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 […]
Varietals
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 […]
Review: Gaia, Cabernet Franc
Last week, I posted a review of the Maquis, Cabernet Franc from Chile. In that review, I noted how I don’t come across Cabernet Franc as often as some other varieties. Ironically, here I am a week later with another Cabernet Franc review. This one is also from South America, but a little further east […]
Review: Maquis, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a grape variety I don’t write about often. I have nothing against it, in fact I love a good Cab Franc. I just don’t come across it as often as other varieties. If you’re not familiar with Cabernet Franc, think of it as similar to Cabernet Sauvignon except a little bit lighter […]
Review: Murças, Assobio
Last week I posted a review of a Portuguese wine called Quinta dos Murças, Minas. Today I have another wine from Quinta dos Murças, this one is called Assobio. This wine was produced under the same lead winemaker, José Luis Moreira da Silva. The name, Assobio, means “whistle” in Portuguese and is a reference to […]
Review: Quinta dos Murças, Minas 2018
The Douro is best known as the region of Portugal where the grapes for Port are grown, however this region also produces a significant amount of table wine (i.e., non-fortified, dry wine). And the quality-to-price ratio (QPR) for wines from this region is outstanding. When I’m looking for rich, full-bodied reds at a bargain price […]
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: Herdade do Rocim Amphora Tinto
Some wines are made for the masses, some wines are made for aficionados and some wines are made for wine geeks. To me, this is a wine for wine geeks. That doesn’t mean that everyone else wouldn’t enjoy the wine, it just means there’s something special about the wine that wine geeks will totally geek […]