Wine and cheese. They just go together. But, there’s actually a pretty good reason that this pairing typically works together so well. It’s due to the combination of an astringent element, wine, that gives your mouth a dry feeling and a fatty elemen...
Last time we looked at how to get started in learning about wine. And, the best way to learn is by trying. Sure, you could pick up a book or a wine magazine, but those will tell you about wines that others like. The first thing you need to do is to s...
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 f...
Last time we took a quick look at organic wines and wines produced from organically grown grapes. But, now let’s quickly summarize what it means for a wine to be called ‘Natural’, ‘Bio-Dynamic’ or ‘Sustainable.’ Natural Wines Like so many other win...
The common ritual when you order a bottle of wine is that the server will show you the bottle, open it and pour you a small amount. This can be a bit of a nervous moment if you don’t really know what you are supposed to do. But, it’s actually quite s...
I occasionally shop at smaller wine retailers such as delis and drug stores. Something I’ve noticed is that these smaller retailers don’t have the same turnover that larger wine stores and grocery store have. So, I’m often pleasantly surprised to fin...
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, “...
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 preserv...
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...
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. Accordi...
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 ei...
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...
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 f...
We are just days away now from the big Thanksgiving feast. And one of the most common questions is “What wine pairs best with the Thanksgiving meal?” As previous stated, the trick is to pair your wine with the type of sides you are serving, not th...
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...
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...
Rosé is a wine that is enjoyed in warm weather, by the pool, at the beach and by the lake. It’s wonderfully refreshing and pairs well with most foods. But, like wearing white clothing, rosé is generally not ‘in style’ after Labor Day. And that’s a ...
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 ...
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 Austra...
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 neig...
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...
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 valle...
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. Select...
I was recently asked about the differences between Sherry and Port. And while they may at first seem similar, they are actually quite different. Both Sherry and Port are fortified wines meaning that distilled spirits, like brandy, are added to the w...
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 f...
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 ...
I recently ordered a glass of wine at a local restaurant. Admittedly it wasn’t a fine dining restaurant. It was a place where you order at the counter and then you are served at your table. When I got my glass of red wine, it was filled nearly to t...
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 Carign...
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 R...
Ever wonder what “Vin Sec” means on the label of a bottle of Riesling? In French it literally means ‘dry wine.’ Riesling is a wine that is most famously produced in Germany where nearly half the world’s Riesling grapes are grown. Other great produ...
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 par...
While perusing the wine list at a casual restaurant, a friend of mine recently asked *“Have you heard of Zibibbo?” *I had to reply that I didn’t but promised to look into it. It turns out that Zibibbo is a white wine grape varietal used to produce b...
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 t...
In a recent blog, I asked “What do you smell when you smell wine?” In wines, especially the red wines, there are a multitude of aromas that can be detected, with a little practice. And, these aromas play an important part in how the wine tastes. I w...
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 ...
Wine is often described as having aromas of fruits, flowers and spices. But, what do you smell when you smell wine? The most common response from those just starting to like wine is “It smells like wine.” Well, that’s a good start. But, there’s so...
While catching up on some recent reading, I came across an article looking at wine decanting versus aerating. The bottom line presented in the article was that older wines should be decanted and young wines should be aerated. This caused me to pause...
While strolling through the wine section of my local grocery store, I was asked “Do you know what Jug Wine is?” My attention was drawn to a sign above the shelves that identified the section as “Jug Wine.” My first reaction was to state that it’s...
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 ...
A friend was recently talking about wines that he received from a winery’s wine club. He had visited this winery a few years back and really enjoyed their wines. So, he joined their wine club. Every six months he gets a shipment of wine and puts them...
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, Thoma...
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 ...
Viognier (Vee-own-Yay) is a wine that has taken an extreme backseat in the past to Chardonnay, yet shares a lot of similarities. This grape is originally from the Northern Rhône region of France. And, while France still grows approximately one-thi...
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 de...
A lot of people are concerned with ensuring that they store their wine properly. And, that’s important. But to ensure you are getting a wine that’s at its best, you also need to take into consideration the store where you’re buying your wine. Sure, ...
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...
It’s a common problem. You buy a bottle of wine that you want to server that same day. And you want it chilled. So, is the freezer a good option for quickly chilling a bottle of wine? Well, chilling a bottle of wine in the freezer is one method. B...
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, i...
