Yearly Archives: 2021

Contratto: Excellent Vermouths from the Piedmont

Posted on November 24, 2021 by don

Made from 19th century recipes, the Contratto Vermouth and Vermouth-like aperitifs are some of the most appealing we’ve tasted. While often used as a base for cocktails, they’re also delicious by themselves over ice with a twist of citrus. The … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving 2021: Enjoy the Best of American Sparkling Rosés

Posted on November 13, 2021 by don

There is nothing better than sparkling rosé to pair with the variety of dishes of the traditional Thanksgiving meal.  The 15 wines listed below are the best of the American and Canadian sparkling rosés that we tasted earlier this year. … Continue reading →

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The 2019 Testarossa Chardonnays from Central California’s Premium Vineyards

Posted on October 31, 2021 by don

It seems like ages since we tasted with Diana and Rob Jensen at their winery in Los Gatos, but then almost everything pre-Covid seems to have happened a long time ago.  We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to again … Continue reading →

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Stellar Values in California Chardonnay from Sonoma County

Posted on October 29, 2021 by don

Modern California Chardonnay is some of the best in the world. It’s fresh, balanced, often elegant and nothing like the too-ripe, oaky, buttery wines of the past.  But the best single vineyard Chardonnays can be expensive (>$50), and the inexpensive … Continue reading →

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Cathy Corison’s Elegant Cabernet Sauvignons from the Special 2018 Vintage

Posted on October 27, 2021 by don

Cathy Corison makes some of the Napa Valley’s most elegant and refined Cabernet Sauvignons.  In this article we review her wines from the cool, long-ripening 2018 vintage, including the still to be released wine from the special, old vine Kronos … Continue reading →

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Wine Art Estate: Creative Winemaking in Macedonia, Greece

Posted on October 25, 2021 by mike

Wine Art Estate is a boutique winery established  in 1993 in Drama by Yannis Papadopulous and Yannis Kalaizidis.  Drama is located in a landlocked area bordering Bulgaria in the northern half of east Macedonia (see map below).  While neglected as … Continue reading →

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Chinato and Quinquina from Italy’s Piedmont, South Africa’s Swartlands, and the Columbia Valley

Posted on October 23, 2021 by don

While technically not a Vermouth, Chinato is similar in its infusion of herbs and spices. What’s different is the addition of Cinchona. Cinchona is the dried bark of the South American tree that is a source of quinine and used … Continue reading →

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The White Burgundies of Louis Jadot from the Challenging 2018 Vintage

Posted on October 8, 2021 by don

Founded in 1859, Maison Louis Jadot is today one of Burgundy’s most important producers.  We’ve had the opportunity to taste Jadot’s wines both in France and here in the US.  Recently, we tasted several of their white wines from Burgundy, … Continue reading →

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The Wines of Aivalis of Nemea

Posted on October 7, 2021 by don

Aivalis is a small artisanal winery  in Nemea, a tiny  appellation in the Peloponnese of Greece.   Established in 1997 by Hristos  Aivalis  (pictured left with his son Sotiri) produces some of the finest Agiorgitiko  in Greece today and is  a … Continue reading →

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Hanzell Vineyards: Sonoma’s Historic Chardonnay Winery

Posted on October 5, 2021 by don

In this article we review the current Chardonnay releases of Sonoma County’s historic Hanzell Vineyards.  In 1953 James Zellerbach planted Sonoma County’s first commercial Chardonnay vineyard in the foothills of the Mayacamas after returning from Europe where he managed the … Continue reading →

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