La Jota Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1990 In 1983, the Howell Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) became one of the first official sub-appellations of Napa Valley. While rivers, creeks, and property lines typically define an AVA, the boundaries of Howell Mountain are defined by a 1,400-foot elevation contour line as the lowest point, with the highest vineyards situated at 2,500 feet above sea level…. Read more →
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Montenidoli is situated on 500 acres of woodland atop a hill that overlooks San Gimignano, facing the Chianti Classico region between Florence and Siena. This pristine land resides high up on the hill, benefiting from clean air and remaining untouched by any chemical pollutants created by humans. Under the guidance of Elisabetta Fagiuoli for over fifty years, Montenidoli has emerged as a leading producer of… Read more →
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Brace yourselves for two more fabulous rosé wines to tickle your taste buds! We’ve got one straight outta Napa, CA, and the other hailing all the way from the charming land of Veneto, IT. Now, I know when you think rosé, you automatically picture French regions like Provence, Bandol, and the Loire. But hey, let’s not forget that these wines are crafted with finesse in… Read more →
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Bodegas Breca – Brega 2018 Elegance and finesse are words commonly associated with high-end, expensive French wines such as those from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, and the overly priced Napa Cabernet Sauvignons like Heitz, Stags Leap, and Opus 1. However, in this case, I’m referring to Spanish wine. Spain has been producing incredibly elegant and nuanced wines, utilizing heirloom, native grapes from 100-year-old vines and exceptionally… Read more →
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Rizzardi KEYA Bardolino Chiaretto Classico The wine shop was pouring this, so I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by its color and freshness. It had a beautiful watermelon color with hints of peach and orange. On the palate, it revealed soft melon and herbal flavors. The wine had a long, tenacious finish that lingered with tropical fruit notes. KEYA is… Read more →
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Made from a combination of 34% Grenache, 32% Barbera, 16% Counoise, 14% Mouvedre, and 4% other reds from the Windmill Vineyard, and Barbera from the Muller Vineyard, both in the Dunnigan Hills, CA Since 2003, Matthiasson Wines has produced wines organically and using sustainable agricultural methods. Very pale salmon color. Subltle aromas and flavors of strawberry and pink grapefruit. Dry and bright with strong acidity…. Read more →
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Ah, natural wine! The rebellious teenager of the wine world, always causing a stir with its funky flavors and unpredictable behavior. It’s like the wild child who refuses to conform to society’s expectations. You never know what you’re going to get when you pop open a bottle of natural wine. It’s like playing Russian roulette, but with grapes instead of bullets. Will it taste like… Read more →
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Col di Luna produces sparkling wines at the foot of the Dolomites, upholding a family tradition and a preference for the Brut style. One of their offerings is the Flora rosato, made from a local grape variety called Raboso. This grape is not widely used due to its high tannin levels. I decided to try something different and opted for a wine made using the… Read more →
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This wine hails from Piedmont, a region in Italy that borders France and Switzerland, nestled at the foot of the Alps. The vineyard is owned by the Maccario brothers, who firmly believe in allowing the clean and healthy Barbera fruit to speak the loudest in the final wine. Harvesting takes place between late September and early November when the estate fruit reaches its optimal level… Read more →
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The label on this bottle turned my head, I had to try it and see if the playfulness matched what was inside. I was not let down. Albert Canela and Mariona Vendrell embarked on their winemaking journey in 2011, when they were just twenty years old. Their venture is located in the hills of Conca de Barberà, southwest of Barcelona in Catalonia. With support from… Read more →
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I was searching for a Spanish white wine made from the Verdejo grape, similar in style and flavor to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. However, the shop owner didn’t have any in stock but recommended another wine to me, primarily Albilio Real. This grape offers mostly neutral flavors and a light perfume aroma. Just a short distance west of Madrid, you’ll find Bodegas Bernabeleva. Nestled… Read more →
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Ah, the sweet anticipation of summer! The recent cold snap may have crushed my dreams of warmer days prematurely, but fear not, I believe we are finally crawling our way towards fairer weather and, most importantly, quaffable wines. Yes, my friends, the time has come to rejoice! But before we dive into the delightful world of rosé, let’s take a brief stroll through its captivating… Read more →
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