From the New York Times June 28, 2023 By:Rebekah Peppler A drink built and named for summer, Spain’s effervescent tinto de verano (summer red wine) matches the season’s easy-going nature. At its most traditional, the recipe sticks to just three ingredients: ice, red wine and citrus soda. (La Casera, from Spain, is most classic, but 7Up and Sprite also work.) This version includes an option […]
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Baron de Ley Reserva, Rioja 2014 Magnum I wasn’t familiar with this producer initially, but what caught my attention was the combination of price and bottle size. Who doesn’t love a Magnum? It’s perfect for a dinner party, as why open two bottles when one is easier? Baron de Ley is a relatively new producer, established in 1985, boasting an expansive vineyard spanning almost 1500 […]
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Union Sacré, Edelzwicker 2022 For those of you that have never heard of Edelzwicker, it is a term used to describe a type of wine, specifically a blended white wine, originating from the Alsace region in France. The word “Edelzwicker” is of German origin and translates to “noble blend” or “fine blend.” In Alsace, where both German and French influences are prominent, Edelzwicker wines are […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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