Making wine at J.M. da Fonseca’s José de Sousa in Portugal seems, from what I can discern, like a huge pain the ass. First, they’re fans of lagare foot-treading their grapes, an effort that is full of, well, effort. Next, when they do use basket presses, they’re covered in a specially approved blue paint that…
Let’s Peddle Some Books, And Get Buzzed (Joe on Leslie LIVE!)
Last week, I had the fortunate honor to be the guest on Leslie LIVE!, the new lockdown-inspired live broadcast by fellow wine judge and author Leslie Sbrocco. I’ve had the fortunate honor to have known and judged wine competitions with the lovely Leslie for a decade, and she wrote a touching and thoughtful endorsement of…
Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For September 7, 2020
2018 Acquiesce Clairette Blanche (Lodi): Let the tropical parade officially commence! $28 B+ 2018 Acquiesce Bourboulenc (Lodi): A weighty delivery of flowers and citrus. $28 B+ 2018 Rob Rubin Pam’s Unoaked Chardonnay (Sonoma County): Pam doesn’t like oak but she still sure as hell likes creaminess. $15 B 2018 Ron Rubin Chardonnay (Russian River Valley):…
Wine in the Time of Coronavirus, Part 9 (Tenuta Sette Cieli Bolgheri Recent Releases)
On the border of Bolgheri, within sight of the legendary Sassicaia and equally-legendary Ornellaia, nestled in Tuscany’s gorgeous and golden-lit rolling hills, protected by surrounding forests, sits the former horse ranch and now premium wine producer Tenuta Sette Cieli. I know that those rolling Sette Cieli hills are gorgeous because I’ve seen them. Over Zoom…