In Washington State, 2,000 pounds of mourvedre grapes were stolen in what the vineyard manager described as “a professional job – a complete and clean illegal harvest.&# Vineyards have their pests: consider the baboons , rattlesnakes and bears we have discussed before as well as birds, deer and other vermin. Really? MORE >>

don't know the exact blend but it's lots of Mourvedre with some Grenache and Cinsault in there. Could be Terrebrune Bandol but younger vines, could be the same wine but a different blend, using less than 50% Mourvedre, I just don't know. Everyone knows that well made Bandol is beautiful and age-worthy wine. Aren't they? Some are, yes. MORE >>

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. MORE >>

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! MORE >>

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 MORE >>