They grapes will include Pinot Noir and Riesling. 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. It is currently five hectares and they plan for 15 hectares. Albarino 2011.

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.

pinot noir. 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. American wine

For example, let's pretend I have just poured you a glass of 2006 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir from California. You would pick up the book, look up Pinot Noir (found on page 32), and read the following: Pinot Noir. The best Pinot wines are a startling ruby red. Quick! Wine, of course. Well done!"

Allow me to geek out: This particular blanc de noirs comes from pinot noir in his father’s vineyard, hand-harvested at low (for Champagne) yields of three tons per acre, all from the 2008 vintage, fermented with indigenous yeasts and then rests on the lees for 16 months, and is bottled with no dosage! What can you do?

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.

The collection included sparklers, chardonnay, pinot noir, and a cabernet sauvignon, all named with numbers that had key significance for Jean-Charles. 7, my favorite Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast, was named for the moment he had his first taste of wine. For example, the JCB No.

We went to California for wine instead of gold!" Over a multi course lunch guests tried many of the library wines, including the Gloria Ferrer 25th anniversary Cuvee, the 2000 Carneros Cuvee, the Pinot Noir 2008, and many others. Bob Iantosca, Executive Winemaker. can read here, and Jose set up Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma in 1982.

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

But Pablo saw the similarities to Carneros California, and took the calculated risk. Emiliana Gran Reserva Novas Pinot Noir 2010 The first Vineyard to go organic, sustainable and biodynamic, Emiliana produces this expressive Pinot Noir. Outstanding Pinot Noir for the $22 pricetag The rest is history.

With wineries in San Ynez, California considered old at twenty, a 650-year-old winery seems very ancient indeed. The remaining vineyards feature Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc. Very excited to visit Schloss Schonborn again this week as a student in the Masters of Wine education program. Weingut Schloss Schönborn. Hauptstr.

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!

Really, if this is really one of America’s best pinots, why just stand on your own accomplishments and not lash out at Burgundy? Of course, whether Marcassin is, in fact, one of America’s best pinot noirs is highly debatable. Consider some of the tidbits. Readers learn: * They are avid observers of golf. 97 points.

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. He tasted the pinot noirs and syrahs he had been making since starting his own label, Copain Wines , in 1999.

would be inclined to a young and fruity pinot noir to go with the tuna and outdoor dining; maybe a 2008 from Oregon? 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!)

Beaux Frères 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Flowers 2009 Sonoma Coast Camp Meeting Ridge Block 2 Pinot Noir. Flowers 2009 Sonoma Coast Sea View Ridge Block 33 Pinot Noir. West Coast Pinot Noir Stars: A Perspective on Pinot Noir. topic: natural wine movement.

The morning began with an introduction by vivacious Master Sommelier Evan Goldsmith -- and then a tasting of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from his collection of site-specific bottlings from Sonoma and Mendocino counties ($30-$60 SRP). News california chardonnay evan goldsmith greg la follette pinot noirscallops.

think this version is based on 2007 and it is a blended rosé made with 20% of still Pinot Noir. 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. 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.

2007 Dierberg Chardonnay (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley). Style note: Racy acidity cuts nicely through the delicous sweet golden butter of this California chard. Many characteristics of Burgundy (Meursault) in terms of the warmth, richness, yet also California style in terms of its expression. 26 views).

This is because the wine is from a place that actually favors and specializes in Pinot Noir, not Chardonnay. This past weekend I participated in one of the greatest wine events of my life. Neal Rosenthal and his wife Kerry Madigan made lunch for a group of people and opened a slew of wines to share. This was not a business lunch.

