In a couple days celebrators around the world will pop open a bottle of bubbly to ring in the New Year. A number of them will drop too much coin for high-priced sparklers that, although they can be great, many wine drinkers won’t even be able to tell the difference between them and a much […]
Segura Viudas Aria Estate Brut Cava – Complex and Elegant
‘Tis the season of celebrations and the time of year when people are more likely to be thinking about sparkling wines than other times of year. Although I’m an advocate of celebrations anytime of year and of enjoying sparkling wine with or without a celebration. And I don’t think I’m the only one with this […]
Robert Mondavi Winery, To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc – Elegant and Harmonious
Fumé blanc is another way to say sauvignon blanc. It’s the same grape, just another name. Perhaps a more elegant or exotic sounding name. And it just so happens that this is an elegant sauvignon blanc. But it also happens to be one that is priced above my general target of $20 or less. The […]
Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend – Earthy, Fruity and Tasty
Red blends are where it’s at when it comes to finding good red wines that won’t break the bank. Sure there are plenty of varietal wines that are good too, but the bang for the buck you get from red blends tends to be more consistent than single-variety wines in this price range. This blend […]
Ken Forrester Petit Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot – A Marvelous Value
Over the past year, I’ve found myself becoming more and more a fan of South African wines. Of course with any region there are going to be some wines that are better than others — and some producers who are better that others. And Ken Forrester is quckly becoming my “go to” producer from South […]
Emiliana Natura Un-oaked Chardonnay – Crisp and Fruity
If you’re one of those wine drinkers who swears they hate chardonnay, I implore you to try a “naked” or un-oaked chardonnay. Or try a few of them as the winemaking can bring out different personalities in this style of wine. But if you fancy yourself a chard-hater, stripping away the oak may change your […]
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc – Consistently Delicious
This is not the first time I’ve reviewed a Kim Crawford sauvignon blanc. Just earlier this year I posted a review of the 2012 vintage and I loved it. Now, I’m happily enjoying the 2013 vintage — and it is equally delicious. When I find a wine that’s consistently awesome, year after year, that wine […]
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva – Tasty Bargain Bubbly
It is holiday season and while I recommend sparkling wine any time of the year it’s a must during the holiday season. You might think that sparkling wine is a splurge, but if you know how to shop for it you can actually get some pretty darn good bubbly at prices comparable to any other […]
Creating Vinho Verde at Quinta de Covela
One of the things that fascinates me when I learn the history of many wine producers in Europe is how common it is to find vineyards that have stayed in the same family for several generations. But that’s not always the story. Every now and then I come across a new kid on the block. […]
Frisk Prickly Rosso – Sparkly Fun
When a PR rep reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in tasting a “prickly rosso” I said, “Hell yes!” It wasn’t that I expected it to be a spectacular wine, but it was something different and that’s one of the things I love about wine – exploring different ones. By “prickly” […]