Most wine 101ers have crossed their arms over their chests in a virtual poo-pooing of White Zinfandel. Sure, your mom and that one friend that must have something pink and sweet and savored over ice still drinks it, but that doesn’t give it nearly the respect it deserves for propelling the California wine industry forward…
The beauty of Paso Robles lies deep within its roots. Most people think that it is a community for wine lovers but it goes much deeper than that. This adventure was shared with Larry and Gloria Stahly, Robert Schwemmer, Desiree Thatch and of course my lovely wife and birthday girl, Tracy. This trip was planned…
Unlike Eve Bushman, my esteemed publisher, editor, friend and business associate, who approaches all varietals equally and without prejudice, I can unashamedly say that the Rhone grapes, along with my guilty pleasure Zinfandel, hit my palate right in its sweet spot more often than any other wines. And every year I am amazed that, as…
Oh, that elusive reference wine drinkers make to “terroir” sets my wine 101 readers to wonder…what the heck is this person trying to say with that one word? Short answer: Everything that went into getting that grape to become that wine. According to the Oxford Dictionary, terroir is “The complete natural environment in which a…
(Washington, DC)—The new wine shipping law inserted into the recently approved Massachusetts budget continues to endorse a ban on the shipment of hundreds thousands of wines into the state. This fact that has gone unmentioned in coverage of the issue and in the bill itself, despite the American Wine Consumer Coalition, its members and others…
I recently spent some time with Master Sommelier, Andrew McNamara during the Court of Master Sommelier’s Introduction and Certified level exams here in Orlando, Fl. Andrew was one of ten candidates to pass this rigorous exam in 2007, Andy is also one of the very few in the court’s history to successfully complete all three…
Every few months the patio of our very own Salt Creek Grille is transformed for a wine dinner. Well-executed menus are placed in neat leather frames, misters may be soundlessly cooling a still night, seating charts are laid out, a winery representative will have been arranged to address the party and wine glasses are handed…
As Grape of the Night (GOTN) continues our exploration of wines from different countries, regions and states we returned to Spain to sample another wine from the old world called Albariño. Wines from Spain are not high on most drinkers list when selecting to purchase or drink. This is really too bad as Spain produces…
It’s a great honor to have a winery owner make an appointment to hand deliver his latest wine to me at my home. Now, lest you begin to think, what a fancy schmancy winery it is let me explain: Rebel Coast Winery is run by, well, rebels in the wine industry, including Kate Sieberlich, and…