Thanks mostly to the 1 Wine Dude 2012 Zinfandel Festival Giveaway, I had the pleasure of attending my first Zinfandel Festival, an unabashed three-day Zinfandel spree, put on by the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (“ZAP”). I say mostly because, I won (guess I can’t say I NEVER win anything anymore) tickets for two to two of…
Category: Wine Tasting
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…2008 Raventos i blanc Cava L’Hereu Reserva Brut
For this week’s sparkler it’s back to what’s becoming a favorite of mine, Cava. Unlike Champagne, Cava isn’t from a particular region, rather it’s a term used for Spanish sparklers made in the traditional method (known as Méthode Champenoise) used in France. While there are some other regions in Spain that also make Cava, about 95%…
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Roederer Estate Brut
This week’s sparkler is produced by Roederer Estate, owned by Louis Roederer Champagne, which is renowned for producing the luxury Champagne Cristal. The California operation is located in Anderson Valley, north of the Napa Valley. My last visit to Anderson Valley was a few years ago. I really enjoyed it. It doesn’t have cachet of Napa, or…
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Charles Baur Crémant d’Alsace Rosé
Looking for a great sparkling Rosé from France for less than $20? Try this one from the Alsace region!
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Mumm Napa Cuvee M
Mumm Napa is a joint venture between G.H. Mumm & Cie, of France, and Joseph E Seagram & Sons. G.H. Mumm & Cie was founded in 1827, ironically by the von Mumms, German winemakers who trace their ancestry back to medieval times. The Napa location was founded by in 1979 by Guy Deveaux, who passed away in 1995….
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Mumm Napa Brut Rosé
Looking for very nice Sparkling Rosé to try? Try this one! It’s very good and frequently on sale at a price that make it very good value…
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Blason Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc De Noirs
This week’s sparkler hails from Burgundy region of France. It is produced by Blason de Bourgogne. I picked it up at Trader Joe’s on a whim because I recognized the Blason name. It’s a name I associate with value wines. According to the Blason website they represent 800 wine-growing families throughout Burgundy. Beside this Blanc de Noirs,…
Fall 2011 Ridge Wine Blogger Tasting – Lytton Estate Rhones And A Surprise!
Last Sunday Christopher Watkins, Tasting Room Manager for Ridge Vineyards hosted the Fall 2011 Wine Bloggers Tasting at Ridge, Lytton Springs in Healdsburg. An intimate group of wine bloggers, many of whom I followed and am a fan of, met in the barrel room. It was great to put faces with names. That made the…
T.G.I.F. Champagne and the like…NV Domaine Chandon California Rosé
Domaine Chandon, established in 1973, was the first French-owned sparkling wine venture in the United States. The winery, and their highly regarded restaurant étoile are co-located in Yountville. Thus creating the only fine dining/restaurant in the Napa Valley. Chandon makes both sparkling and still wine, but are best known for their sparkling wines which are produced…
How Port Is Made
From the “A picture (or moving pictures) is worth a thousand words” file, is this short that is the final installment in my dessert wine series. The video explains how Port wine is made. This video is a one of the finalists in the Wine Spectator 2011 Video Contest. Click here to check out the…