Another winner recommended by Carolina at The Wine Room of Forest Hills for about $12 a bottle, not bad for a Pinot Noir, 13.5% alcohol

This California Pinot Noir shows fresh aromas of green pepper, wild strawberry, cranberry, green olive, bacon, tar and varnish, with ripe berry flavors. very decent $13.99 pricetag and a screwtop. Not bad at all

Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Pinot Noir 2009. With its velvet texture, nose of well sorted fresh grapes, and fresh flavors, this is a well balanced New World Pinot that can match many foods, especially salmon, pork, rare duck. Mazzocco Sonoma Petite Syrah Aguilera 2007. Macari Sauvignon Blanc 2009. Macari Riesling 2009.

So today all I knew about the below two wines (tasted blind) was that they were Pinot Noir, and one was from CA and one FR. Now you know that Pinot Noir (PN) is also made in the Loire as well as Burgundy, and now even the Languedoc. And Pinot Noir from CA can be from many AVAs in Northern California.

So tonight we had one of our first themed tastings of three Pinot Noirs. The clerk wrote that one is from California, one from Oregon, and one from Burgundy. News Wine reviews burgundy california clairborne & churchhill france henry prudhon les charmeux montinore estate oregon pinot noir

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown.

… So I just had a fabulous lunch at Avra in NYC with Nicolas Miller, whose family owns the Bien Nacido brand (Pinot Noir and Syrah) and Solomon Hills brand (Chardonnay) in Santa Maria, California. am here to taste the Bien Nacido brand of Pinot Noir and Syrah, as well as their new 2008 Solomon Hills Chardonnay.

I love it when Shirley decides to experiment in the kitchen. It either means we end up going out to dinner or I am in for a special treat. don't always know where she gets her inspiration and last night I did not see any of her cookbooks on the counter, so that means she thought about this recipe while trimming her herb garden.

The appellation was officially created in 1983, as its cool climate is excellent for creating Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a Burgundian tone of delicacy and finesse. Tags: Wine reviews 09 pinot noir Saintsbury Quick! When you think 'Carneros' what varietal comes to mind? Davis.

also liked the 2008 Pinot Noir, which was sourced from the Henry Ranch in Carneros. It was named "Best Riesling in California" for the past two years, as well as winning two gold medals - California State Fair / Best of Appellation, Winemaker Challenge. Brooks Painter, winemaker. Very good quality, 931 cases.

I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. was also out of bed early enough to tag along, which is unusual. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. It seems to be that the wine always is a bit different, no, a lot different than what I remembered.

Tags: box wine California Zinfandel

have since tasted a Monthaven Chardonnay (California) and this past week the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Light and fruity with little oak was not what I expected from a CA Chard.

With May and New York Riesling month coming to close soon, it is safe to say that I tasted more Riesling this month than any one year in my life. The hard part was deciding which ones I would post on the blog. After this article I will post once more on a NY Riesling and may list all those I have had. Both were opened with a BBQ chicken dinner.

This past Monday evening was a first for me on-line. Because of my work schedule and Shirley's extra long 'honey-do' list I never have the chance to do a tweet up on Twitter or follow a wine party on Facebook. You can add comments or photos or just sit back, relax, read what others are having and just sip away on your own wine.

This past weeks edition of the Syracuse New Times, a weekly alternative newspaper published in Syracuse, New York, contained an interesting article on Finger Lakes Riesling. Gary noted four wineries, one of which I vaguely remember from an article written by Evan Dawson for the New York Cork Report. Sipping later was delightful.

To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region. Doing so seemed almost impossible. Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops. Enough history.

Now that I am on the East coast and more Old World focused as a result of my (more Old World) wine studies, it is great to re-discover California wine. Winemakers, John and Helen Falcone, joined Rusack Vineyards in 2001(one of the few husband and wife winemaking teams in California).

Just finished watching the movie "Avatar" while sipping on my first Riesling of the summer. Finger Lakes Riesling of course. This month is Riesling month in New York and this will be the first of many I'll enjoy over the next 30 days. The 2008 Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling was suggested by my sister-in-law. This is now one of her favorites.

