sip than said to myself"Dammit...I should have sniffed." Once I taste anything I get on the nose is sort of compromised. There is something of whatI would call honeysuckle flower, what you smell in the south on a warm afternoon. The first taste sensation I had was red apple, with green apple following hard on the heels of that initial taste.There is an unsurprising hint of citrus and citrus pith here too which came to me later. The acidity and tartness sort of lurks. It wasn't the first thing I noticed.Initially acidity and tartness was less pronounced than expected. Expectations about wine...
- Martin Texier Petite Nature 2015 Pet Nat, A Sparkler That Is A Little Funky (But Not Too Funky)
  
  5 Jun 2017 | 7:03 pm
  
  by Patrick OgleMartin Texier Petite Nature 2015 Pet Nat is a little funky but not too funky. This sparkler has pithiness mixed with pear and a tad of grapefruit. There are hints� of minerality and a little dirtiness lurking around. There is something like white flower/nectar in the nose and taste too. Add to this� herbal, green notes and a nice acidic backbone and you have an interesting wine. This vino is all over the place and I mean that in the best possible way. Nothing here really overwhelms the other parts to me--no specific fruit or earth. There are a lot of subtle facets.When I say dirty it isn't super manure funky or even that forest floor loamy-ness. It is just enough of a hint of earth to accent...
- Alice Et Olivier De Moor Bourgogne Aligote 2015, Another Wine To Make You Rethink Burgundy's Other White Grape
  
  22 May 2017 | 10:00 pm
  
  by Patrick OgleAlice et Olivier De Moor Bourgogne aligot� 2015 is yet another wine to make you rethink Burgundy's "other" white grape. I hesitated to open this because it is a tough wine to find. But I did because I am that way; I prefer drinking wines to cellaring them.I was also concerned it might, like De Moor chardonnays and need a little time. There was nothing to worry about as this wine was ready to go. You COULD hang onto it for awhile but no real need. Aligote has a general reputation as a "drink it now" wine but the pronounced acidity makes me think a little time won't hurt them and this is a more complex version of the wine than usual.The wine starts off with green, fresh herbal hints. There is...
- The Wine Ho – Napa Food & Wine Blog
- The Charter Oak Restaurant Part Deux – Brunch in the Napa Valley
  
  21 Jul 2017 | 6:00 am
  
  In a land where Eggs Benedict rules the brunch world, The Charter Oak restaurant in Saint Helena is striving to bring a different approach to one of the most gratifying meals of the weekend. I wanted to do this follow-up to my Charter Oak Restaurant dinner post because I had heard great things about this brunch.... Read More
- The Charter Oak Restaurant – Meadowood’s Chef Kostow’s Latest Creation Unveiled
  
  1 Jul 2017 | 1:33 pm
  
  Chef Christoper Kostow, chef of the 3 star Michelin award winner, The Restaurant at Meadowood, has now created a unique family-style high-end dining experience in the heart of Napa Valley. There has been a lot of buzz about The Charter Oak Restaurant opening in Saint Helena. After the sudden closure of Tra Vigne, a well... Read More
- Acacia House Revived Into High-End Restaurant & Resort in Napa Valley
  
  22 Jun 2017 | 5:20 am
  
  Las Alcobas, the controversial resort just north of Saint Helena has revived a piece of Napa Valley history by renovating the old Victorian Acacia House into a comfortable, friendly, fine dining restaurant ran by Top Chef Masters winner and The Next Iron Chef competitor Chris Cosentino. I have only lived in Saint Helena for four years, and... Read More
- Durant & Booth Tasting Salon – A Piece of Napa Valley History in Oakville
  
  22 May 2017 | 5:23 am
  
  Durant & Booth Tasting Salon is relatively new to the Napa Valley but the building that houses the tasting room is a historic gem. Located in the small town of Oakville, lies Oakville Grocery, a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike. If you have been to Oakville or driven through the quaint area, you may... Read More
- Gatehouse Restaurant – Culinary Institute of America Greystone Napa Valley
  
  31 Jan 2017 | 11:29 am
  
  While in town for a week in Saint Helena a friend invited five of us for the soft opening of Gatehouse Restaurant at CIA Greystone The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone just outside of Saint Helena in Napa Valley has been lately going through many changes. The Wine Spectator at Greystone has been closed indefinitely... Read More
- sellwineguide
- Tom DiNardo, certified sommelier and appraiser - “Value Opinions are not truly an appraisal”
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 12:08 am
  
