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 …
Who’s the Wine Snob Anyway?
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 …
We’re Back, and the Pigs are Safe
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 …
Smackdowns, Boots and Hexagons, and the Future of the Human Race
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
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, …
Mauro Molino Barolo
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 …
Intermediate Section, Spain & Portugal, 2/20/08
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 …
Wine 101 at Jack’s 2/16/08
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 …
March Newsletter 2007
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
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 …
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 …
L’Oca’s Anchovies
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 …
IGT
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. …
Italian Pick
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 …
Niepoort 2001 Vertente, Douro (PR)
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 …
Le Printemps Rose Mendocino County 2006
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 …