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% neu...
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 ...
Have you ever taken that last sip of wine only to find a nasty surprise either at the bottom of your glass or in your mouth? Sediment! It can be a very unpleasant discovery. But, luckily, it’s nothing to be worried about. Sediment is a natural bi-pr...
There is a process used by some restaurant wine servers and Sommeliers that, at first might seem a bit odd or even a bit pretentious. When you order a bottle of wine, they first pour a small amount of the wine in your glass. They’ll swirl it around ...
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™ f...
Last time we looked at a rather unorthodox way of storing an open bottle of wine — in the freezer. And then thawing it in the microwave. Well, that’s not the common advice. Here’s some of the the more typical ways to store an opened bottle of wine...
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 ...
I was catching up on some reading recently when I came upon an article from James Laube in Wine Spectator. He’s been a wine writer for Wine Spectator since 1980, is very well respected and one of my favorites. But his piece titled “Ice Age” had me ...
In some of my recent reading, I came across the fact that E. & J. Gallo, The Wine Group and Constellation Brands produce more than half of the wine consumed in the U.S. Wow! But then early this month I learned that Gallo had entered into an agr...
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 go...
Spring-time is a great time to start enjoying Rosé. It’s bright fruit flavors and wonderful acidity makes a nice chilled rosé very thirst quenching. And its bright pink hue just seems to go with all the beautiful blooms of the season. But, you may wo...
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...
Last time we learned that Marsala wine is not just for cooking. It’s actually a fortified wine that is sometimes made using the Solera system. A Solera is a system used for blending wines and is a way of keeping a consistent style of wine for years....
Chicken Marsala is a well known Italian dish. But, did you know that Marsala is also a fine drinking wine? Marsala is a fortified wine that originated in the town of Marsala on the west coast of Sicily. True Marsala still only comes from Sicily and...
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...
It’s something that you see wine drinkers do - swirl their wine glass and then look at the ‘legs’ that run down the inside of the glass. And, often they’ll equate the quality of the wine with the legs by saying things like “Oh!…this wine has really g...
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 (Don...
Oak has been used as an aging vessel for wines for centuries. Wines get added flavors and complexity from being aged in oak barrels, especially new oak. But oak barrels are expensive. And they only impart flavor to wines during their first two to th...
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 owner...
Early in my wine exploration, I was drinking a lot of inexpensive wine. Mostly in the $5 - $10 price range. And that’s where I did a lot of learning. When I’d splurge and buy a wine in the $10 - $15 range it would usually be a better wine. So, in ...
Last time we looked at wine scores and how well they can be relied upon as an indicator when selecting wines. Some wine scores are from reputable sources (e.g., Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Robert Parker’s *The Wine Advocate) *while others are ...
You’ve seen them. The wine scores posted alongside the bottles on the shelf. 90 points. 88 points. 92 points. But what does it really mean? Is it a good indicator for making your wine selection? Well, the old adage “Buyer Beware” certainly applie...
Last time we learned that some red wines can make your mouth feel dry due to the natural tannin in the wine that comes from the grape’s skin, seeds and stems. But, if you don’t care for highly tannic wines, there are some things you can do. The tann...
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 a...
Have you ever taken a sip of red wine and noticed that your mouth feels dry or dusty? Almost that ‘cotton-mouth’ feel? Well, that is a sensation that is associated with red wine. Some red wines. The dry sensation is due to the wine being astringent...
A few months back a friend of mine told me that, in the past, he really didn’t like white wine. He said white wines just didn’t have as much flavor as red wines. He preferred the flavors of a red wine. But, on a wine tasting trip he went ahead and...
I was recently shopping in my local grocery store and noticed the overhead signs for the wine aisle included “Red Wines,” “White Wines” and “Table Wines.” Ever wonder what Table Wine really is? Well, in the U.S., Table Wine is simply a designation...
Last time, we learned that a wine bottle’s glass thickness, or weight, doesn’t really tell you anything about the wine’s quality. But, the thicker glass can serve to make a sparkling wine bottle more structurally capable of holding the high pressur...
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 Garna...
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 f...
You may have experienced it when shopping for a bottle of wine. You lift the bottle to look more closely at the label and you notice how heavy it is relative to other bottles of wine. And immediately you equate this substantial bottle with high quali...
