07 Twisted Oak "The Spaniard" (Calaveras County): Savory, inspired red blend that is most certainly not "unemployed in Greenland." $49 A- # 08 Bonny Doon "Le Cigare Blanc" (Arroyo Seco): The lady’s a little bit fat, but she’s singing of quince – & boy, can she ever sing. $19 B # 10 Bogatell Garnacha Blanca…
Short Answers, Long Finishes And Seesaws (Tasting With The Grandfather Of Modern Chilean Winemaking At Viña Morandé)
You don’t really know a winemaker until you’ve shared a seesaw ride with him. That’s my new mantra after visiting Viña Morandé’s “House of Morandé” restaurant and tasting bar (oh, yeah – and playground) just outside of Santiago in Chile. The playground is for the kiddies, to keep them occupied while mom and dad taste…
Georges Duboeuf Wine Book Of The Year Awards, Concluded (“Best Of The Best” Giveaway!)
Last week in my continuing saga as judge in the Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year Awards, we took a look at the finalists that didn’t make my cut into the “top three” votes for the award (and gave away a copy of Charlie Olken’s excellent New Connoisseurs’ Guidebook to California Wine and Wineries…
Hey Winemakers In Emerging Wine Regions: Stop Selling A Gazillion Varietal Wines Already!
“Doesn’t mean you should Just because you can It doesn’t mean you should Just because you can Like Abraham and Ishmael Fighting over sand It doesn’t mean you should Just because you can.” – “Facts of Life” by King Crimson Seriously, people. Stop it. Please. It’s getting embarrassing now. I get that newer wine areas…