Yearly Archives: 2014
Washington Meets California With Elaine Chukan Brown
Hey there. It’s once in a blue moon that I have a guest post. Like, once in 695 posts. (See Jennifer Schneider’s review of FOOD: Transforming the American Table 1950-2000.) But as I close in on number 700, it’s time again. I am so pleased to be collaborating with Elaine of Hawk Wakawaka Wine Reviews. [More]
5 Graphic Designers Critique a Wine Label: Castaño Monastrell
I have looked at so many wine labels in my decade-plus career in wine as someone selling it, tasting it, buying it, and writing about it. The good, the bad, and the ugly have all come across my path. One wine and label I’ve been fond of belongs to the Castaño Monastrell. This bargain Spanish [More]
Treveri Cellars Brut: A Washington Sparkling Wine That Goes With Everything
I was super-stoked to play matchmaker recently. With food and wine, of course. At Taste Washington (an enormous celebration of all things WA wine held over two days in Seattle) I was part of a panel charged with the task of picking Washington wines to pair with a variety of foods. Naturally, I jumped at [More]
Sauvignon Blanc from Chile: With or Without Oak?
Sometimes I can be a little manic when it comes to wine. Normally with Sauvignon Blanc from Chile I want it racy, light, and lively. Like the 2013 Viu Manent Estate Collection Reserva. Of all the wines I purchase, this is the one I buy the most. Why? It’s cheap and cheerful. So fun to [More]
A Week in Burgundy: Coveting Plates, Musigny, Flaming Desserts
Right now I’m culling through my photos from Burgundy. I’ve been here all week as part of a sponsored media trip to attend Les Grand Jours De Bourgogne. And the days have been quite grand, indeed. Like getting to meander through Musigny, one of the tip-top Grand Cru vineyards of the region. This particular parcel [More]
Chablis and the Stairway to Chardonnay Heaven
Hey there! I love Chablis so much and am always mega-enthused to taste its astonishingly unique, thrilling Chardonnay. Bonus: strolling in and around the Grand Cru, top of the top vineyards. I’m here in Burgundy on a sponsored media trip to attend Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne, which consists of five days exploring the region [More]
What’s It Like To Design A Wine Label?
I interviewed Elaine Chukan Brown of Hawk Wakawaka Wine Reviews for a series on Grape Collective called SpeakEasy. Topics discussed ranged from philosophy and refrigerator contents to comic drawing and Champagne dreaming. Elaine actually had the chance to turn her drawings into a label for an Australian winery, Between Five Bells. Here are her thoughts [More]
2013 Bergström Rosé Makes The Sun Come Out
Just leaving Bergström Wines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley where I had my first taste of 2013 rosé. Their version is made from Pinot Noir and, as the picture above shows, I’d like to think it made the sun start to break through the clouds. Oh, and the flower on the label? It’s the mosippa. [More]
