500 posts
Lisboa Bonita Red Blend ($19) Casa Santos Lima is a multi-generational, family-owned winery that stands as one of Portugal’s most prolific and highly decorated wine producers. Based at its primary estate, Quinta da Boavista in Alenquer (just north o...
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2023 Vitis Ridge Pinot Gris ($16) The Vitis Ridge winery was originally founded and operates as an equal four-way partnership between two couples: Chris and Sharon Deckelmann, and Bruce and Sally Eich.. What started as a hobby in the garage over 20...
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Alta Vista Brut Rosé ($18.99) Alta Vista was founded by Count Patrick d’Aulan, heir of more than 250 years of winemaking tradition. With an enterprising spirit, he arrived in Argentina in the 1990s looking for the best regions of Los Andes. The win...
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Bouvet Excellence Brut Rosé NV ($19.99) Since 1851, Bouvet Ladubay, in the Loire Valley, has been one of France’s greatest producers of méthode traditionnelle (naturally fermented in the bottle) sparkling wine. Founded in 1851 by Etienne Bouvet an...
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2025 Château d’Aqueria Tavel Rosé ($25) Château d’Aqueria is the largest estate of Tavel. It has been making wines in Tavel since the end of the 16th century. While Tavel is a specific wine region in France, the region only makes one highly distinc...
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2025 Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Rosé ($22.99) The first deed attesting to the existence of Château La Nerthe was signed on November 25, 1590, with its acquisition by the Tulle de Villefranche family. It was then a country house known as the Gra...
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2025 Montes Cherub Rosé ($16.99) The sun is finally shining, and there’s a hint of spring in the air. The season brings a fresh, vibrant energy that makes the world feel alive again. With warmer breezes, longer days thanks to daylight saving time, a...
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2016 Easton Zinfandel ($18) Easton Wines was founded in the late 80s by husband and wife team Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Bill puts his family name, EASTON, on their non-Rhône varietal wines. The wines are crafted from varietals that have tradi...
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2019 Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Mountain Cuvée ($18) For six generations and over 160 years, the Bundschu family has farmed the Rhinefarm estate vineyard at the crossroads of the Sonoma Valley, Carneros and Napa Valley appellations. Mountain Cuvée ho...
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Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon ($22) Paso D’Oro is a winery venture by the Terlato Wine Group that focuses on producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the Paso Robles region in California. The name translates to “Way of Gold,” paying tribute to...
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2020 Barkan Vineyards Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.99) Barkan Vineyards is located a half-hour driving distance from both Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem in Israel. And, yes, it’s a Kosher wine. But not just a Kosher wine, a really good Kosher wine! Bar...
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2020 Señorio de Odon Crianza ($6.99) In Spanish wine, Crianza is a regulated aging classification that literally translates to “breeding” or “nurturing”. It is the second tier of aged wine in Spain’s quality system, sitting between young, un-aged wi...
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2021 Frei Brother Sonoma Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($16) Frei Brothers has been a part of Sonoma County for over a century. After coming to California from his native Switzerland, founder Andrew Frei first established vineyards in the Dry Creek Val...
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2018 Rombauer Zinfandel ($42) Koerner and Joan Rombauer established Rombauer Vineyards in 1980, and in 1984 they released their first California-style Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. One interesting note about the Rombauer family is that K...
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2023 Carneros Creek Reserve Chardonnay ($29.95) Carneros Creek Winery (now a brand under Carneros Wine Company) was originally founded by Francis Mahoney in 1972. While the physical winery was sold to Michael Mondavi in 2006, the Mahoney family has ...
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2020 Sobon Estate Amador County Barbera ($17) Shenandoah Vineyards in Plymouth, CA, was founded in 1977 by Shirley and Leon Sobon. They moved from Los Altos, California, where Leon was a Senior Scientist with the Lockheed Research Lab. Leon’s gift f...
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2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99) When Chateau Ste. Michelle was founded in 1967, many believed great wine could only come from Italy or California. Their founders set out to prove otherwise—and in doing so, establi...
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2023 Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon ($29.99) Bezel is a new wine adventure from the famed Cakebread Family of wines. Since 1973, they have made wine in Napa Valley at Cakebread Cellars in Rutherford, California. But with Bezel, they are breaking out of N...
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2023 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Parallèle 45 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge ($15.99) Parallèle 45 is named after the earth’s 45th parallel, a famous circle of latitude that marks the midpoint between the equator and the North Pole. It also passes over the cellars of ...
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2022 Montes Alpha Carmenère ($24.99) Montes — officially Viña Montes — was founded in 1987 by four partners with extensive experience in winemaking and viticulture: Aurelio Montes, Douglas Murray, Alfredo Vidaurre, and Pedro Grand. Their founding go...
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2023 St. Francis Sonoma County Pinot Noir ($25.99) The fruit for this wine was sourced from multiple vineyards in the Sonoma Coast region. This Pinot was fermented using a combination of techniques, fusing both old and new world styles of Pinot Noi...
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2016 Olarra Classico Gran Reserva Rioja ($30) Olarra Clásico Gran Reserva 2016 is a well-regarded Spanish red wine from the Rioja region of Spain. With a history dating back 50 years, Bodegas Olarra base their wines on the ideal selection of the ra...
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2022 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir ($22) Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir is blended from some of the region’s top vineyards. The Rochioli and Bacigalupi vineyards are in the Middle Reach subdivision, where close pro...
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2021 Trujillo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($96) Michael Trujillo arrived in Napa Valley in 1982 from his family’s farm in Colorado. He grew up helping his father year-round in the fields, and learned early on about how soil, climate, pests and cr...
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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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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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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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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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2022 Ameri “Wild Roots” Malbec ($85) Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit. The Ameri label of wines is named for co-owner Labid Al Ameri, Domaine Bousquet’s co-owner. Ameri w...
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2024 Ameri “Eva Estate” Sauvignon Blanc ($35) Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest producer and exporter of wines made from 100% certified organic fruit, is introducing their 2024 single-vineyard Ameri Sauvignon Blanc, the first white wine from the...
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2021 Serial XXVI Red Blend ($35) Serial Wines is a part of the John Anthony Wine & Spirits portfolio, including John Anthony Vineyards, Serial Wines, Weather, and JaM Cellars. After decades of grape growing and winemaking in Napa Valley—first ...
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Union Sacré Wines Gewürztramminer ($19.99) For winemaker Xavier Arnaudin, winemaking has always been about people. He was born and raised in France and started his career not in the cellar, but in the kitchen, studying to be a chef. In 1999 he left ...
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2024 Laurent Dublanc Côtes du Rhône ($7.99) The Côtes du Rhône region is the largest AOC, accounting for two-thirds of Rhône’s production. Côtes du Rhône is a region-wide appellation for red, rosé and white wines covering the entire Rhône Valley. ...
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2016 Adelaida ‘Anna’s Estate Vineyard’ Syrah ($36) Nestled into the rolling foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains near Paso Robles, California, there is an idyllic contemporary winery owned by the Hoffman family and operated by Dr. Stanley Hoffma...
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2021 Marqués De Cáceres Crianza ($13.99) Enrique Forner founded the Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres winery in Spain in 1970. Don Vicente Noguera, the 7th Marquis of Cáceres (granted by the King of Spain) and a Grandee of Spain (a high-ranking nobleman of...
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2020 Michele Chiarlo Le Orme Barbera D’Asti ($12) Since 1956, Michele Chiarlo has been vinifying the essence of Piedmont, loving and developing the most incredible wine region in the world. They cultivate 110 hectares of vineyards between the Langhe...
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2020 Fiuza 3 Castas Reserva ($8.66) This wine is from Tejo, a historic wine region in central Portugal, inland from Lisbon, and known for its diverse terroirs shaped by the Tejo River, which divides it into the Bairro, Campo, and Charneca zones. The...
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2016 Finca Los Principes Rioja Gran Reserva ($19.99) Finca “Los Principes” (The Princes) is a wine from the Spanish wine region of Rioja. This wine is made from grapes grown in a historic vineyard in the foothills of the Cantabria Mountains that s...
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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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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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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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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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2016 Foley Sonoma Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) Foley Sonoma was founded in 2016 in Alexander Valley, part of the Sonoma Valley, CA. Their winemaking philosophy is about pure varietal expression which produces award-winning, balanced wines rich ...
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2023 Barboursville Vineyards Vermentino Reserve ($23) Earlier this year, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Commonwealth. Over the past several weeks, I’ve featured the wines that...
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2023 Winery at La Grange Petit Menseng ($39) The site of this winery is rich in history. It was originally carved out of Robert “King” Carter’s Bull Run Tract in the 1600s and later became known as La Grange. The Winery at La Grange was established ...
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2023 Valley Road Vineyards Petit Manseng ($29.95) Organized in 2015, Valley Road Vineyards was conceived by a group of friends who brought talents from successful careers in law, advertising, insurance, real estate development, and writing, among ot...
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2023 Veritas Vineyards Monticello White Blend ($35) Veritas Winery was started by Andrew and Patricia Hodson in 1999. Born out of their love of wine and commitment to producing quality wine, Veritas has grown into a 20-year-old family business that ...
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2023 DuCard Vineyards Vintner Reserve Cabernet Franc ($60) DuCard Vineyards has been growing grapes for nearly two decades at their property, nestled at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah National Park in the shadow of Old Rag Mountain and White Oak...
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2023 Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc ($42) Located in the town of Clifton, VA and bordering the Bull Run River, Paradise Springs is the closest winery to Washington DC and the first in Fairfax County. The property was originally part of a land grant...
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2023 Potomac Point Winery Albariño ($35) When Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard was founded in 2007, Skip & Cindi Causey set out to make exceptional wine complete with an immersive experience rich in European ambiance and Virginia hill-side be...
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2022 Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay ($28) Nestled in the woods just south of Charlottesville, Michael Shaps Winery blends Old World tradition with Virginia terroir. Founded in 2007 by acclaimed winemaker Michael Shaps, the winery is known for ...
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2017 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon ($95) This Barboursville Vineyards wine was named to celebrate the estate’s diverse connections with the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, symbolized in the central octagon drawing room in his design for Governor Barbo...
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50 West Aldie Heights Cuvée ($70) 50 West is a farm vineyard located on Route 50 just past the historic town of Aldie in Middleburg, Virginia. (39060 John Mosby Highway). First used by Native Americans as a route to move their migrating herds, Rout...
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2021 King Family Vineyards Mountain Plains Monticello Red Blend ($85) King Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery. They’re known as one of the best wineries in Virginia. They specialize in the production of premium wines that showc...
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The Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup® Winning Red Wines As noted in a previous blog, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Virginia Commonwealth. The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competitio...
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Marqués de Cáceres Cava ($12.99) Marqués de Cáceres (Mar-kez Day Kass-er-rus) winery is located in Rioja Alta, Spain. It was founded in 1970 by the Forner family, an enterprising family that has been in the wine trade for five generations. The brand...
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Marqués de Cáceres (Mar-kez Day Kass-er-rus) winery is located in Rioja Alta, Spain. It was founded in 1970 by the Forner family, an enterprising family that has been in the wine trade for five generations. The brand remains family-owned and women-ru...
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The Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup® Winning Red Wines Earlier this year, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Virginia Commonwealth. The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition is one o...
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The Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup® Winning White Wines Earlier this year, a qualified team of judges sampled over 620 of the best Virginia wines, ciders and meads from across the Virginia Commonwealth. The Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition is one...
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2024 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé ($20) Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Gaia (Guy-uh) was one of the primordial deitie...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Gaia (Guy-uh) was one of the primordial dei...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Malbec ($25) Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. According to Ancient Greek mythology, Gaia (Guy-uh) was one of the primordial deities, emergi...
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Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso ($34.99) According to their literature, “Like most first borns, Sandy has main character energy. She sets the standard for what boxed wine can be while knowing how to have a good time.” This wine is perfect to drink chilled...
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2015 Conde Valdemar Reserva ($28.99) Valdemar Family is comprised of 334 hectares (825 acres) of family-owned vineyards spanning Bodegas Valdemar in Roija, Spain and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington. The winemaking legacy of the Martínez ...
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2019 Conde Valdemar Crianza ($19.99) Valdemar Family is comprised of 334 hectares (825 acres) of family-owned vineyards spanning Bodegas Valdemar in Roija, Spain and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, Washington. The winemaking legacy of the Martínez...
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2023 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Malbec ($18) Family-owned Domaine Bousquet has stood for a 100% commitment to eco-friendly, certified organic, competitively priced wines from the get-go. “Certified” is definitely the operative word at Domaine Bousque...
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2023 Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay ($18) Family-owned Domaine Bousquet has stood for a 100% commitment to eco-friendly, certified organic, competitively priced wines from the get-go. “Certified” is definitely the operative word at Domaine Bousquet, w...
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2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot ($16.99) Chateau Ste. Michelle founded a wine region, and they’re not done blazing trails yet. They honor their 55-year legacy of making world-class Washington wine, while taking bold steps to build our...
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2017 Frank Family Napa Zinfandel ($38) Rich Frank, the founder of Frank Family Winery, developed a passion for wine, particularly Bordeaux and Italian wines, during his extensive travels as the former President of Disney Studios. In the 1980s, he di...
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2022 Esporão Monte Velho Reserva ($18) A new Reserva Red wine has been added to the popular Monte Velho (pronounced MON-tay VELL-yo and meaning “Old Hill” in Portuguese) wine line. The Monte Velho name is inspired by a grassy mound on the Herdade do...
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Oliver Winery, located in Bloomington Indiana, is “Driven by curiosity and creativity” according to Rob Warren, VP of Winemaking. This ‘hobby winery’ has grown to be among the 30 largest wineries in the U.S. They seek to set the quality standard for ...
