Yearly Archives: 2015

American Riesling from the East and West Coasts

Posted on November 3, 2015 by don

Excellent Riesling is now being produced on both the East and West coasts of the US. In this article, we review recent releases of several of the most important American producers. These include Dr. Konstantin Frank and Lamoreaux Landing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, New York, Uncategorized, Washington, White Wine | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on American Riesling from the East and West Coasts

California’s Miner Family Winery New Releases

Posted on October 31, 2015 by don

Dave Miner started up his eponymous winery in 1996 with Gary Brookman, formerly with Phelps, joining as winemaker. He sources fruit from California’s premier vineyards. His  wines are good and expensively  presented with fine labels and impressive bottles.  See our … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged | Comments Off on California’s Miner Family Winery New Releases

The Carménères of Chile’s Concha y Toro

Posted on October 27, 2015 by don

Carménère is on a roll. It is now one of the most popular varieties in Chile with over 9 thousand hectares planted. In terms of its rapid growth, Carménère is beginning to resemble another Bordeaux varietal that does much better … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile, Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Carménères of Chile’s Concha y Toro

The Best Palo Cortados from Sherry

Posted on October 24, 2015 by don

Sherry is one of the world’s most complex wines, made in a unique way similar in respects to Champagne. The Sherry soleras yield a consistent house style, much like a non-vintage house Champagne. It’s also one of the world’s most … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Fortified, Spain, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Best Palo Cortados from Sherry

Vertical Tasting of Vistorta Merlot (1999-2007)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by mike

Last week we had the rare opportunity to taste five vintages of  Vistorta Merlot from 1999 to 2007.  The tasting was organized by proprietor Conte Brandino Brandolini and importer Esprit du Vin.  It was held at Restaurant Fiola in Washington, DC … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Red Wine, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off on Vertical Tasting of Vistorta Merlot (1999-2007)

Amarone Family Wines Tasting at Verona’s Bottega del Vino

Posted on October 19, 2015 by don

The Famiglie dell’Amarone d’Arte (Amarone Families) is a collection of twelve of Valpolicella’s most prominent wineries dedicated to maintaining the rigorous standards required to produce high quality Amarone. We recently met up with Marilisa Allegrini, President of Amarone Families, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Italy, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Amarone Family Wines Tasting at Verona’s Bottega del Vino

Testarossa Winery: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir New Releases 2013

Posted on October 16, 2015 by mike

Testarossa Winery is among the top producers of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California. Owners Rob and Diana Jensen handcraft small lots of mostly vineyard designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from  top growers in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Red Wine | Tagged | Comments Off on Testarossa Winery: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir New Releases 2013

Tasting Organic Wines of Friuli with Conte Brandolini at Naranzaria

Posted on October 13, 2015 by don

We met up with Count Brandino Brandolini d’Adda the other night at his Osteria Naranzaria on Venice’s Grand Canal to taste wines from his Vistorta estate along with some of the delicious food prepared at Naranzaria. We tasted his outstanding … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Italy, Red Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Tasting Organic Wines of Friuli with Conte Brandolini at Naranzaria

McLaren Vale’s Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard: 2013 Releases

Posted on October 12, 2015 by mike

Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard is one Australia’s iconic vineyards.  It was established by Alan Hickinbotham in 1971 in McLaren Vale, and over the years has been the source of fruit for some of Australia’s finest wines including Penfolds Grange and Hardy’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, Shiraz, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on McLaren Vale’s Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard: 2013 Releases

Matt Kramer’s True Taste: The Seven Essential Wine Words

Posted on October 12, 2015 by don

Matt Kramer has written a delightful, little book that in a few pages provides an excellent treatise on the art of wine tasting.  It’s a book every serious wine drinker should read. Kramer has always been one of my favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Uncategorized, Wine Articles | Tagged | Comments Off on Matt Kramer’s True Taste: The Seven Essential Wine Words