Further, the “relatively recent” California wines that were to indicated to pass off as older Bordeaux and Burgundy have not been named. Rudy Kurniawan, aka “Dr. Conti” aka “Mr. 47,” was indicted on four counts of counterfeiting, mail fraud and wire fraud in federal court yesterday. in March.

The conversation there shifted to the topic of whether Antonio Galloni should have attended an importer’s lavish dinner in the company of producers from Burgundy, California, and Italy whose wines he reviews as well as some big-time collectors, including a member of the Forbes billionaire list. ”). “ wine writing

” with the latest piece on the pot wine phenomenon in California. SIPPED: Jesus as store manager in the image above? LARGELY SPIT: Bordeaux 11. DrinksBusiness.com ]. SIPPED, NOT SMOKED : Mike Steinberger answers the question “what was HE smoking?!?” DailyBeast ]. JancisRobinson.com ]. tasting sized pours

Some ripe peach … the flavors are not overoaked or over-vanilla’d like some California wines. “What are those curious birds!” I can’t help but ask, as we tour the vineyard of Bodega Bouza in Uruguay. My guides are Eduardo Boido, winemaker and Cristina Santoro, who manages PR and communications. They will be vinified here to start. Merlot 09.

The wine was a California Dry Creek Valley Zin from The Other Guys (TOG). The Other Guys (TOG) is the next page in the 100-year history of one of California’s oldest wine families. California Dry Creek Valley ZinfandelWhile wine shopping a couple of weeks ago, I came across a wine with a very unique enclosure.

California Petite Sirah ZinfandelA few weeks ago, while out shopping, I passed by a local wine shop that I haven't been to in quite a few years. That day they were featuring Bogle wines, so I picked up a 2008 Petite Sirah( $9 ) and a 2009 Old Vine Zin( $10 ). The '08 Petite Sirah was a little tamer with a little more fruit aroma and taste.

Wine importer Bobby Kacher ” “ The dearth of recommendable California wines under $12 “ wine writingGawker ran a piece recently that rips into the idea that the “one percent” don’t have enough money to live on. Assuming the answer is pretty often, then are wine columnists writing for the one percent?

From organic vineyards in Carneros, Napa, California, light ruby colors with red fruit, jammy and gamey aromas while the palate holds spicy cinnamon, black cherry, raspberry and hints of toasty oak with smooth texture and nice finish. Here are the numbers: $35, 14.2% alcohol and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Fast forward almost 2 years and I'm finally tasting the fruits of his noble effort, a Pinot Noir made from California grapes. Back in April of 2010 my friend's Justin did exactly what he said he would do. Make wine. That's right, he's making wine in the bathtub of his 475 square foot apartment in NYC's East Harlem. I'm impressed!

2009 Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille ( about $80 ) USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley. 2007 Iron Horse Vineyards Russian Cuvée ( about $30 ) USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley. Sure enough, Eric posted the wines served, complete with tasting notes. For the full menu (pdf) , click here. Find it. Serve it.

After highlighting some up-and-coming producers, it would be appropriate to uncork some California cabernet with age, such as a top wine from the 1991 vintage, or reaching even further back to one of the gems from the 1970s. Remember the state dinner when the White House served green curry shrimp with a 15.6% and the typos!) Probably not.

The FBI arrested the man known as Rudy Kurniawan at his home in Arcadia, California yesterday on charges of selling counterfeit wine. Inside the home, the authorities found materials used for making counterfeit wine bottles. They charged him with selling $1.3 And what of the auctioneers, did they not this or did they turn a blind eye to it?

Columnist Jon Bonne tracks Tegan Passalacqua, an influential and connected vineyard scout, as he scours remote vineyards in Northern California. SPIT: bottles of DRC. SIPPED: the power of the internet; credit card return policies? For background on the consigner, see winediarst. For tweets from the room, see @Pigeage. SIPPED: punishment.

We have discussed California’s value challenge before several times. The French have a wine term that doesn’t translate. No, it’s not terroir. It’s vin de soif. wine that’s thirst-quenching is a fun drink that accompanies food or a moment but doesn’t dominate them. It’s lowish in alcohol and in price.

