13 posts
general
California’s Gold Rush of the 1850s included the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. As fortune seekers flocked to the Sierras to prospect for gold, small wineries also began to appear. But the decline of gold mining in the late 18...
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behind the cork
2017 Citra Trebbiano d’Abruzzo ($10) This wine is produced from the white grape called Trebbiano Abruzzesa, a grape variety from the Abruzzo Chieti province of Italy. Codice Citra wines are estate grown and bottled from a collection of family owned...
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general
A few years ago, I told a friend that I was going to visit some wineries. He asked “Do you buy wines there?” My quick answer was “Yes!” He then asked “Why buy wines at a winery? They are more expensive than at the supermarket!” Well, yes, wines a...
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behind the cork
2016 MacPhail The Flyer Pinot Noir ($50) If you love Pinot Noir, this one is for you! It’s got wonderfully delicate flavors of red cherry and raspberry, very easy tannin and a melt in your mouth finish. MacPhail wines are a collaboration between T...
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behind the cork
2017 Citra Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($10) This wine is 100% Montepulciano from the Abruzzo region of Italy. Hand-harvested grapes are vinified in stainless steel tanks with a long maceration at a controlled temperature. The must is frequently pumpe...
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behind the cork
2017 Bodegas Castillo de Monjardin La Cantera Garnacha ($12) This Garnacha is from the DO Navarra region of northern Spain that is known for its beauty and diverse terroir. It is sourced from 70 year-old vines on the estate’s “La Cantera” vineyard,...
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behind the cork
2016 Ferzo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($26) This Montepulciano is from the southern Abruzzo region of Italy. It’s just being introduced to the U.S. and worth looking for. The name, Ferzo, refers to patches of fabric that are stitched together to creat...
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behind the cork
2017 Ventisquero Grey [Glacier] GCM Red Blend ($20) This wonderful blend from Ventisquero comes from the La Roblería vineyard in the Apalta area of the Colchagua Valley. It is a blend of 62% Garnacha, 19% Cariñena (Carignan) and 19% Mataro (Mouvedr...
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behind the cork
2017 Ferzo Pecorino Terre di Chieti ($26) This wine from Ferzo is 100% Pecorino that is grown in the foothills of central Italy’s Abruzzo region in the Terre di Chieti IGT. The Indicazione Geografica Tipica is a relatively new wine classification in...
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general
As we continue through the holiday season, the question of ‘which wine to buy?’ is constantly on our minds. And, the answer in any situation can always be ‘Sparkling wine!” Yes, sparking wines are maybe the most versatile wines out there. For brunch...
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behind the cork
2016 Left Coast Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir ($24) Left Coast Cellars is located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley where Pinot is king. It’s 100% Pinot Noir, fermented in stainless steel and aged in 100% French oak for nine months. The Pinot’s from Willamet...
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behind the cork
2015 Left Coast Cellars Right Bank Pinot Noir ($42) Here’s another very nice Pinot Noir from Left Coast Cellars. This ‘Right Bank’ Pinot is from their highest elevation vineyard that is planted entirely with Pommard clone Pinot Noir. From 100% Pinot...
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general
Pinot Noir is a wonderful varietal of wine. In the Old World (Europe), Pinot Noir is most famous from the Burgundy region of France. There, it is simply known as ‘Burgundy.’ In the U.S., Pinot Noir is grown in multiple regions. Two notable regions a...
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