tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69937235081901208512012-01-28T21:52:17.630-05:00Always Irreverent, Sometimes Profane, and Occasionally Informative <br>Wine Reviews, Buying Advice, and CommentaryWinethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.comBlogger3571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-13166682591184880602012-01-27T10:44:00.001-05:002012-01-27T13:28:19.887-05:00

Those of us fortunate enough to live in a part of the world that gets a real change of seasons know the cycle of change well.  As we retire our raking for the year and exchange shorts for thermals, our bodies and psyches settle in for the quiet season. If only we could hibernate. Part of the change this ritual cycle brings is in our diet.  Crates of plump tomatoes are replaced by bins of acorn

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-45872365346923506282012-01-25T16:01:00.001-05:002012-01-25T16:05:20.169-05:00

A frequent (and therefore stale) debate among wine writers is the value of social media in promoting wines.  On the one side is the establishment, basically saying that social media is a distraction that will never amount to anything.  (Remember when Kodak said that digital was just a flash in the pan?)  On the other side is, well, everyone else who isn't threatened by this irreversible evolution

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-91365273029813982602012-01-23T08:08:00.003-05:002012-01-23T13:51:26.248-05:00

A local distributor hosted a trade tasting of 2010 Chateauneuf du Papes recently.  Not too many people on the retail side of the consumer equation know what these trade events are like, so here's a brief look at just one angle - and two wines of uncommon caliber. Along the periphery of a warmly appointed hall are about a dozen tables manned by winemakers, owners, and marketing representatives. 

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-87846509057335675022012-01-17T15:13:00.003-05:002012-01-17T15:22:54.890-05:00

Review: 2010 Chateau Grand Traverse Dry Riesling $13 This drum has been beat here before, but overcoming consumers' preconceptions about wines' provenance requires persistent messaging.  To that end... Get your hands on some Old Mission Peninsula Alsatian whites: Rieslings, Pinot Blancs, and Pinot Gris.  Get your hands on some Old Mission Peninsula Alsatian whites: Rieslings, Pinot Blancs, and

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-56052318713242247742012-01-14T18:51:00.001-05:002012-01-16T08:39:05.755-05:00

Anyone who's fallen under the spell of good Pinot Noir knows well the cost of infatuation.  Once you've experienced the haunting clarity of this delicate variety, settling for anything short of exciting is nearly unthinkable.  Yet we try.  Again and again.  Why when there are so many other wines being made well at reasonable prices?  Well, primarily because we are cheapskates.  And because we

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-24248635101398879612012-01-04T09:31:00.015-05:002012-01-05T11:20:34.322-05:00

In lieu of resolutions, prognostications, top 10 lists, or the year in review; a long sigh of satisfaction and a languid resistance to lurch forward... With the holidays behind us and the New Year starting in earnest now, it's only a matter of days before life's treadmill resumes its just-faster-than-manageable pace.  There is much to look forward to, but the comfort of the recently relished

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-71951256621665615992011-12-27T08:52:00.000-05:002011-12-27T08:52:36.510-05:00

Brian Graham is the winemaker behind the Ramian Estate, Canard, and Parlay labels.  Extroverted and boisterous, Brian's not a guy you easily forget meeting.  The magic he has extracted from the Canard Estate fruit is well documented on this site and his Ramian bottlings have an ardent following.  Parlay is a venture into the more approachable end of the price spectrum. But just because the wine

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-79143178403077925792011-12-23T10:23:00.001-05:002011-12-23T10:24:03.526-05:00

Merry Christmas everybody! Here's hoping that at some point over these holidays you'll have a moment to pause amidst the insanity long enough to take stock and enjoy the warmth of contentment with a good glass of wine.  Looking ahead at the wrapping, cleaning, and cooking that awaits, moments of reflection like that appear elusive.  But one thing is for certain: we will be fortunate to have our

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-28163035271274845912011-12-21T08:46:00.001-05:002011-12-21T08:46:00.406-05:00

As a follow up to the recent piece extolling the virtues of everyday bubbly (or, more accurately, bubbly every day), the following points offer compelling logic on why you should get off the sidelines and start drinking bubbly as part of your regular imbibing repertoire: Even inexpensive Champagne can make you feel like a millionaire. Non-occasions are transformed into spontaneous memories with a

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-26633444712026713682011-12-19T08:40:00.002-05:002011-12-19T09:21:12.129-05:00

Holiday Sparkling Wine Roundup The holiday season accounts for a huge percentage of every year's sparkling wine sales.  How much exactly, I do not know, but let's assume that it's north of 50% - probably more than 75% if you include Valentine's Day - with the balance likely spread across the summertime wedding/anniversary season.  The supply side of the wine business knows this rhythm and stages

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-25103778240454762282011-12-16T13:27:00.001-05:002011-12-16T13:27:51.146-05:00

A couple of years ago I had the chance to attend an industry party at Pine Ridge.  It was put on by some PR firm from down in LA.  The caves had been lit up with mood lights and dotted with lounge furniture that looked like it was borrowed from a night club.  The whole scene was uber hip and a little distracting, if not at odds with what I thought was Pine Ridge's feel.  You know, stewards of the

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-19283450298504215702011-12-13T09:28:00.000-05:002011-12-13T09:28:28.138-05:00

Finally, some good news. Last night, in search of something to go with heavily peppered goat cheese burgers, I stood in front of the small selection of Australian Shirazzy wines at the local Giant Eagle grocery store.  There is no depth or breadth to this selection, but the basics are all represented: Penfolds, Lindemans, Yellow Tail (of course), and Jacob's Creek.  As do most producers, this