Fabulous evening with Bob Pepi, wine consultant and founder of the Eponymous brand of California Reds. Bob's father bought land in Napa in 1966, grew grapes, and acquired some of the best vineyards in the Napa Valley. Wine Spectator called Bob's first Cabernet Sauvignon "a Cellar Selection.". with their ripe, meaty flavors.

Sourced from vineyards in the Central Coast region, Cupcake Vineyards brings this California Merlot to the table for a mere $10 price tag but it's definitely worth way more. Supple tannins but smooth and attractive with a matching finish. Really like this as an every day Merlot.

Of course, any wine opened on this day will be from New York, after all they are playing against a team from California, which made the wine choice very easy. I like football (i.e. American Football) almost as much as Major League Baseball and NCAA Basketball. little iffy with the aromas. Found the wine locally for $ 14. Go Giants!

He is a mega-star and having him talking about his new wine from California is not just good for California wine, it’s good for all of wine in China. Who wields the most influence on wine in China? As the year of the dragon kicks off soon, I put this question to various China insiders. The mainland market is quite fragmented.

For example, let's pretend I have just poured you a glass of 2006 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir from California. It gives spectacular results in California and Oregon, USA, and is currently developing well in New Zealand. Quick! Wine, of course. Well done!" Le Nez du Vin ," she whispered. What is Le Nez du Vin , you ask? What do you smell?"

Noel Bairey Merz, MD, director of the Women’s Heart Center, director of the Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center and the Women’s Guild Chair in Women’s Health, as well as researchers from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and Hartford Hospital in Connecticut LOS ANGELES (Jan. Switching may shift your risk.”

Will Yao Ming’s small production wine boost all of California wine in China? The Mayans forecast a cataclysmic finish for 2012. My crystal wine glasses are not as clear, so instead of forecasts, I ask twenty questions relevant to the wine world in 2012. Will dogmatism die? ” Will prices of European wines fall if the euro weakens?

An unexpectedly good red California wine for $13 a bottle (An on line search may get you closer to $11, but you'll have to do your homework). For over three decades, Liberty School has been among the best values in California wine. That’s what this Liberty School 2008 Cab is all about.

In May of 2009 I reviewed a Chardonnay from California that I named as the best Chardonnay I have ever tasted, a Clos Du Bois Calcaire. California ZinfandelSince then I have treated myself to some very nice red wines from that same winery. Most notably the blended Marlstone and Briarstone Cabernet Sauvignon.

Then I set up a blind tasting of two 2009 pinot noirs, each about $30, one from California and one from Burgundy. I recently tweeted that I’d be leading a tasting of hipster wines. “Will you wear a wool hat?,” ” someone asked in response. Another tweep asked if there would be any PBR on hand for afterward. wine picks

didn’t meet Simon Beck, Michael’s son and Marketing Manager, yet with his experience (studying French in Montpellier, vineyard work in California, traveling in China, a a four-year Business Science Economics Degree at the University of Cape Town) it sounds like he will continue the family tradition. Two wineries being neighborly!”. News S.

Nederburg is also famous for its auction, conceived as a platform for rare and specialty South African and today one of the top four wine auctions internationally, along with Germany’s Kloster Eberbach, France’s Hospice de Beaune and California’s Napa Valley Vintners auction. The 49 hectare winery dates back to 1791 by Phillipus Wolvaart.

It is very quaint, very wine-centric and in some ways similar to the restaurant where I was introduced to Robert Mondavi in California’s Napa Valley, a place frequented by local winemakers. "So here i am, at Ken Forrester's 96 Winery Road restaurant in South Africa!". Africa for many decades. During my recent trip to S. 96 Winery Road.

spokesperson for the Wine Institute in California said , “I don’t think the levels that are approved for use in wine in the EU and Australia will give that laxative effect.” Australian wines have gained huge market share over the past few decades. But nobody has accused them of dumping. Until now. ” winemaking

While Galloni had only been to California and Burgundy twice before assuming his coverage of those areas, it’s not immediately clear if Martin, in particular, has been ever been to and tasted in the regions of his new assignment. He was an importer of German wines. He will add Oregon and Washington to this list. wine writing

Really delicious wine - very pleasantly surprised by the intense red cherry high notes and refreshing, lightweight texture of this wine which resembled a top cru Burgundy more than a heavy, saturated California Zinfandel. Curious about what wine to bring for Thanksgiving dinner? Suavia Soave Clasico DOC 2009 Veneto, Italy. Very mineral rich!"

