OK, be brave, there are only a few weeks left of this bad winter. We’ve got the grapes that’ll keep you cozy if the temps drop again, and a few hopeful sips for those signs of life that are just starting to sprout. rioja cab franc Good Cab Franc is always interesting, a bit funky … Continue reading
Team USA shot past France for basketball gold, many thanks to Steph Curry’s incredible three-pointers. While we know the Olympic stadium wasn’t allowed to serve wine, hopefully Steph and team celebrated afterwards. Perhaps it was with the Domaine Curry Celebration Set, from his wife and sister’s winery. Domaine Curry, which they sold to The Prisoner Wine … Continue reading
Healthy soils maintain the natural ecosystem in a vineyard, nurturing the vines to express their true nature. Viñedos Organicos Veramonte develops self-sustaining vineyards to stimulate and regenerate the life and biodiversity of the soil by using natural compost and cover crops in between vineyard rows to improve soil structure, reduce erosion and fix nutrients. As head winemaker Sofia Araya says, “We need to … Continue reading
Now that she stepped down as Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern had time to get married to her longtime partner Clarke Gayford. They had their festivities earlier this year at Craggy Range, a gorgeous vineyard I visited when I was in NZ. They only produces wines from a single vineyard, which is sort of ironic … Continue reading
Usually I like to educate people about styles and grapes you can then go find on your own, since finding a specific bottle can be an issue depending on what your local wine store happens to have. But lately I had a bunch of good reds under $30, which can be hard to find. And … Continue reading
Drinking outdoors yet! Of course you are! Don your summer whites and pour one of these great glasses to match. Mira Franc Blanc: One of the great things about wine is how vast a subject it is and how many grapes and winemaking styles there are. I love Cab Franc but had never had a white … Continue reading
A great spring dinner is lemony chicken piccata with an equally citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. The zest in Matanzas Creek’s Sonoma County SB ($25) is balanced by some lovely white floral notes. Perfect for Earth Day, as Matanzas Creek is certified sustainable and has fields of lavender that attract all kinds of pollinators and insects. Want to be the first to … Continue reading
As with all wines, the land the vines grow in is critical to how the wines turn out. So I recently went hiking with Austrian Wines in honor of the eight Styrian Wine Trails that lead hikers through the vineyards, hills and thermal spas in the region. Sadly, we were just in upstate New York instead … Continue reading
We’re still spending more time at home, so still need our weekday affordable and our splurge wines to celebrate the bigger moments (even if that’s just now Saturday). values Achaval Ferrer Malbec: Muscular black plum and black pepper but with soft tannins as far as malbecs go. Great with homemade empanadas! $19.99 Ferzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: Can’t … Continue reading
Oh yes, my grapefriends, it’s finally here! Today is officially spring, so let’s get some lively, fresh wines in your glass to celebrate. Viña Bujanda Viura 2019: This may be one of the most enjoyable Spanish whites I’ve ever had. Super lovely white florals and honeydew with a smooth finish, I was completely shocked it … Continue reading
