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…
If you are anything like me, you consider the world of Italian wines to be downright overwhelming. When you are unfamiliar with producers from other countries, how can you ensure you are going to be buying a decent bottle of wine? Is that cheapie at Trader Joes really any good? The U.S. imports more Italian wines, than…
I'm excited to provide the link to an article I wrote for the Spring Edition of Edible Sacramento (http://www.ediblecommunities.com/sacramento/spring-2012/railbridge-cellars.htm). I began providing wine articles for this local foodie magazine last fall. My latest story is on one of the great urban wineries in Sacramento, RailBridge Cellars. Hope you enjoy! xoxoSusan
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…
Enjoying a tasty little weeknight red, compliments of Anne, and likely, Jamie. This Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cab Sauvignon blend out of Santa Barbara is made by Happy Canyon Vineyards. Loving the dry nature of it and the medium tannins. Smooth and easy to drink…with a bit of breathing required. Pretty enjoyable for about $14. I…
Pink, Dry, Acidic Stylish in Bottle or Glass Great with Food– Rose'. Just like haiku, Rose' is simple and straightforward. As an oft misunderstood wine, it is avoided by many who expect it to be cloyingly sweet, like a White Zinfandel. But Rose' is a dry or sometimes off-dry wine made from red grapes. Because it doesn't spend much time soaking on…
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…
Wine—it's what I do. When I'm not writing , blogging,or tweeting about it, I'm creating Facebook trivia quizzes, watching video lectures and drinking the stuff—all while managing a family and all that entails. When I get a free moment, I try to study and read on the subject. As a result, earlier this month I thought, "what the heck" and signed up to…
I found this to be a very interesting article on minerality in wine. There is always a bunch of hype around terroir. While terroir is a wine’s expression of all components of its vineyard of origin’s micro or meso climate, many people erroneously focus their perception primarily on the influence of soil components on flavor. This article from Palate Press serves to…
Susan Brown Uncorked 