Senior account executive (PR) , California Direct Sales Manager for an import portfolio, assistant cellarmaster internship at BALTHAZAR, executive assistant to the CEO at Acker Merrall , and more! SIPPED: Bordeaux brands. How big is your brand extension? Decanter.com ]. Oh my cot! SIPPED: diversity. SFGate ]. SIPPED: Beaujolais.

The wines were from California, Italy, France and New Zealand. Chateau Julien Gewurztraminer 2010 Carmel Valley, California Light golden colors, clean citrus notes of grapefruit, flowers, honey and jolly rancher green apple, the mild and simple palate shows spice and nice acidity. Great deal at $10. Nice long layered finish. SRP $40.

Have you ever said, “I cannot wait to get home and pop open a bottle of red California Trousseau!” Assuming the wines are done well, I think the expansion of grape varieties beyond the Big Six is potentially one of the most exciting stories to come out of California, nay, all of America. But maybe you should? American win

22 from Mendocino Ridge, and often asks him to bring over a case of the "22" when he is flying from California to France. The collection included sparklers, chardonnay, pinot noir, and a cabernet sauvignon, all named with numbers that had key significance for Jean-Charles. For example, the JCB No.

Developed in France, the first Flash-Détente machines arrived in California in 2009. Helena resident John Gillespie tweeted the other day: “Trade and consumer alert – bad harvest weather in CA meant lots of grapes (Napa Cabs included) went through “flash détente” machines.” winemaking

The California Alcohol and Beverage Control has issued new regulations on “third-party” marketing and advertising of wine. SIPPED: nap time. James Suckling tweets this picture and comment from Hong Kong: “Surreal picture of Bob Parker and @jancisrobinson at #wfhk11.” ” [ Yfrog ]. SIPPED: restaurant advice. CNN ].

Naturally we all had a lot of questions for Mr. Basset, and two of the most interesting discussions revolved around California wine and how sommeliers should handle a "corked wine" situation. The majority of the sommeliers, however, felt that for the price of the California chard they could have bought a killer white Burgundy.

Gran Classico is imported by the California company Tempus Fugit , and is well worth a special search. Have you heard of Gran Classico ? If you are a cocktail devotee you probably have. hadn't heard of until recently, and it is a new love. For one, Gran Classico is a more complex drink, both on the nose and on the palate. Enticing, no?

The first to guess right, wins a gold star, California Grand Cru edition! A site reader sent in this photo from his travels suggesting that we could play our favorite game, “where in the wine world are we?” ” So, take a gander at the photo to the right and hit the comments with your thoughts as to where the reader was.

We went to California for wine instead of gold!" Bob Iantosca, Executive Winemaker. said Freixenet CE0 Pedro Ferrer, here with his wife Begonia and other key executives in New York to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine brand from Sonoma. can read here, and Jose set up Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma in 1982.

Perhaps Matthews could; he is apparently a vintner in Virginia but this wine is something different from California.). What do Motörhead , AC/DC , Whitesnake , the Rolling Stones , and Dave Matthews have in common? Sadly, none of them could probably identify the vineyards used for making said wines. You like Motörhead? Or the Bob Marley wine.

Unprecedented Coalition of International Wine Regions Joined By Notable Chefs in Effort to Protect Wine Place Names NEW YORK - October 19, 2011 - Leadership from 15 of the world's premier wine regions came together along with renowned chefs from around the globe to call on policymakers to heed growing consumer demand for wine truth-in-labeling.

