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” […]
Jacob’s Creek Red Blend – Easy Drinking Bargain Red
Jacob’s Creek is a pretty big producer from Australia with good distribution in the United States, which means this should be a relatively easy wine to find. That said, this is a new release and it may take some time for it to show up widely in stores. But when it does, it will be […]
Pertinace Nebbiolo – Aromatic and Affordable
I often get the question, “what’s your favorite wine?” To which I never have a simple answer. I don’t really have one favorite. It depends on what mood I’m in, what I’m eating, what the weather is, etc. That’s like asking me what my favorite song is. I can’t narrow it down to just one. […]