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...
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behind the cork
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...
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behind the cork
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 ...
Read more →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...
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behind the cork
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 a...
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behind the cork
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...
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behind the cork
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...
Read more →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...
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behind the cork
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...
Read more →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...
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