8 posts
behind the cork
2021 A to Z Engraved Proprietary Red Blend ($10) A to Z Wineworks is owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), a Washington-based wine company. SMWE acquired A to Z Wineworks, including its Rex Hill subsidiary and winery facility, in September 202...
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general
In the U.S., the term “Reserve” on a wine label is not legally regulated. It can just be a marketing term to get consumer to believe the wine is somehow better than others. Or, it can actually mean that the winery has indeed gone above and beyond wit...
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behind the cork
2018 Lucía Victoria Reserva Rioja ($8) D.O. 5 Hispanobodegas is a group of wineries which produces and distributes quality wines from the most emblematic Officially Certified Wine growing Regions of Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Rueda. Thei...
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ever wonder
“Claret” (rhymes with Carrot) is a traditional British term for red wine from Bordeaux. The term is derived from the word clairet in French which originally referred to a light-colored, pale red wine that was popular in medieval England after Bordea...
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behind the cork
2017 Ramey Claret ($39.98) David and Carla Ramey founded their winery in 1996 and forged a new California winemaking style that paired old-world techniques with the premier fruit of Sonoma and Napa. The Ramey family has long excelled at collaborat...
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ever wonder
You may have come across a wine either on a wine list or on the store shelf that’s called a “GSM” and wondered what kind of wine it is. So, let’s take a look at this funny acronym wine. A “GSM” wine refers to a blend of three specific grape varietie...
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behind the cork
2023 Puerta de Plata ($7.99) Puerta de Plata (i.e., Silver Door) wine is produced in Spain and bottled by Terra Cellars. It is made from 60% Tempranillo and 40% Garnacha. A bit of on-line searching seems to indicate this wine was aged for 12 mon...
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ever wonder
Have you ever heard or read about a wine being described as “Bright?” You may have wondered what this really means. So, let’s take a quick look at “bright” wines. When someone describes a wine as “bright” they are referring to the fact that it has ...
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