Silvio Jermann 2005 “Were Dreams,” Friuli
Still, making jokes about Italian white wines? This one will cure you. Silvio Jermann, the genius of northeast Italy, produces some of the most interesting, well-crafted whites on the boot. This …
Articles
Writing about wine is the means of communication which lets the producers speak to the consumers, it is like a process where a bottle of wine becomes a story. It tells the facts, it is a source of new ideas, and it conditions the understanding, and thus, it is a great help to the wine lovers in the maze of regions, types, and vintages. Wine writing tells the stories of time that are important to people and critiques while also being the means of disseminating new ideas. It is a tool to shift commerce, it elevates the regions that are less known, and it promotes a more profound comprehension. Whether in the form of articles, reviews, or tales, wine writing is the means that inform the readers about the artisanal aspect of each glass. In a time when the taste is changing and the media is more digital, good writing on wine is still very important, not only for guiding the buying choices of people but also for imparting the real character of wine.
Simi 2006 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Classic Cali style Chardonnay. Melon and cream with a core of cinnamon stick and a splash of apple cider. For lovers of this style, it’s worth every penny of the $14.99 …
Riesling Reviews
One of our Advanced Sommelier students spent a month drinking Riesling. I thought that was cool, so I asked him to write about it.———-One man’s journey to the light side and …
Peter Michael “L’Apres-Midi” Sauvignon Blanc, Knights Valley
I made it home last night by 8:30, the first time I’d been back to Chateau Wallace before 10:00 pm since the previous Friday. So to say I was ready to …
Shannon 2007 Wrangler Red, Lake County
Wet earth and menthol on the nose follow through onto the palate, where they jump into a vat of maraschino cherries. Inexpensive ($15), full-bodied, and soft tannins, this is a good …
Chateau Carbonnieux 2005 Graves
This consistently under-the-radar producer has turned out a series of stellar wines in recent years. Their 2005 is yet another success in a string of them, showing beautiful fruit, typical Bordeaux …
Inniskillin 2004 Vidal Sparkling Icewine
Not for everybody, but that almost seems to be the point of this unusual, unexpected sparkler. It’s rich and sweet, but the bubbles somehow cut it all down to manageable size. …
Pedro Romero Pedro Ximenez “Extra Rich” Sherry
Known to aficionados simply as “PX,” this underappreciated, wildly affordable sherry is perfect for creamy desserts and as an accompaniment to a pipe or a good spicy cigar.
Turkey Flat 2005 “Butcher’s Block Red,” Barossa
This classic Rhone-style blend of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvedre is custom-made for dry-herb-rubbed lamb chops. Or, frankly, just for sipping on its own. There’s a reason Turkey Flat has long been …
Goulart 2007 “The Marshall” Malbec
From Lujan de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s prime locations, comes this powerful red that works both independently or with manly-man food like steak or short ribs. Protein! Beefcake!
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2006 “Redemption” Zinfandel, Sonoma
A no-nonsense party wine. I would go so far as to say this was a gummi bear riding a licorice stick down a boozy river.
Domaine William Fevre 2006 Chablis
Anyone who tells you that winter is not the right time for white wine clearly hasn’t enjoyed the many charms of Chablis on a crisp day. There’s something about the often …
Canon-Moueix 1998
Though I’m a fool for wines from the Southern Rhone, the highlight of a recent French wine class the 1998 Canon-Moueix. Sure, those two bottles of 2014 Vacqueyras were lovely, but …
Cristina Ascheri 2006 Langhe Arneis, Piemont
In the land of Barbaresco and Barolo, this grape is truly, in the local patois, an unruly child, the one who doesn’t quite fit in. Once planted among rows of Nebbiolo …
Domaine Gauby 2004 “Les Calcinaires” Cotes du Roussillon Villages
Rustic and classically styled, this wine is certainly not for everyone. However, its deep-rooted sense of place and authenticity will make it irresistible to lovers of old-fashioned Languedoc-Roussillon bottlings. The nose …
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, …