Pinot Noir is a wonderful varietal of wine. In the Old World (Europe), Pinot Noir is most famous from the Burgundy region of France. There, it is simply known as ‘Burgundy.’ In the U.S., Pinot Noir is grown in multiple regions. Two notable regions...
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% Pin...
As we continue through the holiday season, the question of ‘which wine to buy?’ is constantly on our minds. And, the answer in any situation can always be ‘Sparkling wine!” Yes, sparking wines are maybe the most versatile wines out there. For brunch...
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 pum...
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...
A few years ago, I told a friend that I was going to visit some wineries. He asked “Do you buy wines there?” My quick answer was “Yes!” He then asked “Why buy wines at a winery? They are more expensive than at the supermarket!” Well, yes, wines...
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 own...
California’s Gold Rush of the 1850s included the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. As fortune seekers flocked to the Sierras to prospect for gold, small wineries also began to appear. But the decline of gold mining in the late ...
Zinfandel is a very popular California wine. One that can take on two very different flavor personalities. Zinfandel that is grown in warm places usually results in grapes that get very ripe and produce big jammy “fruit bomb” flavors. High alcohol...
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 ...
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 Car...
Champagne is probably the best known wine in the world. And, there’s a lot to know it about this wine. Here are some fun-facts about Champagne: Champagne is not made from Champagne grapes Champagne is typically produced from three grapes — Pinot ...
Last time we examined what can be learned from looking at a wine’s color. Different colors can indicate the wine’s body and its age. White wines can vary from straw white to deep brown. And, these visual clues can immediately tell you something abou...
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 Sauvign...
You may have seen it. Someone with a glass of wine looking very closely at it. Or even slightly tipping the glass of wine over a bit to take an even closer look. Well, there are several things that can be learned by just looking at your wine. And, ...
Wine and cheese pairs so well. As we learned last time, the proteins and fats in cheese help to tame the tannin in red wines and creamy soft white cheeses tend to balance the bold acidity that can be found in white wines. But, not all cheeses work w...
Wine and cheese. They just go together. But, there’s actually a pretty good reason that this pairing typically works together so well. Let’s start with red wines. They can be rather tannic due to the stems, seeds and stems of the grapes. Tannin is ...
When perusing wine labels on the shelf of your favorite wine shop, you’ll often find that the label indicates “California” as the region where the wine is from. But, you may have asked yourself, what does that really mean? With all the California win...
A co-worker who is into nice wines recently told me that she used to pour her mother nicer wines when she visited. The problem was her mother would down her glasses of wine like water. She tried to have her mother slow down and enjoy the wine, but to...
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 roll...
On a trip to wine country earlier this year, I picked up several bottles of wine. Included in my wines was a Reserve Chardonnay that I had gotten in Alexander Valley. In the tasting room it was excellent. After purchasing the wines, I was very care...
During one of our trips to Paso Robles a few years ago, we visited the Kenneth Volk tasting room and really enjoyed their wines. The Paso Robles tasting room is no longer open, but on a subsequent trip to Paso, we stopped in at the Albertsons mark...
I always enjoy it when someone asks me a wine question that I don’t know the answer to. It gives me another opportunity to learn. So, when I was recently asked if I was familiar with Limnio (LIM-nee-oh) I said no and started to do some research. Lim...
I recently read a piece in Wine Spectator (March 31, 2018) by Matt Kramer. It was titled “It’s Really Very Simple.” He started off by stating “The temptation for all wine evangelists…is to somehow make wine simple.” He then goes on to say “Although...
A friend of mine recently recommended a wine that he really liked. When he showed me the wine’s label I saw that it was an Italian Appassimento. That’s a wine that I was not previously familiar with, so I took a look on-line and found a brief descrip...
During a recent special occasion, I decided to pull out some older wines to share. Not really old, but from 2010, 2009 and 2007. All were reds - a couple Barberas (a favorite of mine) and a Zinfandel. These weren’t amazing bottles to begin with or t...
Think berries…strawberries, raspberries, and blue berries. Then think wine. Yes, some of these delicate berry flavors can be present in fine wines. But, your favorite varietal wines aren’t made from berries. Boone’s Farm, maybe, but not your wine. R...
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...
Welcome to “Ever Wonder Wine?” After spending the past few years learning about and enjoying the wonderful world of wine, I wanted a way to share the basic wine knowledge that I’ve learned. My journey started with a trip to Northern California. Not...