Champagne’s Image is on the “Rocks”….Literally!

Robin Leach from the old TV Show “Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous” used to sign off with “Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams”! To wine people like myself Champagne was not everything with bubbles in it like Korbel or Cooks from California but a term used to describe an elegant, food friendly, sparkling wine produced […]

In America “Reserve” Means Nothing, In Europe Riserva or Reserva Means EVERYTHING!

We have seen the word Reserve on many domestic wines from California, Washington State like the picture above of the Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve”. Heck, even the crappy supermarket Kendall Jackson Chardonnay went from labeling it as the Vintner’s Blend to the Vintner;s “Reserve” just to market the wine to the uneducated […]

Do You Really Want An “OAKY” Chardonnay Or A “BUTTERY” Chardonnay?

The days of California Chardonnay lovers being able to find what they call an “Oaky, Buttery, Chardonnay” are coming to an end. Global warming in the state of California is putting very high levels of sugar in the grapes which is leading to very high alcohol contents as discussed in previous articles on high alcohol […]

Any Reviews Including Wine Are OPINIONS..Take Them With “A Grain Of Salt”!

I am literally fed up with people (very few over my 9 year career) taking my Wine Recommendations and getting angry if the Wine wasn’t their taste. The worst part is they have the BALLS to return the Wine to the retail shop they bought it at in perfect condition(no cork taint) with no other […]

The Most Important Factors That Make Wine Taste Better!

Sure, the vintage and the winemaker and the producer contribute to a wine’s taste. The most important factors that contribute to your enjoyment of a wine have nothing to do with any of that. The company you were with, the occasion, the surroundings, the mood you were in and the food you were eating all […]

White Wine With Fish, Red Wine With Beef….An Old Wives Tale!

So many wine enthusiasts still believe that you should have white wine with fish and red wine with beef. Sommeliers like myself, have learned years ago, that phrase is nothing but one of the many old wives tales related to wine. It’s not about the TYPE of Protein that guides our decision but about the […]

I Admit It. I’m An Oregon Pinotphile!

I admit it. I am an Oregon Pinotphile. I don’t think there is any help for my obssession. As a level 3 Certified Sommelier, I love wines from all over the world, Italy being my favorite. Oregon Pinot Noir is not your everyday supermarket Pinot Noir. I equate Oregon Pinots with getting set up on […]

One Wine, One Cheese!

It amazes me that when people dine out or cook at home they are concerned about pairing the proper wine with what they are eating. They even go so far at wine dinners to pair each course with a different wine. Is cheese not a food product? Somehow, most people just think when they have […]

To Aerate Or Not To Aerate Your Wine?

For the last few years, I was one of the many that never even went to a restaurant without carrying around my $40.00 Italian Wine Aerator so I could have the server or sommelier at the restaurant pour my wine through it before serving me a glass of red. The principle is that since so […]

California Wines + Value = OxyMORON

As any of my blog readers must know by now, I favor Washington State red wines over California because I believe they provide a better Q.P.R. (Quality to Price Ratio) for the consumer. During the past holiday season I had a chance to demonstrate to wine consumers how much old NAPA VALLEY BRAINWASHING plays a role in […]