• Pleasing Pinot: MOMO Pinot Noir, Marlborough, 2013

    Until recently, when I thought of fine New Zealand Pinot Noir, the words “Central Otago” came first to mind. If someone mentioned Marlborough for Pinot Noir, my reply…

  • Appreciating Anderson Valley: HANDLEY Pinot Noir 2013

    When you ask most U.S. consumers where their favorite new world Pinot Noir is grown, you have a good chance of hearing “Russian River Valley” or “Sonoma…

  • British Bubbles: HATTINGLEY VALLEY

    Made using the Champagne process in Wield in East Hampshire in the south of England, Hattingley Valley’s sparkling wines (English Fizz, British Bubbles) come from grapes…

  • A USEFUL CLARET

    Claret – pronounced clair-et (or kler-ət) with the “t” pronounced – is an English (not French) word for a particular shade of red. The term Claret was…

  • Refreshing 2015 White and Pink Bordeaux

    When I hear Bordeaux, the first wine that comes to my mind is red. But maybe right now is not the time of year when I’m most ardent about red wine. But Bordeaux isn’t…

  • 2016 BORDEAUX: Another Great Vintage

    2014, 2015, and 2016 follow the same pattern as 2008, 2009, and 2010 and 1988, 1989, and 1990 before that. Not quite good-better-best but more like fine-excellent-excellent. There…

  • ARTISANAL BEAUJOLAIS 2015

    Beaujolais? Well, it’s been a while since I have written about Beaujolais. Beaujolais used to be one of the most popular appellations from France. While Cru Beaujolais and fine…

  • Winery Profile: HEARST RANCH

    Heart Ranch Winery is a partnership between Steve Hearst of the Hearst Family (yes, that Hearst Family – William Randolph Hearst and Hearst Castle and all that) and Jim…

  • Bordeaux Value: Ch. DAUGAY St. Emilion Grand Cru 2014

    Ch. Daugay is the estate of Jean Bernard and Helene Grenie who are among the owners of Ch. Angelus. Founded in 1807, Daugay was once part of Ch. Angelus but has been a separate…

  • Offering 2015 Bordeaux

    BORDEAUX 2015: A Great Vintage Is 2015 a great Bordeaux vintage? The short answer is “YES!” But that’s a bit simplistic so read on for the more complete – and…

    Winery Profile: COUGAR CREST
    The Friday Fizz: CAMILLE SAVES Carte Blanche Brut 1er Cru, NV
    Revealing Rosé: A BAKER’s DOZEN
    Value Margaux: Ch. PONTAC LYNCH 2014

    SIPPING DIFFERENT

    Summer is here and it’s getting (gotten?) hot. If you’re at all like me, your pace has slowed a bit, you’re eating some different (lighter) foods, and maybe thinking about…