Lonely Mixed Breed Wine.. Needs Home!

Who Or What Is A Minervois? I always am curious as to why some wines just fly off the shelves and always out of stock while a good handful in various sections just sit there and sit there and never have I seen a guest even look at the bottles, let alone buy them. I […]

“Syrah Is A Tough Sell”?? Nonsense!!!

Imagine you are a Red Wine Drinker. How does this sound for taste descriptors? Dark berries, plums, smoke, leather, tar, meaty, spicy, oak, long finish. Sounds like the perfect wine for a “Cabernet Drinker”. I am describing the various expressions of the grape Syrah or as they call it in Australia, Shiraz. Yes, Captain Washington […]

There is More To Piedmont Than D.O.C.G.!!

D.O.C.’s of Piedmont Are Great Wines Too. When us wine people think of Piedmont we think of the famous areas that produce wines from D.O.C.G areas like the Nebbiolos of Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara and The Barberas of Asti and Alba and the Cortese of Gavi and the Moscato of Asti. There are some pretty darn […]

If You Don’t Like Syrah..You Haven’t Had A Good One Yet!

The Northern Rhone Valley, France We have talked about being a “RHONE RANGER” in previous blogs. I am proud to say I am one. I love the Grape Varietals of the Rhone, Red and White. I still get perplexed when Wine Retailers are carrying less and less Syrah as they say customers don’t want Syrah […]

Wines From South Africa Are Not All “Rubber–ish”

One correction. Black Pearl (Parrl) by mistake in the video is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Shiraz) I got them reversed. Either way it is a very balanced wine and provides good value as all the wines in the video do. Change your mindset. Check out South African wines. Grape-fully yours, Larry

The Washington State Wine ADVOCATE Reviews “THE ADVOCATE”

Definition Of An Advocate ad-vo-cate (noun) a person who supports or publicly recommends a particular cause, policy or product I Am An Advocate Of Washingto State Wine #CaptainWashington Everyday for the last 15 years I have been either in a Restaurant or Wine Bar or Retail Shop Committing my Life to Not Just the preaching […]

If You Buy Wine By Familiar Grapes.. Let’s Compromise

For 20 years now I keep advising Wine Consumers to forget about the Brand Name, forget about The Grape Variety as in Give me Cabernet Or Merlot Or Chardonnay, and select wines based on this criteria 1- Flavor Profile Preference (Light and Fruity, Medium and Soft, Or Big Bold and Robust) 2- Budget Range. Even […]

Australian Wine Is Like A Card Game. Sometimes You “COME UP TRUMPS”

I have discussed so many times why I can’t stand Cult Wines from Australia like Mollydooker because they are so over the top laden with alcohol that they are not enjoyable to drink. 16.5% Alcohol is maybe acceptable for an Amarone but not for a Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. As a Certified Sommelier, […]

Do you VENTOUX (VANT-TO) Drink Wines From VENTOUX?

The Ventoux (formerly Côtes du Ventoux) appellation lays between the area designated as Côtes du Luberon (now Luberon) in the south and the massive Mont Ventoux to the north. It is a large appellation covering some 50 communes over an area of 5800 hectares and producing over a quarter of a million hectolitres of wine […]

“It’s The TASTE That’s All That Matters”!!

It boasts tremendous intensity as well as a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, and roasted meats bathed in Provencal herbs. With superb purity, full body, and no hard edges, this savory, mouthfilling red will drink well for 2-3 years. Ok! You’re walking around a wine retail shop like the […]