He’ll shop around the world’s best wine regions, including France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Argentina, South Africa, and California to find some very good juice in bulk that a vineyard might sell for $55 per bottle and sell it for $15. He sells directly to consumers on line thru his website and retails mainly at Costco.

Not too many decades ago, nefarious producers and negotiants used inexpensive wine from the south of France to add volume to Pinot Noir from Burgundy. and for Mr. Russel-Pinot, aged White Churchill White Port and Vintage - Grahams 1980 port. Guests at the 21 Club. Did you know that the U.S. in 2004 alone.

Recently, the wife and I have been discussing a possible trip to California next year. The past few months I have been tasting, or should I say consuming, some really fantastic California wines from many different AVA's. Tags: California Petite Sirah red wine few of the issues are for how long and where. Suggested retail is $15.

I'm leaving Chile(till later) and heading over to California to try a few more Zin's. Tags: California red wine Sonoma County Zinfandel I'm starting to surprise myself with what I am finding with Zinfandel and also a bit disappointed that I wasted so many years with such a limited selection or narrow palate. Not that I am old??

The wines are sourced from preeminent and emerging wine growing regions including Monterey County; California Central Coast; Marlborough, New Zealand; Spain and Hungary. Monthaven Chardonnay is made in California's largest small-lot winery," notes Jeff. It truly delivers artisan wine, a glass at a time," says Richardson.

This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. The first two left me with mixed feelings about the wine. did enjoy this with some Muenster and Dubliner cheese. It'll be fun!!!

Beyond Ruche, they produce another eclectic varietal, Grignolino d'Asti, which is sort of like a New World fresh, fruity, Pinot Noir, meant to be drunk young and can easily pair with white fish (such as trout) with earthier elements (i.e. Chiara Ferraris. Did you know that wines from Italy are the most imported wines to the USA?

In short, Maggie's pinot noirs from Willamette Valley are not of this world. Tags: Cellar Selection Central California 2006 3 stars Oregon 2007 2008 4 stars On Monday I was fortunate to attend a lunch at Eleven Madison Park hosted by Maggie Harrison, the proprietor of Antica Terra winery in Amity, Oregon. spice?)

It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. My last review confirmed that feeling, but in a very serious attempt to expand a lazy palate I purchased a few different labels to compare. The first was disappointing.

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal. am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games. Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. Bring on the steaks!!! Wine Acidity: 5.31

Vintage: 2007 Appellation: California Vineyard Sources: Clarksburg & Lodi Harvest Date: September 10 through October 24, 2007 Release Date: March 2009 Wine pH: 3.61 Tags: California red wine Petite Syrah Think my taste buds are back. No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste. Bogle Winery 2007. Great value!!

A French court found 12 executives guilty of selling the equivalent of 18 million bottles of cheaper wine as pinot noir. The buyer was California’s E&J Gallo for their Red Bicyclette brand, which sells for about $9 a bottle. Another defense lawyer said that the wine had delivered “Pinot Noir characteristics.&#

David Hirsch poured me a sample of his 2008 “The Bohans-Dillon&# pinot noir at the recent trade tasting of his New York distributor. If you like chipotle or a peaty whisky, and you like California pinot, I predict you will love this wine! He added that people like to “drink pinot and talk terroir.&#

Wine type: Red Wine Varietal: Blend Appellation: California Acid: 67 g/100ml PH: 4.06 Tags: California red blend One of the great things about social networking is that you often get in contact with friends and classmates from a time when all was great, life was fun and we were all going to live forever. Here's what I learned.

Sometimes when you least expect it, you open what may becomes your new favorite bottle of wine. Tonight I opened one of my remaining bottles of Finger Lakes wine purchased at my last tour in December. An Atwater Estate Vineyards , Cabernet-Merlot 2007. blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Merlot. Can't do much better than that. Alcohol: 13.0%

Big break in weather today here in Central New York. Temperatures will reach about 30F. Must be the annual January thaw! To celebrate I figured to open one of my usually reserved for warm weather whites. My choice is one that was recently purchased at Lakewood Vineyards on Seneca Lake at the December 'Deck the Halls" event. 2007 Riesling.

