December 2025 Archives

9 posts

A Beginner's Guide to Wine Flavors -- White Wines general

A Beginner’s Guide to Wine Flavors — White Wines

One of the most common questions I get it is “Tell me what some good wines are?” While that’s a simple question, it’s also quite difficult to answer because not only is everyone’s palate different, but your palate for wines will evolve as you explor...

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Behind the Cork™ - Book Review: Stikky Wine behind the cork

Behind the Cork™ - Book Review: Stikky Wine

Stikky Wine ($12) Looking for a good, beginner’s-level, easy to read book to learn about wine? Stikky Wine is a great place to start. The book does not rely on taking notes or memorization. It clearly states “Read the three sections…stop after eac...

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A Beginner's Guide to Wine Flavors -- Red Wines general

A Beginner’s Guide to Wine Flavors — Red Wines

Last time we looked at the common flavors of white wines. So, now, here are descriptions of what common red wines tend to taste like. These are the broad, recognizable flavor profiles you can expect: Red Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Bold, full-bodie...

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Behind the Cork™ - Sonoma Grove Zinfandel behind the cork

Behind the Cork™ - Sonoma Grove Zinfandel

2022 Sonoma Grove Zinfandel ($8) This Sonoma Grove 2022 Zinfandel is produced for the Navigator Wine Collection (formerly Precision Wine Company). They cellar and bottle the wine. The actual wine producer is not available. Sonoma Grove wine is from...

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Sparkling Wines to Consider for the Holidays general

Sparkling Wines to Consider for the Holidays

Sparkling wines really do shine during the holidays—both literally and figuratively. Here’s a few tips on the various types of sparkling wines to enjoying them to the fullest. Champagne Champagne is a sparkling wine that is produced in the relative...

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Behind the Cork™ - J Dusi Model M Red Blend behind the cork

Behind the Cork™ - J Dusi Model M Red Blend

2020 J Dusi Model M Red Blend ($17.99) On a recent visit to Paso Robles, I had the pleasure of spending some time in the tasting room at J Dusi with Janell Dusi, the “J” in J Dusi and a fourth-generation winemaker in the Dusi family. Janell was bo...

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The Never Ending Search for Great Wine general

The Never Ending Search for Great Wine

A few years ago, as I began to develop an interest in wines, I embarked on a quest to find a truly exceptional wine that I could consistently return to and savor. Although the search for a remarkable wine was an enjoyable journey, it never seemed to ...

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Behind the Cork™ - Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja behind the cork

Behind the Cork™ - Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja

2018 Rivallana Gran Reserva Rioja ($12) This wine was bottled for Bodegas Ondarre, located in the Rioja region of Spain. It is a “Gran Reserva” wine which means that it was aged for a minimum of five years in oak and bottle with a minimum of 2 years...

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