Wine of the Day: 2015 Markus Wine Co. Zietlos Red Blend

This is an alluring, suave, and harmonious wine that is emblematic of outstanding wines being crafted in the Lodi AVA This wine is a  predominately a blend of Syrah and Viognier  from the Borra Vineyards Gill Creek Ranch that were picked on the same day and co-fermented in the Northern Rhône tradition.  Old vine Carignan  and Petite Sirah from the…

Wine of the Day: 2017 Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes du Rhône Samorëns

An elegant, dry classically style Rhone Rose that delivers high QPR! Sourced from biodynamically grown grapes from vineyards are situated on the right bank of the Rhône. with alluvial soils: limestone, sand, pebbles and clay Color – Pale pink red Aromas – Cherries, strawberries, dried roses, and dried herbs with a hint of white peaches Body…

Grower Champagne From The Chalky Slopes Of Avize: Franck Bonville Prestige Brut Blanc de Blancs #Winophiles

Each month the French #Winophiles blogging group explores a particular French wine theme.  Sometimes it’s a notable region whose wines we’d like to explore in-depth; other times it’s more about exploring a grape variety vinified throughout the country.   This month we are exploring grower Champagne. If you’re not familiar with grower Champagne.  Have a look at…

The French #Winophiles Sip Grower Champagne Preview

Each month the French #Winophiles blogging group explores a particular French wine theme.  Sometimes it’s a notable region whose wines we’d like to explore in-depth; other times it’s more about exploring a grape variety vinified throughout the country.   This month we are exploring Grower Champagne. Our group of food and wine writers will reveal what they’ve…

Is Flower Wine Ready For PrimeTime? Free Range Flower Winery Aims To Find Out!

The Bay Area’s food and wine scene is, of course, world-class and often pretty innovative. A new Oakland winery is producing a vintage like no other where flowers — not grapes — are the star of the bottle. Cornell Brand; KGO-TV Free Range Flower Winery (“FRFW”) is a family-owned urban winery located in Oakland, California, that…

Celebrate Harvest Season Livermore Valley Style!

For winemakers, harvest season, when the bulk of the grapes are pick, pressed and fermented, brings anxiety, long hours, and a multitude of critical decisions to be made.  Also, know as crush season, it has historically also been a time to celebrate the harvest. That’s especially true this year for the annual Livermore Valley’s Harvest Wine…

The French #Winophiles Sip Grower Champagne – An Invitation To Join

A good friend of mine has told me on innumerable occasions that “Champagne is the only drink that is socially acceptable to drink any time of day”  I heartily agree! This month the French #Winophiles, a group of wine writers that explore French wine, food and travel the third Saturday of every month,  will be exploring…

Wine Of The Day: 2017 Rombauer Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

This delicious and very food friendly wine offers high QPR.  More please! Introduced with the 2014 vintage,  the Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc was their first new varietal wine introduced in more than 20 years, and only the second white wine in their long history.  The fruit for this wine comes from four carefully…

The Pleasures of Provençal Rosé #Winophiles

This month the French #Winophiles are celebrating French Rosé!  I was provided with three sample rosés from Provence by our sponsors the Provence Rosé Group, and  Teuwen Communications.   As always, opinions are my own. Whenever I think of rosé, the first place I think of is Provence.  That because the rosés of Provence  are the…

Wine Of The Day: 2017 Scheid Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé

…it’s dry, crisp, refreshing and versatile at the table while offering wonderful quality for the price! The wine is a blend of 95% Pinot Noir, 5% Syrah from four of Scheid’s estate vineyards –Mesa del Rio, Riverview, San Lucas and Viento – situated in the cool climate region of California’s renowned Monterey County.  The grapes were destemmed, lightly…