Dino Illuminati
Dino Illuminati 2005 “Ilico”, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Montepulciano is one of those Rodney Dangerfield grapes, the kind that get no respect. It can be a …
Over two thousand wine reviews! While most of our reviews focus on great wines under $20, we also offer reviews of luxury and collectible wines. As we are located in Philadelphia, most wines reviewed here are available via wine & spirits shops in Pennsylvania. Our main reviewer is Keith Wallace, the executive director and founder of the Wine School of Philadelphia. Want to locate a specific wine? Use our PLCB Wine Finder.
Our wine reviews are conducted blind, and we do not accept free samples. Our goal is to showcase excellent wines that are also a great value to the wine consumer. All the wines we rate are small independent producers who engage in natural and sustainable winemaking practices.
Many of the wines we review are also featured in classes and wine courses held at the Wine School of Philadelphia and affiliates of the National Wine School.
Dino Illuminati 2005 “Ilico”, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Montepulciano is one of those Rodney Dangerfield grapes, the kind that get no respect. It can be a …
Sure, we’ve all seen them. Turning their noses up at what they perceive to be merely average or inferior wines, the so-called wine snob is …
I never thought the day would come, but here it is, in all its perplexing, fat-streaked glory: I’m taking a break from ham. It even …
Tomorrow evening, Frank Cipparone, the Wine School‘s resident Italian-wine expert, and I will do battle in a Smackdown for the ages. Planetary polarity may shift. …
Read moreSmackdowns, Boots and Hexagons, and the Future of the Human Race
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, …
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 …
Orballo Albarino, 2006, Rias Baixas DO Luna Beberide Bierzo DO, 2005 Legaris Ribeira del Duero Crianza DO, 2003 Monticillo Rioja Gran Reserva DOCa, 1998 Pablo …
Meulenhof Riesling Kabinett, 2005, Mosel (GER) Mastroberardino Sannio Falanghina, 2004, Campania (IT) Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc “Beyond”, 2006 (S. AF.) Simi Russian River Chardonnay, 2004, Sonoma …
The Wine Foundation Program Our Wine Foundation program is beginning very soon. We can turn anyone into a sommelier-grade wine taster in a single semester, …
Pieropan Soave Classico, 2004, Veneto…Thirty or forty years ago Soave, as was the case with its Tuscan cousin Chianti, suffered the ignominy of becoming a …
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 …
This past week, we held the second Sommelier Smackdown to be catered by L’Oca, the delicious Italian restaurant across the street from the school. Also …
Torre dei Gesuiti “Sarrocco”, 2004, Puglia IGT From the inky purple-black pigment to the balanced and slightly herbal finish, this is a mouthful of wine. …
Cusumano “benuara”, 2004, Sicily….Nero d’Avola has slowly gained credance as THE red grape of Sicily, combined here with Syrah to produce an interesting IGT wine …
The wines of Niepoort exemplify how much potential northern Portugal has, and the Vertente’s seamless integration of native grape varieties with a decidedly New World …
Though the blend is pinot noir (80%) and syrah (20%), both of them play together beautifully on the nose, which is rich with aromas of …