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-66368834355570891802011-12-09T12:06:00.003-05:002011-12-09T12:08:32.646-05:00

People who aren't seeking out the occasional Rioja as part of their wine drinking routine are really missing out.  Tempranillo, the base of all red Rioja, can some in as many shades as a chameleon - ranging from slight and graceful to huge and extracted.  But classic Rioja has an appeal all its own that straddles old world and new, with enough acid to keep it refreshing and food-friendly, and

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-9991132433600660652011-12-05T20:46:00.003-05:002011-12-06T08:28:51.172-05:00

There was a time when California Zin was the unruly and rebellious rough-houser on the fringes of the wine scene.  Words like massive, ballsy, and powerhouse were synonymous with this grape.  As it gained followers, it also gained a degree of legitimacy and polish thanks to seriousness in the vineyard and winery.  This only amplified the wine's greatness.  Ridge's Zin-based Geyserville from

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-19954204625514614472011-12-01T22:02:00.000-05:002011-12-01T22:02:09.444-05:00

Benzinger has long been a dependable Sonoma label over the years, producing straightforward, varietally correct, and respectable wines at reasonable prices. Though the name is probably familiar, the fact that they have been religiously employing organic and biodynamic practices in their vineyards may come as a surprise to many.  What's more is that with the birth of the Signaterra and De Coelo

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-24090797383330344602011-11-29T20:16:00.001-05:002011-11-30T09:25:35.583-05:00

Not familiar with Grüner Veltliner? This zingy Austrian white is all the rage with the hipsters who have grown tired of Riesling's re-re-rebirth.  It's also a pretty popular alternative to lighter whites and especially good with both food and conversation. In what borders on patronizingly obvious, this bottling helps the buyer get past the awkwardness associated with pronouncing a wine's name

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-86002998144794151362011-11-21T03:22:00.000-05:002011-11-21T03:22:00.090-05:00

Wine writers feel compelled to write a piece on what to drink with Thanksgiving dinner every year.  I like to ridicule this fool's errand by suggesting beer, as I have in years past, or suggesting that it won't matter what you drink as long as you let yourself enjoy the people around you. Readers' demand for lists is interesting and, honestly, in the case of WTDOT, I think it's as much about

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-73564798195496187082011-11-18T03:34:00.001-05:002011-11-18T03:34:00.128-05:00

I've said this before, but I'm saying it again.  You've got to put your hands on some of this. I recently made the argument for corporate wines, or wines made in enormous quantities by large mega-wine companies.  While my most recent recommendations advocate looking into these companies' reserve and vineyard-specific programs, there are some made-for-the-masses wines that are equally deserving of

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-51857086878529169492011-11-15T23:22:00.001-05:002011-11-16T10:10:59.001-05:00

With all the fanfare a well-funded PR machine can manufacture, it's Wine Spectator Top 100 time!   The pipeline is primed with hype as it is this time every year.  Despite being as much a rubber-necker as the next guy, I've grown tired of this annual ritual.  Here's why: The Formula.  Reducing the tens of thousands of wines released in the US every year to a scant 100 requires some aggressive

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-68779623343844620482011-11-13T08:46:00.001-05:002011-11-13T08:48:05.937-05:00

Tudal is a new name to me, though they've been in Napa since the 70's.  Located just below Rombauer on the valley floor outside St Helena, this small operation bottle some estate wines, as well as sources form other respectable vineyards.  The six wines reviewed below are as varied stylistically as they are in appeal.  While there isn't a common thumbprint running across these bottlings, a couple

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-41879150066793965442011-11-09T08:51:00.000-05:002011-11-09T08:51:19.353-05:00

It's 1:00 on a brilliant Monday afternoon in late October.  Harvest is still in full swing in the Santa Lucia Highlands.  Sabrine Rodems is waiting in the tasting room, wearing galoshes and a nervous smile.  My timing for a visit is less than perfect.  There are twelve wines lines up on the tasting table and she's got a million more important things to do in the winery.  But you wouldn't know

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-35236130549382901062011-11-03T21:28:00.005-04:002011-11-07T14:34:54.371-05:00

Kunde sits along a narrow lane of route 12 north of Sonoma in Kenwood.  In the springtime this area is as picturesque as wine country gets: rolling hills, mustard amidst the vines, and low-lying fog early in the morning.  Family-owned, sustainably grown, and all estate fruit, Kunde makes around 100,000 cases of wine per year source from their 1850 contiguous acres (wow). This label has been

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-13831249776137252552011-11-02T11:09:00.003-04:002011-11-02T20:57:46.980-04:00

When asked what the best wine I've ever had, my mind always races to Port.  I love it.  The 1994 Vintage Niepoort shared with my brothers-in-law sits atop a very large pile of memorable emptied bottles.  So does the 1995 Dow's Quinta Do Bomfim at the end of Thanksgiving one year, and Kalyra's 1987 Tawny enjoyed under a starry night sky with a date a million years ago.  They are all right up there

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-67428338765174184622011-10-27T14:38:00.001-04:002011-10-27T14:38:29.662-04:00

The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a narrow, eastward-facing sliver of the Salinas River Valley in Central California.  Having just returned from a whirlwind blitz of the area, I'm exhausted, but excited to share what I learned through meeting more than eight winemakers and vineyards managers, and tasting through more than 60 wines. Rest assured, detailed reports describing the area and its wines

