Drink Now
I found this wine in a small shop in VT. The retro label design captured my attention. Curious to know more, I looked at the back of the bottle and found that the importer was Louis/Dressner. Denyse Louis and the late Joe Dressner started their New York-based company in 1988 with a handful of French producers. Now run by Ms. Louis, Kevin McKenna, and Jules… Read more →
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Two wines side by side, same vintage, same region, both under $20. But my idea was to introduce a grape variety that produces very fresh, juicy wines – the kind you can bring as a guest to dinner and enjoy thoroughly. Garnacha is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world, with its origin in Spain’s Calatayud region. It ripens… Read more →
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A little history: Verdejo from Rueda DO located in the Community of Castilla Y León, northwest of Madrid, is a white grape variety that produces crisp, aromatic, and refreshing wines. Known for their vibrant aromatics, high acidity, and versatility, Verdejo wines are a true expression of the unique terroir of Rueda. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with food, Verdejo wines are a delightful… Read more →
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A little history: Commanderie de Peyrassol was founded by the Knights of Templar, who were dedicated to protecting the Crusaders en route to, and in, the Holy Land. Among the artifacts that the Templars are said to have unearthed during their time on Temple Mount were the fabled Holy Grail, the Turin Shroud, the head of St. John the Baptist, the Spear of Destiny, the… Read more →
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We had a last-minute neighborly get-together on Thursday night, I thought of pairing the Robert Mondavi Maestro 2018 robust and full-flavored red blend (meritage), a blend of: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot, 5% Malbec with Vegan chili. The wine a great choice, boasting sweet red plum and Bing cherry aromas, complemented by savory notes of tamari, black pepper, and… Read more →
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Envínate Albarha Vinos Mediterraneos 2021. Envínate (translates as “wine yourself”) is the brainchild of 4 friends, winemakers Roberto Santana, Alfonso Torrente, Laura Ramos, and José Martínez. This gang of 4 formed back in 2005 while studying enology at the University of Miguel Hernandez in Alicante. They are part of the group that Telmo Rodriguez refers to as the “new generation of Spanish winemakers”, pushing the boundaries… Read more →
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On Saturday, I attended a small tasting event at a newly opened wine shop, however, it resembled more of a general store/gift shop which sold wine. During the tasting, I was introduced to a delightful and reasonably priced wine, the Guy Allion Les Mazelles Sauvignon 2021, a 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine from the Touraine region in the Loire Valley. The wine has a pale straw… Read more →
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I came across this wine at a local shop tasting and was impressed with its simplicity and finesse. The wine is made using a combination of both tank and barrel fermentations that are aged in neutral barrels. The fruit is sourced from three vineyards in Happy Canyon; Grassini, McGinley, and Star Lane. A bright energetic wine with spring flowers and hints of mint. The wine… Read more →
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I recently hosted a dinner and decided to serve three “bordeaux” style wines, two from the Bordeaux region and one from California, a Cabernet Sauvignon. The first wine I opened was the Clarendelle Bordeaux 2016, which consists of 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Cabernet Franc. It was a pleasant wine overall, but nothing particularly stood out. I learned that Clarendelle purchases wines from… Read more →
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I discovered this wine quite by accident last summer. A new wine shop had just opened and one of my favorite things is to peruse a new wine shop. I was impressed with their selection of natural, organic, and biodynamic wines. Many I was already very familiar with. However, I was not impressed with their pricing. I believe I paid $29. for this wine much… Read more →
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I first learned of this wine from Eric Asimov’s New York Times column 20 under $20. In it he says its made by Juan Antonio Ponce, of Bodegas Ponce of which I am familiar from his outstanding Bobal La Casilla. Still, the bottle has no visible references to the grapes or the maker other than “Parra Jimenez”. So I delved a bit further and found… Read more →
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Remember the name Bobal, a red grape variety that is native to the Utiel-Requena region in Valencia, Spain, which is located on the southeastern Mediterranean coast, is the second most commonly grown grape in Spain. Atance Bobal 2019 is a wine that is 100% Bobal and is produced by Toni Sarrion, the winemaker of Bodegas Mustiguillo. He has taken it upon himself to champion this… Read more →
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