Yearly Archives: 2021

Special Holiday Gifts for Wine Lovers: Selections from the Finest Wines Reviewed in 2021

Posted on December 14, 2021 by don

What to give a friend who appreciates and is knowledgeable about wine?  In this article, we give our recommendations based on the many fine wines we’ve tasted this year.  The list includes Champagne, Sparkling Rosé, California Pinot Noir, Napa Cabernet … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Champagne, Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Dessert Wine, France, Italy, Oregon, Portugal, Portuguese, Red Wine, South Africa, Spain, Sparkling Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Comments Off on Special Holiday Gifts for Wine Lovers: Selections from the Finest Wines Reviewed in 2021

Vriniotis: Modern Greek Wines from the Aegean

Posted on December 5, 2021 by mike

Vriniotis is a modern family winery located in Evia (Euboea), which is among the Aegean Islands  in Central Greece.   It was established in the village of Gialtra in 2007 by 51-year old Konstantinos (Kostas) Vriniotis , although  the family’s association … Continue reading →

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Winemaker Bill Brosseau’s 2019 Testarossa Pinot Noirs

Posted on December 1, 2021 by don

Testarossa has been successfully making a wide range of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines for well over two decades, quite a feat in the ever changing and trendy world of fine wine.They work with some of the most renowned vineyards … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Oregon, Sparkling Wine, Uncategorized, Virginia, Wine Type | Comments Off on Thanksgiving 2021: Enjoy the Best of American Sparkling Rosés

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 →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Countries and Regions, Great Winemakers, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Articles, Wine Type | Tagged , | Comments Off on Cathy Corison’s Elegant Cabernet Sauvignons from the Special 2018 Vintage

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 →

Posted in Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Greece, Greek Wines, Red Wine, Rosé, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged | Comments Off on Wine Art Estate: Creative Winemaking in Macedonia, Greece

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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