Champagne Lallier R.014
What a better way to start off 2020 with a bang, or should I say a pop, than with a bottle of Champagne Lallier R.014 Brut. Fresh, soft, elegant and refreshingly appealing. Lovers of French Champagne and sparkling wines will understand, but for those who are hesitant to try...
Where is the worlds largest wine cellar?
In the Republic of Moldova, there is an extensive underground wine city in the village of Milestii Mici. In it’s limestone tunnels, that stretch over 250 kilometers, there is over 2 million bottles consisting of 70% red, 20% white, and 10% dessert wines....
1989 Santino Sonoma County Riesling Dry Berry Select Harvest
At a recent tasting, I was amazed to be treated to 3 specific dessert wines credited to master winemaker Scott Harvey. Making his mark at a number of different wineries before settling in on his own brand, his German wine training afforded him to produce this gem of a...
Chinese Wine
On a trip through China some years ago, it was not easy to find a drinkable, yet affordable wine during my stay. French, Italian and American wine prices were astronomical, unless you wanted to take out a 2nd mortgage. Thus, to quench my wine palate, I did as much...
2015 Giuliano Rosati Valpolicella Ripasso
Born in the vineyards surrounding Verona, Italy, made from the triage of Carvinone, Corvina and Rondinella grapes, this is truly one unique beauty. With up front black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit, there are so many other aspects of this wine that emerge with each and every sip. Clove,...
What is the oldest existing wine shop in the United States?
Some may say our old shop Champane’s Wine Cellars, which was always voted the best but not the oldest. That title goes to New York City’s Acker, Merrall and Condit which was founded in 1820....
Castello di Amarosa
Germany, France, England? No sir, Castello di Amarosa sits in the heart of Napa Valley near the northern city of Calistoga. The castle was a pet project of Dario Sattui who made his fortune with his V Sattui Winery. Construction began in 1995 and welcomed its first guests in...
2014 D66 Grenache
Technically named Department 66, this offering from David Phinney, who produces a number of high quality wines under the Orin Swift umbrella, is one of the best bang for the buck wines on the market today. If you are a fan of big, bold and powerful reds, this beauty...
The Breakdown of a Bottle of Wine.
From vine to bottle, here is a breakdown of just how much goes into making your favorite red or white wine: 1 grape cluster = 1 glass 75 grapes = 1 cluster 4 clusters = 1 bottles 40 clusters = 1 vine 1 vine = 10 bottles 1200 clusters...
Before harvest, fermentation and bottling……..
Well before grapes are picked and years before put into bottles, it’s the chemistry side of wine making that is most important to a classic vintage. I learned first hand at Scott Harvey and Jana Vineyard Wines that samples of grapes picked day in and day out before harvest...