A Taste of Eila Wines

“I’m making Pinot Noir for people who appreciate traditionally made Pinot Noirs.—Peter Sturn Whenever I think of Pinot Noir in the United States, the Willamette Valley in Oregon is top of mind. Its cool and often maritime-influenced climate provides the temperature moderation necessary for the slow, even ripening of Pinot Noir grapes. And, with its…

A Taste of Iris Vineyards

These are delicious, high QPR wines showing ripe fresh fruit flavors buoyed with shimmering acidity and modest alcohol. I’m wrapping up Oregon Wine Month with Iris Vineyards, a new-to-me winery that, for me, is a microcosm of the wines that the Willamette Valley in Oregon are most renown for and does best; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay,…

Mussels With Garlic and Parsley Paired with Cantina Terlan Kreuth Chardonnay #ItalianFWT

This month the Italian Food Wine and Travel (#ItalianFWT) group of food and wine bloggers is exploring Italian Wines From Non-Native Grapes. With a rich wine history that dates back at least 3,500 years, and perfect conditions for growing wine grapes, it’s no wonder Italy is one of the most exciting wine regions in the…

Champagne Drappier’s Blanc de Quatre Blancs; A Taste of Champagne’s White Heirloom Grape Varieties #Winophiles

This month the French Winophiles are exploring “Unexpected Pleasures In Champagne”. Our event is being hosted by Gwendolyn of Wine Predator . And what are the “unexpected pleasures of Champagne”? In my case, it’s a “two-fer”. I’m sharing a wine made from unexpected heirloom grapes from a producer in an unexpected region in Champagne. The Aube –…

Wine of the Day: 2000 Henriot Champagne Cuvée des Enchanteleurs Brut

If you haven’t had an exceptional mature champagne like this, you’re missing a treat! The Cuvée des Enchanteleurs” was Champagne Henriot’s  Tête de cuvée, which in Champagne, refers to the top of the range of a specific house or grower’s wines.   I say “was” because 2000 was the last vintage for this prestige cuvée.  It has…

Wine of the Day: 2014 Smith Madrone Chardonnay

Year in and year out, this distinguished wine is one of my favorite California Chardonnays! This wine is 100% Chardonnay crafted from 42-year-old dry-farmed vines on Spring Mountain.  It was 100% barrel fermented and raised for 9 months in 100% new French oak Color – Pale straw yellow Aromas – Apple, pear, lemon curd, almond, and toasty…

Elevating Weeknight Fare with Crémant d’Alsace #Winophiles

With the holiday celebrations and gift giving right around the corner,  this month the French #Winophiles are diving into Crémant.  Our host this month is Kat Wisnosky of Bacchus Travel & Tours. What, exactly is Crémant? “Crémant” is the French term for traditional-method  sparkling wines made outside of the Champagne region. This means that the second fermentation,…

Wine of the Day; White 2010 Lynmar Estate Chardonnay Quail Hill Vineyard

“This wine was  pure joy to drink…It’s my favorite Chardonnay this year!” The 45-acre Quail Hill Vineyard includes 4 distinct blocks of Chardonnay. The largest – Block 14 – was planted in 1972 to the Rued Chardonnay Clone – known for its stunning floral notes; the remaining vines are Old Wente Clone, adding a weighty…

Wine Of The Day; 2015 Concha y Toro Chardonnay Marqués de Casa Concha

“This is a New World wine produced with an Old World sensibility that evokes Burgundy for me” Fruit for this wine was sourced from Quebrada Seca vineyard in northern Chile’s Limari Valley.   Located 200 miles (320km) north of the Chilean capital, Santiago, the Limari Valley is one of the northernmost wine growing regions in Chile.   This dry…