Grenache Blanc may not be top of mind when it comes to Lodi grape varieties, but a glass of this wine could change that! Disclosure: This wine was provided to me as a media sample. I received no compensation for this post, and all opinions presented are my own. Fruit for this wine was sourced…
Category: Wine
Beautiful Biodynamic Bubbles: Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionelle Brut #WinePW
I was impressed with this enticing, delicious and impeccably balanced sparkling wine from New Zealand! This month, the Wine Pairing Weekend group of wine and food writers are exploring “Biodynamic Wines of the World”. Gwen of Wine Predator is our host. You can read her invitation here. What Is Biodynamic Winemaking? The official definition of biodynamic farming according…
Sardinian Vermentino di Gallura Paired With Shrimp and Asparugus Risotto #ItalianFWT
I expect both the wine and the risotto to make encore appearances at our table! This month the Italian Food, Wine and Travel (#ItalianFWT) group of wine and food bloggers are exploring the Island Wines of Italy. As I contemplated the topic, the top of mind islands for me were Sicily and Sardegna (Sardinia), but…
Wine of the Day: 2013 Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella
This outstanding wine was a fantastic introduction to Amarone for me! The grapes for this wine were hand-picked and sorted in late September, then left to wither in wood boxes (the appassimento process, meaning “withering” or “fading”) stored in a well-aerated loft for about three months, during which the fruit loses 25-30% in weight, resulting…
A Taste of Farmhouse Wines
These are two delightful, high QPR, food friendly, everyday wines I’d recommend for both wine novices and enthusiasts. Finding a $40 bottle of wine that delights my palate is easy. Finding an under $15 that delights my palate is much more of a challenge. Let me digress a bit. When I first started my wine…
A Taste of Gratus Vineyards
I was very impressed by these alluring, vibrant and delicious wines! I recently had a chance to taste through a quartet of trade sample wines from Gratus (pronounced grah-tuhs) Vineyards. Gratus Vineyards is a, new-to-me, Napa Valley winery located in Pope Valley. My detailed tasting notes are below, but I was very impressed by these alluring, vibrant…
Overcoming The Odds Twice – The Women of Champagne Duval-Leroy #Winophiles
March is Women’s History Month, and the French Winophiles (#Winophiles) are celebrating the Women of Champagne. Why Champagne? Champagne has a rich heritage, and there were many women who are an inextricable part of its rich historical fabric. Many of these women were widows, (“veuve” in French) thrust into leadership by tragic circumstances. You may be…
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: 2016 Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Secretum
This unique wine crafted from the indigenous Portuguese Arinto grape variety, is a distinctive wine that has me craving it with Lobster Ravioli! My tasting notes follow: Color – Very pale straw yellow Aromas – Very appealing Meyer lemon, ripe peach, sandalwood, and a hint of petrichor aromas Body – Full-bodied, complex and harmonious with vibrant…
At Last! A Provencal Rouge – 2006 Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol #Winophiles
I’m a huge fan of the Mourvedre grape variety and this Bandol drinks well above its price point. Bravo! Have you ever had a wine on your “To Taste” list, but you never seemed to get around to it? Such was the case for me. So, when I found out that the theme for this…