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As we’ve learned, Chile’s coastal wine country is heavily influenced by the Humboldt Current. Here are three excellent examples of the Pinot Noir being produced along Chile’s coast. 2022 Concha Y Toro “Amelia” Pinot Noir ($55) The grapes for this w...
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As we’ve learned, Chile’s coastal wine country is heavily influenced by the Humboldt Current. Here are three excellent examples of the Chardonnay being produced along Chile’s coast. 2023 Miguel Torres Cordillera de los Andes Chardonnay ($20) Miguel...
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2019 St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc ($24.99) St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery produces 100% estate grown, certified Napa Green wines, focusing on sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and additional red Bordeaux varietals. Napa Green is an enviro...
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2020 Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc ($13.99) One of the first two wines Ferrari-Carano ever made 40 years ago, this Fumé Blanc is from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in Sonoma County — Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys. When the grapes for ...
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2022 Daou Chardonnay ($16) Daniel Daou always had dreams of becoming a winemaker, but as a young man in France, this was completely out of reach. He placed this dream on the back-burner, but the pulse of that dream never truly faded. It was always t...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Alavida Kosher Cabernet Sauvignon ($18) Alavida Cabernet Sauvignon joins an exclusive group of wines: it’s USDA-certified organic and kosher. As Argentina’s first wine of its kind, Alavida stands as one of the few wines globall...
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2021 Ameri Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($36) Named after Domaine Bousquet co-owner Labid al Ameri, this Ameri Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is not just “single vineyard” but also “specific cluster,” and it’s only produced in exceptional ...
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2023 Viña Progreso Overground Viognier ($26) The Viña Progreso Overground collection is named “overground” in contrast to “underground” because these wines are more refined and approachable. Their objective is never to replicate an international mo...
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Domaine Bousquet, a French-Argentine estate, has achieved success with its certified organic fruit, high-altitude terroir, and unique profile. Their naturally elegant and environmentally friendly wines have gained global recognition, now available in...
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2023 Familie Lahusen Riesling ($25) Meet Bodega Los Cerros de San Juan, the oldest winery in Uruguay! They make this Familie Lahuesen Riesling. Their vineyards are just a few kilometers from Colonia and Carmelo in the southwestern part of Uruguay, n...
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2021 Domaine Bousquet ($20) Hey, wine lovers! Today, December 4th, is Cabernet Franc Day! And what better way to celebrate than with Gaia Organic Cabernet Franc from Domaine Bousquet. GAIA, the Greek goddess of the earth, has been the Bousquet fam...
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Wine has been made in Uruguay for a long time. Like other Latin American countries whose growth was fueled by European immigration in the mid-19th century, wine was made to satisfy the thirst of those nostalgic for their homeland. Bordered by the Uru...
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2024 Traversa Sauvignon Blanc ($16) Uruguayan wines have unique qualities given the country’s geographical location, climate, and soil diversity. Located between parallels 30° and 35° (south latitude), the clear, positive influence of the sea modera...
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November 14th is International Tempranillo Day! Here are three really nice Tempranillo wines from Gonzalez Byass: 2016 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.00) A Gran Reserva from Rioja, like this one, spends a minimum of two years aging in oak and three ye...
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Four Sherry Offerings from Gonzalez Byass Paired with Spanish Turrón This week, November 4th - November 10th, is International Sherry Week. And González Byass is leading the way. González Byass was created in 1835 by Manuel Maria González and rema...
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Mendoza’s Uco Valley produces more than stellar Malbec. This high-altitude locale near Argentina’s border with Chile has started to make a name for itself with some pretty impressive Cabernet. Certified organic fruit, high-altitude terroir and a Fre...
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When Europeans settled along the coast of Uruguay, many brought their local varieties with them—from Galicia, Liguria, Southern France. Among the reds, Tannat consistently delivered exceptional fruit and became Uruguay’s flagship. As for whites, the ...
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2020 Sunstone Sauvignon Blanc ($28) When the Rice family moved in 1989 from Santa Barbara to a peaceful 52-acre Santa Ynez ranch to grow wine grapes, little did they know that they would be stewards to the first organic vineyard estate in Santa Barb...
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2017 Shadow Ranch Barbera ($25) Shadow Ranch, located in the Sierra Foothills of California, embraces the concepts of sustainable farming and having as little impact on the environment as possible. Their operation is solar powered and their vineya...
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2016 Trefethen Family Vineyards Merlot ($36) Pioneers in the Napa Valley, the Trefethen family are champions of estate grown wines. For three generations, they have carefully tended to their land, employees, and customers, building a loyal followi...
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Fiol Extra Dry Prosecco ($19) As we bid farewell to summer and “Hello” to the Fall, there’s no shortage of excuses to raise a glass of bubbly in the months that lie ahead. “FIOL” means “son” in the Venetian dialect, but these days is more commonly ...
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2023 Pazo de Lusco Albariño ($24.99) The Pazos de Lusco winery, within the Rias Baixas DO, is located in the municipality of Salvaterra do Miño, in the province of Pontevedra. The Rias Baixas DO in Galicia in north-west Spain is a small wine-growing...
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Tió Pepe Fino Sherry ($19.99) Tió Pepe’s Fino Sherry is from the city of Jarez in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It’s made from the Palomino grape, fermented to the 11-12% ABV range, fortified to 15.5% and then enters the Tió Pepe Solera. While...
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2023 Madelyn White Wine Cuvée ($24) Michael Trujillo, Winemaker at Trujillo Wines, says “In life, as in winemaking, a blend of great things often results in something fun and unique.” In tribute to his daughter, Sophia Madelyn Trujillo, he proudly m...
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Michael Trujillo arrived in Napa Valley in 1982 from his family’s farm in Colorado. He grew up helping his father year-round in the fields, and learned early on about how soil, climate, pests and critters affect living, growing plants. After three d...
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Oliver Winery of Bloomington, Indiana has just introduced its first Signature Cocktail Collection. If you’re craving a French 75, Sangria or Passionfruit Martini, you’ll love these new inspired bottled wine cocktails that give you a refreshing flavor...
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In the North of Spain, Rioja is undeniably the most famous Spanish wine region, with a global reputation of trust and quality built over 2000 years of winemaking. In 1973, a group of friends, united by their love of gastronomy, had a mission to crea...
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Bianca Giovese Vino Bianco ($34) The Giovese Family of wines proudly announced the recent arrival of sister brand Bianca Giovese Vino Bianco, now available in retail stores, wine shops, bars, and restaurants across 20 US states and Western Canada. E...
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2023 Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé ($18) GAIA [ɡâi̯.a], the Greek Goddess of the Earth, has been the inspiration of the Bousquet family since the founding of their winery in 1997 when they pioneered and cleared virgin land in the highlands of the Gualtallary...
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2023 Domaine Bousquet Organic Rosé ($13) Domaine Bousquet´s Organic varietal series comprises a blend of estate and purchased organic fruit from the Uco Valley in the high Andean foothills of Argentina. The grapes benefit from huge day/night tempe...
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Corvezzo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry Rosé ($13) Corvezzo (“kor-VETZ-zoh”) is the leading name in organically grown, vegan wines from northeast Italy’s Veneto region. Family-owned and run, Corvezzo has the largest acreage in Italy of certified organic G...
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Fiol Rosé Prosecco ($22) FIOL(FEE-yol) Prosecco DOC Rosé is a new Prosecco that launched in the U.S. just in time for summer! More than just another Prosecco, FIOL Prosecco DOC Rosé is a sophisticated, distinctive Prosecco with a big personality. T...
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Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé ($13) Domaine Bousquet was founded on virgin land in 1997 in the Gualtallary sub-zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley in Argentina. Today, the estate, run by daughter Anne Bousquet and husband Labid al Ameri, i...
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It’s Summer! And time for some light and refreshing wines. Mack & Schuhle Importers have just the wines to cool and refresh you during these hot summer days! Light wines are versatile and can be enjoyed on their own as a refreshing drink or pai...
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9diDANTE (“Nove di Dante” or Nine di Dante) vermouths are made at the historic Dr. M. Montanaro Distillery, just five miles from the town of Barolo, the heart of Piedmontese winemaking in Italy. They are a craft operation with just seven full-time em...
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The González Byass luxury brandy Lepanto is the only Brandy de Jerez produced entirely in Jerez, Spain and the only Gran Reserva Jerez brandy that fully reflects the essence of Jerez. Distilled in González Byass pot stills in the center of the city...
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LO-CA organic Chardonnay and Malbec, from Domaine Bousquet in Uco Valley Argentina, are feel-good, taste-good wines with more altitude, attitude, and fewer calories. The name, LO-CA, is a play on “low-calorie,” but Loca also means “crazy” in Spanis...
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Danaus Red Blend ($13) Danaus originates from the Costers del Segre DO in the Lleida province of Catalunya in northeast Spain. It gets its name, Danaus Plexippus (i.e., “sleepy transformation” in ancient Greek), from the scientific name for the mon...
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2021 Domaine Bousquet Cameleon Signature Organic Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) Like its namesake, Cameleon is the embodiment of adaptation to the environment. The label symbolizes the story of the Bousquet family, a fourth-generation family that left the...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Cameleon Signature Organic Chardonnay ($15) Like its namesake, Cameleon is the embodiment of adaptation to the environment. The label symbolizes the story of the Bousquet family, a fourth-generation family that left their nativ...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet, it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman’s desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, ar...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Malbec ($13) A 1990 vacation in Argentina was all it took. For third-generation winemaker Jean Bousquet, it was love at first sight. The object of the Frenchman’s desire: the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain h...
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Embraced for their freshness, vibrant aromatics and fruit-forward qualities, wines from the Gualtallary zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley have become “must-haves” for Argentine connoisseurs. With altitudes ranging up to 5,249 feet, Gualtallar...
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Vermut Flores Rosé ($19) As was noted in a previous blog, vermouth is a wine - a fortified wine. A fortified wine that is infused with a mixture of botanical products including fruits, herbs, spices and roots. After the wine is aromatized and fortif...
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2018 Alto de la Ballena Reserva Tannat-Viognier ($26) Alto de la Ballena is a small winery founded by husband and wife Paula Pivel and Alvaro Lorenzo. They began its plantations in 2001 with first harvest in 2005 and the first wines were presented ...
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2020 Pisano RPF Tannat ($24) Pisano is part of a group of small family wineries in Uruguay with an artisan tradition of making wines that reflect the character of the land and the people who make them. Pisano is located on the ‘Rio de la Plata’ near...
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2020 Bodega Cerro del Toro Tannat ($25) Bodega Cerro del Toro is a Uruguayan wine project that was born in 2016 with the aim of producing high-quality wines in a privileged location on the Maldonado coast of Uruguay. The grapes for this Tannat were...
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2021 Bodega Garzón Tannat Reserva ($18) Located in the hills eleven miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Bodega Garzón is close to Punta del Este, La Barra and Jose Ignacio in the Maldonado region of southern Uruguay. In 2018, they were named the New Wo...
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The fruit for the Bousquet Estate Vineyards was originally planted in 1998 on virgin terrain in the Uco Valley’s Alto Gualtallery zone at an altitude of about 4,125 feet. With its high-altitude wines recognized for their freshness, vibrant aromatics ...
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2020 Muse Vineyards Petit Verdot ($41) Muse Vineyards is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, just 90 minutes from Washington DC. Muse Vineyards sits at an elevation of 1,000 feet and rests on Virginia shale and rocky red clay soils. The...
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Bluestone Vineyard is named after the “bluestone” (a type of limestone) that is a main component within the local soil. It is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery in the Shenandoah Valley AVA. Curt and Jackie Hartman began planting grapes...
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2019 Jump Mountain Borderland Red Blend ($27) From the Shenandoah Valley AVA, Jump Mountain Borderland red blend is an award-winning wine having received 1st place in the Shenandoah Cup Awards! Approved in 1982 as Virginia’s first American Viticult...
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Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for sparkling wine. And, Cava is great choice. These two wonderful Cavas are from Vilarnau in Barcelona Spain. The name comes from the old Vilarnau castle which can be found on the banks of the river Anoia and wh...
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2021 Jump Mountain Livia Red Blend ($27) From the Shenandoah Valley AVA, Jump Mountain Livia red blend is an award winning wine having tied for 3rd in the Shenandoah Cup Awards! Approved in 1982 as Virginia’s first American Viticultural Area, the S...
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Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee) Winery is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy on the eastern coast, just east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea. It was established in 1981 from the entrepreneurial intuition of Gianni Masciarelli. Today, Miriam Mascia...
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Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee) Winery is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy on the eastern coast, just east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea. It was established in 1981 from the entrepreneurial intuition of Gianni Masciarelli. Today, Miriam Mascia...
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Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee) Winery is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy on the eastern coast, just east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea. It was established in 1981 from the entrepreneurial intuition of Gianni Masciarelli. Today, Miriam Mascia...
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Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee) Winery is located in the Abruzzo region of Italy on the eastern coast, just east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea. It was established in 1981 from the entrepreneurial intuition of Gianni Masciarelli. Today, Miriam Mascia...
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2019 Rockbridge Vineyards V d’Or ($32) Rockbridge Vineyards is located in Raphine Virginia which is part of the Shenandoah Valley AVA. Approved in 1982 as Virginia’s first American Viticultural Area, the Shenandoah Valley AVA is located in the Appa...
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2020 Briedé Family Vineyards Brut Sparkling Winchester ($53) From the Shenandoah Valley AVA, here is a wonderful sparkling wine! Briedé Family Vineyards was established in 2013 in the Shenandoah Valley AVA in Winchester Virginia (just west of the B...
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2021 Elouan Chardonnay ($20) In January 2014, Joseph Wagner formed Copper Cane Wine & Provisions. Elouan is the result of Wagner heading North to Oregon to create wines with depth of flavor, vibrancy and suppleness. The grapes for this Chardonn...
