So last night I had dinner with two incredible young winemakers from Concha Y Toro’s newer, boutique-oriented brands in Chile. On my left was Marcelo Papa of Concha Y Toro’s prestigious Marques de Casa Concha brand. He was named Chile’s “Winemaker of the Year” — twice! On my right was Marcio Ramirez of the Concha [...]
Very excited to spend Sunday morning in Napa with David Graves, co-founder of Saintsbury in Carneros along with his partner, co-founder Richard Ward. David tells me the story of his winery (you can read it here) which was established in 1981. Their idea was to create quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and from the international [...]
I recently tried new signle estate wines from TeAwa from New Zealand, which just joined Cognanc One’s National portfolio. New Zealand is usually associated with Sauvignon Blanc, especially in the minds of American consumers, so it was refreshing to try the different styles and varietals. Te Awa ws established in 1992 by the Lawson [...]
What can you say about an excellently turned out Chardonnay? I am sitting at a table in the elegant Lambs Club with Mr. Jose Antonio Galante, Chief Winemaker at Salentein Family of Wines. Mr. Galante has an extensive history as a winemaker, having started at Catena Zapata which is credited for the currant quality [...]
“Roasting a barrel is like roasting coffee,” says colorfully-spoken winemaker and GM of Bouchaine Vineyards, Michael Richmond. We are talking about the influence of French oak on the 2008 Pinot Noir, and as is the case when wine geeks get together, the conversation turns to toast (not the kind you have at breakfast) and [...]
Greg La Follette of La Follette Wines Porterhouse was the elegant venue for a tutored tasting of La Follette wine lead by winemaker Greg La Follette (formerly of Flowers, de Loach) who recently launched a new winery last year called La Follette. The morning began with an introduction by vivacious Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein — [...]
J. Lohr is a California producer of many different varietals, and increasingly, many different vineyards. I had the good fortune recently to receive a case of 2008 wines and must say all are of exceptional quality for the price. If I had to choose my two favorites, they would be the Chardonnay and the 2007 [...]
.. in these economic times everyone is looking for a way to get great quality wine at a value. The "private selection" name sounds posh but the bottom line is that this new brand offers both value and quality because of the Mondavi name. I tried both the 2008 Meritage and Cabernet Sauvignon and [...]
Ana Laguna & Pilar Garcia-Granero "Before there was wine, there was a thing called happiness …" says an attractive, charming man standing in a circle of similarly well dressed, attractive Spaniards off the lobby of the Union Square W Hotel. Not quite sure the context of the quote, yet it appears to be a typical [...]
White Burgundy Tasting Imagine yourself at a very elegant restaurant, hosting an important client, or trying to impress a date. You both decide on white fish as an entrée, so you are leaning toward a white wine. And since Chardonnay is such a popular grape, and Burgundy, France, such a respected region, you decide to [...]
Blackstone Merlot Sometimes I get so caught up in my studies of the Old World I discover it has been months since I’ve sipped wine from the new world, especially California. Winemaker Gary Sitton of Blackstone Winery in Sonoma sent me some of his new releases … The Pinot Noir 2007 ($20) is rich and [...]
Laurent Drouhin Ever wondered how to define the difference between Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Grand Cru Vaudesir 2008 and Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2008? Laurent Drouhin with Honora Horan (center) and Harriet Lembeck at a walk around tasting of the 2008 vintage from the Drouhin family. At the tasting, I chatted with Mr. [...]
Quick! Imagine you are presented with a "blind flight" of Sauvignon Blanc wine (or Chardonnay for that matter). Do you think you can pick out a wine from New York’s Long Island against wines from Sancerre or New Zealand? Assume that all wines have the same color, and for the most part, a similar [...]
Today marks my first day in the Jura, a remote and very historical area of France known for its famed Vin Jaune wines. Like Burgundy, Jura offers the international Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, yet it also offers the white Savagnin and two delicious red grapes, Trousseau and Poulsard. As the region is just two hours’ [...]
Curious how to impress friends with your wine knowledge without breaking the bank? If you are reading this column, you already realize that high-priced wine does not necessarily mean “better” wine. Instead, you will earn respect by choosing a delicious,…
“Gorgeous mansion!” a woman says, accepting a tall flute of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir from a server in a starched white jacket. We are standing in the hallway of the Honorable John Olsen, Australian Consul General, New York,…
“Gorgeous mansion!” a woman says, accepting a tall flute of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir from a server in a starched white jacket. We are standing in the hallway of the Honorable John Olsen, Australian Consul General, New York,…
One of the trendiest wine regions these days is Australia, known for it’s wallet-friendly prices, appeal to popular taste, and buzz-building marketing campaigns. (Yellowtail Shiraz, anyone?) While most Americans know Australia for its under-$10 wines and think of “Australian Wine”…
… the good news is that the harvest this year looks great. Wine Spectator wrote an amazing report, but it’s by subscription so I’ll try to cite as much as legally possible … – Unusually mild weather this year has…