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-83264608735701377742011-10-24T14:15:00.000-04:002011-10-24T14:15:00.045-04:00

2010 Murrieta's Well White Blend Livermore Valley 'The Spur' $20 I'm always concerned when I see kitchen sink white blends because they tend to be disjointed and raucous, especially when they have any kind of a sweet variety componentry.  This one certainly qualifies in terms of composition: Sauv Blanc Viognier Semillon Pinot Blanc Orange Muscat Muscat Canelli (Disclosure: This wine was received

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-50631510580053470602011-10-20T15:57:00.001-04:002011-10-20T15:59:16.273-04:00

As is the fabric of every commute, Friday morning's drive was accompanied by NPR.  Tom Huizenga's Morning Edition piece applauding the old school sound of opera star Joseph Calleja had me rapt.  Mostly because of the 33 year old's booming projection and seductive range (and I don't even particularly like opera), but also because of the counterpoint offered by Philadelphia Inquirer classical music

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-22827069282047262402011-10-16T13:15:00.003-04:002011-10-16T13:18:07.673-04:00

Review: Craggy Range Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc Craggy Range is a label US shoppers have reasonably easy access to.  Specializing in single vineyard bottlings, their reputation as a higher-end winery has been building since before the turn of the millennium.  Most of what you'll find on retailers' shelves is Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, though the lucky consumer will occasionally find one

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-73084379928218245332011-10-09T21:15:00.006-04:002011-10-27T14:55:38.796-04:00

Jimmy Traffecanty runs a wine shop on the corner of Ventura and Dixie Canyon in LA. The selection is heaviest on California, but broad and interesting. Late one night in the aftermath of a stomach-rubbing meal, he reaches over to pour another glass and groans, “This Mondavi is just fantastic”. “Say, what?” The disbelief is, of course, what he’s doing drinking such a commonly available wine

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-75109463284218800252011-10-02T20:38:00.005-04:002011-11-17T08:39:00.419-05:00

Review: 2006 This Is E11even Red Wine Central Coast $20 Want to be the first only one on your block to roll up your driveway in next year's hottest exotic?  Who doesn't?  Okay, so, it doesn't have a V12 under the hood, but you'll still appreciate the stylish, full throttle nature of this wine.  And at $20 (which your neighbors don't need to know), this debut bottling over delivers on thrills.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-60370463399104692502011-09-26T08:36:00.000-04:002011-09-26T08:36:22.833-04:00

Grapes that go in to Chateau Haut Brion's flagship bottling come from vines at least 30 years old.  There's a belief that older vines produce more prized fruit.  So, for 26 years or so, newer plantings...what?...get thrown in the trash?  Of course not.  In the case of Haut Brion, they used to bottle it under a partially hand written label for the family to drink.  Lucky family.  (Now it goes to

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-75159813198775023592011-09-23T13:54:00.000-04:002011-09-23T13:54:09.490-04:00

Review: Mondolin Vintners Cabernet and Syrah Central Coast In this market, ten dollar wines packaged under innocuous labels often signal the equivalent of a pop up store.  There's just so much excess juice on the bulk market looking to find a home.  Speculators are scooping a lot of it up, bottling it under some unheard of, kitschy label, and pricing it right.  The real tell is when there's no

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-19401008007629927242011-09-20T13:31:00.001-04:002011-11-17T08:43:22.427-05:00

After last week's Wine Advocate, Andrew Murray hardly needs Winethropology's accolades.  After receiving scores ranging from 91 to 94's for such moderately priced (mostly between $16 and $36) wines, AMV is likely to enjoy record sales for the foreseeable future. This, of course, comes as no surprise, as we have been singing his praises for years - but we're going to pile on the accolades anyway.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-88088113604632485712011-09-18T22:03:00.001-04:002011-09-18T22:04:28.014-04:00

Keeping it brief this time. Love to see that CH is bringing this underdog of a variety to its customer base.  Half a shade lighter than crude oil and almost the same viscosity.  Classic quality PS characteristics: bone dry, teeth-coating tannins, and watch-out-for-that-white-blouse inky color.  A masculine, full frontal assault on the senses.  But then there's this boisterous fruit component

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-87156670583660779922011-09-14T20:21:00.005-04:002011-10-10T19:45:26.121-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, David Brooks of the NY Times wrote an op ed piece about the Haimish line. According to Brooks, Haimish is "...a Yiddish word that suggests warmth, domesticity and unpretentious conviviality." I can't do his piece justice without committing aggravated plagiarism (really, it's worth a read), but in it Brooks argues that when choosing nicer, more luxurious options over the

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-4871327810256694512011-09-12T14:58:00.001-04:002011-09-12T14:59:19.535-04:00

Big House Wines has a kitschy theme that defies wine marketing conventions.  Word is that they are so named due to the winery's proximity to Soledad State Correctional Facility.  Their wines all have cute names like The Slammer, The Birdman, Caridinal Zin, Usual Suspect, and so on.  Mystified as to why they've chosen imprisonment over water foul as their label concept?  Me, too.  What's more is

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-61123738813834118242011-09-08T14:22:00.000-04:002011-09-08T14:22:58.773-04:00

The stories of a young couple chucking their corporate jobs to chase their dreams in a vineyard are awesome.  Participating in those dreams at the business end of a bottle is awesome, too.  But not all wine is made by starstruck lovers.  Some of it - most of it, in fact - is made by very large companies in very large quantities. I'm equally impressed by both.  The smaller concerns work their

