Most people think picnic and think casual wines. I say, rock the high-low and elevate your basket. The 166th edition is the latest Krug Grande Cuvée ($159 here). Full of deep brioche, light hazelnuts and fine bubbles, it’s a gorgeous bottle of Champagne. Champagne is always a blend of wines from three grapes, and this one is made … Continue reading
Last month we delved into Provence, but this month let’s talk about the other great P in pink wines: Pinot Noir. Now, this is a grape not a region like Provence, but it’s a grape that makes some of my most favorite rosés ever (especially from the Willamette Valley in Oregon). Try these: Sanford: very dry … Continue reading
Grills are lit all across the summering world. Although we pop so much refreshing rosé and white when it’s hot, we also need some good reds for all of our meaty BBQs. Get your tongs in one hand and a glass of one of these grilling greats in the other: malbec I actually never liked … Continue reading
As an American holiday that involves fireworks, there’s only one thing to drink: American sparkling wine! A few domestic wineries use the same grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and winemaking method as Champagne. Here are a few I like: Iron Horse: Often served at White House dinners, they well represent domestic sparkling wine. $38.99 BUY HERE … Continue reading
Last month we made mom merry with wine, this month we delight the dads. One of my dad’s favorites (and now mine) is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a southern Rhône blend. The primary grapes are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre although there are 13 that are officially allowed. Although the name means the new house of the pope, “pape” is … Continue reading
Let the games begin. Rosé sales rose 53% last year and there doesn’t seem to be signs of a slow down. Why? It’s light, refreshing, uncomplicated and perfect for summer sipping. I’ll be recommending my favorite rosés every month this summer, so here’s the first batch for National Rosé Day on June 9, from the OG … Continue reading
When Sex and the City premiered on June 6, 1998, cosmos were all the rage. But if it premiered now, they’d definitely be drinking wine. Carrie: Fun and hyper-stylish, she’d be wearing some cool Pat Fields-created rosé-all-day outfit and drinking the very trendy, very light strawberry Whispering Angel. $21.99 BUY HERE Charlotte: Elegant, classy, and low … Continue reading
Nothing transports you to sitting on the water like Chablis. It’s made from Chardonnay grapes (Chablis is the area) but it’s very crisp, minerally, and absolute perfection with oysters. Steely, dry, high-acid white wines are the typical oyster pairing, but Chablis is one of the most excellent for them. The Kimmeridgian soil in the area, … Continue reading
As we all toast moms today, a great celebration of women is Merry Edwards wine. First, it’s made by Merry who’s a pioneer woman winemaker (in 1973, she was one of only three women who graduated from UC Davis). Second, her absolutely delicious Sauvignon Blanc is packed with zesty pineapple but balanced with a round body, … Continue reading
When it comes to New Zealand wine, you probably think about the punchy, tropical, zesty Sauvignon Blancs. Fair enough, since that’s 72% of their production. People there sometimes call it Savvy B which I thought was sort of funny, but then a winemaker told me to never cheapen it like that. I’d rather have my … Continue reading
