*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Quivira WineryZinfandel, and specifically Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, is really where myjourney with red wine began. If you’ve been a long time reader of the wineblog, I’m sure you’ve read where I’ve written about going to Sonoma for thefirst time on my honeymoon 5 years ago and how I fell in love with Zinfandel onthe trip. I’d previously really been a ... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Cornerstone Cellars.Who wants it to be spring? ME! I’m entirely over the winter weather and Ifear we are going to jump straight into the heat of summer without a stopoverin my favorite season. For the spring, I usually except low 70s- mid-70s, warmbreezes, and evenings that call for a chilled glass of white wine and rockingin the Adirondack chairs on our front st... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Gallo Family WinesWe pulled a 2008 Alamos Malbec from Argentina out of the basement the othernight. It retails for about $13, clocks in at 13.5% alcohol by volume, and hada Diam closure. On first sniff I was turned off by this wine. It smelled overlysweet and what people often call “spoofy.” I got sweetened black fruit, sweetoak, sweet berries, chocolate, and p... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this as a sample from Pasternak Imports.This wine combines a couple of my favorite things: bubbles and interestinggrapes! I’m still on the hunt for more grapes to try in hopes of some daymaking the Double-Century Club. Which, I should really submit my applicationsince I finished up my Century Club ages ago now…I just never got around toit! We popped on the Lady of Spain Brut Cava t... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from a PR firm.Last year around this time, I had the fortune of going to Portugal withEnoforum Wines to taste throughtheir portfolio and learn about Portuguese winemaking and culture. I had awonderful time and gained a great appreciation for all things Portuguese.Especially the wine. We drank a lot of wine. Particularly Vinho Verde. Now,whenever I have a Vinho Verde I t... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Rodney StrongChardonnay can be a wonderful wine. Sadly, I often find ones that justaren’t to my taste. Thankfully, that is not at all the case with the 2008Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay, which displays all the fruit that makes alovely Chardonnay and none of the heavy-handedness with oak that turns me off.I prefer a light touch of oak that lends a bit ... Read More » »View More
Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Hahn Family Wines.Rejoice! Wine Blogging Wednesday is back! I missed it so. Though,admittedly, I totally missed the first reincarnation last month…having averageabout 4 hours of sleep a night and dealing with a fussy newborn, wine was notmuch happening! But I’m in for this month’s edition hosted by my friend Tim ofWine Cast. He’s chosen Rhones Not from theRh... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Cornerstone CellarsAnd one that you should really check out. Few and far between (in my humbleopinion) do you find a Napa Cab in the under $50 price range that actuallydisplay all the hallmarks of a good, solid Cab without the heavy hand ofoak. The 2008 Cornerstone Stone Stepping Stone Cabernet Sauvignon Napareally delivers for the price point. It retails for... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample.I’ve previously written about this same wine, during the holiday season of2009. I enjoyed itthen, and am always willing to give it another shot. The Biltmore EstatesBlanc de Blancs Brut is a non-vintage wine, though this particular release hasa lower alcohol content than the one I tasted previously. As you will see, mynotes for this bottle track very closely to the pr... Read More » »View More
*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Pasternak Imports.When I think of sparkling wine from Italy, my mind goes immediately toProsecco. I’m not actually sure that I’ve had sparkling wine from Italy madefrom other grapes before this bottle, so I was interested to give it atry. The Valdo Nerello Mascalese Brut Rose is composed of NerelloMascalese and Prosecco grapes, which makes for something d... Read More » »View More