Yearly Archives: 2015
To New York for VINO 2015: Celebrating the Wines of Southern Italy
Very excited to be leaving for New York at the crack of dawn on Super Bowl Sunday to attend VINO 2015. When it comes to wine geekiness, this celebration of the wines of Southern Italy means Russell Wilson times Tom Brady times Katy Perry levels of excitement for me. This sponsored media trip will [More]
Allegrini Valpolicella: A Downright Friendly Italian Red Wine
Since I’ve been on a theme of anthropomorphizing wines, I can’t help but continue when thinking about the 2013 Allegrini Valpolicella. Hailing from the Veneto in Northern Italy, Allegrini’s estate vineyards surround the pictured Villa della Torre. Nice digs, eh? So what do I mean when I call this wine “friendly”? Many things. First and [More]
One Word Reviews of 2012 Youngberg Hill Pinot Noirs
After running through a trio of 2012 Pinot Noirs from Oregon’s Youngberg Hill received as samples, I was struck by one thing they all had in common: richness. These are not lacy, delicate wines! A quick internet search about the 2012 vintage in Oregon turned up a post where these words were trotted out to describe [More]
Label Lust: Jané Ventura Rosé Cava
My never-ending thirst for all things sparkling rosé led me back to an old friend with a look that stirs up feelings: Jané Ventura Reserva de la Música Rosé 2011. It’s a Cava (the term used for Spanish sparkling wine) made from Garnatxa Negra. You might have heard of this grape by a more familiar name: [More]
How Is Wine Made? A Preview of SOMM: Into The Bottle
SOMM, the popular shorthand for sommelier, was a documentary detailing the quest to pass what is arguably one of the hardest tests in the world: the Master Sommelier exam. How do you follow up this tale of aspiring wine experts working towards the highest honor of their profession? With “SOMM: Into The Bottle”. Here’s a [More]
Frappato From Sicily: A Great Dinner Red Wine
Confession: I mostly drink white wine when I’m relaxing after work. Red wine is pretty much confined to when I go out to dinner. But that might be changing because every glass made from Frappato, a red grape native to Sicily, makes me crave more, often. You might recall Frappato as a grape that’s part [More]
Sparkling Wine Cocktails: Lessons From Sun Liquor’s Erik Chapman
Is your sparkling wine cocktail repertoire confined to mimosas? Do not fret! Meet Erik Chapman, Head Distiller and Operations Manager at Seattle’s Sun Liquor. He’s also a heck of a bartender. Chapman joins me on the Wine Without Worry podcast to share his thoughts and advice on how to get creative making cocktails with a [More]
Mount Etna Wines: What Makes Them So Special?
I’m crazy for bottles from Sicily and especially Mount Etna wines. The reds are primarily made from the Nerello Mascalese grape; the white wines are mostly Carricante. Tasting these wines (and even some rosé and sparkling!) while on Vulcano Island attending “Sicilia en Primeur” as a media guest last year was one of many vinous [More]