Tags: California red wine Mendocino County Zinfandel organic

Italian wines only in my rack until I discovered Rioja and Bordeaux and California Cab/Sauvs. In the late 90's I added Pinot Grigio and Voigner to my limited white wine list. What an exciting year this has been for Why Wine Blog and for me personally in my quest to further my knowledge of wine. was afraid to open them.

Syrah has always been one to those wines I could take or leave it. Almost all that I had ever tasted were the Shiraz from Australia. While visiting Damiani Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake this past spring I tasted an excellent Syrah and I was sold. From that day on I was a fan. enjoyed the Syrah with Shirley's three bean chili.

Fred Franzia : The California-based creator of Two Buck Chuck, which debuted in 2002, believes that no wine should sell for more than $10 a bottle. Paul Giamatti : played role of Miles in Sideways (2004); crushed the fortunes of Merlot with a single line while the film boosted interest in Pinot Noir. Now it’s voting time!

This has been one fantastic year of enlightenment for me when it comes to all things wine. Believe I may do a year end article on the subject. If I do, I will have to include the German grape, Dornfelder as one of the highlights. Dornfelder is a cross between Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe grapes. It is the 3rd most planted red wine grape in Germany.

believe this is my first from the Paso Robles' region of California. A4C has released three wines from Central Coast California: a Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon California red wine Paso Robles Zinfandel Now Cabs I have no problem with.

11.99 **Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) 2008 Beaujolais Chardonnay Your guests will fall in love with you, even the california drinkers. 12.99 **Chaumont, Guy 2005 Bourgogne Pinot Noir I'm afraid to tell you about this. The one everyone has been waiting for, party wines from Chambers Street Wines, my home away from home. Lovely.

From the website, "Laurène is our flagship wine, and is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the family's estate in the Dundee Hills. I enjoy reading about what everybody had to drink on Thanksgiving more than what they are planning on serving (or selling), so here are my two cents. Yes, that's one word.) Thirsty much?

Can't seem to find a Finger Lakes Riesling I don't like. Thanks to my son, this past weekend I opened a dry Riesling from Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars located in Lodi, NY, on the east side of Seneca Lake and my first stop on the annual " Deck the Halls " event on Dec. have to say his timing was impeccable. g/L pH: 2.93 Alcohol by Volume: 12.1

Tonight I added another favorite place to eat in Syracuse, Joey's Italian Restaurant. Shirley and I have been dining here for the last 10 years and it seems that the food just keeps getting better and better. Best of all is the fabulous and always changing wine list. The only downside is the lack of New York wines on the list and no NY reds.

Sometime near the end of the year, I would like to post all that I have learned and the wines that I have come to enjoy over the past two years. From a European reds only wine drinker who could not tolerate most white wines or any wines over 0% RS, to be even drinking the many wines I am now, I think I have come a long way.

We begin by drinking his 2007 Pinon Vouvray Silex Noir leftovers, and then drink the Delorme, again, just delicious. We finish the Lafon Rochet and Deetrane opens up a 2002 Panther Creek Pinot Noir Bednarik Vineyard. Maybe I am going insane, but I like to think of it as healthy superstition. We decant it, it's delicious.

I think it gets a little scary when you choose a not so good wine for three consecutive nights. When the fourth night comes and you just get home from work and you are looking for a nice wine just to sip, watch a little TV and catch up on a little blog work, you check every bottle in the wine fridge and just can't decide for fear of failing again.

Every Friday and Saturday after work, a few friends and I visit our favorite lounge for some great food off the bar menu and to down a few glasses(maybe more than a few) of wine. Of course, the lounge is owned by my son and his fiance and has become our regular hang out since opening one year ago. Finally, he has listened to his dad. At that price.

