F. Scott Fitzgerald, who authored “The Great Gatsby” and other American classics, understood what it takes to orchestrate a glamorous party. “Too much of anything is bad,” wrote Fitzgerald, “but too much Champagne is just right.” That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a few bottles of sparkling wine on hand, especially if […]
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Santorini’s volcanic Assyrtiko wines erupt with crisp and stylish elegance
Everyone seems to be going this summer to Greece and the ancient, idyllic, volcanic island of Santorini. The GOAT – Tom Brady – went there recently to attend a very private VIP party. Celebrities of every kind go there weekly to get their photos taken on fancy yachts and published in People magazine and the […]
Wine’s calorie counting days are here: New EU law requires nutrition labels on bottles. Is U.S. next?
Healthy wine drinking is happy wine drinking. And European Union wine producers are doing their best to give consumers the information they need to make healthy, informed wine choices. As of December 23, 2023, all labels on wine sold in the EU are required to list the calorie content on the physical wine bottle label. […]
‘Alsace Rocks’: Frothy Cremant, crisp Riesling, and spicy Gewurztraminer are tastes for all seasons
If Sisyphus pushed “Alsace Rocks” uphill, he’d have made it to the summit and ended an eternity of futility. So the Greek myth survives to this day while “Alsace Rocks” is cresting – a nod to the unique red and white wines from one of France’s most unique terroir-driven regions. “People in Europe don’t want […]
A Cremant D’Alsace holiday? Lucien Albrecht sparkling wines deliver a classic elegance
Looking to add a spectacular sparkling wine to your holiday festivities? Here are two from longtime French producer Lucien Albrecht: Cremant d’Alsace Brut and Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose`. Both wines retail for $23 a bottle, but savvy shoppers can find discounted deals at several major outlets. In fact, the Brut Rose` is selling for $18.99 […]
Just in time for the holidays: Italy’s sparkling new Prosecco DOC Rose`
What is the best-selling new wine produced in Italy? The answer is simple: Prosecco DOC Rose`. More than 50 million bottles are in circulation worldwide since Italian wine regulators approved the new production zone and denomination for the Glera-Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) rose` blend in May 2020. According to the Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione […]
Italy unleashes native pink power with ‘Rosautoctono’ wine campaign
Don’t be surprised if you start seeing more Italian “rosato” (rose`) at your favorite wine shop in the near future. Italian producers from Lombardy to Sicily are banding together to promote a rosato renaissance. The unifying movement, called “Rosautoctono”, is somewhat historic: In a country where people are extremely proud and protective of local and […]
Five Foley Family Wines that speak to character and Sonoma County’s sustainability efforts
With California suffering through its fourth driest year on record, grape growers and wine producers are doubling down on becoming more efficient and preserving natural resources. In early August, the situation intensified when the state ordered 1,500 ranchers and farmers to stop taking water from the Russian River, one of Sonoma County’s major water sources. […]
Three Douro Valley wines that overachieve for quality and price
For centuries, the fortunes of Portugal’s remarkable Douro Valley rested with making ageworthy, fortified port wines that were shipped all over the globe. And while porto still reigns in the world’s oldest demarcated wine district, the Douro’s still wines – red and white – no longer sit idly by in the shadow of greatness. In […]
Part II: Gary Farrell Winery’s “cru” Pinot Noirs capture Russian River Valley’s sense of place
(The second of two parts on Gary Farrell Winery’s “cru” wines focuses on Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.) When it comes to crafting wines for Gary Farrell Winery, Theresa Heredia has a simple philosophy: Let the vineyard and fruit do the talking. Heredia, Gary Farrell’s winemaker since 2012, knows Sonoma County as if she sprung […]
