One of the first things you’ll notice if you see this bottle of Prosecco are the words “organic & vegan” on the label. You might find yourself wondering how a wine could not be vegan. It has to do with the fining process, which is done to clarify and stabilize wine but often uses non-vegan […]
Styles
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 […]
Review: Esporão, Reserva Red
Today I’m continuing the recent series of red blends from Portugal with a wine from one of the larger producers in Alentejo, Esporão. This is a producer that grows about 40 different varieties of grapes, but also olive groves, orchards and other produces. It sounds like a beautiful place. This blend includes some of the […]
Review: Cartuxa, Tinto
A few weeks back, I had a series of reviews on red blends from Portugal and today I’m back at it with a wine from a legendary winery in Portugal, called Cartuxa. This winery, along with the olive grove and enoteca under the same name, are run by a philanthropic foundation, called Eugénio de Almeida. […]
Review: Gruet Blanc de Noirs
What would you say if I told you New Mexico is the source of some of the best sparkling wine in the US? Would you believe me? Would you think I’ve lost it? Well, here we are and that’s exactly what I’m saying. Gruet Winery The producer I’m talking about is Gruet (pronounced: groo-ay) and […]
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 […]
Review: Herdade de São Miguel, Colheita Seleccionada
Recently, I’ve been focusing on red blends from Portugal — and more specifically, the Alentejo region of Portugal. The wine I’m highlighting today, Herdade de São Miguel, Colheita Seleccionada, continues that theme. Some of the best wine in the world comes from vineyards in areas you might not think are great for agriculture, unless you […]
Review: Adega de Borba Reserva Red
How do you choose a wine? Do you tend to think of a specific variety, like a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot? Or do you think about blends? In my opinion, blends are too often overlooked in the United States — although their popularity is growing. While varietal wines certainly have their place, blends have […]
Review: Esporão, Monte Velho Red
Regular readers of this site are probably aware of my appreciation for Portuguese wine. One driver of that appreciation is the quality to price ratio (QPR) for their wines, which tends to be very good. That catches the attention of a bargain hunter like me and makes me seek out more. This wine comes from […]
