Added on 11/23/09 at 2:10 pm
2006 Kenwood Zinfandel, Jack London Vineyard:
Characteristic ripe and under-ripe red berry aromas come together with the subtle use of oak and seasoned with a hint of clove spice. Tannins and acids are slightly elevated, but in balance contributing to a fuller body style.
Zinfandel ranks only behind cabernet sauvignon among red varietal plantings in California, with single vineyard Sonoma zins among the most important.
Try with a honey glazed ham dotted with clove and be very, very happy.
14.5% alcohol, 92 points.
I’ve seen this wine a number of places, including BevMo and Costco, priced between $15-$20.
Added on 11/20/09 at 1:26 pm
2007 Girard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley:
When chardonnay stays away from the heat of the Napa Valley it retains an entirely different character. Acidity, oak, and fruit harmonize into a beautiful example of why the Russian River Valley is arguably the most important region for this varietal in the United States. Read More
Added on 11/17/09 at 6:05 pm
When I think of a kitchen full of Thanksgiving food, one thing comes to mind: Aromatics!
I can already smell the herbaceous richness of home made sausage stuffing intermingling with the earthiness of the green bean casserole. And of course the creamy, garlic filled mashed potatoes and brown gravy, all surrounded by the waft of roasting turkey sneaking its way through the house.
Adam Sandler had it right when he sang “I wish turkey only cost a nickle!” Read More
Added on 10/06/09 at 5:16 pm
After just two years business, brothers Daniel and Georges Daou might be on the cusp of producing what could be the first true cult wine out of the Paso Robles AVA.
Heady talk when you consider they have not yet produced, nor even harvested, their first estate crop. However, if past business success is any measure of future potential, these siblings with San Diego ties are going to wow wine enthusiasts for decades. Read More
Added on 10/01/09 at 11:41 am
Wine Style: Using Your Senses to Explore and Enjoy Wine, by Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan. Wiley, John & Sons Inc. Publishing
Wine Style proposes the reader not look at wine by varietal or region, but instead by style. By doing so, the authors have simplified wine into four categories for red wines, four for whites and two each for rose and sparklers. Compare just these few categories against the massive wall of wine at your local retailer, and one can easily see the merits of this approach. Read More
Added on 09/29/09 at 7:11 am
Steve Heimoff and his pooch
I’m posting this in response to Steve Heimoff’s entry “Why do bloggers hate Parker?”
Steve,
I completly agree with your assertions.
It is disappointing to see people feel the need to try to rip down someone who has helped more people drink more wine than perhaps anyone else in our country’s history. The man is a legend worldwide and should be respected as such. Read More
Added on 09/28/09 at 11:35 am
The Wine Bible, by Karen MacNeil, Workman Publishing
This friendly read offers personal insight into all things wine, written by a woman who is a self-made superstar in this arena. In fact, in 2004, MacNeil was named “Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year” by The James Beard Foundation and later was awarded “2005 Wine Educator of the Year” by the European Wine Council.
More about education than reference, The Wine Bible acts as the reader’s personal travel guide through the world of wine. From vine to wine and food pairings, with historical and regional vignettes, it covers every meaningful wine subject. Read More
Added on 08/31/09 at 3:29 pm
Alcohol’s affect on people is widely known, however it has a much greater purpose in a finished bottle of wine.
The body style or impression of fullness, the texture, and volume of aroma are all affected by the percentage of alcohol in a given wine. Also, because alcohol content is listed on the label of every bottle, it is easy to learn volumes about any wine when purchasing for a social gathering or when pairing with food. Read More
Added on 08/09/09 at 6:36 am
Film Director John Hughes
In honor of the 2009 passing of the great movie producer John Hughes…
Mathew Broderick preached wisely to the audience in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, when he turned to the camera and preached, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Amid the current economic turmoil, these words may have more meaning today than when the movie was released. Hunkering down has its place, but so to does smelling the roses when they are in bloom.
Read More
Added on 07/26/09 at 8:20 am
Web sites exist for just about everything wine, including a Web site appropriately named www.everythingwine.ca.
Anyone who enjoys a little time in the easy chair with their favorite glass of vino will find this list of wine-related Web sites an invaluable resource to help further their enjoyment of the world’s greatest beverage.
Read More
