Yearly Archives: 2012

Selections from Portuguese Negociant, Rui Abecassis

Posted on December 28, 2012 by mike

Rui Abecassis is a new negociant of Portuguese wines who shows talent in selecting wines that are fruit forward, charming and affordable.  Above all, they also sing of Portugal.   We are looking forward to future selections. Vera 2011 Vinho Verde … Continue reading →

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Champagne and Food Pairing at Bistro Vivant

Posted on December 14, 2012 by mike

Bistro Vivant, an authentic French bistro in McLean, Virginia, and the Roanoke Valley Wine Company recently partnered to offer a delicious pairing of grower Champagnes and French cuisine prepared by chef-owner Domenico Cornacchia and Executive Chef Driss Zaidi. Tom Bjorstead … Continue reading →

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Great Value Cava from Penedés: Jaume Serra Cristalino

Posted on December 10, 2012 by don

While Spanish Cava doesn’t have the unique growing conditions of Champagne (see our Report # 34 Champagne Revisited), it’s made the same way (méthode champenoise, or método tradicional) and results in a pleasant, sparkling wine that’s suitable both for meals … Continue reading →

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Great Winemakers: Stefano and Giuseppe Inama of Veneto’s Soave

Posted on December 8, 2012 by don

Inama is revered as one of the top producers of high quality Soave. Our reviews at the bottom of this article show why. We recently visited Stefano Inama at his winery to find out how he makes such superb wines. … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Bill Nanson’s The Finest Wines of Burgundy

Posted on December 7, 2012 by don

Bill Nanson is perhaps the wine industry’s most professional non-professional. He’s not in the trade and in no way obligated to the producers whose wine he tastes and writes about. But his on-line Burgundy Report is one of the most … Continue reading →

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How to Read a Champagne Label

Posted on December 4, 2012 by mike

Knowing how to read a Champagne label can help you make the right choice of Champagne for your next meal or for a gift during the holiday season. Here are 7 tips from our just published Report #34 Champagne Revisited … Continue reading →

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Portrait of a Young Winemaker: Ayana Misawa of Japan’s Grace Wines

Posted on December 3, 2012 by don

The Grace Winery in Katsunuma One of the greatest pleasures of traveling the world of wine is meeting young winemakers of great promise.  On last month’s trip (which we recently wrote about) to Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture where its vitis vinifera … Continue reading →

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Gary Farrell’s Alysian Wines from Russian River

Posted on December 2, 2012 by don

Alysian Wines is the creation of veteran winemaker Gary Farrell and his long term colleague Bill Hambrecht.  Established in 2007, the winery produces small lots of cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the finest vineyards in the … Continue reading →

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THE WINE OF JAPAN: KOSHU

Posted on November 28, 2012 by don

Koshu, a pink-skinned vitis vinifera grape, arrived in Japan about a thousand years ago, just how and when is not precisely known. What is known is that wine has been made from Koshu since the 19th century and that it … Continue reading →

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Wines for Thanksgiving: A Selection from the Year’s Tastings

Posted on November 14, 2012 by don

Thanksgiving is a celebration of thanks for abundant harvests.  It is also an abundant meal consisting of many flavorful sweet and savory dishes surrounding the traditional roast turkey.  The combination of turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and candied yams is a challenge … Continue reading →

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