New for the 2009 vintage: Sea Smoke of Santa Barbara is putting “California Grand Cru” on the label. Needless to say, there is no codified “cru” system of California. The labels previously read “Santa Barbara County California.” The term is pure marketing. ” American wine

That's the other 47 wine producing States, excluding California, Washington and Oregon. Sunday October 9th kicked off the fourth annual Regional Wine Week, an event started in 2008 by Jeff Siegel ( The Wine Curmudgeon ) and Dave McIntyre ( Dave McIntyre's WineLine ) and hosted by DrinkLocalWine.com. Lots of fruit aromas and flavors.

But the list raised questions for Ray Isle of Food & Wine, since he tweeted: The lack of California wines is understandable for a couple of reasons. Yes, California makes a lot of wine and much of it is under $12. The New York Times magazine ran an infographic on Sunday that compiled the picks of 18 wine industry types.

Today it will be a 2009 old vine Zinfandel from Baus Family Vineyards in Sonoma County California. California ZinfandelIt's been a lazy Sunday afternoon, watching NFL games and Nascar while waiting for playoff game two between the St. Louis Cardinals and my Phillies. The Baus Vineyards produce two Zins. Not a good move.

But Pablo saw the similarities to Carneros California, and took the calculated risk. Pablo Morande first planted vines in Casablanca Chile in 1982 where he introduced Chardonnay, Riesling and in 1986 the first Sauvignon Blanc. He did this in a time and place where no one would have believed he would succeed. The rest is history. alcohol.

Do you recall the California gold rush from your fourth grade history class? At the time, people from all over the world headed to Northern California to make it big. Today, Argentina is the "new California" and the new "gold" are vineyards planted in regions with the right soil, exposure, and access to water to assure quality wine.

Sometimes these spoof wine videos come in waves–remember the animated wine trade videos ? Now, the meme of the moment appears to be “Hitler yelling” videos, such as the one we saw recently. little “inside baseball,” but pretty scathing and some good LOLz to start your day. American wine

With wineries in San Ynez, California considered old at twenty, a 650-year-old winery seems very ancient indeed. Very excited to visit Schloss Schonborn again this week as a student in the Masters of Wine education program. remember being very impressed by the Schloss and our host Peter Barth, technical director. Weingut Schloss Schönborn.

Due to the similarities of several of his favorite wine regions in France, it was California’s. Bernard Portet on left, his son Olivier center, and guest at right. So fun to catch up with Bernard Portet today over his new Heritance Wines at Apiary, a fun restaurant in New York. More About Bernard Portet. Napa Valley that inspired him.

Cesar Baeza of Brotherhood, also a producer of a sparkling wine, exuded charm and reminded our group that Brotherhood was making "champagne" (they are allowed to say this on the label) since before California was part of the United States! Matt Spaccarelli of Benmarl. Do you live in NYC? Michael Migliore – Whitecliff Vineyard.

Tonight I went to a rather fun party in the West Village where a lively young crowd were celebrating the newly launched Borracha Wine Wipes with red wines from Deep Sea wines from California's Rancho Arroyo Grande. So there you are, at your favorite club or restaurant, sipping red wine and suddenly you spot someone you know!

Sour Grapes: Why is there no such thing as a good, low-priced California wine? Mike Steinberger tweeted that along with the layoffs announced yesterday at Slate , his wine column also fell victim the budgetary ax. Fortunately, his writing will continue on his blog, WineDiarist.com. Who will ever forget his takedown of Sauvignon blanc?

Bruce Stephens is the CEO of Wine Bottle Renew, a California startup that washes and reuses wine bottles profiled in today’s Wall Street Journal. Chief Bottle Washer: the title is no longer just a punchline. “You take a bottle and you empty the bottle, and my God, why would that only be a one-time bottle?&#

did pass on a few nice California reds though and stayed with the Finger Lakes and a Salmon Run Meritage 2008 ( $11 ), a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 39.5% Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change. Seemed to be stuck on Finger Lakes white wines all summer. Merlot.

