Wine Tasting for the Season
This month and part of next, it is quite possible that you will be honored with the opportunity to taste an old “expensive” wine, courtesy of friends and family. If this happens, it’s tempting to assume an attitude of, “I can’t really appreciate this anyway” or “I will never be able to afford this stuff, no matter how good it is”. There are other options. ...
12/20/24
On the Napa Wine Trail: Tasting @ Frank Family
With an amazing history of growth, Frank Family’s fully equipped tasting facility is just as fun and friendly as in the past. And now, there are more wines to pick from and even sparkling wines for those in love with the bubbly ...
11/21/24
When Wine is Cheaper Than Beer
One of the most amusing debates is about the perfect beverage to consume with Italian cuisine. This often develops into banter over Wine versus Beer.
There is always the "which one pairs better" discussion.
But most people gloss over one important point. Which one actually costs you more? ...
10/31/24
South Rim Made Easy: Grand Canyon Railroad
With about 5 million people now visiting the Grand Canyon every year and with car parking often difficult to find, it would be nice to visit without the family vehicle. Sure, they have parking at the South rim, but you still must find a space at every overlook, and they require a shuttle to see the west side of the South Rim. So why put up...
10/1/24
Grilled BBQ Chicken: A Merlot That Pairs It Well
Anyone who loves grilled chicken should keep one thing in mind about wine pairing, don’t rule out today’s Merlots. They are bigger than past vintages and are an essential pairing choice. Also, with the wide variety of Merlots on the market, there’s always a good one to match your favorite chicken seasoning style...
9/13/24
National White Wine Day: Celebrate California
It’s summer, and with more hot days to come, most of our wine picks are going to draw from the white wine category. Also, with National White Wine Day coming up this Sunday August 4th, this may be an excellent time to take on a few new white wine pairing options...
7/31/24
Getting Fancy: And Wine Glasses to Match
Yeah, you order some wine, and they bring you a glass, big deal. But did you ever notice a glass that was a little different than usual? Fancy wine glasses are also the norm for special tastings, usually away from the main bar in a special area. But do you ever enjoy wine in fancy wine glasses at home?...
6/25/24
A Rutherford Complex: Freemark’s 2019 Cabernet Bosché
After tasting a lot of Napa Cabernets, it becomes obvious why the ones that are simply “different” fetch big ratings (and prices). Granted, if a top-shelf wine doesn’t work for you, it’s not worth it. On the other hand, those who enjoy these puppies will pay the price, knowing that their real value is somewhat intangible. And that’s what drives the...
5/3/24
Wine glasses clean in 8 minutes: A high-end solution
We once wrote about using a dishwasher to clean wine glasses, and you still can, if you use the right additives. However, if you are using many glasses to set up numerous tasting flights for people, you might want to consider a capable dishwasher with a little more oomph....
3/28/24
Matsu El Picaro: A stunning wine from Spain’s Toro
Great wines are often described as having Character, Depth, Fullness, and Distinctiveness. But in a world where so many offerings are simply “just there and quaffable”, distinctive selections that standout are always worth remembering. For many reasons, a good chunk of...
3/12/24
Mixing A.I. Into Your Wine Pairings
Ever feel like things are moving a little too quickly these days? Wondering about how the latest Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) craze will affect our everyday lives? You are not alone. Well, AI is here and there are some very real applications coming down to...
2/22/24
Wonderfully Balanced: La Follette Chardonnay 2021
As Greg La Follette moves on to the 2021 vintage, the trend in his Chardonnay’s combination of elegance and careful balance continues. Although the “Los Primeros” Chardonnay has a few less dimensions than the “Sun Chase”, it still offers a captivating character that the unoaked Chard fan will appreciate.
12/26/23
Wine Spectator Food and Drink: Merkin Vineyards
At the end of this month (11/30/23) Wine Spectator’s Food and Wine Travel Destinations issue will mention Merkin Vineyards as a featured “Place to Sip” visit under the Phoenix locale! It is amazing to see one of our local success stories...
11/17/23
L’Ecole Syrah: Big, Red and Luscious
The Walla Walla wine growing region has consistently wowed wine consumers every year for the past decade or so. And one of the best illustrations of this can be found in their big, deep Syrahs. Many vintages have been simply wonderful, with this enviable...
7/21/21
Et Fille Viognier: Pure Summer Refreshment
Viognier is not one of the more well-known grape varietals, but in its French “hometown”, the Rhone Valley, it is the king of white wines. However, truly few French Rhone blends are exported to other countries, leaving us to our own resources here in the U.S....
6/7/21
On the Lighter Side: Et Fille Rose
In 2003, Jessica Mozeico and her father founded the Et Fille winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. After her father’s passing during a harvest accident in 2017, Jessica continued to run the business. Today...
5/21/2021
Cabernet Franc & Others: What the Barrel Can Do
If you’ve ever wondered about all those grape varietals lining the “Alternative Reds” shelves, there is one in-particular that provides an interesting charm, Cab Franc. Note that most of the time this red is employed as...
5/14/21
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