Well spring finally sprang – and so did a lot of corks. It was a crazy month so let’s get right to it! LOVE when people tag me in Mouton pics because I’m obsessed with seeing all the artist-created labels! Looove that Marie-Laure discovered Kerner – such a great crisp white from Alto Adige. Lillet … Continue reading
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
So prior to the MLK assassination plotline, we were at the advertising awards thingy and Megan was packin’. She sipped her Champagne (which, as a reminder, does not count in the wine count), but after that there was very little drinking – of grapes or even cocktails. Even Don wasn’t drinking in the office, though then … Continue reading
Rihanna posted these pics on Instagram late Friday night. She may be wily about not showing the label, but I can 90% tell it’s Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio. Singers’ backstage riders BAFFLE me. She’s a platinum artist and all she has is a $22 wine. True, maybe this wasn’t on her rider and was just … Continue reading
For the second year in a row (which is only as long as I’ve been keeping track, could be more), Estancia was poured at the WHCD. The Washington Hilton tweeted out this pic: It looks like Chardonnay and maybe Cab, although the green foil on the red is throwing me because their Cab has a … Continue reading
In addition to all of the amazing biodynamic wines I tried for Green Week, here are just plain old organic ones to try. Organic basically means the grapes were grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides or herbicides, and that they also didn’t use any preservatives in the winemaking process. I didn’t do a massive, all-encompassing sampling so there are a ton … 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
In the 50s, Jack Cakebread had a car repair business, Cakebread’s Garage. But he’d also studied with photographer Ansel Adams and, in 1972, was hired to take wine country photos for a book. While snapping pictures in Napa, Jack visited some old family friends and wound up buying their property. Cakebread Cellars was born. Now it’s an iconic … Continue reading
Warby Parker is a very grapefriendy company. They have lots of happy hours and wine tastings for employees, and even have glasses that come in Pinot Noir color. Today they’re launching their new 1922 Collection with glasses and sunnies named after Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin and Cole Porter. The 20s sucked for wine since America … Continue reading
