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. […]
Spanish wines
What’s the cost of love? Four Valentine’s Day sparklers that fit the bill for elegance
[URIS id=5852] Wine consumption in the United States declined slightly in 2019 for the first time in 25 years. Two categories, however, showed increased sales: sparkling wine and rose`. Americans love their bubblies and for good reason. We party. We celebrate. We romance. And we spend money on premium sparkling wines. Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) […]
Need a wine for Thanksgiving dinner? Here are 30 outstanding values to feast on
The 2019 Thanksgiving Wine List, based on the selections of five industry experts and educators, is a fabulous guide to plan your holiday meal. It matches the textures and tastes of quality, affordable wines with the flavorful food of a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings. food. Here are 30 great buys for your […]
Browsing for wine? Here are six for the weekend shopping cart
If you’re looking for wines this weekend, here are some specials to put in the basket. Delas Viognier Pays D’OC 2017, $9.99 – A nice Rhone Valley white that comes across more refined than the price suggests. Filled with apricot, peach, and honeysuckle flavors, this 100 percent Viognier sees only steel tank fermentation and yet […]
What’s a Tussock Jumper? Global wines that leap in taste and value
The Tussock Jumper “winery” doesn’t own a vineyard or a production facility, yet the French-based company has built a portfolio of 24 wines from 11 wine-growing regions to become a seemingly overnight sensation. Basically, Tussock Jumper can provide a global portfolio under one roof, making it an attractive consumer option to purchase diverse terroir-driven wines […]
For an authentic Oktoberfest, give Gewurztraminer, Schiava, and Lagrein a try
It’s Oktoberfest in wine-harvesting regions across the globe and people are making merry with celebratory food and drink events that sometimes go on for days. In Alto Adige-Sudtirol, Italy’s northernmost region abutting the Swiss Alps and Austria, German influence still reigns in language, culture and viticuluture. The cuisine, though, reflects the area’s multiple ethnic character. […]
Importer scales new Spanish heights with Ribeira Sacra wines
I’m fortunate to have a wine expert living in my neighborhood. For more than 20 years, Craig Gandolf was the wine director for Jorge Ordonez Selections, one of the largest U.S. importers of Spanish wines. In May 2018, he was named national sales manager for Cynthia Hurley French Wines based in Needham. While French wines […]
Beat soaring wine prices with these under $10 over-achievers
Whether a wine costs $10 or $50, the best are those that over-deliver on quality and price. This equates to value. It is the same concept applied every day by millions of consumers hunting for bargains on clothes, cars, food, computers, etc. Sadly, many wine lovers overspend because they believe a higher price guarantees a […]
Memorable wine gifts to make Dad the toast of the town
Say Happy Father’s Day this Sunday with a gift of wine. Here are five extraordinary options for the Dad and/or grandad on your list. 1. If Dad is a golfer, plant a bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir ($16.59 at Costco) in his cart. The California wine, which is America’s top-selling $15 and above label, recently […]
Kentucky Derby weekend: Run for the (pink) Rose`s
We’re “Running for the Rose`s” this week in honor of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, America’s greatest horserace. My party drink won’t be a mint julep, however. Instead I’ll be sipping a light, refreshing, delicious pink-colored rose` and pairing it with shrimp cocktail, spring rolls, crab Rangoon and a green saladtopped with fresh strawberries. While Provence put […]