Wine

I am not very experienced with wines yet as I am young, but recently I had a Pinot Noir that was delicious! It was a 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards, Sonoma … [more]

This light sparkling red wine from Piedmont is made from the red Brachetto grape near the town of Aqui. At only 5% or so alcohol, it is very light, elegant, juicy, and very easy to swallow. Even the … [more]

Amarone is made from dried grapes from the Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinare varietals, and this bottling was left to macerate on the skins for a full 60 days. This creates a very big, heavy, almost … [more]

Sagrantino is a very “under the radar” DOCG wine, partly because it is very small, and fairly expensive. It’s made from 100% Sagantino near Montefalco, and usually is a huge wine. … [more]

If I had my wish, almost everything I drank would have upwards of 10 years on it already. I love the bouquet, perfume, and mellow aspect that comes with wines with a little age on them. This was no … [more]

A lesser known wine, this is slowly gaining ground in imports to the U.S. Montepulciano is the grape (not to be confused with the town and wine with the same moniker). This is one of the more … [more]

Brunello is one of the great Italian wines, and is also located in Tuscany. It too is made from sangiovese, although it’s a different clone from the sangiovese grape used in Chianti. 2001 was a … [more]

Finally, a name we can all pronounce! This is a great producer and a classic Chianti. It possessed just about everything I would expect and want from a Chianti: lots of varietal sangiovese … [more]

Cerasuolo means something like “cherry colored”, which this wine has plenty of. In the nose there is lots of pure red fresh cherry notes, and a hint of spice & pepper. In the mouth it … [more]

OK, it’s a mouthful to say, but worth it—if you’re studying Italian. Le Marche is known for Verdicchio, classico means it’s from the original, best part of the appellation, … [more]

Tocai-Friulano is drunk day-in, day-out in Friuli, and is one of the native grapes of the region. Although it can be a bit simple, it can also have great character. This one was very aromatic, and … [more]

This sparkling wine is made by the tank method, using the prosecco grape. This is one of the best Prosecco’s out there. Here, there was really nice fruitiness, light peaches and a touch of … [more]

Recently a friend brought over a bottle of this sparkling shiraz and admitted with a guilty smile that he was kind of hooked. I took one sip and knew why, for I too was hooked. This dark blood red … [more]

While we were in South Africa for a wedding in the Franschoek wine region we visited a vineyard called De Trafford. While I am not at all a wine expert, I know what I like - and we like almost … [more]

KELLER ESTATE “La Cruz Vineyard” Sonoma Coast AVA Sonoma County 2005 Visual: Medium yellow Nose: I had to dig around a bit to get the aromas from this one. Once I did, I found a hint melon and … [more]

GARY FARRELL “Russian River Selection” Russian River AVA Sonoma County 2005 Visual: Gold-yellow Nose: Melon, pear, citrus and pineapple, complex earthy and minerally nuances. Mouth: Super silky, … [more]

HDV Carneros AVA Napa County 2004 Visual: Crystal clear yellow-gold Nose: Bright notes of fresh ripe apples with a hint of light caramel, guava, tropical fruits, rocks and minerals, as well as a … [more]

CAKEBREAD Napa Valley Napa Valley AVA Napa County 2003 Visual: Yellow-gold Nose: Butter, soft and easy oak up front, “guava & banana”, baked apple, creme brulee, and citrus notes. Mouth: The … [more]

PESSAGNO “Lucia Highlands Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Monterey County 2005 Visual: Medium yellow Nose: There were hints of tropical fruit, perhaps mango, and pineapple, as well as apple, … [more]

DOMAINE ALFRED Califa “Chamisal Vineyard” Edna Valley AVA San Luis Obispo County 2002 Visual: Rich gold-yellow Nose: Caramel and butterscotch dominates, but it’s nice and natural smelling … [more]