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-45156242036363692472011-09-05T20:32:00.000-04:002011-09-05T20:32:34.812-04:00

Review: NV Cupcake Prosecco DOC $9 This confirms it....too many data points line up for it to be coincidence.  Save one or two exceptions, Cupcake has become a brand synonymous with surprising quality and value.  We've seen this with wines marketed under this label from across the globe. The latest installment in this trend is an Italian sparkler which exceeded expectations.  Served blind to a

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-38560921505407858262011-08-31T18:47:00.001-04:002011-08-31T20:33:31.775-04:00

10 Winners There is no higher compliment a wine critic can pay a producer than to purchase their wine.  So, you want to know what wines this reviewer really likes? Here's what I've been spending my hard earned money on lately - and all of these score a strong 4.5 stars: (Click on the wine to see the complete review) REDS: 2007 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot $10 - There's still some of

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-80602104552919023252011-08-28T16:27:00.001-04:002011-08-28T16:35:08.738-04:00

There are wines which require an eight figure portfolio to acquire.  And then there are those which make the drinker feel like they've got an eight figure portfolio.  The unicorns of wine we seek are those which divine the experience without requiring the riches to obtain. This is one of those wines. When legendary wines are spoken of - you know, the stories told in hushed tones of someone who

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-88738013846083480892011-08-24T10:14:00.003-04:002011-09-06T20:20:29.661-04:00

Your spouse just got another excuse to hit you over the head. My wine buying exploits are well documented.  Besides being too much too often, I like to think that my shopping for wine - and then writing about it - is in some way helping you make more informed decisions.  Sort of like the reviews are intended to be. If that logic sticks, then it stands to reason that you should hear about more

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-77343270843830576122011-08-21T14:25:00.001-04:002011-08-21T20:25:32.297-04:00

From the lauded Frescobaldi winemaking powerhouse comes this Merlot/Sangiovese blend, prepackaged with high expectations - and a hefty price tag ($90). Surprisingly dark and dense.  Concentrated and extracted, but coy and teasing at the same time.  (How very Italiana.)  Nose is full of excitement: modern and fresh, but with an Italian soul.  Polished, elegant, and balanced. Oak and Merlot take

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-15158808933287124082011-08-17T22:41:00.000-04:002011-08-17T22:41:57.409-04:00

  Three days in the Windy City should be enough to convince anyone that this is one of the world's great culinary meccas.  From hearty deep dish pizza to molecular gastronomy and everything in between, Chicago rocks.  Turns out the drinking scene is equally fantastic. A foodie community that dates back to the industrial era is at least partially responsible for a wine legacy that benefits this

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-90956421226435266632011-08-15T10:58:00.000-04:002011-08-15T10:58:54.585-04:00

2010 Don Miguel Gascon Malbec Medoza $12 Concentrated grapey flavors with some decent tannin on the finish.  No more, no less.  A utilitarian wine.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-79997061698129509462011-08-11T16:44:00.000-04:002011-08-11T16:44:58.944-04:00

Okay, let's go back in time for a sec.  The first Waterstone wines reviewed here were, well, safe.  Varietally correct, but nothing noteworthy.  Then came the Cab, which really impressed.  Now we've got the 08 Pinot and 07 'Study In Blue' Cab/Syrah blend.  How are they? At $20-ish, we like the Pinot.  We like it a lot, in fact.  But at $40-ish, the blend is tough to get excited about.  (

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-70972952439318583312011-08-09T14:43:00.000-04:002011-08-09T14:43:02.111-04:00

Winethropology brought you indispensable drinking advice a couple of weeks ago with the cleverly titled piece, "What To Drink On Armadebtagain."  Who knew how prescient that AA Red Blend recommendation would turn out to be?  (Or how we'd be stocking up on the Chateau Maalox...) In light of the ongoing developments following our nation's downgrade, we offer as a follow up some timely reviews. 

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-32768408702461183652011-08-04T16:19:00.001-04:002011-08-05T16:19:53.253-04:00

The Clif family, perhaps best known for their Clif Bar energy bars, is now in the wine game.  For the life of me I can't string together a clever segue between their new line of wines and how their stomach weights were once my daily bread, but if I could, there'd be a reference to breakfasts of champions in there.  Bottled under the label The Climber, these wines are packaged either in

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-80673527736211432912011-08-02T11:39:00.002-04:002011-08-05T10:15:39.728-04:00

Before introducing you to Rob, a word to the savvy wine shopper: Go out and find some Mercer Merlot.  It's wines like this - and from this region - that will be responsible for Merlot's redemption.  Also go out and find some Dead Canyon Cabernet.  These are wines to get excited about.  Meet Rob.  Rob's the kind of guy you're really glad wasn't on the scene when you and your wife started

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-45991916207325263222011-07-29T07:15:00.004-04:002011-07-29T09:37:34.479-04:00

People get so wrapped up in finding the right wines to drink on holidays and special events; Thanksgiving, Christmas, even the Super Bowl.  But those pairings feel so contrived, so detached from what we're feeling at the time, that perhaps we're going about it all the wrong way.  Rather than trying to shoehorn wine into a preordained menu, maybe we ought to think in terms of matching our

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-83847720660737238712011-07-26T13:55:00.003-04:002011-07-26T13:57:08.980-04:00

Wente, Chardonnay champions extraordinaire in the Livermore valley, have a couple of other labels: Murrieta's Well - a higher end label - and Tamás Estates - a value-driven label. In a new tasting format - live Twitter - we tasted through these wines and found them to be pretty darn good.  In fact, surprisingly good - especially at the lower prices, which is consistent with what we found on the

