Drink Now
A quick pop-in to a local wine shop yielded tasting one very weird Chertok ‘Midrash’ a grape/cider combination, a Malbec from Cahors, and Populis, a Sauvignon Blanc from Mendocino County. Of the three I decided to buy the Populis. 2022 POPULIS SAUVIGNON BLANC – MENDOCINO COUNTY $25 It’s well made, a bit more of a “gastro” wine as opposed to a sipping/drinking wine. The acidity […]
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Champagne, Corsica, Paso Robles, Napa Andrew did not disappoint with his selection! These wines were eye-opening and jaw-dropping. Particularly the reds which were best had on different days to truly enjoy them. Champagne Palmer 2012 A soft dry wine with fresh apples and a crisp citrus mouthfeel. Nicely creamy and lively with excellent acidity this vintage cuvée is ready to be enjoyed…and was! $112 Constellation […]
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Wilson and Alandra’s Tasting Selection Thomas Fogerty Wines, Santa Cruz Mountains Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Mindego Vineyard, 2018 A fine representation from this winemaker, explosive fruit, full cherry, and red fruit with excellent depth and intensity. A beauty of a Pinot from this producer. $75 La Vida Bella Vineyard, 2018 Excellent ruby color with a slight clove nose, black cherries and licorice, and rich fresh […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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