  What’s in a wine appraisal?Tom DiNardo of Wineryandwineappraisals.com sheds light on the differences between professional wine appraisals and non-professional “appraisal” which are actually “an opinion of value”. True appraisals by certified appraisers have a high legal and regulatory significance.SellWineGuide: On your website http://wineryandwineappraisals.com/ you stress that in many occasions people are not getting professional appraisals, what makes the difference between a professional appraisal by a certified appraiser and say an appraisal by just a sommelier? Tom DiNardo: Sommeliers training is intense, respected, and vital to the wine industry. I should know, as I am one....
- “A well-informed seller is the best kind of seller.” According to Masion du Prix’s founder, Danielle Price
  
  2 Nov 2016 | 1:50 am
  
  This week we interviewed Danielle Price, founder of Masion du Prix a U.S. wine trader that’s one of the largest buyers of fine and rare wines. Maison du Prix boasts 18 years under its belt and although it’s focused on “blue chip” wines it doesn’t have thresholds so sellers can feel free to forward their lists.Maison du Prix has an efficient system for processing a seller’s list and returning an answer very fast “typically 2 business days” – says Danielle. Additionally as compared with auction houses, Danielle mentioned that a “seller should be aware that selling at auction is a much slower process than selling to Maison du Prix Wines. For auctions, you wait until the next auction...
- CellarTracker founder, Eric Levine: “it is our exact intent to provide an automatic appraisal”
  
  14 Oct 2016 | 4:27 am
  
  CellarTracker is one of the most widely used wine resource and tool in the internet. What started out (in 2003) as a hobby and side project by a Microsoft employee ballooned into the leading cellar management system and the leading user tasting note database in the world. Millions of wine enthusiasts share read and share their experiences with wine. CellarTracker tracks over 60 million bottles and has over 5 million tasting notes.CellarTracker has great tools to help you take stock and appraise your cellar before selling your wine. With so many obscure wines rated by CellarTracker it has become one of the only places that a person can get feedback on less well known and unrated wines. We interviewed Eric...
- “The perfect finish to any meal” – Taylor-Fladgate’s CEO, Adrian Bridge, explains Port wine and Port cellaring
  
  10 Oct 2016 | 4:40 am
  
  No serious wine collection is complete without a Port wine section. Centuries-old traditions in Northern Portugal’s Douro Valley have cemented Port’s domination of the fortified wine world. Port wine is sweet and has higher alcohol (about 20%) than regular wine. This allows Port to last and age much longer than regular wine.To help us better understand the Port world we interviewed Adrian Bridge, CEO of Taylor-Fladgate. Taylor-Fladgate (founded in 1692) is one of the largest and most well respected port houses in the world, considered as a benchmark for Vintage Port (the highest class of Port).Sell Wine Guide: It’s very common to find great port wine in old wine collections. However, a lot of the...
- “YES, and unopened” – Jake Austad of Vintage Cellars about keeping wine in original wooden wine crates
  
  6 Oct 2016 | 2:29 am
  
  On all wine website it’s wine this and vintage that. Little attention is given to what our wine is doing for most of its life – and that’s sitting in storage. So today we’re posting our interview with the guy who builds those racks and designs the cellar rooms, Jake Austad, director of sales/lead designer of Vintage Cellars.Vintage Cellars have 20 years of experience and are the experts who know that the key to a pristine and provenance happy wine collection is great storage. Some of their tips can be helpful for people who want to store their wine and sell their wine.Sell Wine Guide: Throughout our website we inform our readers that the quality of the storage of the wines is of paramount importance...
- Vincarta
- How to choose the best red wine
  
  20 Jul 2017 | 8:02 am
  
  What’s the best red wine? You’ve probably asked yourself this question a dozen times before. But how do you make that judgment call? Do you ask your local wine clerk or scan the labels for something that sounds familiar or prestigious? The problem with wine recommendations is that they’re often very subjective. What works for […]
- Is red wine good for you?
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 6:17 am
  
  Explore the rumoured health benefits of red wine and the science behind the claims.
- FAQ: do wines with screw caps age as well as wine with corks?
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 8:00 am
  
  Do wines with screw caps age as well as wine with corks? Discover what the difference between these two bottling methods means for a wine's complexity.
- What is the ideal temperature to store and serve wine?
  
