One of the things that wine geeks like me get geeked out about is tasting wine varieties that we don’t get to taste every day.  Here’s a red blend that’s packed with four varieties that are native to Sicily.  Those varieties include Frappato Nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Nebello Mascalese and Nero d’Avola, blended at 25% of [...]

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These days, a lot of wine consumers are turning to South America for some outstanding wine values—and in particular, they’re turning to Chile and Argentina.  When it comes to Argentine reds, Malbec is king.  But there’s another variety that’s widely grown in Argentina that you may want to try. It’s called Bonarda.  And, in fact, [...]

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I’ve done numerous wine reviews for which the background involved a family-run winery passed down from one generation to the next, but this one is a little different.  The roots of Martellotto Wines go back for generations and began in Italy, but the story now continues in California.
Greg Martellotto’s grandfather immigrated to the US in [...]

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Carménère , or Carmenere, was once one of the grapes of Bordeaux.  It was always a problematic grape, due to late ripening, but brings some unique qualities to the wine in which it’s used.  In particular, it’s known for giving a green pepper characteristic to wines, which is intensified when the grapes are harvested under-ripe.  [...]

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Viña Valdivieso originated as Champagne Valdivieso way back in 1879.  It was the first producer in South America to make sparkling wine, and didn’t even begin producing still wine until 1980 when they expanded and formed Viña Valdivieso.
The grapes for this Carménère are from Central Valley, which means that they aren’t from one region, but [...]

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Casillero del Diablo is one of the brands produced by Concha y Toro, the largest wine producer in Chile and one of the best in terms of consistent quality and good value for the price.
The story goes that in starting in 1891, the founder of the Concho y Toro Winery, Don Melchor, kept a personal [...]

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Viu Manent is a family-owned winery in Colchagua Valley, Chile.  Founded in 1935, it originally under the name Vinos Viu.  Seventy-some years after its inception, the winery is still run by descendants of its founders.
The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard named La Capilla, near the town of Peralillo.  It’s 100% Carménère and [...]

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