The Big Shakedown in Liquorville
From December, 2010. A little bit of local wine history: A case of political games may affect the future of wine buying in Pennsylvania.Earlier this month, Governor Ed Rendell named a …
Wine
Decanting! And from such great heights!
Put down that Wine Atlas, and grab some Japanese manga. In Kami no Shizuku (The Drops of God), two wine connoisseurs are the main characters, the 1855 Bordeaux classification is made simple, …
Gary Farrell 2003 Zinfandel Maple Vineyard Tina’s Block
Classic aromas of peppercorns and crushed, ripe red berry fruit, followed by a mid-palate rich with the flavors of figs and dark berries. Despite all this richness and depth, though, it’s …
Disznoko 2006 Tokaji Dry Furmint
Unusual? Absolutely. But this is a wine that should be far more well-known than it is. For the time being, though, take advantage of the disparity between the price ($13.99) and …
Helyos 2002, Banyuls
So maybe it doesn’t have the same name recognition as Port, but a great vin doux naturel, as we tasted at last night’s annual Champagne & Dessert Wine Gala, proved, as …
Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg 2006 Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen
Like so many of the 06 Spätleses, this one is great right now–think tropical fruit bashed open with a big gray stone–and has all the stuffing it needs for a long-haul …
Helfrich 2005 Gewurztraminer Grand Cru, Alsace
The great wines of Alsace often represent some of the best deals at the high-end of the fine-wine world. This minerally, floral, spice-scented steal is just as delicious on its own …
Tenuta Le Querce 2003 “Il Viola” Aglianico del Vulture
Almost black in color with deep, rich garnet tones at the edges. The nose is filled with game, crushed ripe berries, late-summer fruit, and peppercorns. It’s a tannic wine, but the …
Domaine Hauts Chassis 2007 “Les Galets” Crozes Hermitage
It is rare to find an outstanding Northern Rhone wine for $20. That makes this delicious syrah a great find. It drinks more like a Hermitage than its often lesser Croze …
Casanova di Neri 2005 Rosso di Montalcino, Toscana
Rosso di Montalcino was the first of the “little brother” wines to garner DOC classification based on a more prominent sibling, Rosso di Montefalco and Rosso di Montepulciano. Fruit that lacks …
The Science of Soil
I loved this article from the Lancaster Farming website by Chris Torres, “A Systems Approach to Organic.”It’s a quick and fascinating read about how California winemakers recently demonstrated to local growers …
Thomas Fogarty 2006 Gewurztraminer, Monterey
Yes, you read it right: Gewurztraminer from Monterey. Sounds odd, but this wine’s combination of perfume, fruit, and structure will make you a believer in no time.
Enzo Mecella 1998 “Rubelliano” Rosso Conero DOC, Le Marche
Their use of the Montepulciano grape more or less characterizes the reds wines of the region. Even though other red varietals are grown, it has become Marche’s signature and is best …
Bestest Day Ever
Oh POOP, this is GREAT! I rolled into the school late today, expecting a rather boring day in the office. The usual: need to file a UC report to the state, …
Dominio del Plata 2006 “Crios de Susana Balbo,” Mendoza
There’s nothing terribly new about Argentina, but the blend here might be unfamiliar: Syrah (which you know) and Bonarda (which you might not). But for $12.99 in PA right now, it’s …
The Top Ten Truths of Tuscan Tourism
The Wine School of Philadelphia took our show on the road the first week of June, converting the Villa Giusterna in Chianti into our Tuscan campus. Instead of boring everyone with …