Many Americans don’t think of Germany when looking for a sparkling wine, however they produce some wonderful sparklers. They produce more than you might expect too — sekt makes up 31% of Germany’s total wine production. This sparkler is made from riesling in the traditional méthode champenoise (meaning the carbonation is achieved by finishing the […]
Styles
Parducci Small Lot Chardonnay – Fantastic
In my recent review of Emiliana Natura Unoaked Chardonnay I shared my affinity for chardonnay without oak. But while I love a good unoaked chardonnay, I’m not entirely opposed to having some oak in my chardonnay. When it comes to oaking wines, balance is the key and this wine demonstrates that well. With 80% of […]
Emiliana Natura Unoaked Chardonnay – Crisp and Tasty
I often think of chardonnay as the most loved and most hated wine. In the U.S. it is the most sold varietal, period. Out of all the white wine and red wine varietals, more chardonnay is sold than any other varietal. This is a pretty good indication that a lot of people love it. But […]
Parducci Small Lot Pinot Noir – Great Value
A lot of wine snobs like to say it’s impossible to find good pinot noir for under $20. While it’s not as easy as some other varietals, it can be done and this wine from Parducci is a great example. Not only is this a good pinot noir for under $20, it’s a good pinot noir […]
Emiliana Natura, Carmenere – Amazing!
I usually approach carmenere cautiously. Due to the nature of the grape, if producers harvest underripe grapes it results in a strong green pepper aroma and flavor. A little bit of that can be OK, maybe even interesting. But too much of it is just not enjoyable. When carmenere is done right, however, it can […]
Marques de Casa Concha, Chardonnay – Yummy!
I’ve written about many different wines from Concha y Toro. After all, they are the biggest wine producer in Chile and Chile is a great source for good wines at a reasonable cost — bargains, in other words. Given its size, it’s no surprise that Concha y Toro has several different brands that sell at […]
Casillero del Diablo, Cabernet Sauvignon – Devilish Release
Casillero del Diablo is no stranger to Cheap Wine Ratings. Chile has been a great source or good, affordable wines for years. And Casillero Del Diablo is a big Chilean brand that’s been churning out bargain bottles for years. I’ve honestly had a love/hate relationship with Casillero del Diablo. Sometimes I find their wines to […]
Nik Weis St. Urbans Hof, Wiltinger “Alte Reben”
In German, “alte reben” means “old vines” and that’s what the source of the grapes in this riesling. It comes from a 22 acre parcel in the Schlangengraben vineyard which was established in the early 1900’s and some of the vines date to that time. It’s along the banks of the Saar river, a narrower […]
Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and many men will be looking for flowers or chocolates or something sweet for their significant other. But if you want to something a little different, something unique, yet still in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this wine may be just what you need. Rosa Regale is a sparkling Brachetto d’Acqui, […]
Cosentino, Cigar Old Vine Zinfandel
Zinfandel is wine with an attitude. It’s a wine that evokes a passionate fan base for those who love it for being bold and brash. And it’s a wine that has its detractors too, also due to it being a bold and brash style of wine. Cigar Zin, from Cosentino Winery, is one of those […]