Recent Blog Posts
Nero d’Avola
Nero d’Avola is the grape with the highest quality potential of Sicily. It is also known “Calabrese,” suggesting origins in Calabria on the mainland. It also may be, according to another theory, an ‘italianization’ of the ancient vernacular name of Nero d’Avola, being ‘Calaurisi,’ which literally means ‘coming from Avola’. This “black grape of Avola, […]
Aglianico
Aglianico derives from Hellenic, or Ellenico, the Italian word for Greek, indicating that the centuries-old varietal was introduced by the Greeks who settled in Southern Italy as early as 700 B.C. It was blended into the historical Falernum, the most requested wine in the world at that time. Though also cultivated in Puglia, Molise, and […]
Sangiovese
Sanguis Jovis, “blood of Jove” – an early name for the Roman god Jupiter – is the Latin derivative of sangiovese. Believed to be indigenous to Tuscany, this grape has most likely has been growing there for nearly 2,000 years, though the first official records don’t appear until the 1700s. This is Italy’s most widely planted grape today. […]
Super Tuscan Blend
Super Tuscan wines are either Sangiovese-dominant (Sangiovese is the mainstay of the area and most famous for Chianti), blended with the international Cabernet Sauvignon, the opposite, or somewhere in between. A Super Tuscan may be Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or even Chardonnay for that matter, single varietal or blend. It is not an official, regulated […]
Barbera
Barbera is an ancient variety with historical roots in Italy. Today it remains the second most widely planted red variety, after Sangiovese. This vigorous, hearty, late ripener excels in Piedmont, where gentle fogs and undulating hills provide the ideal microclimate. This is a very dark-skinned, high acid grape, similar on paper to Nebbiolo. However, at […]
Nebbiolo
Best known as the red varietal behind Barolo, the wine of Kings and the King of Wine in Piedmont, Italy, Nebbiolo is a site sensitive, high tannin, high acid varietal. Tannins, those compounds in a wine which cause the mouth to pucker and dry out, are either from grape skins, or, much more commonly from […]
Pinot Noir
This noble red variety from France’s Burgundy region makes an intensely flavored, complex, high acid wine with incredible longevity. As the climate gets warmer, the fruit becomes riper and more obvious, and the acid softens a bit. The net result in any case is a wine that will not overpower your meal. It is called […]
Chardonnay
Believed to be of Middle Eastern origin, Chardonnay is the world’s most popular white varietal, and one that loses itself completely to wine making techniques. More a type of wine than a vine variety (with some definite exceptions), Chardonnay is made in every imaginable style. In the last 50 years or so, plantings in Australia […]
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which probably originates from the Bordeaux region of France. It is now planted in much of the world’s vineyards. Sauvignon Blanc, is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile of grapes. Sauvignon derives from “sauvage”, or “wild”, and is also the “mother” of Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, […]
Semillon
Semillon seems to have originated in the Bordeaux region of South West France, where it was well recognized in the eighteenth century. In Australia the variety was probably brought out in the Busby collection of 1832 (as Groendruif). It is known that wine was being made from Semillon grapes in the Hunter Valley area of […]
Viognier
The precise historical origin of this varietal is unknown, but many believe it dates back to the Roman Empire. According to one story, Emperor Probus imported Viognier into Condrieu from Dalmatia (in present-day Croatia) in 281 AD as a means of replacing the vineyards destroyed by Emperor Vespasian. Legend has it that Vespasian tore up […]
White Rhone Blend – Marsanne/Roussanne
Marsanne originates in France’s Rhone Valley, where it is the mainstay of the whites of this area. It is one of eight white grape varieties allowed in the Côtes du Rhône appellation and forms the foundation of white Hermitage. Unlike Roussanne, it is an aggressive producer with no significant growing problems, and has gradually taken […]
Gewurztraminer