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Great wines from Texas? Indeed! Flat Creek Estate Winery & Vineyard is located roughly 45 minutes from downtown Austin Texas on 80 acres. Their beautiful vineyards combine with an elegant tasting room, full-service restaurant, a covered pavilion ...
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Riva Leone Gavi GOCG ($14.99) - From the Gavi area of Piedmont in Italy, this wine is produced from 100% Cortese grapes. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks and aged in steel for 2-3 months before bottling. This Riva Leone Gavi is a...
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In 1831, Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in his name in Monthélie, France. His son, Hippolyte, succeeded him and bought the first grape vines in Volnay, France. His son, Albert Bichot, the first to bear the name, gave the family busine...
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2019 Flora Springs Napa Valley Red Blend ($95) This is one of Flora Springs’ most popular holiday designs yet, their “Gnome Carolers,” spreading holiday cheer all around. The design is inspired by General Manager Nat Komes’ memory of his grandmother...
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Domaine Bousquet is located in the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Tupungato district of the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. With altitudes ranging up to 5,249 feet, Gualtallary...
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2021 C’EST LA VIE Pinot Noir + Syrah Blend ($13) C’EST LA VIE wines “invites you to simply take life as it comes.” C’EST LA VIE wines are imported from the Pays d’Oc IGP in Southern France. This region covers all the wines that are not made under ...
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Carménère (kar-men-nair) is a wine grape whose name is derived from the French carmin (meaning crimson). It was a grape that was thought to be nearly extinct. In 1994, fewer than 25 acres of Carménère remained in France’s Médoc, Bordeaux. But that al...
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Carménère (kar-men-nair) is a wine grape whose name is derived from the French carmin (meaning crimson). It was a grape that was thought to be nearly extinct. In 1994, fewer than 25 acres of Carménère remained in France’s Médoc, Bordeaux. But that al...
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Carménère (kar-men-nair) is a wine grape whose name is derived from the French carmin (meaning crimson). It was a grape that was thought to be nearly extinct. In 1994, fewer than 25 acres of Carménère remained in France’s Médoc, Bordeaux. But that al...
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2021 Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon by Mack & Schühle ($11.99) One of the largest and most important viticultural groups in the world, the Mack & Schühle organization includes 29 cooperatives and around 5,000 winegrowers, managing more than...
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2022 Art of Earth Chardonnay by Mack & Schühle ($11.99) One of the largest and most important viticultural groups in the world, the Mack & Schühle organization includes 29 cooperatives and around 5,000 winegrowers, managing more than 60,000 ...
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2021 Flora Springs Napa Valley All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc ($75) Flora Springs has been producing one-of-a-kind Halloween-themed labels for quite some time and this year’s All Hallows’ Eve Cabernet Franc is a limited-production wine that is a pe...
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Dogajolo Wines by Carpineto Dogajolo (pronounced (Dog-ay-yolo) was launched in Italy in 1993 by Giancarlo Sacchet and Antonio Zaccheo Sr. of Carpineto. “This is a momentous year as we proudly celebrate 30 years of our signature Dogajolo Toscano Ros...
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Herminia Casas was the beloved wife of a winemaker in the early 1900’s in La Rioja, Spain. She was a pioneer in entrepreneurship and a champion of education access for women and children. Her husband memorialized her legacy and their mutual life pro...
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Alavida Organic Kosher Malbec ($19) Alavida Malbec joins a very select group of wines: it is USDA-certified organic and kosher. Certainly, the first wine of its type from Argentina, Alavida is one of few wines worldwide to attain this unusual dual s...
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Domaine Bousquet Virgen Red Wines Virgen wines are the first Argentine no-sulfites-added USDA-organic-certified wines to launch in the U.S., from Uco Valley-based Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest exporter of organically grown wines. Named for ...
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Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso ($35) Amy Ezrin, the founder of Sandy Giovese wine was training to be an opera singer and ended up living in Italy for 8 years. She states she“…was an ‘okay’ singer, but I was really good at speaking Italian and tasting wine...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet Virgen Chardonnay ($13) Virgen wines are the first Argentine no-sulfites-added USDA-organic-certified wines to launch in the U.S., from Uco Valley-based Domaine Bousquet, Argentina’s largest exporter of organically grown wines....
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Rosie Giovese Vino Rosato ($35) Launched in 2021, Sandy Giovese wines are the creation of Amy Ezrin, accomplished entrepreneur, Italian wine expert and importer. The brand name is a playful reference to her alter ego, Sandy Giovese, referring to t...
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2020 Masciarelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($15) This Montepulciano wine from Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee) winery exemplifies the style, quality, and value associated with wines from the Abruzzo region of Italy. Masciarelli produced their first ...
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2022 Masciarelli Colline Teatine Rosato ($14) Mention the Abruzzo wine region of Italy to fellow wine lovers and chances are the conversation will swiftly turn to Masciarelli (Mass-shee-ah-RELL-ee). Few wineries have done more in recent decades to a...
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Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth, has been the Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding the winery in 1997. Gaia labels depict the goddess in a festive headdress of colorful fruits and flowers. Gaia wines are crafted with French winemaking s...
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2021 Virgen Natural Red Blend ($13) Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned winery in Mendoza, Argentina that is nestled in the mountain community of Tupungato. Their wine is organic and vegan. From the vine to the processing of the grapes to their focus...
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2019 Beronia Crianza ($14.99) This Beronia Crianza, from the Rioja region of Spain. Their innovative nature led them to pioneer the use of mixed oak barrels, a combination of American oak staves and French oak ends. The marriage of the two results a...
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Nestled in the heart of la Rioja Alta region of Spain, the Beronia winery sits beneath a plant-covered roof, partially underground, and blends seamlessly into the hillside to preserve the natural beauty of the landscape. From their initial design con...
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2022 Flora Springs Napa Valley Rosé ($32) Flora Springs was founded in 1978, but their legacy dates back to the late 1800s when wine grapes were first planted on the Napa Valley property that is now their estate vineyards. The Flora Springs Napa V...
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2022 Fleurs de Prairie Rosé ($20) “Fleurs de Prairie” is named in celebration of the free-spirited wildflowers carpeting their vineyards in the South of France. Crafted in South of France style, this wine is made by the family-owned Les Grands Chais...
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2020 Josh Rose ($14.99) Josh Cellars is a negociant brand which means they don’t own a winery or any vineyards, just like many of the world’s greatest wineries in Bordeaux and Burgundy France. But, they do work with California’s best growers to prod...
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Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé ($13) Domaine Bousquet was founded on virgin land in 1997 in the Gualtallary sub-zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Today, the estate, run by daughter Anne Bousquet and husband Labid al Ameri, is Argentina’s l...
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2020 Domaine Bousquet Gran-Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) This wine began life in the first vineyard planted by the Bousquet family in 2000, after their arrival from France. In the high desert of Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, the site captured...
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2022 Gaia Malbec Nouveau ($20) Gaia, the Greek goddess of the earth, has been the Domaine Bousquet family’s inspiration since founding their winery in 1997 when they pioneered and cleared virgin land in the high reaches of Tupungato’s Gualtallary di...
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2021 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Pinot Noir ($18) A step up from their premium varietal line, this ‘Reserve’ Domaine Bousquet Pinot Noir is produced from estate-grown grapes from plots with low yields that offer more of everything – more body, more tan...
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2022 Domaine Bousquet LO-CA Organic Chardonnay ($14) LO-CA organic Chardonnay, from Domaine Bousquet in Uco Valley Argentina, is a feel-good, taste-good wine with more altitude, attitude, and fewer calories. The name is a play on “low-calorie,” bu...
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Embraced for their freshness, vibrant aromatics and fruit-forward qualities, wines from the Gualtallary zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley have become “must-haves” for Argentine connoisseurs. With altitudes ranging up to 5,249 feet, Gualtallar...
Read more →
2017 Vitis Ridge Cabernet Franc ($34) Vitis Ridge is currently owned and operated by Chris & Sharon Deckelmann. What started as a hobby in their garage over 20 years ago has evolved into one of the North Willamette Valley’s most popular winerie...
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In anticipation of Earth Day 2023 on April 22nd, here’s a great trio of organic, vegan wines to celebrate with! The wines from Veramonte are from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. Veramonte follows organic practices in all their vineyards to ensure th...
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2021 Trivento Malbec ($11) On April 17, wine lovers around the world will celebrate Malbec World Day, an international tribute to Argentinian Malbec. At Bodega Trivento, this day honors the rich history of Mendoza as well as looks forward to pioneer...
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2021 Vitis Ridge Viognier ($22) Vitis Ridge is currently owned and operated by Chris & Sharon Deckelmann. What started as a hobby in their garage over 20 years ago has evolved into one of the North Willamette Valley’s most popular wineries. Vi...
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2020 Josh Hearth Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99) Hearth is the newest Cabernet Sauvignon from Josh Cellars. Joseph Carr began by selling Josh wines (Named for his Father) out of the back of his truck in 2007. In the beginning, he only made one wine, Ca...
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2021 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($18) The Domaine Bousquet winery is a family-owned estate in the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Uco Valley (4000-plus-foot elevation) in Argentina’s Mendoza region, cl...
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The Domaine Bousquet winery is a family-owned estate in the Gualtallary Valley, a scenic, remote, arid terrain high in the Uco Valley in Argentina’s Mendoza region, close to the border with Chile. Their wines are made from hand-picked, certified orga...
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In Part 1 of “Winter White Wines” we looked at a dry Riesling from Austria and a Verdejo from Spain. Here are two more nice “Winter Whites” involving Chardonnay: 2021 Chateau Domecq White Blend ($13.99) Chateau Domecq is one of the leading brands ...
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Standard convention says that during the colder days of winter, a hearty red wine is the one to pick. And, while that’s not wrong, there are also white wines that are well-suited for winter drinking. Winter white wines are not the bright, fruity and...
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2018 Alto de la Bellena Reserva ($24) Nine miles away from the Atlantic Ocean, Alto de la Ballena is a small winery producing high-end wines from over 20 acres of vineyards in Uruguay. Starting vine plantations on a slope of Sierra de la Ballena (“W...
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2019 Bouza Monte Vide Eu Red Blend ($67) Red-blend wines are some of the best in the world. This is a red blend from Bouza, is produced in the southern region of Montevideo in Uruguay. The name, Monte Vide Eu, loosely translates to “I see a hill” w...
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2020 Bodegones Del Sur Cabernet Franc ($20) In Uruguay, Bodegones literally translates as “still lifes,” pictorial compositions that represent foodstuffs and daily objects where wine always has a privileged place. Del Sur mean “from the south.” Thi...
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Basta Spirit Vermut Flores Rosé ($16) In a little bit of a ‘twist’ this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week is a vermouth, from Uruguay. As was noted in a previous blog, vermouth is actually a wine - a fortified wine. And, it’s infused with a ...
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Bordered by the Uruguay River, the Río de la Plata, and the Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay today boasts 180 wineries, most of them family-owned, that between them produce 10 million cases of wine annually. Uruguayan’s tend to prefer reds and over the las...
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Uruguay is home to a proud winemaking tradition in an unusual location, and a far cry from the desert-and Andes-dominated landscapes associated with most vineyard regions in the South America continent. In Uruguay, the dominant factor is the Atlantic...
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2020 Cline Eight Spur Dry Creek Zinfandel ($25) Cline Family Cellars, a certified sustainable family-owned and operated winery and vineyard holder based in the Carneros wine appellation of Sonoma County, California, has recently announced the introd...
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2021 Cline Hat Strap Chardonnay ($25) Cline Family Cellars, a certified sustainable family-owned and operated winery and vineyard holder based in the Carneros wine appellation of Sonoma County, California, has recently announced the introduction of ...
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Josh Prosecco Many years ago, Josh Cellars founder Joseph Carr worked at a winery in Italy, falling in love with the country and with Italian wines. These sparkling wines are the first from Josh Cellars. They were created in 2019 in partnership with...
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Vilarnau Cava These two wonderful Cavas are from Vilarnau in Spain. And, they are made with organic grapes! The winery is a small, artisanal, hand crafted Cava house located outside of Barcelona that dates back to 1949. Made in the traditional méth...
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2018 Levendi Sweetwater Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) According to Lavendi Winery, “The Mediterranean cultures know how to celebrate. A good meal and a good wine seem reason enough to call together the people that matter most. And that’s how the Lev...
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2021 Ron Rubin Pam’s Un-Oaked Cabernet ($16) Ron Rubin, who produces wines under the ‘Ron Rubin Wines’ brand and the ‘River Roads Wines’ brand, has been married to his wife Pam for 48 years! And, this wine is a tribute to Pam who is no fan of oaky ...
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2021 Ron Rubin Pam’s Un-Oaked Chardonnay ($14) Ron Rubin, who produces wines under the ‘Ron Rubin Wines’ brand and the ‘River Roads Wines’ brand, has been married to his wife Pam for 48 years! And, this wine is a tribute to Pam who is no fan of oak...
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2021 Bico Amarelo ($12) Herdade do Esporão is part of the Alentejo’s montado ecosystem (cork oak forests), in Portugal. With approximately 700 hectares of vineyards and around 40 grape varieties, they grow using organic methods and integrated produc...
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2021 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro ($18) The Quinta do Ameal is a historic estate in the Vinho Verde, a well-known wine region in the northwest Portugal. The quality of the wines made there are so fresh and light that they earned the nickname verdewhich ...
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2018 Beronia Rioja Crianza ($15) This wine is imported by González Byass which is headquartered in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. It is a family-owned collection of wineries that was founded in 1835 and spans across Spain’s most important wine produc...
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2020 Caldora Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($15) Caldora is located in Abruzzo on the Adriatic coast in East-central Italy. Caldora has a special arrangement with the many growers who own over 1,500 hectares of land in the two coastal provinces of Teram...
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2019 Ritual Pinot Noir ($21) The Ritual estate is situated in the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley that is heavily influenced by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean — ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir. Following organic...
