Katharina and Helmut Gangl 2003 Zweigelt
Velvety smooth nose, like a cross between the game of syrah and the smoke of Sangiovese, all of it brightened up nicely by ripe, red berry fruit. White pepper flavors take …
The One-Time Wine Show in Atlantic City
Back in 2008, the Wine School was growing super-fast, and I was hungry for more. There were many wine shows at that time (they were super-popular), and I had run a …
South American Wines
Where did you first discover the wines of South America? For me, it was years ago (2004, to be more or less precise) when the Wine School hosted a charity wine …
Gundlach Bundschu 2005 Pinot Noir, Sonoma
At this price point, this is a favorite Pinot of everyone at theschool. Charming, it’s exactly what a Pinot should beand nothing else.
Borgo Conventi 2007 Friulano, Collio
During the 1970s winemakers in Friuli proved the aesthetic and commercial viability of monovarietals that showcased the region’s unique mesoclimates and cultural influences. One of the most succesful was Tocai Friulano, …
The Top Five Wines for Raw Oysters
The brine and sweet fragrant flesh of a shucked oyster is an essential tribute to the summer. The wines served alongside should reflect a bit of sunshine and refreshment, too. Here …
Feuro Arancio Nero D’Avola Sicilia 2004
Everything here is just right. The wine is a beautiful deep garnet in the glass, and it shows vanilla and dark cherry on the nose. However, on the palate, it morphs …
Domaine de Saumarez 2004 “Aalenien,” Coteaux du Languedoc
When the weather turns cold, rich reds from warmer climes are often best. And this one, a Syrah-Grenache blend, fits the bill perfectly. It shows exactly why the reds of Languedoc …
Moletto 2004 “La Pisara” Salento
By now, most oenophiles know about the Primitivo-Zinfandel connection. And most would be able to sniff and sip the differences in North American zin and a dark, spicy, mildly tannic Salento …
Wine Shopping for the Holidays
This was our original article on wine buying. For our most up-to-date recommendations on where to buy wine in the Philly region, check out our updated Wine Shop Guide. Maybe it’s …
Jean Laurent NV Blanc de Blancs Brut
The name may not be quite as familiar as some of its more famous cousins, but it deserves to be. This 100% Chardonnay bubbly is not only delicious on its own …
Cristalino NV Brut Cava
Will it change your life? Will it plumb the depths of profundity that a great Tete de Cuvee Champagne will? Probably not. But at under $15, it’s a heck of a …
Fattoria di Magliano 2007 “Heba” Morellino di Scansano
I was lamenting the scarcity of good and inexpensive Italian Sangiovese, and this one shows up a day later to prove me wrong. Nice balance of modern and classical Italian winemaking, …
Jean-Claude Thevenet et Fils 2006 St.-Veran Clos de l’Ermitage Cuvee Vieilles Vignes
A distinctive nose of wet riverbank stones with just the slightest citrus lift leads to a surprisingly generous mid-palate rich with lemon oil. That stoniness and minerality come back on the …
Drinking Nicolas Feuillatte’s Palmes d’Or with some Philly Racists
The Four Seasons In 2010, the Wine School ran a Champagne event at the old Four Seasons that featured a vertical tasting of Nicolas Feuillatte’s Palmes d’Or. Alas, I fear that …
Summers 2005 Charbono, Napa Valley
Yes, the mercury has risen, the muggies are threatening, and the food most of us crave has likely become lighter. So why extol the virtues of a wine of only moderate …