If you spend much time exploring wine, through visiting vineyards and talking with producers or even just reading about it, the topic of climate change is likely to come up… often. While some politicians and biased media sources like to question the veracity of climate change models, those who have been working in the wine […]
White Wines
Review: Licence IV Blanc
When seeking out wine that offers exceptional value, I’ve learned that there are a few factors at play to influence the price. Some of those factors are things like crop yield, labor costs, region and packaging. The wine I’m highlighting today, Licence IV Blanc, has a few things going for it that drive the quality-to-price […]
Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Sauvignon Blanc is an interesting grape variety because it’s expression is so distinctly different depending on where it’s grown. This is true of all grape varieties to some extent. After all, that’s why you hear so many wine producers talk about terroir. But in my opinion, this is much more pronounced when it comes to […]
Review: Pam’s UN-Oaked Chardonnay 2020
Confession: When it comes to white wine, Chardonnay generally isn’t my first choice. I’m not anti-Chardonnay, I just tend to prefer other varieties. But sometimes, I come across a Chardonnay that strikes my fancy. When that happens, more often than not it’s an unoaked Chardonnay. Unoaked chardonnay is just what it sounds like — Chardonnay […]
Pecorino, a Beautiful Bargain
Cheese is the first thing most people think of when they hear Pecorino, but if you’re a wine lover get ready to know Pecorino as wine. And if you like vibrant white wines at amazingly reasonable prices, this is a wine you will most definitely want to get to know. Pecorino, the Grape You may […]
Review: Bico Amarelo 2020
In my last post, about Ameal Loureiro, I highlighted how Vinho Verde can be a serious, quality wine. Bico Amarelo is produced by José Luis Moreira da Silva, the same winemaker as Ameal Loureiro, and is another example of Vinho Verde produced as a “fine wine” and yet it retails for a mere $12. Although […]
Review: 2020 Ameal Loureiro
Vinho Verde is a wine region that is widely misunderstood and underappreciated in the U.S. You’ve probably had a Vinho Verde at some point and it was probably a really cheap, simple wine, possibly with a slight effervescence from gas added to the wine. And it was probably not that special. Sure, that style of […]
Review: Esporão, Monte Velho White Blend
I’ve posted a lot about blends recently. Most of those posts have been about red wine blends but this one is about a white wine blend. This wine comes from a winery called Esporão, located in the Alentejo region of Portugal and more specifically in Reguengos de Monsaraz. I’ve reviewed a number of wines from […]
Exploring Variety in Oregon Wine
Before the Covid-19 pandemic descended upon us, I had planned to visit the Willamette Valley wine region of Oregon in 2020 in order to explore the wineries in that region. But alas, that didn’t happen. So, when I had an opportunity to join a virtual masterclass and tasting called Unexplored Oregon I leapt at the opportunity. […]
Review: Esporão, Bico Amarelo
Recently, I’ve posted a number of reviews of red blends from Portugal. But red wines aren’t the only blends to consider, so today I’m highlighting a white blend from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal, the Esporão, Bico Amarelo. “Vinho Verde” translates literally as “green wine” but more appropriately is translated as “young wine” as […]