  3 Jul 2017 | 8:00 am
  
  Most people serve red wine at room temperature and white wine straight from the fridge. But is that right? I don’t about you, but this is all seems a bit vague. What does ‘room temperature’ even mean? Should you ever put red wine in ice? Why does serving temperature even matter? If you take a […]
- FAQ: What are some wines with low levels of tannin?
  
  28 Jun 2017 | 8:00 am
  
  Lots of people (myself included) prefer low tannin wines. Give us a good Pinot over a robust Cabernet Sauvignon any day. However, a lot of the problem with ‘too much tannin’ turns out to be a problem with ‘badly made wine with poorly integrated or unbalanced tannin’. Before we get to the wine, let’s take […]
- California Winery Advisor
- Special Event: Wine Tasting At Conn Creek Winery in Napa
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 9:10 am
  
  Join Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant, the highly regarded new winemaker at Conn Creek Winery in Napa Valley, for a special tasting and food pairing event. On Saturday, […] The post Special Event: Wine Tasting At Conn Creek Winery in Napa appeared first on California Winery Advisor.
- Winemaker Interview: Dieter Cronje Of Presqu’ile Winery
  
  10 Jul 2017 | 5:27 am
  
  We are big fans of Presqu'ile Winery. They even sit at the top of our list of the Best Santa Barbara Wineries to visit. We […] The post Winemaker Interview: Dieter Cronje Of Presqu’ile Winery appeared first on California Winery Advisor.
- The 6 Best Calistoga Wineries For Visitors
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 3:23 pm
  
  Photo Courtesy Envy Vineyards Where are the best Calistoga wineries to visit? This isn't an easy question to answer. The Calistoga AVA (American Viticultural Area) […] The post The 6 Best Calistoga Wineries For Visitors appeared first on California Winery Advisor.
- Best California Wine Value
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 2:59 pm
  
  Tweet We are often asked by readers what the best Calfornia wine value is right now. The wines of Napa, Sonoma and even the once […] The post Best California Wine Value appeared first on California Winery Advisor.
- Six Great Wine Books For Summer Reading
  
  29 Jun 2017 | 10:53 am
  
  Tweet We love to hit the beach with a cooler full of adult beverages, our favorite beach chair, a comfortable beach blanket and a great […] The post Six Great Wine Books For Summer Reading appeared first on California Winery Advisor.
- Exotic Wine Travel
- Three Wine Shows To Attend In Serbia
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 4:12 am
  
  Reading Time: 6 minutes Belgrade, Serbia is known for its red-hot nightlife. We’re not big clubbers nor night owls but we always find a good party in Serbia. We have found several places where the people are friendly and wine flows like water. Where are these places you may ask? Over the last year, we have stayed four months in Serbia. During that time we’ve traveled the country visiting producers and attending wine shows. The shows are always great for us to catch up with our favorite winemakers. We’ve had nothing but fun at all the Serbian wine shows that we have attended. Why is that? Because at the shows in this country, winemakers and attendees don’t take themselves too damn seriously. There are about...
- Sontacchi Pinot Noir 2015
  
  17 Jul 2017 | 5:30 am
  
  Reading Time: 2 minutes Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated! � Vinarija Sontacchi in Kutjevo (Slavonia, Croatia) Brothers Krunoslav and Antun Sontacchi are the charismatic proprietors of Vinarija Sontacchi, a small winery located in the center of Kutjevo, Croatia. The Sontacchi winery also offers Bed & Breakfast (B&B) service, where the lodging is...
- Graševina Without Borders: Eight Wines To Try
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 1:25 am
  
  Reading Time: 5 minutes Graševina is a Central/Eastern European white grape with unclear origins. It has many names around the region. In Austria, it’s known as Welschriesling, in Hungary as Olazrizling, and in Slovenia as Laški Rizling. In Serbia, it has two names Grašac and Italian Riesling. While there is no agreeable name for the grape, Jancis Robinson decided to place all the synonyms under “Graševina” in her book Wine Grapes. In the past, Graševina had the reputation of producing “poor man’s” wines. One out of every four bottles of wine sold in Croatia is made from Graševina. Most of these are inexpensive examples are mixed with sparkling water to make Gemišt. It’s time to throw those old...
- Nenad Trifunović: Connecting Taste with Heart
  
