There’s More To Portugal Than Porto!!

When you say Portugal to someone and it relates to wine, 99% will only think of the famous Fortified Sweet Wine “PORT”. In Spain many people are familiar with Ribera Del Duero (Duero is the DOURO River) On the other side of the DUERO are some of the oldest vines and underrated wines in the […]

“BOOYAH” For “RUAH” Red Blend!

First of all, everyone who knows me and reads this blog, knows I am nicknamed “Captain Washington”. I do favor the quality to price ratio and less sugary style of wines coming out of the Evergreen State. One of the 2 new additions to our Washington State Lineup at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits in […]

Right Bank, Left Bank, CitiBank??

I was JUST getting my guests and blog readers comfortable with purchasing and drinking wines from Bordeaux, France until the French had to go putting the names and percentages of the grapes used in many of their wines..Grrrrr!! I understand the reasoning to help Americans understand Bordeaux and sell more wine but they made it […]

Never Say “The Wine Is OK for the PRICE!!”

The average wine consumer shops by brand name and my familiar grape varietals. That’s ok. I may be in a Pinot Noir mood or Chardonnay mood. The phrase they always say is “The Wine is OK For the Price” You should never have to say that. You will be now saying. “The Wine is AMAZING For […]

Barbera D’Asti..Have It Your Way!!

It’s From ASTI But Not Moscato ASTI is the town not the grape. Yes that village is famous for Moscato but that isn’t the only grape they grow. BARBERA D’ASTI , not to be confused with HANNAH BARBERA (They made The Flintstones Cartoon) is also widely planted in the other village located in the Northwestern Region of […]

Excuse Me Sir..Where Are Your Pinot Grigios? Well..This Aisle This Aisle And This Aisle!!

I and every other wine expert in a retail shop must get this question at least 25-30 times per day. The problem is there isn’t a simple answer. It would be rude to answer the question “Where are your Pinot Grigios” by saying… “Everywhere in the store” So let me break this down and explain […]

Extra Dry is LESS Dry Than Brut.. HUH??

First of all before I totally confuse your brain, you can live in Champagne and Drink Champagne but you can not stop at a winery in California and drink their Champagne despite what the labels might say. Champagne is a region in France not a wine with bubbles. Even if the bubbly comes from France […]

Sangria Should Be Made Ahead Of Time. Why Bother??

If you go to a Restaurant and see Sangria being made to order…Don’t Order !! The entire concept of course originating in Spain not Mexico as some think or certainly not from the USA, is to use leftover Spanish Wine, add some Spanish Brandy, add some sugar, fruit juices and the most important part, MACERATING Fruits […]

Buy Wine By Style And Budget Never By Grape!

I like a Merlot. She Likes a Cabernet Sauvignon annnd we also like Red Blends. Guess What?? They are all Red Blends!! In most of America only 75% of the grape that is listed on the outside of the bottle has to be inside the bottle. Then even if it were 100% of the grape […]

Wish I Had A Sommelier With Me All The Time!! NOW YOU CAN!!

I am so pleased to be back working for ABC Fine Wines And Spirits. I would be a very wealthy man if I received a dollar for every time a guest in a restaurant or at ABC has said to me either “Can I Take You With Me When I Shop For Wine”? or ” […]