Each week, I spotlight a wine that truly stands out—whether for its singular character, compelling backstory, or the sheer pleasure it brings in the glass. This week’s pick is one that feels especially meaningful: the 2021 Roederer Estate Clark Road Brut, a single-vineyard, vintage-dated sparkling wine from Anderson Valley. What makes Clark Road distinctive to…
Author: Martin D. Redmond
Purity, Place, and Purpose: Tasting AVIVO Red Through the Lens of Regenerative Farming
My earlier post, Sipping with Purpose: AVIVO’s Regenerative White & Rosé, focused on the intersection of farming, climate, and wine—how thoughtful agricultural choices can influence both what grows in the vineyard and what ends up in the glass. This follow-up takes that conversation further with a look at AVIVO Red, and with a deeper exploration…
Wine of the Week: 2022 Ridge Vineyards Frediani Ranch—A Nod to Napa’s Heritage Blends
Some wines are delicious. Others are delicious and quietly instructive. The 2022 Ridge Vineyards Frediani Ranch falls squarely into the latter camp—a wine that is not only distinctive and satisfying, but one that also offers a glimpse into a chapter of Napa Valley history that predates luxury tasting rooms, destination dining, and what some now…
How Dow’s 2018 LBV Port Elevates Any Holiday Dessert Board
Some bottles don’t just enhance dessert—they become dessert. The Dow 2018 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port is exactly that kind of wine: beautifully structured, aromatically expressive, and wonderfully easy to serve. And if your holiday entertaining style leans toward elegant simplicity, pairing this LBV with artisan Dubai dark chocolate might just be your next hosting…
A Symphony of Gold: Hanzell’s Moon Mountain Chardonnay with Silky Chanterelle Pasta
Wine of the Week: 2021 Hanzell “Estate” Chardonnay, Moon Mountain District Some wines delight; others ground you in place. This week’s Wine of the Week, the 2021 Hanzell “Estate” Chardonnay, does both. I’ve admired Hanzell for years, though I’ve never purchased a bottle—not for lack of availability, but because Sonoma offers so many standout Chardonnays….
Where Worlds Meet: Pairing Hidalgo “Napoleón” Amontillado with Filipino Chicken Adobo for #SherryWeek
The first swirl carried a quiet hint of the sea — that unmistakable echo of Sanlúcar’s salty winds. As #SherryWeek continues, I opened a bottle that feels shaped as much by the Atlantic as by time itself: Hidalgo La Gitana “Napoleón” Amontillado. It’s a wine that bridges worlds, moving from flor to oxidation, from brightness…
Timeless Flavors: Pairing Bodegas Tradition VORS Oloroso with Lamb #SherryWeek
This week for #SherryWeek, I revisit a treasured bottle from Bodegas Tradición — a 45-year-old VORS Oloroso that stirred memories of my grandmother’s 30-day cake. From the cool hush of Jerez’s soleras to an Andalusian-inspired lamb pairing at home, this story celebrates patience, flavor, and the art of time well spent.
Cabernet with Altitude: Smith-Madrone’s 2021 Vintage Climbs to New Heights
Each week, I spotlight a wine that captivates—whether for its distinctive character, fascinating story, or sheer delight in the glass. This week’s feature: the 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that channels both the rugged beauty and timeless spirit of Spring Mountain. Widely regarded as an exceptional vintage in Napa Valley, 2021 offered an ideal…
ZANTE Sparkling Zinfandel: Lodi’s Modern Spin on a Historic California Classic
Discover how Peltier Winery in Lodi revives California’s sparkling Zinfandel heritage with ZANTE—bright, sustainable, and made for everyday enjoyment.
Soil, Skin, and Soul — 2022 Scions of Sinai Tekstur
Last week’s Wine of the Week; Golden Hue of Curiosity explored how skin contact can transform white wine into something luminous and layered. This week, that curiosity continues along the rugged coast of South Africa with the 2022 Scions of Sinai Tekstur—a wine that’s as much about texture and place as it is about flavor…