Value Red From Spain’s Northwest Region

Bierzo in Castilla y Leon This is the Map of the Province of Castilla y Leon in the Northwest Region of Spain. Just to the right of Portugal and the other side of the Douro River and up in the tip of the left corner across from Galicia, the home of the famous Albarino grape, […]

Everyday Wine…At Everyday Prices!

Consumers of wine will sometimes turn down assistance from a sommelier or wine specialist because they don’t want to bother you for an “Everyday Wine” which to them means $9.99 or under and they believe their only options are for generic supermarket brands that are large production wines. They couldn’t be further from the […]

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 […]

Att: Wine Enthusiasts. The Bottles Don’t Talk!

Many times I see great wines in Retail Shops or on Restaurant Wine Lists or in Portfolios of Importers get deleted. The answer I always hear in response to Why is “That grape or that brand or that country doesn’t SELL HERE”. I don’t believe that for a minute. When I was a wine buyer […]

We don’t need another Rioja, We Need More PAGOS!!

What is a Vino De Pago?? D.O. in Spain is like D.O.C.G in Italy or A.O.C in France. They are REGIONS that follow a list of guidelines and rules for making these wines. A PAGO is one specific Producer with Vineyards in Spain where only that specific Winery gets designated as a PAGO. Pretty much […]

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 […]

Spanish Wines Are The Clear Winner At Brazilian Steakhouses

It’s great to be a Restaurant Sommelier Again. As I notice the selection process of our dining guests without my guidance, I find that most still are NOT concerned with Pairing the Wine with the Food they are eating. Of course the best wine to choose is the Wine YOU LIKE no matter what the […]

So Is This A Cabernet Or Is This A Merlot??? WHO CARES???????

Words echoed at Wine Retail Shops and Restaurants across the globe by consumers are ” I LIKE MERLOT BUT MY HUSBAND LIKES CABERNET”, “I’M LOOKING FOR A FULL BODIED CAB OR MAYBE A CABERNET/MERLOT BLEND. I LOVE THE BLENDS”! Server: “Do you like Italian Wines Or Spanish Wines”? Consumer : “OH I LOVE THEM ALL. […]

Harry Bellafonte Parody : GODELLO, Summertime Come And Me Want To Drink Some!!

Are you tired of drinking the same 9 wines from the same 9 grapes for the last 10 years?? How much Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz can you drink? Too much of the same thing in any part of life gets boring. Yes even sex. Being at just the […]

Hooked On “ONIX” True Old Vine Fruit In Priorato!

That is not a picture of the San Francisco Earthquake. In an area of Spain, located 100 miles Northwest of Barcelona is Priorat or Priorato in Spanish which is a D.O. (Designated Origin) area for producing my favorite wines from Spain. It is probably one or the most difficult vineyard areas in the entire world. […]