The list thus draws not only on places like the Jura or Montlouis but also California, New York and Bordeaux. Any restaurant that (a) has a credo; (b) has a credo in Latin; and (c) has a credo that relates to health is on a mission. So, which wine do you pair with nutritious gastronomy that favors local and rejoices in natural? Rouge Tomate.

The story opens as Feiring is presented with the opportunity of making her own natural wine in California, as in the past she had blasted the state for wine that is “overripe, over-manipulated, and overblown.” And with that statement, the California winemaker reveals the crux of the natural wine controversy. Reviewed by Marisa D'Vari.

I asked the Advocate’s new Burgundy critic Galloni what he was going to do try to recapture that; Galloni will also review California wines for the publication and it will be interesting to see his opinions of Marcassin.) Consider some of the tidbits. Readers learn: * They are avid observers of golf. Robert Parker loved them! 97 points.

Some snapshots: “French wine&# had one aisle and “Italian wine&# had just a half; Loire wines were patchy; Beaujolais was entirely from one negociant and Burgundy was more negociant-driven than domaine; California was by and large a snoozefest. Or was it a dreary place, with low inventory, poor selection, surly or ignorant staff?

The talented group includes winemakers from California, Australia, France and Germany. Still blistering hot and still uncorking some nice Finger Lakes wines to help deal with the heat and still dining on summer salads, but added some corn on the cob to change it up a notch, I guess. am just interested in the cold wine.

Tonight I am getting a head start with a very nice Merlot from one of my favorite California wineries, Concannon Vineyards. California red wine merlotIt's been a lot of fun traveling the world through wine this past month. This is something I wanted to do for the year and I will continue as long as I can find the wines.

In the context of a discussion about how 2001 California wines are tasting ten years on, he posted on his web site’s discussion board that synthetic cork producers would have “serious liability issues&# if the closure is the cause of the “failure&# of a ten-year old wine. Robert Parker suggests so. wine writing

Come to think of it, California sparkling wine doesn’t have a category name. The mere thought of “English wine&# may sound like an oxymoron. But 400 vineyards now produce grapes for wine, much of it sparkling. Should British bubbly be called anything other than “English sparkling wine&# ? What do you think? winespeak

I always relish the rare opportunity to taste a California wine from the 1970s, the era before rising temperatures and fruit bombs. The wine was made by the venerable Andre Tchelistcheff, the “dean&# of California winemakers of his day. But in 1938, he returned with Andre Tchelistcheff, a Russian refugee as winemaker.

As you may know, coastal regions in California are considered 'cool climate,' and 'cool climate' wines are premium quality. Jim Collins. Today Mr. Collins was visiting NYC and we had a chance to meet and taste some 08s and 09s, which are currently now in supermarkets, wine stores, and restaurants throughout the country. Salute!

The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. Saul had his conversion on the road to Damascus. Wells Guthrie had his conversion on the road home from Burgundy. Thus he decided to change his style.

He's also a wine lover, but his cellar is full of current California Cabernet and modern day wine from Bordeaux. Not saying that I should spend more time with California wine, or give the Aussie Shiraz a fair shake. California TurleyThe other night a good friend of mine came over for dinner.

But the late bloom did at least avert the storms of late May and early June that may have caused “shatter&# in some other, warmer Northern California areas that had already had bloom. Last Thursday, I stopped by Hirsch Vineyards where Jasmine Hirsch told me that flowering was the second latest–and the latest was just last year.

Deep rose color. Predominantly bacon fat on the nose. Big palate with considerable soft tannin, orange peel/citrus, bright on the finish with lingering. Hard to put my finger on. Tastes like lingering redcurrants. Purchased at Whole Foods; worth checking out. stars USA 2009 napa

The apples are from Maryland, the raisins from California and the. Last night the Obamas played host to Angela Merkel for a “State Dinner&# (even though she is the head of government, not state–gasp!) in the Rose Garden. The meal included a salad from the White House vegetable garden; the full menu follows below. June 7, 2011.

