Wines by Region
Fun and obscure: Spain’s mencia grape, Bierzo region, and Descendientes de J. Palacios “Petalos” wine
Spanish wines continue to amaze me. After six beautiful weeks traveling the country, I still was not ready to leave the land of cava, sherry, garnacha, and crianza. Thankfully, the global wine world still makes it possible for gorgeous Spanish wines to be delivered to my door (or, in this case, to the door … Continue reading
Understanding the French wine classification system Appellation d’Origine Controlée (AOC)
Part of understanding a country’s wine is understanding how the country controls (and therefore labels) its wine production. Perhaps the best place to begin is the system that many modern wine wine governances are modeled after: France’s Appellation d’Origine Controlée (AOC). Appellation d’Origine Controlee Definition and Purpose The term appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) means “controlled … Continue reading
Altocedro Malbec 2007
I love when food or wine brings back a vivid memory of the past. Such was the case with the Altocedro Malbec: one sniff, and I was instantly back in Argentina, sipping wine at 0800-Vino, or on our beautiful terrace, or at a bodega in Mendoza. What a wonderful six months of our lives! Argentina’s … Continue reading
An unconventional Puglian grape: Negroamaro
Just when I think I’ve learned a thing or two about Italian wines from my five months in this country, I venture into a new region and am reminded how many grapes this country produces, and how little I know. Such was the case during my recent three weeks in Puglia: the “heel” of the … Continue reading
Opolo Vineyards 2010 Mountain Zinfandel
I love it when a Zinfandel is done right. Opolo hit a hole-in-one with this wine. Perhaps I should clarify when I mean when I say a Zinfandel is “done right”. Wine, like most other markets, tends to become saturated by whatever grape is the latest craze. Not long ago, it was Zinfandel. Once customers … Continue reading
Il Conte d’Alba Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: the PERFECT Sunday brunch wine. I’ll be honest, I’m not really a sweet wine person. Except Vin Santo. Or a really good Sagrantino passito. Or an occasional sweeter Torrontes. Or a good Double Cream Sherry… oh, ok, turns out, I AM a sweet wine lover. But THIS wine … Continue reading
Olivier Leflaive “Les Setilles” Bourgogne 2009
I once had a complicated relationship with white wines. While most wine drinkers start on white wines and then ease into tannic reds, I ventured full-steam-ahead into the land of red wines, falling in love with–of all varietals–Petite Sirah. Don’t ask me how or why my first favorite red wine became one of the most … Continue reading
Campogiovanni Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2009
I might as well come clean at the beginning: I purchased this wine by mistake. I often preach about how “simple” Italian wine labels are if you learn how to decipher them, but the truth is, even after spending three months traveling through Italy and sampling the wines of its many regions, I still get … Continue reading
Zonin Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2009
Truth be told: I opened this bottle to cook with it. Truth be told: I did cook with it… at least, with half of the bottle… and the husband and I happily drank the rest. The Zonin Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is probably one of the best buys I have come across since moving back to the … Continue reading
Brutocao Family Vineyards Uber Tuscan 2008
Mom bought this bottle during a recent trip to Hopland and gifted it to me for my birthday. I was so eager to open it! Having never been to Hopland (and having heard so many of her stories enjoying the area during the region’s Passport weekend), I was so excited to try one of the … Continue reading