Botromagno Primitivo, Gravina
The Botromagno winery is located in an area more known for white wines from a grab bag of Malvasia, Trebbiano Toscana, and Greco di Tufo among others. The source for this varietal …
Wine Reviews
Surprising Wines from the Land Down Under
Last night, I taught our once-a-year Top 10 Regions wine class on the wines of Australia, and, just as was the case with the Napa Valley class a month or so …
Wine Reviews
Sign up for our wine newsletter here. Rolf Binder Viognier “Hovah,” Barossa ValleyNew World Viognier typically falls into two categories: The Good and The Ugly. This one carves out a whole …
Wine Reviews
Paul Lehrner “Cuvée Claus,” MittelburgenlandThis blend of Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch exhibits all the berry and spice character you’d expect as well as a lighter frame that makes it all go down …
German Riesling Wine Reviews
Jakoby-Mathy Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling Auslese “Eulenlay,” Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Quite a mouth-full both in name and in flavor. This is a super-friendly, surprisingly light-on-its-feet Auslese with pronounced notes of lychee and an almost …
Wine Reviews
Sign up for our wine newsletter here. Grant Burge “Barossa Vine” Chardonnay. This is a steal. Aromas are of fresh apple and pear, with just a whiff of butter. Soft but …
Veuve Moisans Cuvee Brut Rose
The nose of this refreshing pink sparkler wears its red-berry fruit lightly, which allows a hint of mushroom and thyme to come through relatively unimpeded. The palate, however, is all strawberry, …
Monteloro 2007 “Mezzo Braccio” IGT, Toscana
You know the old saying, “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing”? It probably accounts for my rarely holding forth on Pinot Egregious…sorry, Pinot GRIGIO. A grape is often derided …
Dino Illuminati 2005 “Ilico”, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Montepulciano is one of those Rodney Dangerfield grapes, the kind that gets no respect. It can be a crowd-pleaser for its pronounced, rounded fruitiness and soft tannins. A modest grape not …
Sauvignon Blanc Season
Finally, it seems, winter has loosened its grip on us. Or, to be more accurate, we’ve finally been treated to something resembling springtime weather: Yes, this past week, we experienced not …
Mauro Molino Barolo, 2000, Piemonte
What makes a Barolo truly great? Or how does one make a great Barolo? Two sides of the same coin in the ongoing debate among the “modernists” and “traditionalists” of Piemonte, …
Our First Wine Reviews
Some of our first wine reviews. Check out the pricing! Ravenwood 2002 Monte Rosso Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley$17.99 in PA ($25 outside PA) PLCB Code 13804A definite must-buy for Zin drinkers. …
Pieropan 2004 Soave Classico, Veneto.
Thirty or forty years ago, Soave, as was the case with its Tuscan cousin Chianti, suffered the ignominy of becoming a “brand” name, a generic term for mass-produced, easy-drinking Italian white …
Lagar de Pintos Albarino, 2005
Not that they needed it, but the recent infusion of Mediterranean-themed “small plate” menus on the local dining scene has opened palates to the quality and value of Spanish wines. However, …
Torre dei Gesuiti 2004 “Sarrocco” Puglia
From the inky purple-black pigment to the balanced and slightly herbal finish, this is a mouthful of wine. Substantial and juicy at the same time, with layers of dark berries and …
Cusumano 2004 “Benuara”, Sicily
Nero d’Avola has slowly gained credence as THE red grape of Sicily, combined here with Syrah to produce an interesting IGT wine that tones down the sometimes jammy, chewy quality of …