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-36588652555614858462011-07-22T13:09:00.002-04:002011-07-24T11:02:55.059-04:00

This is a wine review - and it is a rant.  It is also well-trodden territory:  Wine writers, producers, and consumers alike decry the unfairness of wine scores, unless, of course, they lean their way.  Well, boo hoo.  Here's my rub: through repeated panel tastings, wines awarded prestige through ratings fail to impress with any consistency or correlation to their scores - especially at the

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-68555035990588221742011-07-19T14:52:00.001-04:002011-07-19T14:52:31.307-04:00

Review: Current Chardonnays from Wente Vineyards When people think of California Chardonnay, names like Kendall Jackson, Kistler, and Chateau Montelena might come to mind.  But what few consumers know is that 80% of all Chardonnay planted in California is the 'Wente Clone'.  The what clone?  Wente.  Ernest Wente who, in the 1880's, began to grow Chardonnay from grapevine cuttings imported from

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-4346389799592884482011-07-17T15:13:00.000-04:002011-07-17T15:13:24.092-04:00

Review: 2006 Roda Rioja Reserva $45 (This wine was received as a press sample.)  Spain is awash in terrific values - that's no secret.  But what happens when you spend more?  Do you get what you pay for? Not that one data point is a trend, but we explore this question with this higher priced (for Spain, anyway) Rioja.  Flavors, color, translucence, and aromas faithful to its heritage, this

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-42172731060892883372011-07-14T11:48:00.002-04:002011-07-14T11:53:45.616-04:00

No more preamble needed than that.  From all corners of the globe and all levels of worthiness, here they are: Disclosure: These wines were all received as press samples. 2009 Chateau Lamothe Vincent Bordeaux Blanc $15 Terrific example of Bordeaux blanc.  Even-keeled, refreshing, and with enough character to keep it interesting.  Zesty freshness framed in subtle acids make this friendly

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-74685930637389497242011-07-10T15:31:00.001-04:002011-07-10T15:32:18.075-04:00

Hey, I thought this was a wine blog?  WTF? Yeah, well, hang on.  This does relate to wine - at least the business of wine - and the overall experience of wine.  Here goes: Up until more recently than I'm willing to admit, the whole social media thing seemed a trumped up effort to legitimize a flash-in-the-pan marketing idea.  By thing, I mean the dozens of suddenly expert social media advocates

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-77267599486440080212011-07-08T13:13:00.000-04:002011-07-08T13:13:03.695-04:00

Review: 2009 Biltmore Pinot Noir Reserve Russian River Valley $25 A 2009 Pinot from Russian River Valley?  Of course, I had expectations.  Regular readers may recall that Pinots are sometimes described here as being either above or below a blurry imaginary line of quality demarcation.  So, with a pedigree like this, you'd expect the wine to be above - or at least somewhere on - that line. Meh

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-29242307537949588642011-07-06T19:44:00.004-04:002011-07-07T09:29:18.074-04:00

Okay, 4 Zins. It's hot, you're barbecuing (if you're lucky/not too hot), and you're reaching for that singularly American wine that can stand up to high fructose corn syrup, apple cider vinegar, and Heinz 57.  Naturally, your thoughts drift to Riunite on ice.   But ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) suggest you drift a little further. Right now there might not be a more underrated source for

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-21193104461866078032011-07-05T10:30:00.002-04:002011-07-05T10:31:19.084-04:00

Someone in the scholarship department must have been confused , but who am I to correct them?  Thanks to the generous support of this year's Wine Bloggers Conference sponsors, Winethropology has been invited as a sponsored guest.  This year the event is being held in lovely Charlottesville, Virginia, the stepping off point for much of Virginia wine country.  Aside from being a gathering place

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-59480778772654666622011-07-01T08:47:00.006-04:002011-07-01T09:14:43.941-04:00

Meet Greg Lehman and Dave Rigo.  These handsome young cats are the minds behind Watershed Distillery, a micro distillery in Columbus, Ohio that has yet to celebrate its first birthday.  Watershed manufactures and bottles hand-crafted vodka and gin. Spirits?  But this is a wine blog.  Hang on to your britches, people.  This is something special I guarantee you will enjoy. Both Dave and Greg

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-45041401398823621222011-06-28T15:38:00.002-04:002011-06-28T15:54:25.938-04:00

The geniuses at Don & Sons are responsible for a growing line of value brands that overdeliver without pretending to be anything serious.  Smoking Loon, Hey Mambo, Pepperwood grove, The Crusher...the list of their successes is long.  Add another name to that list: Project Paso. Sourcing fruit from Paso Robles, this portfolio qualifies as Moped Wine: big, fat, unapologetic, and fun.  Even though

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-5006938169440542522011-06-26T17:58:00.000-04:002011-06-26T17:58:03.626-04:00

After a week of pink, what do you make of all these rosé?   Have we learned anything? Maybe.  Before we recap on conclusions, here's a quick recap on the wines and their respective scores in loose order of preference: 2009 Chateau Mayne Sansac Bordeaux Rosé (far and away the best of tasting) $10 2010 El Coto de Rioja Rosado (solid 2nd place) $10 2010 Hecht & Bannier Rosé Languedoc $12 2010 M.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-69867956192332924342011-06-25T06:14:00.000-04:002011-06-25T06:14:00.970-04:00