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2021 Amrita Seiza White Blend ($35) Amrita Cellars, founded in 2017, prides itself on finding vineyards off the beaten path and sourcing their grapes from family-owned wine growers that use the best practices in renewable and sustainable farming. S...
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Corvezzo Prosecco Corvezzo (kor-VETZ-zoh) is the leading name in organically grown, vegan wines from northeast Italy’s Veneto region. Founded in 1960, the winery is in the village of Cessalto near Treviso, a sweet spot in the Veneto between the coo...
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Find Your Wine Identity by Sandra Guibord ($26) For a change of pace here on Behind the Cork™ let’s take a look at an interesting book on wines. Sandra Guibord’s Find Your Wine Identity is an easy read that takes you through the seasons of the yea...
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2020 Corvezzo Pinot Grigio ($13) Corvezzo is the leading name in organically grown, vegan wines from northeast Italy’s Veneto region. Founded in 1960, the winery is in the village of Cessalto near Treviso, a sweet spot in the Veneto between the coo...
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2018 TerraNoble Gran Reserva Carménère ($18) The TerraNoble winery was founded in 1993, and has produced high quality wines that have been recognized and awarded. The winery is located in the Maule Valley of Chile and the vineyards are in the Maule...
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Summer Refreshers from Mack & Schuhle Imports As we are quickly heading for the unofficial end of Summer, there are still plenty of sunny, warm days and evenings to enjoy these refreshing wines. Art of Earth Organic Prosecco Frizante ($14.99) ...
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Chile’s Coastal Sauvignon Blancs Chile’s Sauvignon Blancs are notably diverse, with the finest identified with the country’s coastal and cool-climate regions. These are not standard supermarket Sauvignon Blancs by any measure, but wines of personal...
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Rosie Giovese Vino Rosato ($29.99) Amy Ezrin, the founder of Sandy Giovese wines, was training to be an opera singer and lived in Italy for eight years. During this time, she found that she was an OK singer but was really good at speaking Italian an...
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2020 Folk Machine White Light ($17) At Folk Machine (started in 2005), from Hobo Wines, they state that their goals have stayed the same “…we still think it is fun, easy drinking, summery, and affordable. Our goals have stayed the same - bottle some...
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Chile’s Coastal Sauvignon Blancs Chile’s Sauvignon Blancs are notably diverse, with the finest identified with the country’s coastal and cool-climate regions. These are not standard supermarket Sauvignon Blancs by any measure, but wines of personal...
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2020 Post Flirtation White Blend ($28.99) Martha Stoumen Wines, producer of Post Flirtation, was founded upon the desire to recapture a farming and winemaking culture of patience. After 8 years apprenticing around the world, Martha set out as a se...
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2020 County Line Pinot Noir ($32) This County Line Pinot Noir is from California’s Sonoma Coast. The first vintage of County Line was solely dedicated to producing a dry Rosé from a whole-cluster pressed Champagne clone of Pinot Noir. Subsequently...
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Red Wines of Maremma Toscana These red wines from the Maremma Toscana sub-region of Italy’s Tuscany are considered “Super Tuscans” using non-native Italian grapes and/or blends. Many fine examples of Super Tuscans come from the region of Maremma, o...
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Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé ($24.99) This Ultraviolet sparkling rosé is from Poe Wines, in Napa, which was founded by Samantha Sheehan in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted in Burgundy and Champagne. Their goal “is not to replicate Bur...
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Ciliegiolo Wines of Maremma Toscana The Ciliegiolo (cheeli-oh-JOL-oh)grape gets its name from an Italian word for cherry, a fruit that is prominent in this wine’s aroma and flavor. Although traditionally used as a blending grape in Chianti, since a...
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2019 Alberto Motta Ansonica ($23) Ansonica (an-so-NIC-ah) may not be a grape variety that you are familiar with. I was not. And, the wine region of Maremma Toscana in Italy may not be a region you are familiar with. But, both are quite interesting. ...
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Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) is one of seven wine regions in Portugal and a real up-and-comer in today’s global wine world. With its distinct and diverse growing areas, hundreds of unusual grape varieties and ancient wine traditions, Portugal’s Alente...
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Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) is one of seven wine regions in Portugal and a real up-and-comer in today’s global wine world. With its distinct and diverse growing areas, hundreds of unusual grape varieties and ancient wine traditions, Portugal’s Alente...
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2019 Ritual Sauvignon Blanc ($20.99) This organic Sauvignon Blanc is from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. This cool climate area is located on the northwestern side of Chile’s coastal range that is less than 30 km from the Pacific Ocean. This wine ...
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2021 Pazo de Lusco Albariño ($24.99) This Albariño is from Adega Pazos de Lusco, one of the most renowned wineries of the Rías Baixas wine growing region along the northwestern coast of Spain. The winery boasts a historic 16th century complex that w...
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2021 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Tarrassen ($18.99) Domäne Wachau is deeply rooted in the Wachau region of Austria and manages 30 percent of the entire Wachau vineyard area (400 hectares), including half of Austria’s most iconic vineya...
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Josh White Wines Josh Cellars is produced by Joseph Carr who named his wines “Josh” for his father. Josh Cellars is produced as a negociant brand. That means they don’t actually own a winery or any vineyards. At first that might seem odd. But, it’...
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These Monte Velho wines are from Portugal’s Esporão Group. Both are produced from blends of grapes from Portugal’s Alentejo region. This region, in eastern Portugal, covers approximately one-third of the country and is best known for its red wines. B...
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Le Petit Verre Wines From the Tupungato Valley of Argentina’s Uco Valley comes Le Petit Verre Wines. And, they are imported by Origins Organic which is run by Anne Bousquet of the Domaine Bousquet family winery in Argentina. Roughly translated as ...
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Sandy Giovese Vino Rosso ($32) Amy Ezrin, the founder of Sandy Giovese wines, was training to be an opera singer and lived in Italy for eight years. During this time, she found that she was an OK singer but was really good at speaking Italian and ta...
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2020 Cline Family Ancient Vines Zinfandel ($16) Fred Cline founded Cline Family Cellars in 1982 in Oakley, California, which is part of Conta Costa County. With this 40th year vintage, they have created the special anniversary bottle design shown in...
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2021 Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc ($20.99) As the weather gets warmer it’s time to start enjoying. Wairau River Wines wants to remind us that while life moves fast, there is always time to unwind, unplug and head outside. And, what better way to en...
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With almost five decades of wine making, Bodegas Beronia is renowned for it Rioja. Their flagship winery is located in La Rioja, Spain. It is nestled seamlessly into the hillside, preserving the natural beauty of the landscape. The winery sits beneat...
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Veramonte Organic Wines Earth Day is Friday April 22nd and here’s a great way to celebrate. Veramonte takes seriously how they produce their 100% organic wine. Veramonte employs organic farming practices, which are essential for helping the planet ...
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2019 Catena Malbec ($15) World Malbec Day is coming up on Sunday, April 17th, an annual holiday that commemorates the founding of the first agricultural school in Argentina in 1853, which was instrumental in the early cultivation of Malbec in the So...
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2021 Alavida Malbec ($19) World Malbec Day is coming up on Sunday, April 17th, an annual holiday that commemorates the founding of the first agricultural school in Argentina in 1853, which was instrumental in the early cultivation of Malbec in the S...
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2020 Trivento Reserve Malbec ($11) World Malbec Day is coming up on Sunday, April 17th, an annual holiday that commemorates the founding of the first agricultural school in Argentina in 1853, which was instrumental in the early cultivation of Malbec...
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Rosés from Mack & Schuhle Wines Spring is here and warmer days are ahead! Here are some delicious and refreshing Pink wines and a Pink Sparkler. These wines are imported by Mack & Schuhle, a Miami-based national importer (founded in 2012) wh...
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Chile’s Maipo Valley is located in the Central Valley near Santiago, and just north of the Colchagua Valley. The Coastal Range separates the Maipo Valley from the Pacific coast on the west and in the east, the Andes Mountains separate Maipo from the ...
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Cabernet Sauvignon from Colchagua Valley The Colchagua Valley is located in Chile’s Central Valley and stretches from the coastal hills that run the entire length of Chile’s Pacific coastline and to the foothills of the Andes in the east. Each of ...
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The Colchagua Valley The Colchagua Valley is located in Chile approximately 80 miles south of Santiago. It stretches south-east to north-west for 70 miles at its widest point with its western boundary formed by the coastal hills that run the entire ...
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Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maipo Valley and Colchagua Valley As mentioned last time, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red variety in Chile and it is the grape credited with putting Chile on the world stage. It accounts for around 1...
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2018 Sinegal Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($79) I recently had the opportunity to share a bottle of Sinegal Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. And, Wow, this one is amazing! Even at it’s young age. Sinegal Estate is a family-owned winery in Napa that is situated ...
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We are about three weeks from the start of Spring. That means warmer days ahead. And, it also means rosé season is coming soon too! Look for these pink wines and pink sparkler in up-coming Behind the Cork™ features! Cheers! Disclosure of Wine Sa...
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2017 Vina Robles The Arborist Red Blend ($18) The Arborist is dedicated to the founder of Vina Robles, Hans Nef, and named for the arborist who saved the life of the iconic 300+ year-old oak tree featured on the label. Mr. Nef was known for his love...
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2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot ($18) Built on the 1912 estate owned by Seattle lumber baron Frederick Stimson, the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery’s roots date back to the Repeal of Prohibition. With more than 50 years of winemaking, C...
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2017 The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.99) The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon is created to honor the man many call the first American, Benjamin Franklin. Ben Franklin was a passionate man who helped draft the Declaration of Independen...
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Herdade do Esporão is located in southern Portugal’s Alentejo’s region and the largest wine producer in the region. Esporão is also the region’s most widely distributed winery in the U.S. and a driving force behind the revitalization of Alentejo wi...
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Vilarnau Cava These two wonderful Cavas are from Vilarnau in Spain. And now, they are 100% organic! The winery is a small, artisanal, hand crafted Cava house located outside of Barcelona that dates back to 1949. Made in the traditional méthode cham...
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The Wines of Josh Cellars Joseph Carr discovered his love for wine at a young age, working his way up in the restaurant industry from a wine steward to a world-class sommelier and later, a wine executive. In 2007, he left it all behind to follow his...
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When it comes to the best-selling Argentine bubbly in the U.S., Domaine Bousquet leads the way. Their #1 status is no accident - in just a few years, Argentina’s foremost producer and exporter of certified organic wines has built up a legion of fans ...
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Amrita Cellars is a small boutique winery that began with its 2017 production of three barrels and 75 cases. It remains small with limited productions in order to focus on producing the best. Amrita Cellars works with the best growers and ultimately ...
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2018 Primus “The Blend” ($18.99) Primus is a leading brand in the Chilean premium segment and a fine example of Chilean quality capabilities. The name Primus is Latin and means “the first” or “the first among its peers”, and for good reason. The win...
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2017 Ritual Pinot Noir ($19.99) The Ritual estate is situated in the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley that is heavily influenced by the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean — ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir. Following orga...
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Ca di Prata Prosecco DOC Brut ($15.99) and Acquesi Asti Spumante ($16.99) Sparkling wines are perfect at most any time and with most any foods. All too often, though, they get reserved for just one major holiday each year. And who doesn’t enjoy popp...
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In celebration of International Sherry Week (November 8-14) and, in preparation for the upcoming holidays, here are a few suggestions for some really super Sherry offerings and some pie pairing to go along with them. Gonzalez Byass Solera 1847 Cre...
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2019 Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon ($11.99) Here’s another returning favorite from Veramonte which is made with Organic grapes and a really good value. The Veramonte wines are from organically farmed vineyards in Chile. Veramonte follows organic pra...
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2017 Riva Leone Barbaresco ($24.99) Riva Leone was a man of unique character and personality who was an ambassador for the special wines of the Langhe all throughout Europe in the early 20th Century. His legacy lives on in the Riva Leone wines which...
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2020 Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio ($11.99) Sicily is a strong and legendary land. Its climate, nature and winemaking experience make it unique. The story of Barone Montalto began in Santa Ninfa, in the province of Trapani, in 2000. Montalto wines ...
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2019 Phantom Chardonnay ($18.99) It’s that spooky time of year again and a great time to re-visit the Phantom. This Chardonnay is from Bogle Vineyards where the story goes that a ghostly figure wanders their cellars at night. There are fleeting glim...
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2015 Helwig Frenchmen’s Creek Barbera ($35) Dave Helwig had a dream to move to the wine country upon retirement. After searching with his wife, Nancy, for the perfect wine region to relocate to from their home in Southern California, Dave couldn’t r...
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Wines of TILIA from Argentina Tilia’s rural origins in Mendoza Argentina connect them deeply to the land and to their community. As the first Argentine wine to carry the Bodegas de Argentina Certified Sustainable Seal, the TILIA label illustrates th...
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Wines of TILIA from Argentina Tilia’s rural origins in Mendoza Argentina connect them deeply to the land and to their community. As the first Argentine wine to carry the Bodegas de Argentina Certified Sustainable Seal, the TILIA label illustrates th...
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Silvia Cellars is a small family-owned winery whose mission is to produce a small number of high-quality California wines from some of California’s best vineyards. And, matching vineyard to varietal is the key to their process for producing outstandi...
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The La Scolca estate was purchased in 1919 by the great-grandfather of Giorgio Soldati who, today, leads the company with his daughter Chiara. The surname Soldati meaning “soldiers” is particularly symbolic for the approach taken by the company’s own...
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Embraced for their freshness, vibrant aromatics and fruit-forward qualities, wines from Tupungato Valley in Mendoza’s Uco Valley have become “must-haves” for Argentine connoisseurs. Domaine Bousquet, an early pioneer in this high-altitude sub-region ...