Tags: Wine Reviews wine events amanti vino California Cabernet Sauvignon california pinot noir Mauritson Wines Maysara Winery Oregon wine

The gift pack included a bottle of Merlot and a bottle of Pinot Grigio, of which we opened at a dinner dance held during my annual military reunion. About two years ago I found a special deal on a gift pack of two wines from Candoni Wines. The gift pack wasn't what sold Shirley and I on the purchase, it was the label. First, the label.

The grapes used in the blend are Riesling, Cayuga White, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Grigio. Alright, here's my dilemma or at least one of them. Tonight Shirley and daughter Pam are making 'halupkies' for dinner. The dilemma, I have no clue as to what wine to open. That only added to the dilemma. Color was a nice light greenish gold.

There comes a time when you believe that a certain wine just can't get any better. hope I never get to that point in my lifetime. don't hide the fact that in the past two years I have fallen in love with wines from the Finger Lakes region of New York. have my favorite Finger Lakes wineries and my favorite Finger Lakes wines. Such is the case today!

While in Virginia on vacation, I picked up four bottles of Virginia wines, figuring I would try all four and choose one to review. Tonight I opened up the second bottle and had maybe the best white wine find of this summer, a 2006 Michael Shaps Viognier from the King Family Vineyards. The wines are produced with a traditional old-world style.

I 'm currently making room in my wine cooler for a recent large quantity buy, so I pulled out a Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 Riserva for a pizza dinner tonight. had this wine about four years ago and wasn't fully impressed at that time, but thought I'd give it another chance and the price was right. Turned out to be a good move.

One of the problems with bringing home lots of wine from a Finger Lakes wine tour is deciding which ones to try first. Shirley helps make that decision easier by planning some meals ahead of time or by just giving me a warning of what's on the menu for the night. Sometimes though, it can be challenging choosing the right wine for the meal.

OK, today I sinned again, at least according to some. took my list of New York medal winners to another local wine shop. Unfortunately, I found only one, besides another Anthony Road Vinyards 2008 semi-dry Riesling which I already have in the cooler. Oh yeah, for those who don't know, that wine was judged the most outstanding New York wine for 2009.

Well it's time to try a new wine, at least new to me. Before now I have never tasted Gewurztraminer. Please, no comments on that issue. It took me over 30 years to appreciate any white wine, and now that I do, I am trying them all. The first was OK and will be nice at a evening get-together, but not one I would bring to the party. Great Buy!

With ample experience in making and aging great wines dating back to 1964, Santiago Ijalba García left his position as general and technical manager in a historic Haro bodega to launch his own personal project. In 1998 under his newly-incorporated company Santiago Ijalba S.A. he created the VIÑA HERMOSA brand. The first night I opened the Crianza.

Looking for great buys in wine? Just look to Australia. Don't know what's going on Down Under but right now some of the best buys for wine are Australian. The Lindeman's Merlot 2007 was recommended by a friend this past week-end. Our wine taste profiles are about 180 deg. apart, so I was a little hesitant, but he hit this one right on the nail.

It was a Pinot Noir. have had some really nice Pinot's from Oregon before, but they were a bit pricey. wasn't really concerned about price, I just had a desire to try another Oregon wine, so I brought home a bottle of Henry Estate Oregon Pinot Noir 2006. Tags: Pinot Noir red wine Oregon He did.

Should I take one from South Africa or a Bonterra organic from California? Tags: white wine Sauvignon Blanc California organic Today was a shopping day with Shirley. We did the Home Depot, BJ's, Best Buy, Panera for lunch, two grocery stores and one Mom and Pop wine shop. The 'honey do' list at home was longer. made the right choice.