We warp the week with another 09 from Bordeaux.  Certainly not the outperformer the Mayne is, the Garrineau still gives more than most for $10.  Pale with an unusual tinge of beige.  Subtle, pretty flowers and fruit on the nose.  Lean, almost austere body that lacks neither acidic structure or character.  But this character is distinctly French - and thus isn't smiling.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-89707980569430350652011-06-24T06:08:00.000-04:002011-06-24T06:08:00.339-04:00

Pink wine week chugs along with another repeat performance from last year. Jubilant color coming from one of the most attractive packages coming from France today.  Looks so refreshing and inviting in the glass.  Dry fruit nose with a slight funk undertone.  Palate is right down the middle: balanced in all the important ways, but lacking the excitement the 09 had.  Still, an easy drinker for $12

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-18487785782169929512011-06-23T06:03:00.001-04:002011-06-23T09:30:09.385-04:00

Like that guy/girl you got awkwardly paired up with at your cousin's wedding that summer.  Fun to look at, but it loses its mojo once you get closer.  The nose is bright and inviting, but there's less fruit here than it needs to offset the hard edges.  In stark contrast to the 2009 version of this wine which was tough to put down.  Looks like the price ($14) went up a bit, too.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-66984019627825643802011-06-22T06:27:00.000-04:002011-06-22T06:27:00.387-04:00

Positively loved the last vintage of this wine.  And while the 2010 is certainly good, it's a far more serious and substantial wine than last year's.  Made from Grenache and Tempranillo in a 50/50 blend, there's no mistaking this wine as being made form anything but strong red vinifera.  A wolf in lamb's clothing, this is a rosé of surprising quality for $10, but it will be more at home with food

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-84493239849067051172011-06-21T11:55:00.000-04:002011-06-21T11:55:42.337-04:00

We interrupt this Week of Pink for a very special announcement. Anyone who has spent any time around the wine producing community here in the US knows that this industry is made up of not just brands and SKU's, but conscientious, generous people doing incredible things.  Case in point: longtime Winethropology favored winemaker Andrew Murray.  Readers who were lucky enough to attend the 2010 Best

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-40691762666946009492011-06-21T06:30:00.000-04:002011-06-21T06:30:01.296-04:00

Kicking us off on our week of pink is the $13 super attractive bottling from the Rhône powerhouse of M. Chapoutier.  The light pink color is femenine, to be sure.  It's got a nose like a Sancerre - crisp and taut.  Consistent with many of the other 2010's, this one is generous with the acids and shy on the fruit, but it does deliver layers of mouthpuckering flavors that make it interesting.  Food

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-54203062618042940932011-06-20T08:09:00.000-04:002011-06-20T08:09:44.425-04:00

If you are even a little bit curious/inclined towards rosé, start here.  Unlike most of the other wines covered this week, this deep, richly-hued wine is made from Cab and Merlot - and it shows.  It's also from the stellar 2009 vintage.  The fruit-intense nose brings brief worries of flabbiness, but only for a moment as the palate dispels those concerns by carrying itself with poise.  Balance

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-73135839131613305162011-06-20T08:06:00.000-04:002011-06-20T08:06:59.785-04:00

It's that time of year again.  With Memorial Day behind us, it's now acceptable to wear seersucker suits, docksiders with no socks, and...drink rosés.  Last year we did a round up of 6 rosés from the 2009 vintage.  This year, we move to the (mostly) 2010s.  And, with this post, kick off a week of rosés. Opinions vary widely about this often ridiculed wine, but research suggests that

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-27526029857189075522011-06-16T11:23:00.001-04:002011-06-16T17:37:04.231-04:00

Give me a minute and I'll get to the point. There are a million useless ways to categorize wines: by region, age, variety, price, and by flavor style/taste (a disturbing trend).  Another useless way: by seriousness. Some wines command respect for their elegance or craft or balance, or maybe come across as just so thought-provoking that you can't help but contemplate them.   Sort of like the way

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-20042220626685015972011-06-14T10:22:00.001-04:002011-06-14T10:26:37.692-04:00

Though a young label, this is one sample shipment I look forward to - I've already grown giddy at its arrival.  This year we got the Sangiacamo Chardonnay in place of the Pinot from the same vineyard - and damn happy to have.  This is one of only a handful of times that a white commanded more attention (was drained faster) than a red of equivalent caliber.  That's compelling. Word is that these

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-4109258882291864242011-06-09T14:52:00.001-04:002011-06-09T14:53:40.481-04:00

Watch Out, Napa Mercer Estates is a relatively new name in wine, but its roots run deep in Washington State wine.  Founded in 2006 by two families long on grape growing experience (the Mercers and the Hogues), Mercer didn't have a facility until 2007 or a tasting room until 2009.  Despite the newness of this operation, the owners' experience in winegrowing is evident. The full story is a

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-72575344369208660192011-06-08T08:48:00.000-04:002011-06-08T08:48:53.127-04:00

As if to dare me to come up with something better, Tom over at Louisville Juice called my review of the 2001 Lanciola Terrricci The Most Enthusiastic Wine Review Ever.  I guess I had that coming.  Not one to idly stand by at such a superlative, I give you the antidote: 2009 La Sera Red Malvasia... In the glass, this Grimace colored wine is murky and opaque, with suspicious-looking surface foam.

