Looking for a new wine to add to your spring beverage list? Stags’ Leap Winery’s Petite Sirah (SRP $47, abv. 14.1%) is the right choice, especially with Easter celebrations on the horizon. Petite Sirah is NOT Syrah, It is a distinct varietal that was created by a botanist – Francois Durif – in Montpelier, France […]
Flavor of the day
Three delicious ways to enjoy terrific Spanish Tempranillo
Tempranillo is one of Spain’s noble red grapes – like Cabernet Sauvignon is to California – and famous for its great versatility with all kinds of food whether used in a blend or as a 100 percent varietal. And since Spanish wines represent great value for quality and price, Tempranillo is worth getting to know. […]
Bousquet’s Virgen organic red wines take a natural approach to reduce sulfites, preserve freshness (and maybe even help eliminate headaches!)
Worried about sulfites in wines? An Argentinian winery with a long history of organic farming is trying to put those fears to rest. Domaine Bousquet of Mendoza is producing three all-organic red wines under its Virgen label that contain “no added sulfites” – except for those sulfites that are “naturally occurring.” The 2019 vintage wines […]
‘Garagistes’ rule the day at Big River Winery’s 2020 Grape Crush
The 10th annual Big River Winery Grape Crush was another exuberant event, hosted once again by Big River Lodge owners and veteran vintners Jason and Lynn Arabian at their sprawling grounds in West Greenwich, R.I. “Garagistes” (a French term referring to a group of winemakers who made wine out of their garage) and friends began […]
Landmark Vineyards ‘Lorenzo’ Chardonnay: Four elegant vintages for the ages
I never gave much thought to drinking aged Chardonnay made in California, believing that French vintners from Burgundy had a monopoly on the terroir and grapes conducive to crafting such outstanding, long-lived whites. The good news is I was wrong – and happily so. In early August, I was among a dozen wine and food […]
Summer Delight: Ram’s Gate Chardonnay with my homemade lobster salad roll
If you are unfamiliar with Ram’s Gate Winery, a small-lot, premium wine producer located north of San Francisco in Sonoma’s Carneros appellation, don’t be alarmed. I was too until several weeks ago. That’s when I sampled bottles of their introductory Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. My first reaction was to repeat the refrain from Neil Diamond’s […]
Pasqua Family wines tell a love story about Italy with every sip
The Pasqua Family of Verona has a simple philosophy when it comes to winemaking: Put passion and quality into every bottle produced. It also helps that Pasqua’s portfolio of seven wines highlights native grapes – Garganega, Trebbiano di Laguna, Corvina, etc. – and unique terroirs that bring special distinction to the Veneto region. The Pasquas […]
Italy’s Dolomiti wines give rise to Alto Adige’s growing popularity
Besides tasting very good, Italian wines usually have an interesting tell to story. One can learn a lot about Italy’s culture, history and traditions just by reading the bottle label and then following up with an Internet search on the winemaker, the winery, and the region. Often overlooked are wines from Italy’s northernmost wine-growing regions […]
Un-Oaked Chardonnay? Try Pam’s and plunge palate first into Ron Rubin’s delicious Russian River Valley wines
When Ron Rubin purchased River Road Winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley in 2011, he took on the personal challenge of developing a Chardonnay that would win over his wife Pam’s palate. Pam, as the story goes, didn’t like most Chardonnays. And with the help of chief winemaker Joe Freeman, Team Rubin […]
Looking for inspiring taste? Try Robert Mondavi’s Napa Valley Fume` Blanc and Chardonnay
Robert Mondavi’s 2018 Fume` Blanc from Napa Valley is better than ever, showcasing the iconic winery’s innovative spirit in producing richer tasting Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Semilion. The entry level Fume` Blanc, which I recently sampled, offers ripe fruit from Napa’s top vineyard sites at Wappo Hill, To Kalon, and Oakville District. Its […]