Rhys Vineyards has vineyards in more of the marginal weather areas of California and therefore is rightfully weather-obsessed, so their Twitter feed is an excellent source of weather info. And after California’s cool and damp 2010 vintage, the “high-octane,&# “fruit-bomb&# style is taking it from all sides these days.

Free, Christobal (a trained enologist) left his homeland to learn about winemaking in some of the most famousvineyards in the world, including Bordeaux, France (at Chateau Margaux in 2002),Barossa Valley, Australia (Rosemont Estates, also in 2002) and Napa Valley, California(Franciscan Estates in 2001). Koyle Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

You won't spend more than $40 on recent vintages, and that's a pretty good deal for what I would say is among the very finest California Chardonnay. During the past two months I had the chance to drink some very special wines, mostly thanks to the generosity of friends, but since I took a bit of a break from writing, I haven't shared a lot.

premium winery in the Napa Valley that makes limited quantities of premium varietals that blend classic French wine making characterstics with California fruit. So you know all about the e-auction that opens May 29, 2011 in alignment with the Auction Napa Valley 2011, yes? Today the focus is on Signorello Estates. The critics love the wines.

What a surprise to find it was a sparkling wine from California!". Communications Director Thibaut Le Mailloux (with champagne). I was on an airline flight in business class," a woman once told me, "and when she offered Champagne, I expected the real thing. Viva la Difference. Feast of Vintages. After all, the brand speaks volumes.

Au Bon Climat 2008 California Isabelle Pinot Noir. Joshua Greene with Movia owner/winemaker pointing. topic: natural wine movement. Wow, talk about a wine education! While everyone else was enjoying the delicious wine at the Top of the List Tasting, I was attending three fabulous seminars with the luminaries in the wine world.

Bloomberg analyzes the impact on California wine of the recent changes at the Wine Advocate. SIPPED and SPIT: journalists at sommelier competitions. Alan Richman participated in several events of the Best Sommelier in America contest. Oh, and the last graf reveas that Alexander Lapratt od db Bistro Moderne was the winner. SPIT: corks.

It was so nice to see winemakers we met in the Rhone Valley during "Discover Rhone" and meet new winemaker friends from Paso Robles, Australia, and Rhone style wine producers all around California. What a fabulous experience being at Hospice du Rhone 2011 (HdR2011). Stay tuned for auction results in this post. News hospice du rhone 2011

So in addition to French producers and California producers today's seminar focus on High Noon winery, established in 1976, by the Noon family of McLaren Vale. Drew Noon takes the podium, showing videos that explain the area's terroir and winemaking techniques. McLaren Vale is an area with very complex soil. 1 is rose from 2010. alcohol.

Paso Robles, California USA. Restaurant located in San Luis Obispo, California. of this international street faire you will delight in the delectable cuisine of Chef Clark Staub from Full of Life Flatbread hailing from Los Alamos, California. Very excited to be here in Paso Robles for 19th Annual Hospice du Rhone! with fish ).

This week’s facilitator of the course is David Metcalf from MetilLab in California, US. "Let's come up with ideas to relief some of the harsh situations people around the world are facing!", this simple motivational sentence was launched at the MobiMOOC course. How can we make this beautiful globe a better place while using mobile technology?

Some notable tidbits from the conversation is that the elevation of Ribera del Duero is much higher than California, thus ensuring ripe grapes with good acidity, and that red wine should be served cooler (55 to 58 F) rather than too warm. Luis E. Garcia Sales Executive, and Sandra & Sandra. So is this a modern style. or traditional?"

Style Note: Very well balanced California Chardonnay with very balanced fruit, acid, tannin, and just enough oak to make it delicious and substantial enough to pair with fish prepared in many different ways. Bodegas Roda Reserva 2006. color: medium + intensity/opaque with garnet miniscus. Drink now to 2025. purple color, medium translucencey.

The other week, the Wine Media Guild of New York hosted a luncheon to showcase a number of California’s Centenary Wineries. wine events Wine Reviews California's Centenary Wineries Charles Krug Robert Mondavi Simi Reserve Wine Media Guild of New York

Cabernet Sauvignon California syrahAfter a few beer nights, I finally was able to open, taste and drink two remaining red wines I have received from Cinnabar Winery; the 2008 Sextant Vineyards Syrah and the 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon. Like all the Cinnabar wines, color was very dark. very, very nice Syrah.

