Barbera from “Alba” …Big Difference

Barbera,, Not Hanna Barbera This is not to be confused with The Flintstones creators. Barbera is literally the most widely planted grape varietal in the Northwest Region of Piedmont in Italy. Most would think it is Nebbiolo for Barolo and Barbaresco. Nope it is Barbera. Most popular are the Barberas from the D.O.C.G area of […]

Big Daddy Wines For …Daddy!

Just like anyone else you would buy a bottle of Wine for a “Gift”, I will always remind you of my opinion, NOT to buy the brand that the person you are presenting the GIFT to drinks all the time on their own. The concept I have is you may know the category such as […]

It’s “Will-Amette— Damn-it”!!

Oregon Has A Cocky “Latitude” I know to many of my customers and friends this may be repetitive. I can’t help myself. I am a true Pinotphile!!! Only the people who grow this finicky, thin skinned grape and consumers who are seduced by the original home of the grape in Burgundy, France like myself, will […]

It’s Time We Had That Prosecco Talk!

By far Prosecco is the most sought after sparkling wine categorgy next to Champagnes by wine consumers worldwide. Is it a grape? Is it a Champagne. Is it from America? These are the questions I get from blog followers and daily customers and therefore, it comes that time in our relationship that I can’t […]

Don’t Lie To Me Argentina…!

Let’s start this blog off with the fact that I LIKE the wine I am reviewing today. The problem I have is the way they are marketing it. The Cuvelier Family At the beginning of the 20th century, Paul Cuvelier and his young brother Albert, anticipating the inevitable rise in « château-bottled wines » to […]

Let’s Talk About The Other “Sauvignon”

Most novice consumers say the grape Sauvignon and they don’t know there is a Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Wine) and Sauvignon Blanc (White Wine) ! We speak so much about Cabernet, I thought I would speak about the many different expressions of the White Sauvignon from all over the world. Hope you had a great […]

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 […]

“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 […]

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 […]