Spent a great couple of days in Paso Robles last week. It’s mostly known for Cabs and Rhone varietals (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier, etc), but really you can find a lot of diverse grapes being grown and in all different styles. The region gets overhsadowed by Napa and Sonoma, but it’s the next largest wine-producing … Continue reading
grape: Pinot Noir producer: Archery Summit country: USA region: Willamette Valley – most Oregon Pinot Noir’s come from here, and I’ve rarely had one I don’t like (if not love) year: 2010 yum factors: Amazing! Refined and elegant black cherry with an undertone of cranberry. Plump and ripe with some great Oregon earthiness. Willamette perfection! price: $48 buy it: here Continue reading
Went to a great little Washington state wine tasting this week. Way lesser known than California and even Oregon, but great values and worth seeking out if you get recommendations. Here were my standouts! Delille Cellars – Chaleur Estate Blanc grape: 62% Sauvignon Blanc and 38% Semillon AVA: Yakima Valley yum factor: peach, perfumed, with a … Continue reading
grape: Cabernet producer: Jacob’s Creek country: Australia region: Coonawarra, which is known for its deep red “Terra Rosa” soil that gives its wines a lot of intensity and concentration year: 2009 yum factors: Had this at a 9-wine Jacob’s Creek dinner last night at the Bouley Test Kitchen and this was my favorite by far. I usually don’t taste black olive … Continue reading
grape: Zinfandel – it’s a wack job of a grape. You never really know what you’re going to get – deep and blackberry brambles, or this guy. producer: Dashe. This is their Les Enfants Terribles series (“Les Enfants Terribles” means the rebel children, and you’re about to see why it has this name). country: USA region: Potter Valley, Mendocino County … Continue reading
For best-of lists, most people get all well, well, well look at the old amazing wines I drank, 1000’s of dollars worth, and say stuff like “it’s drinking well now.” That’s not really grapefriend though. Partly because I don’t have the money, partly because you probably don’t either, partly because sometimes I love non-expensive wine. … Continue reading
grape: Pinot Noir producer: Wrath, named after the wrath of Juno that sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. They say, “One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art.” And there’s passion in this wine for sure. country: USA region: Monterey year: 2009 yum factors: Whoa! Great dried cranberry … Continue reading
Do you know why the Pilgrims were so awesome? The Mayflower was used mostly as a cargo ship in the trade of goods (often wine) between England and France. Wikipedia says so! So what wine did they drink at the first Thanksgiving? Well here’s the basic rule about Thanksgiving food and wine pairing: there is … Continue reading
The scariest wine is probably barfy flavorless Pinot Grigio, but in the spirit of Halloween let’s get a little spookier. Here are great wines to serve at or bring to any Halloween party, or just to drink at home alone Sandy-style (i.e. if you’re still without power). talbott pinot noir, sleepy hollow vineyard It’s rare … Continue reading
Poetry. Normally you’d hear a wine name like this and either groan or think it’s cheesy. Not once you drink this one. Cliff Lede’s Poetry is made from the best grapes they have, and we were lucky enough to taste some today. As everyone tasted it around the table, you could see each set of … Continue reading
