Merryvale 2008 “Starmont” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
A rock-solid Napa Cab at a rock-solid price. The nose of pencil shavings, vanilla, and toast promises great things to come, and it does deliver. The gritty tannic structure is balanced …
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An NPR Interview featuring Keith Wallace on Wine Myths
Michelle Norris of All Things Considered interviews Keith Wallace about wine myths.The story originally aired on All Things Considered (NPR) on December 11, 2009. The article is reprinted solely for educational purposes. It …
Sommeliers: A rare vintage
At the five-year-old Wine School of Philadelphia, located in Fairmount, 60 students are taking sommelier courses, even though director Keith Wallace decries the profession as “the worst position on the face of the earth. At most places, they’re glorified restaurant managers, talked down to and condescended to.”
Beverage managers, responsible for all libations served, make “marginal income,” between $30,000 and $40,000 after long hours, Wallace says, “at the very top, you can make $60,000 to $80,000,” but the hours are punishing. “The wine industry itself is an amazing place to work,” Wallace says. He directs students to industry positions, advertising for a large wine company, importing, running portfolios for distributors all offering the possibility of better pay, travel, nights and weekends off. (Contrary to assumptions, there are import and distribution jobs in Pennsylvania, but only one buyer.)
How a Class Can Enhance Your Wine Experience
The story was originally published by the Wall Street Journal on February 10, 2006. Learning the Ropes About Vines:How a Class Can Enhance Your Wine ExperienceBy DOROTHY J. GAITER and JOHN BRECHERAbout …
Vignerons de Caractere 2010 “Cuvee Prestige” Gigondas
Vignerons de Caractere is one of the top co-operatives in the Southern Rhone. They have been making a rather strong push into the US markets of late, especially in the Mid-Atlantic …
City Paper: Class Act
The story was originally published by the Philadelphia City Paper on April 10, 2007. The article is reprinted solely for educational purposes. It is intended to offer insight into the history of wine …
Cuna de Reyes 2009 Rioja Crianza (Spain)
Aged for a year in French and American oak, this wine is mostly Tempranillo with some Garnacha and Mazuelo. Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Nájera, in the southern edge of Rioja …
Barone Ricasoli 2010 “Brolio” Chianti Classico
The Castello di Brolio (the castle of Brolio) has been in the Ricasoli family since the 12th Century. Two of the family’s top wines (they produce 11) are labeled as Brolio. The top …
Juve Y Camps 2007 Milesime Gran Reserva Brut Cava
The family behind this bottle has been growing grapes in Catalonia, Spain, for over two centuries. Since 1921, they have been producing the Spanish sparkling wine known as Cava. Like many wineries in …
Michele Satta 2005 Cavaliere (Super Tuscan)
A voluptuous Sangiovese with a slight salinity that veers to black olive but pulls back into a beautiful layered expression of chocolate. A glass-staining beauty with plump blackberry and kirsch notes …
Passitivo 2010 Primitivo, Puglia
Judging wines isn’t a linear job. It’s not really about grading all wines as a spectrum of quality. We don’t judge a Red Zinfandel from Russian River next to a bottle …
Chateau Ramage La Batisse 2005 Haut Medoc (Bordeaux)
A finely honed bottle with eucalyptus and wet stone aromas that edge into black fruit and crème de cassis. Full-bodied and velvety, the palate offers fresh red fruit, black tea, and a bracing minerality …
Ch. Bastor Lamontagne 2007 Sauternes
Château Bastor-Lamontagne is not Château d’Yquem. It’s not one of the elite estates of the Sauternes region of Bordeaux. However, this producer offers up a consistently great quality-to-value, a rarity in the region. Considering that Château …
Pear Valley 2007 Syrah, Paso Robles
Pear Valley is located on the east side of Paso Robles, right smack in the middle of it all. The winery is new, newer than this wine (it wasn’t built until 2008). …