Yearly Archives: 2015
Tinder, Oak, and Chardonnay
When it comes to California Chardonnay, you can go in many different directions. From lean to opulent, there is a wide spectrum of styles. And Jordan Winery, encompassing 1,200 gorgeous acres of Alexander Valley, really tickled my fancy with how their Chardonnay flag flies. I’ve been enjoying Chardonnay from Jordan for the last few vintages and they really [More]
Washington Wine Tasting Notes from the U.S. Open
Did y’all check out my preview of the Washington wine I’d be enjoying during the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay? Well it was no idle chit-chat, I actually went and spent a fair bit of time in the tent, trying a handful of wines and a cider. (Thanks to the Washington Wine Commission, who gave me [More]
I Won’t Be Golfing But I Will Be Drinking Washington Wine at the U.S. Open
Can you believe I’ll be at the U.S. Open this weekend? One of golf’s biggest events is being held at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington. (Not too far from Tacoma.) And since I haven’t hidden a secret life as a professional golfer from you, what am I doing there? Caddying? No. Drinking wine? YES! Huh? [More]
I Have Feelings About Carmenère, Chile’s Signature Red Wine Grape
What’s a wine turtle? Well, one approached me to share my feelings on Carmenère and I didn’t really think to ask any questions before saying “Yes.” That’s how strongly I feel about sharing my wine knowledge; I leap at the opportunity to educate with no regard for what consequences may arise. OK, I jest. Wine Turtle is [More]
Yalumba and Viognier: Food and Wine Pairing with Jane Ferrari
If you want a lively, memorable, and fascinating lesson about Australian wine, there’s no one I’d rather listen to than Jane Ferrari of Australia’s Yalumba. She’s a winemaker, communicator, and storyteller. I had the chance to sit down to dinner (the winery’s treat, BTW) with her on a bustling Friday night at Seattle’s Wild Ginger [More]
The Best Red Wine I’ve Had in Years
There’s a lot of white and rosé (both still and sparkling) wine talk around here, but oh my did I just drink one of the best red wines I’ve had in years. A kind of “WOW WOW WOW” wine that had me blathering on, “I can’t believe how good it is!” Olga Raffault Chinon Les [More]
Charbono is Cool
I like the underdog grapes and Charbono definitely fits the bill. If you’re looking for it in Napa Valley you’ll have to seriously crane your neck as their are only around 50 acres. Out of 43,000+ of vineyard acres in the region. What is the Charbono in Napa Valley? Some say it’s Bonarda, which today you’ll find [More]
Weather to Fly: A Long Island Pét-Nat That’s a Fizzy Delight
First of all, what is Pét-Nat? It’s short for pétillant-naturel. And it is a fizzy delight. (Sometimes it can be a bit cloudy and funky, too.) You make Pét-Nat by bottling a wine while it’s still fermenting. So some happy bubbles become trapped. That means, upon the time of enjoyment, YOU WIN. (Please note that Pét-Nats can sometimes be a [More]