It's a blend of California grapes, namely Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, 70% and 30% respectively. In the glass it resembled the paler colors of a Pinot Noir, and reflected fresh aromas of cherries and dark berries. Last week while on vacation a friend of mine gave me a bottle of his home made wine. Bottle courtesy Frank M

It seems every winery in the Finger Lakes has a Meritage. Most are nice bordeaux style blends that are very popular and very tasty and very distinct to each winery. Years ago I struggled to find one to like, now I am finding it difficult to taste one I don't like. And then, there comes along one that is over and above any I have tasted before.

I know those close to me won't believe this, but I am actually going to review a Rose' wine. In doing so, I am showing them that I can accept the fact that for almost all of my adult life I have been very stupid or as Lenn Thompson said 'Are you nuts.' Yes Lenn, I was nuts. The resulting juice once pressed was the perfect hue of pink. Great Buy!

One of the most difficult time's I have on a short vacation is waiting for the train to take me home. To kill time I visit or window shop the shops at the station and sometimes get awful lucky by finding a great deal. This past week-end was one of those days and that great deal was in a wine shop. Drink now or through the next 5 years." Great Buy!

I really enjoy shopping for wine and finding one that I never tried and end up putting it on my list of must have wines. Today, I stopped in to buy a Sauvignon Blanc for the evening. knew what I wanted, one that is already on that list, but also found a new one sitting next to mine and decided to take one home to try. Today, I chose a good one.

kinda surprised her this evening by opening a California Cabernet Sauvignon made with organic grapes. Today they are one of the standard bearers for organic wines in California. Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon California red wine organic did not know that fact when I bought the wine. The wine was a 2007 Bonterra Vinyards Cabernet.

I have no idea what occurred between the early 1980's and present in the case of New York Finger Lakes red wines. honestly tried many of them between 1973 when I moved into the region until, I gave up on them around 1980. After that, I basically stayed with my favorite European red wines. Her favorite was a red table wine from Heron Hill Wines.

We decided on a mid-range priced California wine from Clos Du Bois. Tags: white wine California Chardonnay Calcaire I am just going to begin by saying the Clos Du Bois Calcaire 2006 is probably the best Chardonnay I have ever had. Made me feel good, I don't win that often. The wine list offered about nine different Chards.

And in comparison to Bordeaux prices and today's prices for California Cult wines, the 2000 Napa wines were (and in many cases still are) a bargain. I remember the 2000 vintage as a whirlwind of excitement. This was before the Tech Bubble Burst, Enron imploded, 9/11, and eight years of Bush Part Deux. In other words, a loser. was wrong.

Patrick Campbell of Laurel Glen winery in Sonoma, makes a tasty $10 California wine, REDS, billed as “a wine for the people.&# 2) We avoid expensive grapes like cabernet or pinot noir. The home of Gamay is Beaujolais, the home of Pinot is Burgundy. Over 30 of you had your say in the post from last week.

I've been wondering recently what it would mean if Hanzell, which planted the first pinot noir vines in California in 1953, received 95+ points from the major trade press regularly. Hanzell is a story book vineyard (literally) that has all the makings to produce $600/bottle pinot noir. Pale hay color, but big Wow!

Winemakers have often observed that persistent “reduction&# - that is to say sulfur-containing substance - problems often spontaneously go away when the wine is put down to barrel… You can taste [the complexity of reductive wines] in Barolo, with large format barrels–it has to go through that reductive phase, as does pinot noir.

In Wednesdays edition of Eric Asimov’s “The Pour&# , Asimov talks about a California Pinot Noir producer who  “renounced the fruit-bomb style in favor of wines that emphasize freshness and delicacy&#.  The [.].

I was happy to read Aric Asimov's article about what he calls a "rebellion" in California Pinot Noir. I've had graceful and complex Oregon Pinot Noir, energetic and resonant Long Island Cabernet Sauvignon, and balanced and delicious California Chardonnay. What's up with that? don't know. Can't they?

Light and fruity and with colors of pale ruby this Pinot Noir from California comes in a screw off bottle, but. like it. Not at all complex but with good notes of strawberries, chocolate, green peppers, spice and mild tannins with 13.5% alcohol