What can you say about an excellently turned out Chardonnay? am sitting at a table in the elegant Lambs Club with Mr. Jose Antonio Galante, Chief Winemaker at Salentein Family of Wines. Mr. Galante has an extensive history as a winemaker, having started at Catena Zapata which is credited for the currant quality and popularity of Argentine wine. MORE >>

The most recent newsletter from Marcasin (pdf), written by owner Helen Turley and husband John Wetlaufer, makes for fascinating reading. Consider some of the tidbits. Readers learn: * They are avid observers of golf. Robert Parker tasted the wines with winemaker Helen Turley. Robert Parker loved them! More than La Tache 2006! 97 points. 79 points. MORE >>

Wine can have a savory taste, I've experienced it countless times. It is not specific to a grape variety, I find, more to certain places and techniques of wine making. For example, Jura wines, some red and almost every white have a certain umami taste to me. And most Sherries aged under flor. Many Champagnes too. Is there glutamate in wine? MORE >>

Very interesting article by Paul Franson in the Napa 'valley Register about wineries creating more 'second wines' to sell to people who can no longer afford to pay very high prices for icon wines. The grapes are culled from less desirable vineyard blocks, or less expensive barrels (or oak chips) may be used to keep the prices down. MORE >>

I posted this article a few hours ago and been told by Pam & Shirley that I have my dates confused about last year and that I am beginning to show my age, after all the memory does go first. was quietly informed that it was last year Shirley and I attend the Festival in the rain and not '09. really did not have to delete that much of the post. MORE >>