I have recently returned from the 2012 Wine Blogger's Conference in Portland Oregon. What a great opportunity to mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts and writers, attend informative sessions on the state of wine blogging, and of course, taste numerous wines. Like most of you I'd suspect, I have very little experience with Greek wines. Fortunately, the…
A long-time friend recently brought a bottle of red as a gift for me to try. It was from Milano Family Winery in the Russian River area of Northern California. I just opened it the other day and shared it with my jetsetting buddy Jill, who was telling tales of her trip to Thailand and Japan. We both thought it was…
I get all giddy at the thought of a trip to Canada. I LOVE that country. I’ve determined if I hada grander tolerance for chilly winters, it’d be Vancouver all the way, baby. Cosmopolitan, clean, great people, amazing restaurants with cool wine lists, Stanley Park, dragon races, the Grand Isle Market…wow, I could go on—that…
The last time I was at Costco, I picked up a bottle of Kirkland "Grandmere" Amador County Zinfandel. I thought I'd check it out as an inexpensive wine. I think it was about $10/bottle. My guess was that as a private label, this wine was probably made by Renwood, the only winery I am familiar with that …
When the warm weather kicks in, I often lose my taste for a glass of 55degree red. My cool and clever solution is Sangria. This Spanish staple is perfect for hot summer days and nights. I throw whatever wine I have around the house in a glass over ice, top it off with some chilled Orangina, Aranciata or OJ…
So many things get better with age…women, for example…and of course, wine and vines. There are fabulous old vines that make exceptional wine in many regions of the world. Historic vines, and the stories behind the wines they make are so interesting to me. Here’s an example of some old-vine Zin in nearby Amador County. Enjoy the read.…
I admit, we had a preconceived notion about the Rotary Club Wine Fundraiser, Festa di Vino last weekend. My friend Susan had scored a couple of tickets, and we were fairly sure it would feel a bit like a church crab feed or maybe even dinner at Mimi’s—Rotary Club, Shriners, Elks, Moose, that sort of…
Tonight is night 2 on a bottle of 2008, Lodi OVZ from Oakridge Winery. I think I picked this up for about $17 at Compton's Market in Sacramento. Aromas of blackberry, bacon and a hint of coco. I love the saturated ruby color and the touch of toasted oak, vanilla and hickory smoke on the…
If you'd like a change from the traditional champagne and chocolate pairing of Valentine's Day fame, reach for a red. While ports are often a paired accompaniment, I like a bold and jammy zinfandel. Berry-laden and silky on the palate, those zins produced in a heavier style are perfect with chocolate– particularly dark. My favorite of this style, Rombauer…
So Katie and I broke into the Clesi from 2 nights ago. I had tightly sealed it after Tuesday….didn't open again until tonight. We both enjoyed it very much. It was fruity and the acidic bite was gone. The wine was smooth and mellow, and easy to drink. Katie has a great palate…..and she gave it…
Susan Brown Uncorked 