“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…
Category: Wine
A Taste of Bodegas El Coto Rioja
These easy drinking wines offer terrific quality for the price, and would be welcome at in my glass and at my table anytime! The Rioja region in Spain was my initial foray beyond the realm of local California wines, and it remains a cherished favorite. I’ve consistently admired the remarkable quality-to-price ratio that Rioja wines…
A Taste of Ribera del Duero’s Monteabellón
This week, I’ve been sampling some Spanish wines. In this case two from Monteabellón in the Ribera del Duero region. While I’m familiar with the region by reputation, I’m excited to learn more about it and delve into the unique characteristics of these wines. Join me on this journey of discovery. Disclosure: Wines were provided as…
A Taste of Herminia
As a wine enthusiast, I embarked on my journey into the world of wine many years ago. Surprisingly, I found myself drawn to the wines of Spain over France, with the wines of Rioja being my particular favorite. Not only did they offer a higher quality-to-price ratio, but they were also more accessible and reasonably…
Wines of the Week; 2019 Ultimate Cabernet Ultimate Red and 2018 Audax from Calla Lily Estate
“Pope Valley is a hidden gem in Napa Valley”… Cary Gott, Winemaker This week’s Wines of the Week features two alluring and delicious wines from Calla Lily Estate, a small, artisanal producer of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. About Calla Lily Estate In 2013, Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui sought the expertise…
Wine of the Week: Champagne Agrapart & Fils “Terroirs” Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs
…it’s no wonder that Agrapart & Fil is a benchmark in grower-producer Champagne! I tend to indulge in sparkling wines more often than most. Rather than reserving them for fairly rare annual celebrations, I enjoy them as a regular treat. However, I do make exceptions on occasion. This week, for example, I saved my Wine…
Wine of the Week: Soleras Del Pacifico Flor of Evangelho Palomino Fino
Soleras del Pacífico seeks to learn how this variety, made to its full potential through the techniques of the Iberian Peninsula, expresses itself in California. Jake Neustadt I have enjoyed being a devoted lover of Sherry for many years. One aspect of the Sherry region that has always fascinated me is its distinct terroir. A remarkable facet…
Wine of the Week; 2019 Two Shepherds Blanc de Cinsault Ancient Vine Bechtold Vineyard
This week, I had the pleasure of sharing a post on my Instagram page for #OldVineDay, where I showcased this remarkable wine. However, due to the limited character count, I couldn’t provide all the details about the magical Bechtold Vineyard in Lodi. So, I am excited to share more information about this vineyard, along with…
2017 Can Descregut Corpinnat Brut Nature Reserva + Spanish Inspired Appetizers! #WinePW
I found myself gravitating toward and trying wines from producers who jumped off the DO Cava ship… This month the Wine Pairing Weekend bloggers will be exploring Spain’s famous sparkling wine – Cava! The origins of Cava lie in the winemaking area of Penedés, the most important viticultural area within the larger Catalonia D.O. The…
Exploring Chilean Coastal Wines; #WorldWineTravel Preview
This month I am hosting the World Wine Travel (#WorldWineTravel) writers as we explore Chilean Coastal Wines. You may read my invitation here. All our posts will be live between Friday, June 23rd and Saturday, June 24th. We will be gathering for a live Twitter chat on Saturday, June 24th at 8am Pacific time. Follow…