grape: Carmenere – usually super inky and thick, but this one’s lightened up with 30% Merlot producer: Inama country: Italy region: Colli Berici DOC zone, east of the Soave area year: 2009 yum factors: This has that cocoa and a touch of black pepper that Carmenere usually has, but it’s so much lighter and softer with the dark plum from the … Continue reading
My new obsession is Protea wines. They’re from South Africa and they make a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz and an absolutely delicious Chenin Blanc that’s packed with pear and honeysuckle, but very light with low acidity – pure Chenin (which is a wildly popular planting in South Africa). They both just launched in … Continue reading
Here’s the most important thing you need to know about biodynamic wine: it’s often exceptionally, potentially mind-blowing good. I applaud anyone farming organically, but don’t usually taste a difference. With biodynamics I usually do. OK so what is it? I went to a whole talk with Nicolas Joly, one of biodynamics’ passionate pioneers who makes … Continue reading
Confession: I don’t love Malbec. I find it gritty, rustic, and can usually find something else on a wine list or in the store that I’d rather have. But I know a lot of people drink it and today is Malbec Day, so in anticipation I went on a quest to see if I could find … Continue reading
I’m getting really into Washington State wines. Apparently, so is Neil Patrick Harris. Yesterday he tweeted: “One of my favorite wineries, Slight of Hand Cellars, released their 2011 Conjurer. Delicious, with a fetching label: http://tinyurl.com/a2uwz74.” Two hours later, Fifteen minutes later (see comment below!), their website crashed. I’d never even heard of Sleight of Hand and NPH’s … Continue reading
All these reports came out that Paris Saint-Germain, the French football club that just got David Beckham, wants to release a Bordeaux with its players on different labels. They were supposedly in negotiations with Francis Lamblin, the winemaker at Chateau Lamblin in the Côtes de Bourg region of Bordeaux. But after everyone started freaking out, Lamblin told Decanter that he told … Continue reading
If you haven’t been to Stone Barns, it’s one of the best restaurants ever. Farm to table and super delicious and innovative. I could almost have water with the food (only almost) but luckily we got to drink Dave Matthews’ Dreaming Tree wines with every course so I didn’t even have to contemplate such a … Continue reading
Wine lips were a big trend last year and it’s not going away. That’s because designers are obviously as obsessed with wine as I am! And the beauty companies too – so many grapey names for their products it’s like my dream come true. Zac Posen girls wore MAC’s Vino lip pencil and Burgundy lipmix The … 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
Remember that hilarious Hitler/Carmegeddon parody two years ago? Well now someone made one for the New York wine served at the Inaugration, so I love it even more. Happy Friday, grapefriends! Continue reading
