I remember when I first heard of Albariño and Rias Baixas. I was participating in a wine education program founded by Guy and Tina Morey called Wine Studio. It was 2016 and it was a region that was completely new to me. However, after the session, I was in love. The D.O. itself was created…
It has been said that Pinot Grigio is the wine that is loved to be hated. It’s the scapegoat for simple wine. Wine without character. Wine without depth. The catch-all for what’s wrong with supermarket wine. Well, Albino Armani Pinot Grigio is turning heads and leading the charge in changing that opinion. It is a…
When thinking about wines that age well, most people think of European wine regions. But when you consider what truly makes a wine age worthy, it isn’t the region, per se… it’s the grapes and equally important, the vintage. Some grapes are just better than others when it comes to growing old with style. The…
Located 2,200 feet above sea level sits a mountain with astonishing views. A 212-acre hilltop filled with calcareous clay soils and limestone subsoil. The Pacific Ocean, a mere 14 miles away, adds to the remarkable microclimate and cools the vines that are planted at an incredible 56% incline. It is here, in the Adelaida district…
Let’s take a trip… A virtual trip through our wine glass. Pour a glass of Monastrell into your favorite glass, close your eyes and be taken to a small wine region in southeastern Spain. A land where 22,000 hectares of land are dedicated to growing grapes. Travel to where there are only 39 registered wineries…
I recently received a sample pack from Suisun Valley. Where’s Susiun you ask? Well, you are not alone in that question. Everyone knows Napa Valley, yet if you have driven there, then you probably have driven right through Suisun Valley and didn’t even know it! It is located in Coast Range of Solano County just…
The summer is in full force. The temperatures are soaring. It has been the hottest June on record and I am pretty sure July will follow suit. Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors. It’s a time for vacations, a time for family and a time for smiles. Taking the time to enjoy the moments….
Quite some time ago, I heard a wine friend say they were a proud member of the ABC club. I asked what that was, and he laughed and claimed “Anything But Chardonnay.” At the time, I was young in my wine experiences and laughed. I didn’t really understand why someone would be so against a…
Oscar Wilde once said “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Well, at Luke Columbia Valley, they don’t believe that statement, Instead, they believe in being an original. In 2012, Thomas and Kristin Vogele brought a combined 30 years of wine business experience and redirected it into making bold…
Recently I had the pleasure of attending a virtual tasting including five New York wineries that are producing Rosé. The event was sponsored by New York Wine and Grape Foundation. The tasting was moderated by Wanda Mann, founder of Wine with Wanda, and East Coast Editor for Somm Journal. What is Rosé? There are two main…
