Just because Valentine’s Day is over, doesn’t mean the romance has to stop! Keep the sparks flying by showing some love for your one true soul mate who will never let you down …wine! Touring & Tasting has picked out some romantic getaways in wine country that are sure to impress that special someone! Red
New Year, New You!
Are you tired of the same ‘ole New Years Resolutions year after year? At the start of the New Year gym parking lots fill up, fridges are full of fruits and veggies, and Pinterest boards light up with “get fit” inspiration. However, come February the gym rats get their front row spots back, your Pinterest
The Irrational Purchase of St Emilion
I have a problem with authority. Yeah, I bleached my hair and defied my school dress code to exactly the calculated degree of defiance that’d piss people off but not get me told off. But that’s not what I mean. I have a problem with being arbitrarily dictated to, sure. But I also have a problem with dictating. You see, I’m not a r
16 Distinctive Wines from the Veneto (Wine Spectator)
New reviews of bright whites and ripe reds from northern Italy
2014 Bordeaux Barrel Tasting: James Molesworth’s Blogs and Wine Reviews (Wine Spectator)
James Molesworth is tasting barrel samples in Bordeaux to get a first glimpse of the 2014 vintage, likely the best the region has seen since 2010. Follow along with his tasting notes and daily blogs
NV Pizzolato Fields Prosecco Brut Organic
I knew this would be a fun buy – Organic Prosecco at Costco for $8.99; it’s hard to go wrong. And this bottle is exactly what you’d expect. I don’t see much of a reason to go further upstream from here for an every day bubbly.Nice fruit; citrus flavors, apple, pear. Dry finish as expected, very crisp and refreshing. Aweso
2013 Domaine de Chene-Colombe Macon Villages
I first came across this wine in the 2011 vintage about 10 months ago, so was happy to see the 2013 appear at my Costco. After I reviewed the 2011 back in May of 2014 I had several readers write in that they really enjoyed this wine, and agreed with my take that this was a pretty good White Burgundy at a fair price ($14.89 this year vs $13.99 last
Los Carneros Wine Night at Bouchon
Bouchon is one of Napa Valley’s finest restaurants. It is an authentic French Bistro created in 2002 by the world renown Chef Thomas Keller of Napa Valley’s French Laundry. Located just north of the Los Carneros wine region in Yountville, Bouchon is a good site for the tasting of Los Carneros’ finest wines. We thought it was a great idea
Interview at Wine & Spirits Magazine: The Frank Prial Fellowship
The Frank Prial Fellowship Two weeks ago I attended the 11th annual Napa Valley Wine Writer Symposium. During dinner on the last night each of the Symposium fellowship winners were named, and I discovered I won the Frank G. Prial Fellowship, an award given to the writer whose application submissions scored top honors from the judges. with Linda Rei
Virginia Wine: Finally Realizing Thomas Jefferson’s Dream
Over 200 years ago Thomas Jefferson dreamed of producing quality American wines from vitis vinifera vines in Virginia. Today his dream is rapidly coming to fruition, as we show in our just-released report on the wines of Virginia. The numbers of wineries and vineyards have exploded over the past two decades. More importantly, Virginia is today pro
Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For March 16, 2015
So, like, what is this stuff, anyway? I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes with you via twitter (limited to 140 characters). They are meant to be quirky, fun, and easily-digestible reviews of currently available wines. Below is a wrap
Di Costanzo Coombsville Cabernet from Massimo Di Costanzo
Di Costanzo Wines Jr + Massimo Di Costanzo getting ready to film their interview Massimo Di Costanzo has been making delicious Cabernet from Farella Vineyards in Coombsville since 2010. This past weekend, Jr and I met with Massimo, and his wife, Erin Sullivan, to discuss his winemaking, and taste a vertical of his work. I asked Jr to accompany me t
TURLEY Zinfandel Paso Robles Pesenti Vineyard 2012 $35 (Wine Spectator)
A zesty California Zinfandel with lots of character
FLEUR DU CAP Sauvignon Blanc Western Cape Bergkelder Selection 2014 $10 (Wine Spectator)
A fresh and direct South African white
Furmint Adventures Episode 11: Gizella Cellar
I do believe that our Furmint adventures, alas, come to an end with this episode, the eleventh in the series (more were filmed, but I’m not sure in what context those will be cropping up; when they do I will let you know). Special thanks to all of those who were responsible for making this happen; I will treasure the memories, the wines, and
Say it loud and there’s music playing / Say it soft and it’s almost like praying
Last time we talked, dear buttery reader, was when I blathered on for ages about drinking a Waitrose St Emilion and not really having an opinion. I like to think that, in contrast with (say) Ed Miliband, I was at least honest about my lack of opinion, and didn’t artificially attempt to take a position purely for the appearance thereof. One of