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Embraced for their freshness, vibrant aromatics and fruit-forward qualities, wines from Tupungato Valley in Mendoza’s Uco Valley have become “must-haves” for Argentine connoisseurs. Domaine Bousquet, an early pioneer in this high-altitude sub-region ...
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This is the third of three Behind the Cork™ features highlighting Chilean wines that collectively underline Chile’s historic commitment to sustainable wine growing. Their focus on sustainability includes environmental, social, and economic. The firs...
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This is the second of three Behind the Cork™ features highlighting Chilean wines that collectively underline Chile’s historic commitment to sustainable wine growing. Their focus on sustainability includes environmental, social, and economic. Chile’s...
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The next three Behind the Cork™ features will highlight Chilean wines that collectively underline Chile’s historic commitment to sustainable wine growing. Their focus on sustainability includes environmental, social, and economic. Chile’s elevated s...
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2019 Sosie Rossi Ranch Sonoma Valley Red Blend ($43) For Sosie, France has always shaped their appreciation of wine. It has influenced the way their vineyards are farmed and in the way they treat the fruit in the cellar. They proclaim this affinity ...
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Dow’s 10 & 20 Year Tawny Port Looking for the perfect nightcap after a long day? During these long, warm days of Summer, sipping Dow’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port, or Dow’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port, is the hidden gem of a summer night. These Port win...
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2020 Loess Grüner Veltliner by Domäne Wachau - 1L ($14) This Loess Grüner Veltliner (‘grew-ner felt-lee-ner’) from Domäne Wachau comes from small vineyard plots along the Danube riverbed in Austria. Loess (‘low-ss’) refers to the soil found in these...
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Wines of Portugal’s Alentejo Region Dollar for dollar it’s hard to beat Portugal’s Alentejo region for exceptional values. With 2,000 years of winemaking experience, Alentejo delivers expertly made wines at unbeatable prices. Alentejo is internatio...
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Ron Rubin Wines Late in 2011, in fulfillment of a 40-year dream that began in his student days at UC Davis studying viticulture and enology in the early 1970’s, he purchased River Road Family Vineyards and Winery. Rubin was sold on the area, in the ...
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2020 Virgen Organic Wines ($13 ea) Virgen Wines, by Domaine Bousquet, only produces wines made from organic grapes and is Argentina’s largest exporter of organic-fruit wines with upward of 100,000 cases sold in the U.S. alone. With their Virgen coll...
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2019 Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) This wine is from the Apalta Valley in Colchagua Chile. In 1994 Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, discovered within the Apalta region a plot of un-grafted Carménè...
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2020 Gaia Pinot Noir Rosé ($20) From Domaine Bousquet, Gaia Rosé is from the vineyards of Tupungato, high in Argentina’s Mendoza Uco Valley . This wine takes its name from Gaia, the ancient Greek goddess of the earth and an inspiration for the Bousq...
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Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon ($6.99) The Frontera variatal brand from Concha Y Toro has a newly designed label featuring the iconic Andes Mountain range for their well-known wine. This non-vintage (NV) Cabernet Sauvignon is from Chile’s Central Val...
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Zardetto Prosecco Brut NV ($17) This tasty Zardetto Prosecco comes from vineyards in the hilly part of the Veneto region of Italy. It’s produced from at least 85% Glera grapes with the addition of up to 15% Pinot Bianco/Chardonnay. The first fer...
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2018 Volver Tempranillo ($16) Bodegas Volver creates wines in regions of Spain such as Alicante, La Mancha, Jumilla, Rueda, Valencia and soon Rías Baixas. It is differentiated by its modern approach of working with indigenous varieties. The winery ...
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2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore ($17) Since founding their winery in 1960, the Zenato family has been a pioneering family in Italian wine. A benchmark producer in the Veneto region, Zenato harvests fruit from steep slopes in the historical Sa...
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Vilarnau Cava These two wonderful Cavas are from Vilarnau in Spain. The winery is a small, artisanal, hand crafted Cava house located outside of Barcelona that dates back to 1949. Made in the traditional méthode champenoise, the Vilarnau bottles h...
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Clean Slate Riesling ($12) This Clean Slate Riesling is from Mosel, Germany. The Mosel region has a great wine growing tradition of more than 2000 years, taken there by the Romans. It is recognized as the home of Riesling. The soil’s thin slate ston...
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St. Supéry Estate Sauvignon Blanc ($22) St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery is a 100% Estate Grown, sustainably farmed winery located in the renowned Rutherford growing region in the heart of Napa Valley. Committed to producing the highest qualit...
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2020 Ponga Sauvignon Blanc ($13) Ponga is the name used by New Zealand’s indigenous people for their country’s silver fern. As the silver reflects moonlight, the Maori used the leaves to mark their way at night. This wine from Ponga is made from 10...
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Venturini Baldini Lambrusco Sparkling Wines Venturini Baldini is a 130 acre estate from the 17th century, situated in the hills between Reggio Emilia and Parma. They have been producing organic Lambrusco and sparkling wines since 1976. Since the ea...
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Veramonte 100% Organic Wines As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, here are the perfect 100% organic wines to celebrate with from Veramonte. These wines are from organically farmed vineyards in Chile. Veramonte follows organic practices throughou...
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Ca’ di Prata Prosecco Ca’ di Prata Prosecco sparkling wines are produced with a strong committed to quality. By carefully managing their raw materials, their winemaking processes and through special attention to detail, they are able to share these ...
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2018 Scaia Corvina ($14) The Scaia project was launched by Tenauta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions by Italy’s denomination system. And, this is a fine example of working just outside o...
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2019 Scaia Garganega / Chardonnay ($14) The Scaia project was launched by Tenauta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions by Italy’s denomination system. In Veneto dialect, the word “scaia” me...
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I recently discovered a bunch of handy carriers for my wines! These meori collapsible wine carriers come in various different sizes to transport and store your wine and glasses. They are great for transporting wine home from the grocery shopping, or...
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2017 Beronia Crianza ($7.99 and $14.99) This week’s Behind the Cork™ features two bottles of Beronia Crianza - the traditional 750 ml bottle and a 375 ml bottle that’s perfect for single serve meet-ups with friends at a distance. In this new era of ...
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2014 Lyeth Meritage Sonoma Red Blend ($26) Lyeth (“Leeth”) Estate was created in 1981 by founder Chip Lyeth who was captivated by the Bordeaux style of wine blending to achieve the most intriguing, inspiring wines. And a Bordeaux blend this one is...
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2014 Opolo Fusion Red Blend ($28) Several years ago, I was given a bottle of Opolo Reserve Zinfandel and thought it was one of the best bottles I had ever had. I’ve remained a big fan of Opolo and have visited their tasting room during a visit to Pa...
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J Vineyards California Cuvée ($18) I recent had an opportunity to share in a celebration and wanted a nice sparkling wine for the occasion. Seeing this bottle of J Vineyards California Cuvée already chilled at the store made my decision an easy one....
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2017 Rombauer El Dorado “Twin Rivers” Zinfandel ($42) Rombauer’s El Dorado (“the golden”) Vineyard is located 1,650 feet above sea level in the Sierra Foothills of El Dorado County, California. Its sandy soils, high elevation, and warm days and cool...
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2017 Ravines Wine Cellars Maximilien ($24.95) Ravines Wine Cellars is an artisanal winery in the flourishing, world-class wine region of the Finger Lakes, located in upstate New York. It is the passion of Morten & Lisa Hallgren, a European Winem...
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2017 Ravines Wine Cellars White Springs Dry Riesling ($22.95) Ravines Wine Cellars is an artisanal winery in the flourishing, world-class wine region of the Finger Lakes, located in upstate New York. It is the passion of Morten & Lisa Hallgren, ...
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2017 Ravines Dry Riesling ($17.95) Ravines Wine Cellars is an artisanal winery in the flourishing, world-class wine region of the Finger Lakes, located in upstate New York. It is the passion of Morten & Lisa Hallgren, a European Winemaker/Oen...
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2018 Mazzocco Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon ($18) This Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Mazzocco in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma Valley. Perched on a saddle between the acclaimed valleys of Dry Creek and Alexander, Mazzocco is renowned for ...
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2014 Amador Cellars “Farmhouse Red” ($27) Amador Cellars, located in Plymouth California (Amador County) is truly a family-run winery. It showcases Mediterranean wines, Tuscan architecture and a friendly tasting room staff that includes the family....
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2013 Barton Family Wines “The Dance” Red Blend ($50) The Barton Family Wines is located in Paso Robles, California and Joe Barton is the Proprietor of “The Dance” red blend. He makes this wine in remembrance of Joseph Barton Sr., his father. In 19...
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2018 Wilson Creek White Cabernet Sauvignon ($10.97) Yes. That’s right. A white Cabernet Sauvignon. Were you aware that you can make a white wine from a red grape? Well, here’s the proof! And, you can read more about how this is done in my recent pos...
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2018 Veramonte Carménère Organic Reserva ($11.99) This organic Carménère Reserva from Veramonte is produced from 100% Carménère (kar-men-nair) from the Colchagua Valley in Chile. The Carménère grapes are cold macerated for five days in open-top sta...
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2019 Organic Sauvignon Blanc ($11.99) 2018 Organic Pinot Noir ($12.99) These organic wines from Veramonte are produced in the Casablanca Valley of Chile. Both are from organically farmed vineyards and delivers the maximum expression of their living...
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2018 Ritual Sauvignon Blanc ($19.99) This is an organic wine from the Casablanca Valley in Chile. This cool climate area is located on the northwestern side of Chile’s coastal range that is less than 30 km from the Pacific Ocean. This 100% Sauvigno...
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Well, it’s Halloween time and that means candy. Lots of candy! And I suggest pairing that candy with Sherry. So, I gathered up three nice bottles of Sherry and a bunch of candy and went to work! First was the Harveys Bristol Cream ($20). It’s the nu...
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2019 La Scolca Gavi dei Gavi Black Label ($39) Gavi is the name of a little town in the Apennines mountains, located in the Piedmont border to Liguria, from where the famous white and dry wine has taken its name. Thanks to La Scolca® who began pro...
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2019 La Scolca White Label Gavi ($19) Last year, La Scolca celebrated one hundred years of oenological passion. They are a company that looks at the future with an innovative spirit, keeping their focus on the pursuit of a high level of quality. ...
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2016 Ace Kicker Big Bet Blend ($15) This Ace Kicker wine originates from Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha region which is located about 40 miles south of Madrid. This Big Bet Blend is indeed a big blend that’s produced from 34% Cabernet Franc, 27% Syrah,...
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Looking for sweet, low-alcohol, refreshing wines? Here they are! The market for low alcohol, sparkling wines has been gaining momentum for a few years now and the demand for all types of sparkling — white, rosé or red — has never been more popula...
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2016 Silvia Cellars Three Barrels Red Blend ($28) The inspiration for Silvia Cellars began in 1885 on a family owned vineyard in Sicily. Striving to create quality wine for his dinner table, Nonno Silvia shared a passion for vendemmia (harvesting) ...
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2017 Silvia Cellars Three White Barrels ($20) The inspiration for Silvia Cellars began in 1885 on a family owned vineyard in Sicily. Striving to create quality wine for his dinner table, Nonno Silvia shared a passion for vendemmia (harvesting) of h...
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2013 Dry Creek Old Vine Zinfandel Reserve ($35) The inspiration for Silvia Cellars began in 1885 on a family owned vineyard in Sicily. Striving to create quality wine for his dinner table, Nonno Silvia shared a passion for vendemmia (harvesting) of...
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2016 Rockpile Winery Zinfandel ($47) This Rockpile Zinfandel is produced by Mauritson wines in Heldsburg CA. The Rockpile Ridge Vineyard is located at nearly 1,200 feet in elevation in the Rockpile appellation. This vineyard has sweeping sun expos...
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2019 Art of Earth Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ($12) This Art of Earth Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a certified Organic wine. And it’s a 2019. Those two factors make this a very unusual wine. In a good way! First, this Art of Earth is a wine made from org...
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2014 Vines on the Marycrest Mourvèdre ($40) Vines on the Marycrest is located on 26 acres of steep hills in the Adelaida district of westside Paso Robles in California. Originally their land was an almond orchard with some old Zinfandel vines. It i...
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2019 Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio ($12) This Barone Montalto Pinot Grigio is from the Valle del Belice in south-western Sicily, Italy. It is produced from 100% Pinot Grigio that is fermented for 15 days at 13-15°C. Maturation is conducted in stain...
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2015 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($19.99) Here’s yet another returning star to Behind the Cork™ - the Beronia Rioja Reserva. As we learned in last week’s post, “Reserva” means that a Rioja wine must undergo a minimum of three years of aging with at least...
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2012 LAN Viña Lanciano Rioja Reserva ($19.99) The grapes used in the production of this Rioja Reserva come from a selection of vines of more than 30 years of age located in LAN’s Viña Lanciano estate. It is produced from 90% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano...
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2019 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel ($14.99) Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s most important grape variety. And this one is from the famous Wachau Valley noted for its steep terraced vineyards. The word Federspiel in this wine’s name identi...
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2012 LAN Rioja Reserva Recently I featured LAN Rioja Crianza as the Behind the Cork™ wine of the week. Now we step it up to the LAN Rioja Reserva. This Rioja is from vineyards in the Rioja Alta and Alavesa subzones with an average age of vines bein...
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2019 Beronia Rosé ($12.99) Here’s another returning star to Behind the Cork™. This Beronia Rosé is from the Rioja region of Spain. It is produced from 70% Tempranillo and 30% Garnacha. Both the Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes underwent cold pre-fe...
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2016 Bodegas LAN Crianza This Bodegas LAN Crianza is from Spain’s famous Rioja region that is best known for its Tempranillo that is a full-bodied wine that is typically high in tannin. The winery’s name LAN represents the initials of the DOCa prov...