This California wine used grapes from Paso Robles, Lodi, Lake Country and Monterey County. California red blendTonight was one of them nights when Shirley did not feel like cooking, I was not hungry and the NCAA Basketball National Championship was being played. game I have not missed in 38 years. Great way to end the night.

Recently I received a few samples from Cinnabar Winery in the Paso Robles region of California. California Zinfandel red blendNot being a wine connoisseur, I love it when I open a new wine and just fall in love with what I found or what, in this case, was sent to me for tasting. little smoke and a lot of fruit on the nose.

Tastings California Fugedaboudit Chateau Simone Austria Equipo NavazosA lot of people don't like blind tasting, but I enjoy it a lot. The point for me is not to try to guess the wine, although that is fun and definitely a part of the learning experience. But still, it's good to check in on these things from time to time. It's good fun.

News california chardonnay evan goldsmith greg la follette pinot noirGreg La Follette of La Follette Wines. Porterhouse was the elegant venue for a tutored tasting of La Follette wine lead by winemaker Greg La Follette (formerly of Flowers, de Loach) who recently launched a new winery last year called La Follette. scallops.

Very excited to attend this fabulous fun filled weekend and see how California compares! I am so excited to be visiting Paso Robles and attending the Hospice du Rhone this year! For more information, click here. rhone. News hospice du rhone Paso Robles

tasted none of the Jenny and François Languedoc wines, almost none of the Rhône wines, none of their interesting Bordeaux selections, nothing from Italy, not one of Tony Coturri's California wines, etc. I stopped into the Jenny and François spring portfolio tasting the other day to taste some of the new releases. very solid producer.

From Carneros, California and sustainably farmed, comprised of a blend of various blocks on The Donum Estate encompassing Dijon, Martini, Roderer, Calera, Hanzell and Swan. Intensely flavored and tied to the earth accented with spice, and a good long finish.

The moves notably included promoting Antonio Galloni to a greater role, as Galloni took over reviewing California wines from Parker himself as well as adding coverage of Burgundy (ex-Beaujolais) to his beat that already included Champagne and all of Italy. Which California wines excite you the most? His unedited replies follow below.

From the Amador County, appearance is clear with medium intensity and garnet ruby colors. On the nose a clean and wonderful intensity, with ample aromas of black cherry, cassis, a defined ripeness, coconut, vanilla and green peppers. Dry on the palate with medium acidity, medium tannins, fuller body, pronounced flavor and a long finish. alcohol

The Show is a big, rich, deep Cabernet, although according to the website there are also small quantities of Merlot for softness, Cabernet Franc for earthiness and acidity, and even Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot to give it a deep ruby color. all aged in French and American oak. Big is the key descriptor here. Good bang for the buck.

little later, I met in person Faith Wells from Hospices Du Rhone in California - I am going there for their April festivities. So here I am in Ampuis at the "Discover Rhone" festival that happens only every two years. The wines this first day are from Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. textier. The first booth I stopped t was M. Next was E.

Just days before Paul Darcy, of Darcy and Huber Selections, left New York for Southern California, I caught up with him to catch a few words on Gemischter Satz and wines from Vienna. So, what inspired the inception of Darcy & Huber Wines, and how did you come to represent the wines of Vienna? We [.].

California red wine Petite SirahLast year I reviewed a 2007 Petite Sirah from Concannon Vineyard , so I was delighted to recently receive the 2008 vintage. The Petite Sirah is one of three red wines I have began to appreciate much more over the past year and this would be my first one of this vinatge. The color was a very dark purple.

Robert Parker has announced editorial changes at the Wine Advocate, including the fact that he will no longer be reviewing the wines of California. SIPPED: baton passing. Antonio Galloni will assume those duties and add the Cote d’Or and Chablis to his bailiwick that already includes all of Italy and Champagne. SPIT: recession. billion.