Each week, I spotlight a wine that truly captivates—whether for its distinctive character, fascinating story, or the sheer delight it brings to the glass. This week’s feature is the 2018 Smith-Madrone Riesling, a wine that exemplifies the rare and exceptional. In a region celebrated for bold reds and opulent Chardonnays, this Riesling is a delightful surprise, showcasing…
Tag: Wine Tasting
Discovering the Finger Lakes: A Taste of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
The Finger Lakes region has steadily gained national attention for its world-class wines, and I am thrilled to share my first exploration of this vibrant wine destination. Receiving samples from Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, a cornerstone of American viticulture, feels like an invitation to delve into a legacy that shaped the region’s success. Dr. Konstantin…
Uncorking Heritage: Tasting Post & Vine’s Sustainably-Farmed, Old Vine Wines
A couple of years ago, during a lunch at the UC Davis Influencer Wine Bootcamp, I had the pleasure of meeting Rebekah Wineburg, a distinguished alumna of UC Davis’s Viticulture and Enology program. Our paths first crossed at Steve Matthiasson’s home ranch, where she shared her passion for winemaking. When I casually mentioned that I…
Sustainability Meets Excellence: Inside the Legacy of Domaine Bousquet Wines
Domaine Bousquet (pronounced Boo-skay), nestled in the high-altitude region of Tupungato in Argentina’s Uco Valley, is a family-owned winery that blends rich tradition with a forward-looking approach to winemaking. Established in 1997 by Jean Bousquet, a fourth-generation winemaker from France’s Languedoc region, the winery was born from Jean’s vision of combining Old World craftsmanship with…
Exploring the Artistry of Potter’s Vineyard/Vino Vasai
Last year, I had the pleasure of sampling a selection of wines from Potter’s Vineyard/Vino Vasai, a boutique winery known for its artisanal approach to winemaking. You can read about my initial impressions and the delightful array of wines I tasted here. This year, I’m thrilled to receive another set of samples from this esteemed…
A Taste of Mad Marvlus Wines #WorldWineTravel
This month, the World Wine Travel (#WorldWineTravel) writers are exploring the world of hybrid grapes and the wines crafted from them. I recently had the pleasure of attending the Grapes of Inclusion event hosted by the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) at CIA at Copia in Napa. The event featured 20+ Black-owned brands from…
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…
Wine of the Week: 2016 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva
More often than not, my WOTW is a wine that I’m crushing on because of its combination of structure, deliciousness and food friendliness. Sometimes, I chose a WOTW based on the aforementioned factors, and because the wine evokes memorable experience the for one reason or another. That’s the case with the 2016 La Rioja Alta…
Wine of the Week: 2011 Ridge Petit Verdot Torre Ranch
This week’s Wine of the Week is a cellar selection that’s been resting peacefully my cellar since 2014. According the Ridge, 2011 is the first time Ridge bottled Petit Verdot as a mono-varietal wine. (Note: Ridge also bottled Petit Verdot as a mono-varietal wine in 2012, but none since then) Bottle note: “For twenty-one of…
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Crimson + Smoked Portobello Mushroom Burgers #WorldWineTravel
This month the World Wine Travel bloggers begin our exploration of New Zealand wines. For the uninitiated, I provided an overview of New Zealand wine in our invitation post. Martinborough Wine Region Our first stop in New Zealand is Martinborough! It is located in the southern part of New Zealand’s North Island about 55 kilometers (35…