An Artistic Perspective-Clos Pegase

July 17, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

A well made wine captures an essence. Wine, as with art, leaves an impression. One painting may capture your attention, but a study of a series, of a period paints a more complete picture. So it is with a winemaker, a brand. Bottle by bottle, stroke by stroke, the wines leave an impression. One bottle hints, but […]

A Wish at Murrieta’s Well

June 12, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Wishing for something new in your glass? A unique variety or take on a well-known grape? Toss a coin in Murrieta’s Well and you’re sure to find something delicious. I recently participated in a Snooth Virtual Tasting of Murrieta’s Well wines. I was grateful to be selected, along with several writers from around the country, to […]

Down (and Up) in Kokomo

May 22, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

If I were to say, Kokomo, you might have a Pavlovian reaction. Visions of Tom Cruise flipping a shaker, pouring a blue concoction while the steel drums chime in the background. But the Kokomo I’m referring to takes their beverages much more seriously. Well, kind of. Erik Miller of Kokomo Wines recently made his way […]

Who’s your Mama?-Choosing a Mother’s Day Wine

May 11, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Some clichés don’t bother me a bit. In fact, some, I relish. Like pink for Mother’s Day. Pink flowers, pink cards and pink wine suit me just fine. While the color choice may be cliché, I am certain your mother is not and she deserves a wine choice that fits her personality. Mom-Next-Door She answers […]

An Argentinian Elixir-Ruca Malen

February 22, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

According to an ancient local legend, love between Gods and mortals was forbidden. Therefore, Mapuche women always walked looking down, fearing to meet the piercing gaze of a beautiful God. But one day, a Mapuche woman, the most daring of them all, raised her head, and when she met the eyes of the God she […]

Think you Know Pinot? #Pinotinthecity Review

February 2, 2017.Reading time 8 minutes.

I compared clones from neighboring vineyards and vertical samples from one plot. I tasted Pinot Gris that cleansed and teased my palate, Pinot Blanc, layered and zesty. I had a few sparkling wines and flat wines that sparkled. And while the wines warmed and pleased my palate, the winemakers, owners, and representatives warmed my heart.

I’d Love to be Stuck in Lodi

November 10, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

If John Fogarty feels dread at being “stuck” in Lodi, he may not be a wine lover. I know, I know, the song was written long before Lodi became a wine-lover magnet, but I can’t think of one without hearing the other. I recently participated in a Snooth chat with four wines from Lodi, California, […]

The Road Taken-Balletto Vineyards

October 21, 2016.Reading time 6 minutes.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both…* So begins the frequently referenced Robert Frost poem which alludes to choices made, paths traveled, destinies missed and revealed. When John Balletto was a very young man, he was forced to choose a path that would, again, diverge. Through trials and tenacity, […]

Learning From a Master-#winestudio

September 6, 2016.Reading time 3 minutes.

Last year I participated in a virtual tasting with Santiago Achaval of Achaval-Ferrer in which we deconstructed his Quimera blend and discussed each component. He walked us through his method and motivation for creating this wine. The blend is dominated by Malbec, a signature grape in Mendoza. Achaval-Ferrer’s focus is on creating wines that best represent the […]