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2017 The Federalist Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) In the spirit of American craftsmanship, this unique Cabernet Sauvignon from The Federalist represents the bold American tradition of aging in charred bourbon barrels. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is fro...
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2018 The Federalist Chardonnay ($23) The Federalist Chardonnay pays homage to the work of our Federalist Founding Fathers fighting for our country’s liberty. And, the Status of Liberty was the best symbol of their accomplishment. This wine is 100% ...
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2018 Paso del Galir Godello ($ 21) This Pagos del Galier Godello is making a return to Behind the Cork™for the 2018 vintage. And, if you’ve never heard of, or never tried Godello, you need to! Godello is not a varietal that is seen as much in the U...
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2019 CVNE Rioja Monopole Monopole is the oldest white wine brand in Spain and CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) has been producing it since 1915. Monopole is produced from 100% Viura grapes (as known as Macabeo grapes). The grapes are g...
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2019 Viña Real Rosado ($14) This Viña Real Rosado is from the Rioja region of Spain. It’s a blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura grapes. They were placed into stainless steel vats and, following several hours of skin contact, the vats were drai...
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2015 Derange ($100) I was familiar with The Prisoner Wine Company and the amazing works of Dave Phinney but had not heard of the Derange Red Blend. And, maybe that was a good thing. Because when I opened this bottle I had no idea what I was getting ...
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2014 Fournier Reserva ($50) This Dominio Fournier Reserva is from Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is produced from 100% Tinta del País grapes which are more commonly known as Tempranillo. The grapes come from the terraced sides of the Duero River whi...
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2016 Fournier Crianza ($30) This Fournier Crianza is from Ribera del Duero in Spain. It is produced from 100% Tinta del País grapes which are more commonly known as Tempranillo. The grapes come from the terraced sides of the Duero River which winds...
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2018 Hess Select Pinot Noir ($19) Founder Donald Hess instilled in his family business the thought that one should “nurture the land and return what you take.” The Hess winemaking team likes to explore California’s Central Coast growing region when...
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Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato Brut Prosecco Superiore (~$20) Prosecco is a semi-fragrant sparkling wine variety produced in Italy and made from the Glera grape. Glera has very delicate fruity and floral fragrances. Terre di San Venanzio takes g...
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Behind the Cork™ - Terre di San Venanzio Here are a couple more wonderful Proseccos from Terre di San Venanzio in Italy. The Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry (shown on the right) hails from 100% Glera from the best D.O.C.G. hills of Vald...
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2019 Hess Select Pinot Gris ($12) The Hess Select line of wines are perfect for Behind the Cork™ because they are affordable and attainable. And, they taste great! This Hess Select Pinot Gris (Pee-noh-GREE) is from California vineyard sites that as...
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2019 Hess Select Rosé ($12) Spring is just a little more than a week away and it’s time to start thinking about Rosé. Warmer days make rosé the perfect pairing with it’s bright fruit and thirst quenching acidity. This Hess Select Rosé is a great ma...
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2017 Hess Select North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($19) Hess Select wines are from family-owned Hess estate vineyards in Napa Valley and from grower partners who share Hess’ sustainable farming philosophy in Lake, Napa and Mendocino Counties. This 20...
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2018 Two Hands Angel’s Share Shiraz ($33) Here’s a re-visit with this wonderful Angel’s Share Shiraz from Two Hands. Angels’ Share refers to the small amount of wine that evaporates from oak barrels during maturation. Medieval winemakers assumed th...
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2017 Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Russian River Pinot Noir ($68) My favorite Pinot Noir wines are from the Russian River. That’s where I first fell in love with Pinot and I haven’t found a region that can beat it. And, this Merry Edwards Pinot Noir...
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2017 Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($48) This Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir comes from six vineyards that include the 115, 667 and 777 blend of Dijon clones that originated in teh cool Burgundian region of France. The 2017 harvest ...
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2018 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc ($36) This is an outstanding Sauvignon Blanc! This Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc was fully barrel fermented in Tonnellerie Cadus French Oak barrels, 18% of which were new. It was then l...
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2017 Adorada Pinot Gris ($3.99) Well here’s another Trader Joe’s find! As I was checking out, my checker pointed this one out as a “one time buy” that she thought was really good. At $3.99 I had to give it a try. According to the Adorada Wines web...
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2013 McPrice Myers ‘Beautiful Earth’ Red Blend ($42) When I was looking for a good wine to accompany a recent meal, I noticed this Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre (GSM) from Paso Robles and grabbed it. Upon pouring it, I immediately noticed that this GSM ...
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Speyburn 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky ($30) I recently learned that on January 25th, Scotland and many throughout the world celebrate famed poet Robert Burns. “Burns Night” began shortly after his death in 1796. If you haven’t heard of Ro...
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2018 Tempest Bay Chardonnay ($7.99) The Carneros AVA in California includes an eastern half in Napa and a western half in Sonoma. It’s known for producing high-quality wines, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. And that’s why this wine caught my e...
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2018 Pfendler Vineyards Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($45) This 100% Chardonnay comes from Pfendler Vineyards which is located in the hillsides of Sonoma Mountain in the Sonoma Coast region. The Petaluma Gap is sub-region of the Sonoma Coast that has it...
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2017 Hess ‘Lion Head Collection’ Panthera Chardonnay ($45) Here’s a returning star to Behind the Cork™. This 100% Panthera Chardonnay, from the Russian River Valley, is part of the Hess ‘Lion Head Collection’ of wines. According to the notes, “Th...
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2013 Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir ($55) Here’s just the bubbly for the holidays. This Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir (one of the components of French Champagne). It is fermented in 100% Stainless Steel to preserve ...
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2018 Pfendler Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ($55) Nestled in the hillside of Sonoma Mountain, Pfendler Vineyards is a small, family-owned winery. And this limited production Pinot Noir is a wonderful example of their excellence. This is 100% Pinot Noir t...
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Harveys Bristol Cream - Solera Sherry ($24.99) Did you know that Harveys Bristol Cream is Sherry? It’s actually the number one selling Sherry in the world! And, it’s perfect for the holidays! John Harveys & Sons was founded in 1796 in Bristol E...
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Vilarnau Brut Reserva & Brut Reserva Rosé Cava ($14.99 each) Cava is the sparkling wine of Spain and perfect for the holidays! The Vilarnau Brut Reserva is made from the three base wines used to make Cava - Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Thes...
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Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG ($19) This Prosecco from Nino Franco was named #1 by Wine Enthusiast in their 2019 Enthusiast 100. And it’s $19. Need I say more! This Enthusiast 100 is the best-of-the-best list. According...
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2017 Left Coast Estate Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir ($24) This Cali’s Cuvée from Left Coast Estate is their flagship Pinot Noir. Named for the owner’s daughter, this wine is 100% Pinot Noir. It’s fermented in 100% Stainless Steel and then aged for eigh...
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2016 Left Coast Latitude 45° Estate Pinot Noir ($38) This Left Coast Pinot Noir is their oldest vineyards on their Estate and are planted directly along the 45th parallel which is halfway between the North Pole and the Equator and just so happens to...
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2017 Hess Collection Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) This Hess Lion Tamer Cabernet Sauvignon is from Napa Valley. It a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah and 8% Malbec. It’s aged in 33% New French and American oak barrels for 20 m...
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2018 Left Coast Truffle Hill Chardonnay ($24) This Chardonnay is from Oregon’s Left Coast “Truffle Hill” vineyard that contains four acres of European Black Truffle-inoculated hazelnut trees, shrub roses and holly oaks. This 100% Chardonnay is fer...
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2018 Terra Alpina Pinot Grigio ($16) This 100% Pinot Grigio is from the Dolomiti region of Italy. Located in the far northern reaches of alpine Italy, it experiences warm Mediterranean influences as well as cool Alpine breezes. The Lageder family f...
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2017 Bela Ribera del Duero ($19) This beautiful wine is from Ribera del Duero, located in the village of Villalba del Duero, in the province of Burgos, Spain. The 182-acre estate vineyard was planted in 2002 mostly with Tempranillo. The three stars...
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2018 Terra Alpina Pinot Bianco ($15) This 100% Pinot Bianco is from the Dolomiti region of Italy. Located in the far northern reaches of alpine Italy, it experiences warm Mediterranean influences as well as cool Alpine breezes. The Lageder family f...
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2010 Beronia Gran Reserva ($29.99) The Rioja region of Spain is famous for its wine that are based on Tempranillo. This Gran Reserva offering from Beronia is comprised of 97% Tempranillo with 3% Graciano. Tempranillo means “little early one”, a nam...
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González Byass NOE 30 year Sherry ($49.99) This Sherry is from Jerez de la Frontera in south-western Spain. All true Sherry fortified wine comes from the vineyards around Jerez de la Frontera and the neighboring towns of Puerto de Santa Maria and Sa...
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2018 Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon ($33) Sexy Beast, the 2000 British crime film, earned Ben Kingsley an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a “Sexy Beast” for which this wine is named. This wine, from the McLaren Vale of South Australi...
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González Byass Viña AB Sherry ($24.99) This Sherry is from Jerez de la Frontera in south-western Spain. It is a city of long-standing wine traditions. All true Sherry fortified wine comes from the vineyards around Jerez de la Frontera and the neighb...
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2017 Hess Napa Valley “Allomi” Cabernet Sauvignon ($32) This is a repeat to Behind the Cork ™ but one that’s well worth a ‘revisit.’ This 2017 Hess Napa Valley Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Pope Valley in the north-eastern part of Napa. It’s...
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2014 Secastilla Granacha ($39.99) The vineyards in the Secastilla Valley lie in the far north-eastern part of Spain, near the border with France. This region provides a Mediterranean micro-climate for growing grapes. Secastilla is a hidden valley ...
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2018 Two Hands Angel’s Share Shiraz ($33) Angels’ Share refers to the small amount of wine that evaporates from oak barrels during maturation. Medieval winemakers assumed that angels watched over the wines, and that they took their share. Selected...
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2014 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($19.99) This Beronia Rioja Reserva comes from the Rioja region of north-eastern Spain. It is made from a selection of the best grapes from the oldest Tempranillo (95%) vines, Graciano (4%) and Mazuelo (1%). After fer...
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2018 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz ($33) Two Hands was established in the summer of 1999 with the aim of making the best possible Shiraz-based wines from prized Shiraz growing regions throughout Australia. The intention was, and still is, to sh...
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2017 Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay ($22) With pineapple, green apple, and tropical fruits on the nose, you might be expecting a bright, crisp high acid Chardonnay. And, this Hess Collection Chardonnay delivers the bright fruit flavors as ...
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2016 Beronia Crianza ($14.99) The Rioja region of Spain is noted for its Tempranillo and this one from Beronia is indeed noteworthy. This is a typical Rioja blend of grapes consisting of 91% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a Carignan...
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2015 Phantom Red Blend by Bogle ($25) The Phantom is back! Last week’s Behind the Cork™ feature was the Phantom Chardonnay that was so good I went out and bought another bottle. This week feature is the Phantom Red Blend by Bogle. This Phantom Red...
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2017 Phantom Chardonnay by Bogle ($20) Here’s a “scary” one from Bogle that is very appropriate as we approach Halloween. This Phantom Chardonnay is inspired by a ghostly figure that wanders the Bogle cellars at night. And, there are also some paran...
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2016 The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon ($17.99) The Federalist Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon was created to honor Benjamin Franklin who was a passionate man who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and campaigned for Colonial unity during the...
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2016 Federalist Honest Red Blend ($21.99) The Federalist Honest Red Blend pays homage to one of the most highly regarded American Presidents of all time, Abraham Lincoln. This is a blend of reds from the California’s North Coast appellation that in...
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Écluse Blind Dog Red Blend ($17) Écluse is the French word for the locks on the canals. And, the Écluse name is very fitting for this winery that’s owned by Steve Lock. During my last visit to Paso Robles I stopped in to visit Écluse and got to mee...
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2018 Kalfu Kuda Sauvignon Blanc ($19) This Sauvignon Blanc from Kalfu is from the Las Terrazas vineyard in Leyda Valley, Chile. Leyda Valley is a sub-region of the San Antonio Valley wine region in Chile, just 55 miles west of the Chilean capital, ...
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2017 Kalfu Kuda Pinot Noir ($19) This Pinot Noir from Kalfu is from the Leyda Valley in Chile. Leyda Valley is a sub-region of the San Antonio Valley wine region in Chile, just 55 miles west of the Chilean capital, Santiago. This region by the Paci...
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2017 Toad Hollow ‘Eye of the Toad’ Rosé of Pinot Noir ($12) This is certainly the time of year when a cool, crisp and refreshing rosé is just perfect. And this Toad Hollow Rosé of Pinot Noir is a good one. This ‘Eye of the Toad‘ rosé is made from 1...
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2013 Alexander Valley Vineyards Primitivo ($45) This week’s Behind the Cork™ feature is a special one. During my last visit to Alexander Valley Vineyards I had the pleasure of spending time in the tasting room with Denise Gill, their Tasting Room Ma...
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2016 Thomas Allen Generations Red Blend ($7) This was a new one to me. I’d previously tried the Thomas Allen Cabernet Sauvignon, but wasn’t aware of their red blend. Thomas Allen is owned and operated by third generation wine grape growers, Thomas ...
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2016 Pagos de Galir Mencía ($17) This 100% Mencía (men-thee-uh) is from the Valdeorras region which is located on the eastern-most fringes of Galicia, in North-Western Spain. It was cold macerated, went through malolactic conversion and aged in Fr...
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2017 Pagos de Galier Godello ($17) This Pagos de Galier Godello is a product of the Valdeorras region of Spain which is located on the eastern-most fringes of Galicia, in North-Western Spain. This 100% Godello is cold pressed and kept below 65 degr...
