• 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…

  • Revealing Rosé

    Please join Spec’s fine wine buyer Bear Dalton on Tuesday, July 11 at 7pm for Revealing Rosé. We’ll beat the heat as we dig into dry French Rosé (the best kind of…

  • Winery Profile: COUGAR CREST

    In 2001, Washington State natives Deborah and David Hansen founded COUGAR CREST at the Walla Walla airport. After graduating from Washington State University in the 1970’s,…

  • Perfectly Pink: BESSERAT de BELLEFON Cuvee des Moines Rosé, NV

    What a difference proper shipping makes. I have tasted and turned down Besserat de Bellefon’s wines several times over the years. The reason? The wines always tasted…

  • 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…

  • PARTIAL TO PINOT

    OK, I admit it. I’m partial to Pinot Noir. Not a sucker for but partial to. Especially during the summer when I want fine reds I can serve a bit cooler (maybe 55°F). With…

  • 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…

    The Friday Fizz: CAMILLE SAVES Carte Blanche Brut 1er Cru, NV
    Revealing Rosé: A BAKER’s DOZEN
    Value Margaux: Ch. PONTAC LYNCH 2014
    New & Different: DOMAINE de l’HERRE Gros Manseng 2015

    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…