First off, critical PSA: wine (and all alcohol) is incredibly dangerous for dogs. Their livers aren’t built to process alcohol so it can be lethal. Give your pup an extra dog treat on March 23 but you and any other humans should grab a glass of Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc.The name Dog Point comes from … Continue reading
It’s that luck of the Irish day, and everyone’s donning their best green garb and lifting their beer steins! We at grapefriend see things a little differently in our glasses. So should you not want to drink beer, we of course support that decision. So does the wine world, who has something even better to … Continue reading
Prosecco has really grown in popularity lately because it’s peachy and much less expensive than many other sparkling wines. The danger is that so much of it’s being made now that the quality could go down, which is basically what turned a sparkling like Asti into an entry-level “supermarket wine.” Prosecco lands in the middle … Continue reading
Having been ruled throughout history by the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Muslims, Spanish, Piedmontese, and even a few others, Sicily’s an island with a total mix of cultures. All those cultures had various levels of interest in and production of wine, so Sicily’s indigenous grapes have fluctuated in popularity against international varities. For most of the … Continue reading
Forget about rosé of the week – this is a contender for rosé of the summer! Pratsch has been in the family for 8 generations in Hohenruppersdorf, Austria (population: 912!). Well, those 912 local people are very lucky. Made from Zweigelt grapes, which are native to Austria, this rosé has gorgeous brightness and perfect tart … Continue reading
As far as California wine goes, Napa and Sonoma get most of the attention. The wines from those hot areas can get really saturated with fruit, so I actually always try to seek out California’s lesser known areas that have cooler climates. I love Pinots from Mendocino and white Rhône varietals from Paso Robles, but … Continue reading
Ok, this is the exact opposite of the Provençal ones you’ve likely been mainlining all summer. Bold and full-bodied, this Lagrein-based rosato is perfect for food, especially something like these grilled peaches wrapped in prosciutto (a summer happy hour favorite). Cool fact: it’s made in a Benedictine monastery in the Italian Alps! I LOVE the … Continue reading
For our inaugural 2017 #RoséoftheWeek, we explore a lesser-used rosé grape and we’re rewarded. Nero d’Avola is pretty common in Sicily, so it’s not surprising Planeta gives it lots of space here. Their bright, savory rosé (about $15) is 50% Syrah, 50% Nero d’Avola and 100% great with sushi. Continue reading
It’s spring – finally!!! The grass is growing, and the Grüner is flowing! Or at least it should be. The grassy, white peppery white wine from Austria is my spring go-to. Here are three good bottles to grab! fred loimer lois 2015 Freshly cut, yo! This is where you can really get a handle on … Continue reading
I love these Phenomenal Femmes wine dinners I go to a few times a year. Run by sommelier Marika Vida, she brings women winemakers and winery owners to Auden, the restaurant she works at in the Ritz, for them to walk us through their wines paired with a few different courses. Such a treat to … Continue reading