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-68854678942295580352011-06-05T20:11:00.006-04:002011-06-05T20:47:20.376-04:00

Long time friends and Winethropology supporters were over for dinner this weekend.  Jerry popped this question.  As happens when old friends are catching up, the conversation swirls, only occasionally returning to the original point.  And, so, this question went unanswered.  Jerry: this one's for you. So, what do you look for in a decanter? In a word: unbreakability.  Okay, so maybe that's not

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-32885347558060780382011-06-02T12:35:00.005-04:002011-06-02T13:37:50.209-04:00

There are very few blanket rules that apply in wine.  Not all wine from the Midwest sucks, not all Pinot Grigio is for grandmothers, and not every celebrity winemaker is a wanker.  But when a contender rule comes - especially a controversial notion - it's tough to resist drawing a line in the sand.  So, here it is: 2010 was a bad year.  Everywhere.  Late cold rains in California had growers

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-59123976309802439852011-05-26T10:56:00.000-04:002011-05-26T10:56:54.737-04:00

There's something for everybody in this WYSBDRN edition.  As we head into Memorial Day weekend, the following recommendations ought to keep you good company while manning the grill and pretending to laugh at your neighbors' jokes.     2010 Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc $10 Outstanding. Seriously, I'm pretty giddy about this wine. Not for its complexity or strength, but for its

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-18378208191121977912011-05-23T11:33:00.000-04:002011-05-23T11:33:04.075-04:00

I don't know about you, but I'm all Champagned out. After a week of bubbles, what do you make of all these Champagnes?  Have we learned anything?  Yes, dammit, yes.  Before we recap on conclusions, here's a quick recap on the wines and their respective scores.  Oh, and these are in my loose order of preference - but it's a tight cluster at the top: Maison JJ Vincent Crémant de Bourgogne $20

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-35216918990968039492011-05-21T12:00:00.005-04:002011-05-21T12:00:00.161-04:00

Had to throw a rosé into the mix, right?  Rounding out our Champagne Week reviews is this Italian wildcard. (Full disclosure: This wine was received as a press sample.) Anyone expecting pink flavored fruit from this sparkling is, um, correct.  Carefree and uncomplicated, this afternoon quaffer has superfine bubbles and a superfine price tag.  Drier (in a good way) than expected, though the

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-12174888464644926842011-05-20T12:00:00.000-04:002011-05-20T12:00:00.623-04:00

We're back on track after a nutty little detour yesterday with the only bonafide Champagne in the whole line up.  The ringer.  There's a reason the Royal Family chose this wine to be the official Champagne at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton - and the reason is in the bottle.  This wine is also the reason why the French have a superiority complex. (Full disclosure: This wine was

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-37609863946235278432011-05-19T12:00:00.002-04:002011-05-19T12:00:01.788-04:00

There we were, hauling ass down the Awesome Champagne Highway when all of a sudden... George Vanderbilt's estate - Biltmore - is a major tourist attraction in North Carolina that also happens to have some vineyards.  Years ago a friend came back from there with a bottle of Estate Merlot.  I can't recall if it was any good or not, which itself is telling.  Surprisingly, this sparkling was made

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-91796055448794849072011-05-18T12:00:00.002-04:002011-05-18T12:00:09.239-04:00

The momentum of our previous Champagne Week selections carries us into budget territory.  And while you'll not find James Bond reaching for cava anytime soon, this Catalan version of sparkling can range from pedestrian to otherworldly as we learned from visiting the Penedès.  (Full disclosure: This wine was received as a press sample.)  The Cristalino is somewhere in the middle, but what makes

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-7765135618355516022011-05-17T12:00:00.001-04:002011-05-17T12:00:03.765-04:00

Continuing the winning trend - and amping the argument that Champagne ought to be enjoyed more often than it is - is this French (but still not really Champagne) bubbly. (Full disclosure: This wine was received as a press sample.) This Burgundian example is made from 100% Chardonnay - and it shows.  Even if it isn't from the Champagne region, this is the epitome of French bubbly: refined and

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-65269499765293636982011-05-16T15:08:00.001-04:002011-05-16T16:10:53.242-04:00

Exhibit A in our week-long investigation into whether or not Champagne deserves to be let out of the New Year's Eve/ladies luncheon box is a sparkling wine from Argentina.  And it's a winner.  It's also data point #2 as to Chardonnay's true calling in the Mendoza.  (Here's data point #1.)  (Full disclosure: This wine was received as a press sample.) If you've always wondered what Champagne

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-12506749598568431052011-05-16T14:52:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:52:08.699-04:00

After the lights have faded and New Year's novelty is behind us, what happens to Champagne?  Does it go dormant with brief awakenings for Wimbledon and the occasional Royal Wedding?  Is this Champagne's off season?  Or does it lead a double life like a spy? After a few glancing blows with sparkling wines during the limited on season, it became clear that this class of beverages deserves closer

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-82946059786277096042011-05-13T12:53:00.001-04:002011-05-13T12:53:46.833-04:00

Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles is the antidote to stuffy wineries.  Fun, funky, and hospitable, it's a great place to visit. A while back they sent us a sample line up of their wines.  Semi-easy to put your hands on, these wines have traditionally been surprising in the wallop they can pack.  This round was not quite up to par with the caliber we've enjoyed from Norman in the past, though it's

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-36401697240119090432011-05-10T09:33:00.002-04:002011-05-10T10:07:11.636-04:00

Okay, so there really wasn't a Civics Lesson #1 other than that little piece on HR 1161 a couple of months ago.  Just to refresh your memory, HR 1161 proposes to preempt any Federal legislation that might promote interstate trade of beer and wine.  Anyway, following my own advice, I wrote to my congressman, Representative Steve Stivers to express my concern.  He wrote back.  Images of these

