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 …
Spain
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 …
Cellers Baronia del Montsant 2009 Flor de Englora Roure
A review of a top class Grenache blend. Glass staining and inky black, the Flor d’Englora Roure is full bodied and richly flavored. Aromas of toast, campfire, and coriander rise from the glass, with a thread of liquorice. Tobacco and mocha on the palate with a rich deep fruit flavors, plum and dark cherry.
Vina Eguia 2007 Reserva Rioja
A review of a brilliant and inexpensive bottle of Rioja. Aroma of tobacco and rose petals, with a bit of damp earth and clove. On the palate, the fresh fruit comes across in high definition; in particular, fresh cherry and red raspberry.
Napoleon in Philly
Wines of Napoleon Featured in PhiladelphiaIf you were the ruler of the known universe, what would you drink? The Wine School of Philadelphia will answer that question. A two-hour tour de …
Gloria Ferrer 2002 Royal Cuvee
The Ferrer family is best known for their other winery, the Spanish bubbly producer Freixenet. However, this Sonoma County winery, named after the family’s matriarch, almost always exceeds the quality of …
Carmen Grifoll-Declara 2006 Tossals, Monstant
A deeply and profoundly delicious wine. It manages to have the luxurious depth of a feather bed and an operatic expanse of fruit under a canopy of rust and granite. This …
Bodegas Pedro Escudero 2009 “Fuente Elvira” Verdejo
A singularly modern style of Rueda that is taking its cues from its brethren up in Rioja. Reductive winemaking combined with barrel fermentation is doing wonders for Spanish whites, in particular Verdejo.Creamy peach and quince are layered …
Finca de Arantei 2006 Albariño, Rias Baixas
From the sweet spot of Spain’s Albariño production in the country’s northwest comes this crisp, gently melony white that will work with anything from softshell crab to simple chicken dishes. And …
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 …
Good Cheap Wine
There are plenty of well-made wines that are also cheap. Here are 10 of our favorite cheap wines, but these are a sampling of the best of the best. Even better, …
Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2005 Garnacha, Catalyud
The Wine School is pouring a Garnacha these days that is flat-out charming me: The Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2005 from Catalyud, Spain. Not only is it fabulously fresh with …
Wine Reviews
For our newest wine reviews for summertime drinking, check out our main page for wine ratings and reviews. The WhitesTangent Pinot Gris, Edna Valley (California)A rather unique bottling from the Central …
Italian Wine Reviews
While the member of the Wine School team laying waste to Spain’s porcine population, yours truly was engaged in exhaustive research concerning patterns of wine consumption among Italians. Specifically, what will …
Olivares Altos De La Hoya 2005 Monastrell
For the past three vintages, The Altos has been a unique & consistent great value. I am glad to see the trend continues. On the nose, a distinct minerality is coupled …
Wine & Cheese Pairing with Dibrunos
In 2010, we ran a series of wine & cheese events with Dibrunos. Emilio & I had a blast with this event. Emilio has the passion, and talking to him for …