Gewürztraminer is one of the most pungent wine varietals, easy for even the beginning taster to recognize by its heady, aromatic scent. While the French have achieved the greatest success with this grape, the history of Gewürztraminer began in Italy’s Tyrollean Alps, near the village of Termeno (Tramin) in Alto Adige. Since the Middle Ages, […]
Pinot Gris/Grigio
Pinot Gris is one of the many mutations of Pinot Noir. Its skin ranges from white to pink to black, and occasionally the wine will have a “gris” or gray, even pink hue. The grape adapts amazingly well to its site. As a result, it is hard to believe that a rich, honeyed, tangy, minerally […]
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc was cultivated from the ninth century in the Anjou region of France’s Loire Valley, and since the mid 1600’s in South Africa. Rabelais wrote about this varietal. While at its pinnacle in the Loire, much of what is produced in South Africa, where it goes by the name of Steen, and in North […]
Riesling
The world’s greatest white variety, Riesling, has very vibrant natural acidity, giving it longevity and the potential to make a very balanced sweet or dry wine. Misunderstood and for the most part unappreciated, the brilliant Rieslings of Germany, Austria, and Alsace are tremendous values for those who appreciate them. Riesling has thrived in Germany since the […]
Muscat
Muscat is an aromatic grape which leads to the production of excellent dessert wines and interesting dry whites. Fresh or aged, natural or fortified the dessert Muscat wines are appreciated by experienced and young palates alike. It is the world’s oldest known grape variety, and probably originated in Greece, where it is still cultivated today. […]
The Sizzle – a Culinary Collaboration of Sriracha and Wine
What does the Godfather of Zin and an artisanal chili sauce producer have in common? Let’s just call it the sizzle, which is similar to the feeling when Joel is in the room. California’s Ravenswood Winery has partnered with Brooklyn, NY’s Jolene Collins, who handcrafts all natural small batch sriracha from locally grown peppers, to […]
Discovery to Table
Cellar to Table with Your Chanticleer Wines By Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis, aka grape goddess®* You’ve discovered a great wine, visited the winery, scored a spot on the mailing list, and the wines are now in your hands, ready to deliver pleasure to you and your guests. Yet it is at […]
The Truth Behind Bev Mo’s 5 Cent Sale
Buy one bottle, get one for 5 cents. That sounds like a great deal and an excuse to stock up, right? I hear this all the time, from consumers to students of wine. They assume they are getting deals and are shocked when I explain this reality to them. Here is an example. A nice […]
Fun, Festive & All-American Thanksgiving Wines
Enjoy any of these all-American selections with your friends and family this holiday! Sparkling 2013 Kramer Family Celebrate! Sparkling Muller-Thurgau Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Oregon$22, 89 points – This dry, charming bubbly with notes of pineapple, guava, lemon, and violet candy from an esoteric grape is ideal for guests to sip on while waiting for […]
Just in Time for #TempranilloDay – Four from Spain
Planet Grape Wine Review – 2008 Bordon Rioja Reserva Spain $18 This elegant blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha and 5% Mazuelo is traditional Rioja at its best – understated, earthy, slightly tannic, and ideal for slow braised Lamb shanks or Lentil Dal. 94 – 2011 Bodega Balbas “18” Ribera del Duero Crianza Spain $15 […]
Post Election Day Pinots
Now that Election Day and Halloween are over, sit back, relax, and enjoy a big, bowl-shaped glass of one of these saucy sirens: – 2013 Argus Pinot Noir Napa Valley Carneros California $42 Ben and Jerry Cherry Garcia bombshell. Rich, silky palate. 98 – 2012 Frank Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Carneros California $35 Sweet ripe […]
Midnight Red and Berry Vodka for Haunted House Party
Happy Halloween! Looking for that something special to serve at your Haunted House Party? We’ve unearthed these two devilish delights to get your spirits lifted: – 2013 Menage a Trois MIDNIGHT Dark Red Blend California $14.99 A deeply fruity, silky, smooth and ripe, almost port-like red wine. – Menage a Trois Berry Vodka […]
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