Like me, you’ve probably heard of Pecorino in connection to Italian cheese. But did you know that there is a Pecorino grape that makes a wonderful Italian white wine of the same name? Yeah, me neither. One of the nice things about working in a wine bar/shop is you never know what wine rep is [More]
Six Dollar Hungarian Gruner Veltliner from Trader Joe’s and White Pepper
Gruner Veltliner from Austria has long been a grape that produces some of my favorite, everyday white wines. But a Hungarian Gruner Veltliner? That was new to me. Every now and then I have to tip my hat to Trader Joe’s for bringing me something unique and under ten dollars. The 2010 Floriana Gruner Veltliner [More]
Gruner Veltliner, Beaujolais, PBR, and Japandroids
Sometimes an evening takes you different places, both literally and emotionally. From contemplative and convivial to sweaty and swagger-y all in the short span of a few hours. And with beverages to match. Last night began with a group of friends and fellow enjoyers-of-wine highlighted by a duo of magnums from the 2010 vintage. Nothing [More]
Red Tail Ridge Pinot Noir: A First Taste of Finger Lakes Wine
Being all the way on the left coast, we really don’t get a sniff of Finger Lakes wine. I was therefore excited to receive samples from Red Tail Ridge. Their Pinot Noir was light, low in alcohol, and pleasant slightly chilled. I could sure appreciate it as a summer sipper. What I’m even more excited [More]
When Georg Riedel Met Robert Mondavi: An Interview
I had the opportunity to speak with Georg Riedel of the famous, generations-old, wine glass producer Riedel. He revealed to me the story of his memorable, and initially rocky, first encounter Robert Mondavi, and how Mondavi became a believer in both Georg and Riedel. All in the span of a single day. Naturally I also [More]
Blog Post Roundup: Portuguese Food and Wine at Esporão and Quinta dos Murças
Great Portuguese food and wine were on hand during my recent press trip to Portugal as a guest of Esporão and Quinta dos Murças. The regions of Alentejo and Douro where the two wineries are located, respectively, were also dramatic, and dramatically different. Here are links to experience some of the many highlights: A Portuguese Sparkling [More]
Dizzying Heights, Hairpin Curves, and The Vineyards of the Douro
My pale and windblown look certainly had something to do with the journey to reach the top of one of the highest vineyards in the dramatic, and dramatically beautiful, Douro region of Portugal. While on a press trip as a guest of Esporão and visiting Quinta dos Murcas, we took a drive to visit the [More]
