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 …
Spain
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 …
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 …
The Sommelier Smackdown
To celebrate the notoriety we’ve garnered thanks to being singled out by World Wrestling megabucks impresario Vince McMahon; we recently held a mano a mano a mano red wine competition featuring three of …
Casa de la Ermita 2005 Dulce Monastrell
We’ve tried, but it turns out that the adage is true: Man cannot live on Port and Sauternes alone. Luckily, this unexpected sticky from Spain is here to save the (holi)day. …
Alma de Blanco 2007 Godello, Monterrei
From the still relatively unknown Monterrei D.O. in Spain’s northwest comes this Godello, a fruity, surprisingly linear wine that will complement everything from steamed shrimp and prawns to a big bowl …
Thanksgiving at The Wine School
A shot from the past! Thanksgiving 2010.Thanksgiving is upon us and with that comes entertaining friends and family, many coming from out of town. Make your holiday weekend ever more festive …
Summer Wine Suggestions
To desire wine is to throw oneself into a lifelong adventure that will never be fully satisfied. And The Wine School – with its no-frills and down-to-earth manner – has been …