Archive for March, 2015
100 YEARS OF FREIXENET – CASA SALA GRAN RESERVA CAVA LAUNCH
Glass of Bubbly, Champagne & Sparkling Wine Magazine Issue 5, February/March 2015 Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, or “Black Bottle Bubbly,’ is the world’s number one imported sparkling wine. And for good reason – it is easy on the wallet, available everywhere, and has the recognizable and innovative black glass bottle. In a similar vein, […]
COL D’ORCIA – AN ORGANIC ISLAND IN MONTALCINO
Elegant, regal, and silver haired Count Francesco Marone Cinzano, owner of Col d’Orcia in Montalcino, Tuscany, greeted a small group of San Francisco area wine experts, reviewers, sommeliers and press as we sat down in Sociale’s private dining room last Thursday. Sociale is a gem of an Italian bistro hidden down a narrow alleyway in […]
SAUVIGNON BLANC REGIONAL TASTING PROFILE – ARROYO SECO-MONTEREY
Summertime in a Glass Resident Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis (a.k.a. grape goddess), gives us a nice overview of the Sauvignon Blanc found in the Arroyo Seco AVA located on California’s Central Coast in Monterey County. Here, some world-class Sauvignon Blanc is being produced in this unique, cool climate growing region. She explores several excellent wines […]
SAUVIGNON BLANC REGIONAL TASTING PROFILE – LIVERMORE VALLEY
SIAG Resident Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis, aka grape goddess®, explores the Sauv Blanc from one of the New World’s oldest wine regions, Livermore Valley. Though it’s place in history undeniable, many have not had the good fortune of tasting and exploring this important wine region. It’s profound connection with Sauvignon Blanc dates back to the 19th […]
SAUVIGNON BLANC REGIONAL TASTING PROFILE – LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
This is our first installment in an extensive series of “Sauvignon Blanc Regional Tasting Profiles” authored expertly by our Resident Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis (a.k.a. grape goddess.) These pieces are meant to highlight the world’s major Sauvignon Blanc producing regions and provide you with an overview of the styles, flavors, and characteristics of wines they […]
SAUVIGNON BLANC REGIONAL TASTING PROFILE – LODI, CALIFORNIA
One of the many lovely vineyards in Lodi. Photo Courtesy of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. Our second Regional Tasting Profile by Catherine Fallis, grape goddess, of Planet Grape and our Resident Master Sommelier. This time she tackles Lodi, California. Most may think “Zin” when it comes to Lodi, but like so many other varietals, Sauvignon […]
THE LADIES OF VINO NOBILE
A select group of sommeliers, wine merchants and journalists were invited to a presentation yesterday at St. Vincent Tavern & Wine Merchant in San Franciscohonoring “The Ladies of Vino Nobile,” Virginie Saverys, the new owner of Avignonesi, and her winemaker Ashleigh Seymour. Belgian Virginie Saverys was an investor in this well-known Tuscan estate since 2007, […]
FRANCE AND THE WINES OF BORDEAUX
Winemakers around the globe look to France as the benchmark; Burgundy for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Rhone Valley for Syrah, Bordeaux for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, the Loire Valley for Sauvignon Blanc, and Champagne. France encompasses an extraordinary range of terrain and weather patterns. In the north, grapes sometimes […]
SAUVIGNON BLANC REGIONAL TASTING PROFILE – NAPA VALLEY
Summertime in a Glass Resident Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis In this Sauvignon Blanc Regional Tasting Profile, Resident Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis aka grape goddess of Planet Grape, takes a look at the iconic Napa Valley – a terrific place for Sauv Blanc… Sauvignon Blanc is grown in many sub-appellations around the Napa Valley. Map courtesy […]
RIOJA IN THREES
Understanding Rioja is as easy as one, two, three. There are three wine-growing regions—Rioja Alta, Alavesa, and Rioja Baja; three types of wine—white or “blanco,” rosé or “rosado,” and red or “tinto.” And there are three main grape varieties for the red Rioja—Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. There are three quality levels for red rioja as […]
FIESTY SPANISH REDS FROM LA RIOJA
Wine Adventure Magazine Fall 2005 Photo by Rioja DOCa Savvy women understand the power of red. While wearing it one exudes confidence, power, and femininity. Even a small statement such as a pair of fire engine red shoes, or a handbag, emphasizes feminine power and sexiness in ways pink only dreams of. Bullfighters too […]
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