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-14543551560150402542011-05-06T10:23:00.000-04:002011-05-06T10:23:01.194-04:00

Review: 2008 Kopriva Unoaked Chardonnay Carneros $17 From the Cassidy Ranch, these folks make only one wine and this is it.  Kopriva is Czech for "nettles", so named for the stands of nettles growing along the creek bed lining the property So, what about this wine?  It's produced with no oak, no malo, and yielding almost no residual sugars.  The result is pure chardonnay - and it shows.  The

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Don't Turn Your Nose Up At The Lower Shelf Cupcake gave us the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that took home the gold at the 2010 Best Of tasting - at a whopping retail price of $12.  So, it should come as no surprise that their stable is capable of producing other winners.  Exhibit A: their Pinot Noir. 2008 Cupcake Pinot Noir Central Coast $12 Smoke and funk on the nose, but in a smooth package

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In every subculture there are always dialogs that presume those in the real world give a hoot.  The wine writing subculture is no different, except that these dialogs often find themselves published.  One of these ongoing, presumptive themes is the matter of alcohol content in wine.  The two main threads of this dialog are:Many wines are getting too high in alcohol Many wineries are under

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I am embarrassed to say that I am only now getting around to publishing reviews for these wine which were sent to me as samples last April and which were written up at the beginning of last summer. My reluctance in publishing these stems not just from the fact that the ratings I gave the wines do not match the experience I've had with bottlings from this winery in the past, but also the fact that

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Review: 2010 Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc Rapel Valley $12 This year's off to a much better start if the quality of samples is any indication.  And while this one was tasted as part of an upcoming 'Refreshing Whites For Summer Drunkeness' piece, it's too good to sit on. This wine embodies what American Sauvignon Blanc used to be loved for: fresh cut grass, green apple, clarity, purity, and

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You may have heard that Jess Jackson passed away last week.  He's the guy that founded Kendall Jackson.  His is the classic story of a hard working kid from humble beginnings making it big.  The story of his life is well documented by many obituaries this week.  You can read his impressive history elsewhere if you like.  Since I don't really know a whole lot about the guy - and mourning

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Review: 2009 Galil Mountain Viognier Upper Galilee $15 There is real drinking pleasure to be had in what is likely the biggest surprise wine thus far this year.  Channeling all that is good in Viognier with none of the idiosyncrasies this variety is susceptible to, the purity of this wine is extraordinary. Simmering aromatics belie the fruit-centric body that follows.  Bright and substantial

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Review: 2009 Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Village $13 (or less) There's been a lot of hype surrounding the 2009 vintage in France.  But when has there not been hype in France?  The wines are just beginning to hit the market and this is the first red to hit the tasting table here.  One data point does not make a trend, but this is at least a good start. Beaujolais, made from the Gamay grape (

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Fair warning: This article is more philosophical posit rather than useful guidance. Last weekend, while neck deep in a wine-infused binge in New York City, we made our way to The Tangled Vine.  It's a cool little joint on the Upper West Side, very friendly and cozy.  It was recently rated as  'Best New Local' by Time Out New York Magazine for it's "...Sam Malone stewarding a world-class wine

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-63154424166461243492011-04-14T08:34:00.000-04:002011-04-14T08:34:00.368-04:00

The good people at importer Frederick Wildman & Sons bring a lot of really good stuff into this country.  Remember the 'Pink=Boobs?' piece from last summer?  That was all their wine. This spring they've supplied us with another round of diverse wines.  These three are French, fresh, reasonably priced, and ready for warm weather - one CDR blend, one Viognier, and one Sauvignon Blanc. 2009

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-51039057195635622722011-04-12T11:47:00.001-04:002011-04-12T11:57:47.903-04:00

Shipping charges are the number one deterrent for people contemplating ordering wine online.  Cameron Hughes is doing away with shipping on orders of 6 or more bottles this week.  When you factor in the savings on tax, plus the deals you're already getting from CH Wine, it's a no brainer. Unless you already have 5 cases of their wine in your basement like I do.

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Fair warning: liberal use of superlatives forthcoming - all justified. Thanks to being in the right company at the right time, I was recently introduced to what could very well be the best Tuscan wine I've had in the last decade - including wines had on visits to Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Bolgheri, and just about every other corner of Tuscany. What wine could be that good? A run down of

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A lot of wine from California started tasting all the same a few years ago.  Last year it really peaked.  Yes, this is a broad generalization that's unfair to many highly unique and well crafted wines.  But for all the accuracy in representing varietal characteristics CA winemakers are achieving, there is an awful lot of homogeneity out there- and at every price level.  So, is all wine in the US

Winethropologyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14428908206540783856noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993723508190120851.post-77748134357862209882011-03-28T14:42:00.001-04:002011-03-28T14:52:55.484-04:00

It's hard keeping up with all the new wines being released this time of year - but it sure is fun trying!  Here are three reds that would've otherwise gone unnoticed had they not been (generously) forced upon me.  Miss enjoying them at your own peril: 2008 Bodegas La Candelaria Senda 66 Tempranillo $9 Think Australia invaded central Spain and dumped a bunch of Rutherford dirt in La Mancha.  This

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Not for the faint of heart, I recently described Petite as a large brick wall hurdling down a highway; massive and unstoppable.  More often than not, it is all that - and then some.  Characterized by a stain-your-skin inkiness, fierce blackstrap tannins, and an almost viscous nature, it is as hearty a variety as they come.  It even has its own fan club.  It might be diametrically opposed to Pinot

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