Don’t Judge A Wine By Its Label !

I hear day in and day out, I am a Cab person or I only drink White, I hate Red. I don’t like Rose as it is too sweet. I hate Merlot. There are so many expressions of all of the grapes that make wines I think you will thank me if you stop making […]

Your Favorite Wine? What Vintage?

We have discussed this a little bit in many Vlogs. I still see it needed another mention. I watch people everyday buy multiple bottles of their supposedly favorite wine for the last 20 years and never once in my career has anyone been able to tell me what vintage or year of that wine […]

Too Much Of A Good Thing…..

It All Started With White Zinfandel Women yes Women, who weren’t really lovers of dry wines, fell in love with a pseudo grape called White Zinfandel. First of all it is as you know not White it is Pink or Rose color. Secondly, I am not even certain if there is any Zinfandel in it […]

2015 Bordeaux. Is The Hype True??

The Wine Pundits Are Raving! I have seen it with 2010 Brunellos, 2012 Oregon Pinots, 2007 Chianti Classicos and 2011 Porto and the Douro to name a few. I haven’t seen the big reviewers in a long time go crazy over Bordeaux in years. 2015 is that year. Robert Parker Jr. said “There will be […]

Realtors, Bosses, How To Give The Gift Of Wine!

So many Realtors at closing or Bosses for a Retirement Party come to see me to purchase a GIFT to thank their customers or long term employees. I also get a lot of patients who want to show thanks to their doctors who healed them etc. In any case it is still a GIFT. I […]

Some Say “Saignée” Is Fake Rosé! I Say Not!!

15 Years! I Was There From Day 1 Ok we know they are a cute couple. Yes, I have written about Stewart Boedecker and His winemaker Wife Athena Pappas , a lot ! What can I say? I have been there from day one and a big supporter. 15 years from the days when they […]

100% Graciano From Rioja Is Unique

Is it CVNE or CUNE? About 5 years ago Wine Spectator Magazine brought this famous Rioja Producer to the forefront by awarding their 2004 CVNE Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 95 Points and making it their Number One Wine of The Year on The Top 100 List of 2013. No one then, or not many now, […]

“How Sweeet It is “!!

I know the wine snobs will ask: “Why is a sommelier talking about Sweet Wines” ? The answer is that this wine blog is not for snobs and for everyday people and many of those everyday consumers like sweet wines but are faced with the dilemma of low alcohol and a dislike for bubbles. I […]

Same Exact DNA, Totally Different Styles!

The Heel Of The Boot I have done quite a few stories about the difference between California Zinfandel and Primitivo Di Manduria. As you can see by the map above, Puglia and the town of Manduria are located on the Heel of The Boot of Italy, directly on the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. It’s been […]

Under $20 Wines Are The “Sweet Spot”

This entire blog is dedicated to less snobbery and bragging rights when it comes to Wines. I think for the everyday average consumer or even a Somm like me, there is a plethora of Wines in that “Sweet Spot” of $10-$20 that wouldn’t be “Good For The Price” but rather “Great For The Price” I […]