NV Andre Jacquart Vertus Experience Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut (Champagne): Pretending to be much pricier than it is; and largely succeeding brilliantly. $39 A- 2016 MacPhail The Flyer Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Youthful and friendly facade belying earthiness and and a potent punch. $50 A- 2017 Sokol Blosser ‘Bluebird Cuvee’ Sparkling (USA):…
Austria’s Kinda-Champagne (a Traisental Deep Dive)
Apologies, right off the bat, for the headline clickbait: not only are we not talking about Champagne, we’re not even talking about sparkling wines. In fact, we’re really only talking about one grape – Grüner Veltliner – from one spot: Austria’s Traisental. Because, well, sometimes I can just be that kind of dick on…
Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For December 16, 2019
2018 La Valentina Pecorino Colline Pescaresi (Abruzzo): An extra shot of citric joy for your dining life. $14 B NV Fratelli Lunelli Ferrari Metodo Classico Brut (Trento): Low on drama, high on elegant refreshment. $26 B+ NV Bibi Graetz Testamatta ‘Bollamatta’ Spumante Rose (Tuscany): Artsy label; artsy presentation; down-to-earth substance. $26 B+ 2016 P. J….
Or, We Could Just Go Back to OR… (McMinnville Wine & Food Classic 2020 Competition)
Presumably because its polite residents haven’t yet learned their lesson, I’ve been invited back to Oregon to help judge the 2020 McMinnville Wine & Food Classic Wine Competition, to be held January 11. It’s been the better part of eighteen months since I’ve had my boots on the ground in that fine state, so I’m…