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2017 Artezin Old Vine Zinfandel ($16) This handcrafted Old Vine Zinfandel from winemaker Randle Johnson comes from northern California’s Mendocino County. Johnson has been the man behind Artezin’s wines since their inception in 2002. The vision be...
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Robert Young Alexander Valley ‘Big Rock Block’ Cabernet Franc ($65) This one’s a real treat. Alexander Valley is a favorite of mine and this Cabernet Franc from Robert Young Estate Winery is an exceptional example of the Alexander Valley wines. I p...
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González Byass La Copa Vermouth — Extra Seco & Rojo - ($24.99 each) While Vermouth can be the perfect addition to any cocktail, these Vermouth offerings from González Byass really shine on their own. Vermouth, as described in a recent blog, is ...
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2018 Left Coast White Pinot Noir ($24) I’ve been looking forward to trying a white Pinot Noir for some time. I’m a big fan of Pinot Noir but have never gotten an opportunity to try the white version. This Left Coast White Pinot Noir is produced fr...
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2018 Left Coast “The Orchard” Pinot Gris ($18) This 100% Pinot Gris from Left Coast Estate winery in another in their line of really terrific wines. The vineyard is planted at the site of a historic apple and pear orchard dating back to the pioneer...
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2017 Left Coast Queen Bee Bubbly ($36) This bubbly from Left Coast Estate winery is 100% Pinot Noir but it gets its name from the fact that it uses their own estate honey to feed on the encapsulated yeast at the bottom of each bottle. Thus, produci...
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2018 Left Coast Estate Rosé ($24) Left Coast Cellars produces a bunch of nice wines from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. And, this Rosé is another fine example. This blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Pinot Meunier is fermented and aged in 100% neutr...
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Tió Pepe Fino Sherry ($20) Tió Pepe’s Fino Sherry is from the city of Jarez in southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It’s made from the Palomino grape, fermented to the 11-12% ABV range, fortified to 15.5% and then enters the Tió Pepe Solera. While it...
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2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay ($19) Here’s another ‘big name’ Chardonnay that’s worth checking out. Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley in 1976, which was one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries. Keenly focus...
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2016 Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($19) This Sonoma-Cutrer is one that is easy to pass-by on the wine aisle. It’s from a big producer and it’s widely availability. But, this is a solid wine. Which makes it perfect for a Behind the Cork™ fea...
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2016 PARS Old Vine Zinfandel ($8) This was a recent unexpected fine. I really enjoy the wines of Amador County and that’s what caught my eye about this one. And, at $8, I had to give it a try. The grapes of Amador County didn’t let me down. This is...
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2018 Castillo Monjardin El Cerezo Chardonnay ($12) From the northern Spanish region of Navarra, this Chardonnay is full of flavor. Being on the Southern border of France, the Navarra region is well suited for wine production with its limestone and ...
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2018 Inurrieta Orchídea Sauvignon Blanc ($12) Here’s nice refreshing Sauvignon Blanc that will compliment any spring or summer meal. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is from Bodega Inurrieta and comes from the Navarra region of northern Spain. It’s got ...
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2015 Bodegas Nekeas Vega Sindoa Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) If you think that the only good Cabernet Sauvignon is from California, think again. This Vega Sindoa from Bodegas Nekeas is quite nice. And, at the price, you’ll be hard pressed to find one be...
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Bodegas Ochoa Calendas Rosé ($12) This is another wonderful offering from the Navarra region of Spain. This rosé of Garnacha (70%) and Tempranillo (30%) is bright cherry red in color and has a beautifully soft mouth-feel. This rosé is produced by ...
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2018 Cune Rosado ($13) This wonderful Cune rosé is from the Rioja region of Spain and is made from their famous Tempranillo. The bright red color of this Cune rosé is spectacular. And, hence, it’s big Maraschino cherry and ripe strawberry flavors a...
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2018 Beronia Rosé ($13) As Spring begins, what better way to get it started than with a Rosé. This Beronia Rosé is from Rioja and is a blend of their famous Garnacha (55%) and Tempranillo (45%). This Beronia rosé has a fabulous pink salmon color an...
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2012 Clayhouse Adobe Red Blend ($14) This was an interesting find. I love Paso Robles and the wines that are produced there. But, I wasn’t previously familiar with this one. The Clayhouse estate Red Cedar Vineyard is located on the east side of P...
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2016 Panthera Russian River Valley Chardonnay from The Hess Collection ($45) This 100% Chardonnay comes from The Hess Collection of wines from the Russian River Valley. Hess Family wines was founded by Donald Hess in 1978. Today, Tim Persson (Donal...
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2016 Lion Tamer Red - The Hess Collection ($45) This red blend comes from The Hess Collection of wines from Napa Valley. Hess Family wines was founded by Donald Hess in 1978. Today, Tim Persson (Donald’s son in law) and his wife Sabrina are owners ...
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2016 Vallobera Rioja Crianza ($10) This was an unexpected recent find. A Tempranillo from Spain. And, it’s a Crianza. This style of Rioja is required to be aged for one year in oak and spend one year in the bottle before being sold. This extra agin...
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2016 Écluse Ensemble ($48) This Bordeaux red blend from Écluse in Paso Robles is truly an ensemble of varietals. It’s produced from 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cab Franc, 15% Petit Verdot, 14% Merlot, 14% Malbec and 7% Carignane. A little bit of eve...
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2012 Paniza Reserva ($7) This was a recent find. And, in true fashion for a Behind the Cork™ wine feature, it’s a great value! This is blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache. And it’s a tasty blend. The Tempranillo and...
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2016 El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa Old Vine Garnacha ($14) This wine is from the Valley of Valdizarbe, D.O. Navarra, in Spain. One of Navarra’s most historical viticultural areas. The grapes are from vines planted over 80 years ago. After the Garnach...
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2014 Ochoa Crianza Tempranillo ($23) From the northern Spanish wine region of Navarra comes this 100% Tempranillo. It is one of six signature wines from Javier Ochoa. Being a “Crianza” it has been aged for 12 months in American oak and then spends...
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2017 Left Coast Truffle Hill Chardonnay ($24) This Chardonnay is from Oregon’s Left Coast “Truffle Hill” vineyard that contains four acres of European Black Truffle-inoculated hazelnut trees, shrub roses and holly oaks. This 100% Chardonnay is fer...
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2015 Left Coast Cellars Truffle Hill Pinot Noir ($42) This Truffle Hill Pinot Noir is another excellent offering from Oregon’s Left Coast Cellars. It gets its name from the five-acre vineyard that is also home to four acres of European Black Truffl...
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2016 Inurrieta Mimaó Garnacha ($18) The northern Spanish wine region of Navarra is known for its beauty and diverse terrior, with vineyard filled with Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and beyond. This Garnacha is just another fine example from this r...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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2010 Viñas Del Vero Secastilla Garnacha ($40) The vineyards in the Secastilla valley are located in the north-eastern part of the Somontano region in Aragon Spain. The name Somontano means “under the mountains” which is appropriate since the region ...
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2013 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($20) This Rioja from Beronia is produced with 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano (known as Morrastel in Languedoc) and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan). Being a ‘Reserva’ in Rioja means that this wine is required to be aged for at...
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2015 Beronia Crianza Rioja ($15) The Rioja region of Spain is noted for its Tempranillo and this one from Beronia is indeed noteworthy. This is a typical Rioja blend of grapes consisting of 91% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a Carig...
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2015 1000 Stories Zinfandel ($18) I’ve had my eyes on this one for a while now. It differentiates itself by noting on the front label that it is “Bourbon Barrel Aged.” Aging wines in oak barrels is common, but I’ve not seen a wine aged in Bourbon b...
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2015 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Pinot Noir ($12) This Pinot Noir sources its grapes from Monterey County, Napa County and Sonoma County. Not a bad set of sites for growing Pinot Noir! The back label states “…wines that offer big and bold flavors, y...
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2016 Rancho Sisquoc Santa Barbara “Sisquoc River Red” ($10) Now here’s a red blend that recently caught my eye. Not because of any fancy label or special promotion in the store. According to the Rancho Sisquoc website this is 35% Cabernet Sauvignon...
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2016 Oremus Mandolás Furmint ($25) Tokaj (toe-kay) is Hungary’s most famous and respected wine region, mostly due to its super sweet, botrytized Tokaji dessert wines. But, a new set of wines has emerged from the Tokaj region that are dry. This offe...
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2015 Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato Aglianico ($19.99) Aglianico (Ahl-YAH-nee-koh) is a native grape to southern Italy. This one, from Feudi di San Gregorio, is from the Campania Irpinia region of Italy, near Mount Vesuvious. After being hand-harves...
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2017 Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina ($22.99) I always enjoy learning something new about the wine world and this 100% Falanghina from Feudi di San Gregorio in Italy is just another example. Prior to this bottle, I was not aware of the Falanghina ...
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2016 Hess Select Pinot Noir ($20) This Pinot Noir from Hess Select is from California’s Central Coast. Specifically, the Sarmento Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands region. From the Gablian Mountains in Monterey, these grapes experience the cool ...
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2015 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon ($20) This Cabernet from Hess Select is from California’s North Coast. The wine is produced from Hess estate vineyards in Napa along with grapes from Lake County and Mendocino County. Hess states that “The rollin...
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2013 Hacienda López de Haro Reserva ($16) This Rioja Reserva is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Granacha and 5% Graciano. It’s grown in vineyards located near the heart of La Rioja, surrounded by the Sierra de Cantabria mountain and the river Ebro. ...
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2015 Matsu “El Viejo” Tinta de Toro ($47) I saved the best for last! In previous Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week reviews I’ve featured Matsu’s “El Picaro” and “El Recio” wines, both of which are very nice Tempranillos from the Toro region of Sp...
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2015 Matsu “El Recio” Tinta de Toro ($22) This is the second in the lineup of 100% Tempranillos from Matsu. This one also comes from the D.O. Toro in north-western Spain. The grapes used in this wine come from 90 to 100 year old vineyards that are ...
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2016 Matsu El Pícaro Tinto de Toro (Tempranillo) $14 From the D.O. Toro in Spain, this 100% Tinta de Toro is grown in 50 to 70 year old vineyards and manually harvested. It is fermented in concrete with natural yeasts. Matsu pays homage on their l...
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Tio Pepe Fino ($20) This Tio Pepe Fino Sherry is from the Jerez region of Spain. Jerez is the home of sherry and all true Sherry comes from the vineyards around Jerez. Made from the Palomino grape, this Sherry uses only the free run and first press...
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2016 Lusco Albariño ($25) This 100% Albariño by Lusco is from Rias Baixas, in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain, located along the Atlantic coastline. Imported into the U.S. by González Byass, this wine is fermented with natural yeasts produ...
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2017 Beronia Rioja Rosé ($13) This wonderfully refreshing Rosé comes from the Rioja region of Spain, is produced by Beronia winery and distributed in the U.S. by González Byass wines. It’s a nice blend of 40% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 30% Viura...
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2017 Beronia Verdejo ($13) This Beronia Verdejo (Vehr-DAY-hoh) is imported to the USA from Spain’s Rueda region by González Byass (www.gonzalezbyassusa.com). Rueda, located in Spain’s northwest, is home to the largest number of plantings of Verdejo...
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2013 Elevation 1250’ Paso Robles Red Wine ($7) This Elevation 1250’ is a nice blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah from Paso Robles. And, as with all Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week features, it’s a great value. I must admit this is a unique find a...
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2016 Daou Chardonnay Paso Robles ($13) I was well aware of the excellent red wines being produced by Daou in Paso Robles, but was extremely surprised by their Chardonnay. This wine seems to fall somewhere in between a bright, crisp, fruity Chardonna...
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2014 Godelia Mencia ($19) In a recent Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week I reviewed Godelia’s White blend of Godello & Doña Blanco. I had to admit that I needed to do some research on these grape varieties. Here again, I need to do some homewor...
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2015 Godelia Godello-Doña Blanca White Blend ($17) I must admit, I had to do a little research on this one. The Godello and Doña Blanca grapes were ones that I wasn’t familiar with, but am so glad that I had the opportunity to learn something new. ...
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2015 Hess Select Monterey County Chardonnay ($9) Several wines from the Hess Collection of wines have been featured in my reviews, and this Chardonnay from Monterey County shows the consistency of their wines. With just a bit of a chill on this one...
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2016 Cloudline Pinot Noir ($15) Oregon’s Willamette has become quite well known for its Pinot Noir and this one from Cloudline is a fine example. The Cloudline wine was created in 2002 by Dreyfus Ashby who have been This Pinot is part of the Droug...
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2016 Josh Cellars Rosé by Joseph Carr ($10) We’re quickly coming up on Valentine’s Day, and what better wine to have in your glass than a rosé. This “Josh” rosé from Joseph Carr is a nice one. At 12.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), it’s a dry wine but t...
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2015 Foggy Veil Hillside Selection Santa Barbera County Red Blend ($13) This red blend is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, in a traditional Rhone style. And the California Central Coast, Paso Robles and Santa Barbera, are doing tremendous Rhone blends. ...
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Vilarnau Brut Reserva Cava NV ($15) Vilarnau is a small artisanal handcrafted Cava house located just outside Barcelona Spain. This Cava is made the traditional way with 50% Macabeo, 35% Parellada and 15% Xarello. It is a dry Cava with soft fruity ...
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Vilarnau Brut Reserva Rosé Cava ($16) Vilarnau is a small artisanal handcrafted Cava house located just outside Barcelona Spain. This Cava is made from Trepat, a red-wine grape variety indigenous to northeastern Spain, and Pinot Noir. It is a dry C...
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2015 Erath Pinot Noir ($13) This Pinot Noir is from Oregon, a state that has gotten and continues to get a lot of attention for Pinot Noir. While the Willamette Valley has gotten the most attention for their Pinot Noir, this one is a blend of diffe...