  9 Jul 2017 | 3:01 am
  
  Reading Time: 4 minutes Nenad Trifunović is the blogger behind vinopija.com, a leading Croatian wine blog. We met Nenad in the winter of 2016 when he was introduced to us as “the blogger guy”. Right after we were introduced, we proceeded to a tasting of Georgian qvevri wine together. That was when we quickly noticed Nenad’s fiercely independent and sharp palate. Nenad is also assiduously thoughtful when describing wine. But perhaps what we appreciate most about him is his earnestness for quirky wines and open-mindedness towards unconventional flavors. Clockwise: Krešimir Ivančić, Nenad Trifunović, Matthew Horkey, and Charine Tan As a Creative Director for an advertising and marketing agency, why...
- Škegro Krš Orange Žilavka 2015
  
  5 Jul 2017 | 11:37 pm
  
  Reading Time: 2 minutes Hello! Welcome to As Drunk By Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature wines that are worth noting. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated! Škegro Krš Orange Žilavka 2015 Western Herzegovina shares a border with the southern end of Croatia. All the winemakers in this part of Herzegovina are Croats (Eastern Herzegovina is primarily Serb). The area experiences a true Mediterranean climate and has a few of its own varieties, including the red wine grapes...
- Virgin Wines Blog
- New Features of The Virgin Wines Website
  
  19 Jul 2017 | 8:56 am
  
  After more than 2 years of hard work, we are super excited to have finally launched our new website. Over the years we have received lots of feedback from customers on our website and during this process, we have tried hard to create the website that you want. Make sure you check out the video below which highlights all the new key features of the website. Including a responsive set-up, more control over your account and a quicker, easier shopping experience. The post New Features of The Virgin Wines Website appeared first on Virgin Wines Blog.
- Become A Wine Explorer
  
  18 Jul 2017 | 8:33 am
  
  Become a Wine Explorer We buy our wine very differently to other wine companies. Using your customer ratings we work out what styles of wine you enjoy drinking. We then work with our friends at vineyards across the world to make wine in those styles. The result is a range of exclusive wines that we know you love. We think this is a great way to buy wine, but we want to take this one step further. We want you to tell us what to buy! How many times have you been abroad and enjoyed a wine and thought I wish I could get this at home? Well, now we are giving you the chance to get exactly that. We know that wine plays an important role in the holiday experience, so we want you to bring that experience to us. We...
- Cloudy Bay – A Founding Father Of Marlborough Excellence
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 2:18 am
  
  We work with a lot of wineries who are at the forefront of the field, whether that’s innovation in production, ageing or blending. This week we’ve decided to focus on Cloudy Bay, a winery who not only continues to innovate but also a winery who helped establish Marlborough as the winegrowing powerhouse it is today. Established in 1985, Cloudy Bay was one of the first five wineries to invest and establish itself in Marlborough, a region that had previously been shunned as a potential winemaking hotbed. When Captain James Cook landed in New Zealand in 1770, he came across a body of water that had experienced severe flooding. The flood had sent sediment into the water, causing it to lose it’s picturesque...
- Youthful Innovation Drives German Growth
  
  12 Jul 2017 | 1:43 am
  
  The popularity of German wine continues to grow at Virgin Wines. We’ve been able to develop the range over the last year or so and it’s really starting to show off the wide variety of style that Germany can offer, but with the consistency too of unquestionable quality. Getting this kind of traction is of course encouraging, but it also gives us a great reason to give even more of our time to discovering wines from small producers that we have not previously worked with, or even been aware of. As part of the nationwide ’31 Days’ campaign, we’ll be promoting these new finds, along with the rest of the German range, for the whole month of July. You can find those offers right here. Most notably,...
- Bluffers Guide To Germany: From Riesling to Spatburgunder
  
  7 Jul 2017 | 5:18 am
  
  If you’re asked to name the winemaking regions of the world, you’d be forgiven for leaving a number of German regions off your list. It may not be host to some of the most well-known regions, but it’s certainly home to some of the more outstanding wines in Europe… in fact hold on to your lederhosen, we’d say it’s one of the most underrated regions in Europe, if not the world. Unfortunately, Germany secured a reputation for producing large quantities of boring and cheap sugary wines, and it’s a reputation that is slowly evaporating with each passing vintage. With the German climate getting warmer, there is a greater percentage of wines being produced in a dry style, which is far more popular with consumers...

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