Many geologists object to two things: misusing “minerality&# and being misquoted. Site reader and distributor Damien Casten sent in an AP story (with no byline) yesterday entitled “Geologists debunk soil impact on wine at Ore. The Oregon event was a special session at the annual conference of the Geological Society of America. MORE >>

This weekend I had the opportunity to try a GREAT Zinfandel at Eric & Deborah Guido’s Celebration of Autumn: Shades of Red dinner and wine pairing. ll go into detail in another post about the whole night, but first I’d like to tout my favorite wine of the day. Eric and Deb found this gem on their last trip to Pride Mountain Vineyards in Napa. MORE >>

Here is a bottle that represents a lot of what I love about wine from the Loire Valley. It is absolutely delicious and easy to drink, although there is some complexity here too, it is robust and flavorful, but it compliments instead of overwhelms your dinner, and it has a definite sense of place, or terroir. And it is inexpensive, too - under $20. MORE >>

Halloween is a mere two days away and excitement is building around the Dr. Vino World Headquarters: for the kids, they’re after the candy; for me, I can’t wait to take down all the skeletons, ghosts and goblin decorations. Or is it impossible ?!? source blog Dr. Vino. MORE >>

More from last weekend's Shades of Red dinner and wine pairing, this Gigondas (100% Grenache) was paired with the first course of Pumpkin Risotto. From the Southern Rhone and looking in the glass like it was poured from an inkwell. Then onto the palate with big, contrasting flavors of gamey meats, black pepper, tea and black cherries. 50 retail. MORE >>