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2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay ($10) I recently visited J. Lohr in Paso Robles and gained a whole new appreciation for their wines and the man behind them all, Jerry Lohr. This 100% Chardonnay from J. Lohr exhibits aromas of peaches, ...
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2014 14 Hands Columbia Valley Stampede Red Blend ($9) I’ve recently read some nice things about 14 Hands Winery and, never having had their wines, I thought I’d give this one a try. The Stampede Red Blend is a combination of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet...
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2015 Thomas Allen Selections Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon ($7) Generally, when I see a California Cab under $10 I don’t pay too much attention. But this Cab is from Lodi, a region I really like. And, while Lodi isn’t exactly the best-known region in Cali...
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2016 Artezin Old Vine Zinfandel ($18) This Zinfandel comes from California’s Mendocino County that has a climate with warm days and cool evenings that provides for great growing conditions and optimal ripening. Winemaker Randle Johnson, who has been...
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2014 Hess Collection Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($65) Wow! Napa turns out great Cabs, and this is one of them. This blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot yields a bold yet somehow delicate collection of dark fruit fla...
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2015 Hess Collection Allomi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon ($32) At this point, one would assume that a 2015 Napa Cab is a bit too young to be at its peak. And, while that may be so, this Cab is already terrific. With aromas of plum, fig and raisin, and it...
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2015 The Hess Collection Napa Valley Estate Chardonnay ($22) This week’s feature is The Hess Collection’s 2015 Napa Valley Chardonnay. This wonderful 100% Chardonnay features flavors of apple, white pear and a slight touch of tropical fruits and a v...
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2015 Cline Family Cellars Lodi Zinfandel ($6) Excellent Zinfandels come from Lodi. And, at $6 for this one is a steal. Along with being a great value, this Cline Zinfandel has real nice spice and pepper notes with nice fruit that isn’t jammy. Wines...
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2014 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) After starting Joseph Carr Wines in 2005, Joseph went on to launch Josh Cellars in 2007. The ‘Josh’ label is named for his father, Joseph, who’s friends called him Josh. This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso R...
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2013 Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel ($14) Tobin James is one of the larger producers in Paso Robles. Located on the east side of Highway 101, this winery has a salon-style tasting room and a fun atmosphere. The Ballistic Zinfandel is one of their ...
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2014 Manzanita Creek Cloud Buster Zinfandel ($10) Another good one from Sonoma’s Manzanita Creek. This Cloud Buster is labeled as a Zinfandel varietal as it should be since it is produced with at least 75% Zinfandel (80% to be precise). But, as i...
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2013 Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial ($30) Abadia Retuerta first started producing wines in Spain in 1996. The winery and surrounding vineyards are on the former site of the 12th century Santa Maria de Retuerta Monastery in Sardón de Duero. This ...
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2013 Wild Horse GSM ($12) This blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (GSM) from Wild Horse is medium-light in body with a soft mouthfeel, candied red fruit flavors, and light tannins. When served slightly chilled, at cellar temperatures, it’s a ver...
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2014 Colomé Estate Malbec ($25) Established in 1831, Colomé is located in the upper Calchaquí Valley in the Salta region of Argentina. Colomé grows the world’s highest elevation Malbec. The grapes used in making this wine are grown in four vineyard...
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2013 Manzanita Creek 8th Street Zinfandel ($12) Manzanita Creek is a super winery in the town of Healdburg in Sonoma County. And this 8th Street Zinfandel is a really nice one. Great jammy flavors, easy tannin and just the right amount of oak to gi...
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2016 Amalaya Malbec ($16) Amalaya wines was founded in Argentina in 2010 by Donald Hess of the Hess Family Wine Estates. The grapes are grown in the Calchaquí Valley in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range at altitudes as high as 5900 f...
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2016 Amalaya Blanco ($12) Amalaya wines was founded in Argentina in 2010 by Donald Hess of the Hess Family Wine Estates. The grapes are grown in the Calchaquí Valley in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range at altitudes as high as 5580 f...
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2016 Colomé Torrontés ($15) Colomé is one of the oldest working wineries in Argentina and home to the highest vineyards in the world, some reaching altitudes of 10,000 ft (~3000m) above sea level. The winery, established in 1831, is based in the Cal...
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2015 Ventisquero Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva ($15) Chile has been producing wine for more than 400 years. But, in the past 30 years has really made great strides in producing highly notable wines. And the Maipo Valley has become Chile’s red wine coun...
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Valdivieso Sparkling Rosé Brut ($13) Viña Valdivieso dates back to 1879 when Alberto Valdivieso founded Champagne Valdivieso, the first company in Chile and South America to make sparkling wine. Today they continue making sparkling wines and still w...
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2016 Ventisquero Casablanca Valley Sauvignon Blanc Reserva ($15) This wine is from the Casablanca Valley of Chile. In the Northern region of Chile, this valley has strong coastal influences that keep temperatures cool, adding as much as a month to t...
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2015 Valdivieso Valley Selection Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserve ($17) Chile is turning out some highly-acclaimed wines that are also great values. This Sauvignon Blanc, from the Valle de Leyda in Chile’s San Antonio Region, is a fine example. Founded...
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2013 Hess Select Central Coast Pinot Noir ($16) This Pinot Noir is from the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey, CA . Nice red fruit flavors of sour cherry, rhubarb and Pomegranate. Another fine Pinot Noir from California at a very reasonable price. ...
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2014 Oak Ridge Lodi Ancient Vine Zinfandel ($12) This Zinfandel has great dark fruit flavors, a bit of black pepper and nice chocolate, vanilla and caramel from its oak aging. While this Zinfandel varietal is made from at least 75% of the Zinfandel ...
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2015 Blackstone Winemaker’s Select California Merlot ($5) The theme of Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week is to feature affordable and attainable wines that are enjoyable to drink. This Merlot fits that description. This Merlot is blended with 14%...
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2013 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles Rhône Style Blend ($6) This Rhône style blend is a perfect fit for Behind the Cork ™ - Wine of the Week. It’s affordable, it’s attainable and it’s a nice wine to enjoy any day of the week. Being a Rhône blend, it ...
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2014 Foggy Veil Hillside Red Blend ($13) This blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Grenache from Santa Barbara County is another unexpected winner. In the Rhone tradition, this blend has the big fruit, medium tannin characteristics of the Syrah with the Grena...
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Z. Alexander Brown 2014 Russian River Valley Uncaged Pinot Noir ($13) The Russian River Valley is renowned for its delicious Pinot Noir. And this is another fine example. With aromas of red fruit such as raspberry and cranberry, this Pinot Noir lean...
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2014 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel ($10) Just having featured “Old Vine Zinfandel - Is it Better?” I thought it would be good to bring back a wine that was featured in this blog last year. This old vine Zinfandel comes from vines that are 60 to 80 years ...
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2012 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Sonoma Chardonnay ($15) This is an “Estate” wine meaning that Rodney Strong grew the grapes, crushed them, fermented, aged and bottle the wine. This Chardonnay has the nice fruit flavors of golden delicious apple and Me...
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2013 Hook or Crook Napa Valley Red Blend ($7) I’m always curious when I come across a new label at Trader Joe’s. This one caught my eye so I brought it home. While they don’t specify the grapes used, this is a full-bodied red with a real nice set o...
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2015 Gerd Anselmann Pfalz Trocken Riesling ($14) This German Riesling, from the region of Pfalz, is “Trocken” meaning dry (little to no residual sugar). So, while many German Rieslings are sweet, this is an example of one that, while having little t...
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2015 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling ($7) This Riesling from Washington’s Columbia Valley is listed as being between Medium-dry and medium-sweet. So, remembering that ‘Dry’ means little or no residual sugar in the wine, you know right...
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2014 Line 39 California Pinot Noir ($10) ‘Line 39’ represents the 39th parallel of Northern California’s wine country and this Pinot Noir is from vineyards in Monterey. As with most California Pinot Noirs, this wine has nice strawberry, raspberry an...
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2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay ($11) This Chardonnay, from Washington’s Columbia Valley, not only has great flavors of pineapple and mango, but add rich flavors of butterscotch and caramel from its fermentation and oak aging. Bob...
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2014 Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore ($9) Valpolicella is an Italian wine generally produced primarily with the Corvina grape and blended with Rondinella, Molinara and sometimes Negrara grapes. Ripasso, or “repassed,” refers to the method of ...
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2013 Fife Creek Vineyards Russian River Valley Zinfandel ($10) This was a recent find of a Russian River Valley Zin that doesn’t break the bank. This Zin tends toward being light for a Zinfandel. It’s almost leaning toward a light-bodied wine, almos...
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I constantly get asked “What’s a good bottle of wine to buy?” And my response is always the same “What kind of wine do you like?” because the wines that I like may not be the ones that you would like. So I’ve struggled with the question and how to...
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2014 Robledo Family Winery - The Seven Brothers Sauvignon Blanc ($7) This Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County is really nice. Thinking that this was so much better than a $7 bottle of wine, I headed out to the Robledo Family Winery website (www.robled...
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2014 Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling ($7) This Riesling out of Columbia Valley is refreshing with flavors of peach and lime. This is considered somewhere between a medium-dry and medium-sweet wine and the 12% alcohol level confirms tha...
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Peachy Canyon 2012 Cirque du Vin Red Blend ($11) This red blend from Peachy Canyon in Paso Robles is a real nice combination of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Malbec and Tannat. The 60% Syrah gives it a bold flavor while the Zinfandel and ...
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Amancay Winery 2014 Uco Valley Reserva Malbec ($7) The Uco Valley in Mendoza, Argentina, is well known and respected for its Malbec. And this one is a nice entry-level example. This medium bodied Malbec is full of flavors of blackberry and blueberry...
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Nielson by Byron Santa Barbara County Chardonnay ($13) This Chardonnay out of Santa Barbara County was an unexpected delight. While being a great value, it is lightly oaked so as to not be over-powering and lets though the wonderfully bright fruit f...
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Kenwood Russian River Pinot Noir ($13) The Russian River Valley is home of some of the greatest Pinot Noir to be found. This one from Kenwood is a very nice example and a great value. With red fruit flavors of raspberry and cherry along with hints o...
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2015 Justin Sauvignon Blanc ($12) This Sauvignon Blanc from Justin in Paso Robles CA is very nice one. Loaded with bright, crisp fruit flavors of lemon, green apple, white peach and guava. At 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) it is quite dry (not sweet)...
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2014 Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah ($12) This red blend from Washington State’s Columbia Valley is another from Charles Smith, this time in collaboration with Charles Bieler. Although having the requisite 75% of Cabernet Sauvi...
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Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay ($12) This Chardonnay out of Livermore Valley California (East of San Francisco) is a well balanced Chardonnay, meaning that everything works together beautifully. Because it is fermented in 50% neutral American oak barr...
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2014 Old Zin Vines Zinfandel ($12) This Zinfandel from Lodi comes from 50 to 100 year old vines. And it’s a big jammy Zinfandel. Loaded with flavors of blackberries, raspberries, chocolate and mocha, it’s smooth with very soft tannin. This is a grea...
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Lyeth 2013 Meritage ($10) This Meritage from Lyeth is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The name “Meritage” was created in 1988 when U.S. wine makers decided to form an alliance and a name for their ble...
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J Vineyards 2014 Pinot Gris ($14) This Pinot Gris (pee-no gree) from J Vineyards has light and delicate fruit flavors of lime, pear and pineapple. Pinot Gris, also known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, has medium acidity for a bit of a mouthwatering finis...
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Charles Smith 2014 Kungfu Girl Riesling ($14) Another from the amazing winemaker Charles Smith. This Riesling from Washington State is light and fruity with just a hint of sweetness. Chill this one and serve it your favorite hot and spicy dish. ...
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2014 Il Tarocco Chianti Classico ($10) As you can immediately tell from the black rooster on the neck of the bottle, this is a Chianti Classico. The black rooster let’s you know this is a nicer Chianti. While Chianti is required to be made from at ...
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This Barbera is from one of the oldest wineries in the Sierra Foothills. Barbera is a grape grown throughout Italy. It’s a grape known for high acidity, soft tannin and dark fruit flavors. The Boeger Barbera certainly has flavors of plums and spices,...
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Michael David Petite Petit ($14) I always passed by this cartoon character label with the two elephants sipping wine. But Wine Enthusiast named this Petite Sirah their #2 pick on the 2015 top 100 wines, giving it a 94 point rating. That caught my e...
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Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot ($15) The Alexander Valley in Sonoma County turns out some terrific wines, including this Merlot from the winery named for the originator of the valley. The Wetzel family who own and run Alexander Valley Vineyards...
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Louis Jadot Beaujolais ($12) This week’s wine is a light bodied Beaujolais from France. This wine is made from the Gamay grape that results in a easy to drink wine with fresh fruit flavors including hints of strawberry and cherry. Chill this one sli...
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Tangent Edna Valley Albariño ($12) This week’s wine is an Albariño (Ahi-bah-REE-nyoh) from California’s Edna Valley. This grape is indigenous to northwestern Spain where it thrives in the cool western climate. California’s Edna Valley too has the c...
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Hanna Winery & Vineyards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc ($14) This week’s wine is a great, crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from Hanna Winery & Vineyards. Summertime is a great time for a Sauvignon Blanc with its bright acidity and hints ...
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Wild Horse Central Coast Pinot Noir ($15) Looking for an attainable, affordable wine? You’ve come to the right place. Each week I feature just such a wine on the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week page of EverWonderWine.com. This week’s wine is a ...
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Charles Smith The Velvet Devil Merlot ($12) Looking for an attainable, affordable wine? You’ve come to the right place. Each week I feature just such a wine on the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week page of EverWonderWine.com. This week’s wine is ...
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Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week - Cantina Del Grifone 1967 Red Blend ($6) Looking for an attainable, affordable wine? You’ve come to the right place. Each week I feature just such a wine on the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week page of EverWonder...
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