Just too many varieties of grapes yet to be tasted for a first 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. MORE >>

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. Then again maybe I just have to taste a few more and that's not a bad thing now, is it? From that day on I was a fan. MORE >>

So life went on and nothing changed my wine drinking habits or taste. When I made my first Finger Lakes wine tour in 2008, I went expecting to taste only white wines. One of the highlights of this year was barrel tasting, at Amy Cheatles persistence, the Damiani Syrah. That was until I tasted. was afraid to open them. MORE >>

In the mouth, the taste was more mature than I thought it should be at it's young age, soft and mellow with a hint of chocolate. 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. Alcohol: 13.0% MORE >>

To do so, I will have to taste, I mean drink, more wines that I never tried or wines I just never liked. That was not until I tasted and reviewed a Paso Robles Zin from Agent for Change. More intense than the last Zin I tasted and liked, but still not as bold or peppery as most I've had. It just never happened. Alcohol 14.5% MORE >>