Last time we explored the life cycle of a grape vine and learned that they are perennials; they re-grow year-after-year. But, one of the more fascinating facts about grape vines has to do with how the flowers get pollinated. Most flowering plants de...
Read more →
behind the cork
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....
Read more →Well, maybe you haven’t ever wondered about the life cycle of a wine grape. Wine making is typically the process that gets all of the attention. And, yes, it’s amazing that grapes can be turned into such complex wines. The process of growing the grap...
Read more →
behind the cork
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 fruit...
Read more →Last time we asked “Why do people look so closely at their glass of wine?” and learned that flaws, such as sediment and dis-colorization can be seen in a wine glass. But, the color of a wine can also tell you about how it will taste and its age. Wi...
Read more →
behind the cork
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...
Read more →You see it a lot. As soon as the wine is poured in the glass, the first thing someone will do is raise the glass and look at the wine. But why do this you may ask? In a past blog we examined the “Five S’s of Wine Tasting” that include See, Swirl, Sn...
Read more →It’s that time of the year! Lots of gift giving. A common dilemma is associated with choosing a bottle of wine to give as a gift. I’ll admit, it’s a tough one. You don’t want to get it wrong. And, most wines don’t come with a gift receipt. The first...
Read more →
behind the cork
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 dif...
Read more →
general
Years ago, I was visiting a friend who knew I enjoyed wines and wanted to share a bottle with me. They opened the bottle and took a sip. With a look of disappointment on their face, they proclaimed that the wine need some time “to breathe.” So, wit...
Read more →