• Syrah vs. Cabernet: no comparison

    Updated: 2012-09-28 15:22:25
    A few days ago, I blogged on how Cabernet is more forgiving of slight problems than Pinot Noir, because it’s more tannic and fuller-bodied, whereas Pinot’s transparency reveals the slightest flaw. Adam Lee, the co-proprietor (with his wife, Dianna) of Siduri and Novy, wrote in to ask if I think Syrah also covers its flaws, [...]

  • Cheese & Drugs – What’s The Connection?

    Updated: 2012-09-28 01:41:12
    Smuggled cheese a big business? Looks like it, at least in Canada.

  • UC Davis: Taste will tell the tale on wine bottle closures, or will it?

    Updated: 2012-09-27 11:00:01
    I got this Email press release, and I’m not going to try to reinvent the wheel here. It’s going to be below my own personal intro… I’m always fascinated by the subjects of universities’ studies, regarding what’s happening in the world (in this case, the world of wine) worth fully investigating. Can we tell the [...]

  • More great Cabs than Pinots makes finding the great Pinot a real treat

    Updated: 2012-09-26 15:11:36
    I’ve maintained for a long time that I like equally California’s two greatest red wine–Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. You can’t say that one is better than the other because it’s not. Two different wines, often starkly different, for different purposes, meant to drink with different foods (mostly. A char-broiled filet mignon will happily adapt [...]

  • The Sebastiani Legacy Continues to Flourish ~ An Interview with Donny Sebastiani

    Updated: 2012-09-26 11:00:28
    Coming to California for the first time had me visiting the town of Sonoma, and how could I miss Sebastiani Vineyards? It was a great feeling, to stand inside of a winery with such history. Then I moved here and began working with families with lots of history. What I learned over the years is [...]

  • The Wines of New Zealand with Craggy Range

    Updated: 2012-09-25 22:45:42
    When Australian businessman Terry Peabody visited New Zealand in 1997, he was introduced to noted kiwi viticulturalist and Master of Wine, Steve Smith. The pair made an important decision from the very beginning – to pursue the Single Vineyard Philosophy of winemaking – to select and source the best land and vineyards in the country, [...]

  • VIDEO WINEMAKER SERIES ~ Walla Walla Vintners in the Wine Cellar, Part I

    Updated: 2012-09-25 11:00:46
    While on a recent trip to Walla Walla wine country, Jose and I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Myles Anderson of the Walla Walla Vintners. We have to thank Paul Gregutt, who’s Washington state’s most valuable wine writer resource. Staying with Paul and Karen Gregutt in their lovely and homey Waitsburg cottages gave us [...]

  • Restaurant Wine by Ronn Wiegand ~ Submitting Samples

    Updated: 2012-09-24 11:00:01
    One of the greatest joys I’ve experienced in the wine business is the relationships that I’ve been able to build within the wine writing community. Ronn Wiegand, MS and MW, of Restaurant Wines is right up there with the best. Although he’s moved from Napa to Europe, the bond continues for this bright and talented [...]

  • Review: **** State Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California. 2008 (CS8B)

    Updated: 2012-09-21 21:07:00
    Review, September, 2012: This wine was vinted from 705-08SLCS - 2008 State Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa CA (CS8B) grapes obtained from Brehm Vineyards and fermented with BDX yeast.Now, four years from vintage date, let's see what we've got: Deep ruddy red in the glass. Fragrant, aromatic and actually still bright on the nose. The palate is yielding, bold, soft and aromatic with plums, red roses and blackberries. Four stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. 

  • 2013 Class of the Vintners Hall of Fame: Cesar Chavez, Robert M. Parker, Jr., Frank Schoonmaker, and Merry Edwards

    Updated: 2012-09-21 11:00:15
    The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has announced that its 2013 Vintners Hall of Fame inductees will be legendary labor leader Cesar Chavez, wine writer Frank Schoonmaker, the founder of The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker, and winemaking pioneer Meredith “Merry” Edwards. I love the announcement of this annual award, because it captures the heart of the [...]

  • Other Fermentations and Adventures

    Updated: 2012-09-21 02:27:21
    Fermenting is not just for wine! For centuries, mankind have been fermenting dairy products for both the purposes of preservation and enjoyment.

  • Top 10 Marketing Contributions to the Success of PS I Love You’s 10 Years

    Updated: 2012-09-20 11:00:46
    It’s been 10 great years as the founding executive director of PS I Love You, Inc. It’s also been, without a doubt, the most challenging and rewarding job of my professional life; although being the director of a school, teaching a deaf student, and being a Girl Scout a day camp director were also very [...]

  • 10 years old, and *The Petite Engine That Could* is still chugging along ~ spreadin’ the love for Petite Sirah

    Updated: 2012-09-19 11:00:46
    September 19, 2012 is PS I Love You’s 10th anniversary. On this date in 2002, Kent Rosenblum – then of Rosenblum Cellars, now of Rock Wall Wine Company – sent a check that helped to begin a Website. This contribution also helped to launch an advocacy group, and give us the definitive starting date of [...]

  • Updated Review: *** Chez Ray Rosso Grande "Kit" Wine, 2002

    Updated: 2012-09-18 22:04:00
    : : , skip to main skip to sidebar Chez Ray Winemaking Trials , tribulations and . tips Tuesday , September 18, 2012 Updated Review : Chez Ray Rosso Grande Kit Wine , 2002 Original , Review December , 2008 : This is one of my earliest fermentation ventures , made in 2002 from a kit Rosso Grande , now marketed by a firm called Cellar . Classic The kit comes in the form of a bag of juice concentrate with tannins and other additives , along with required yeast , preservatives and the like . Although composed for six gallons , I made a five gallon batch , concentrating the flavors and adding more alcohol to the end . result In the glass , it is dark magenta , virtually opaque . Looks like a young wine , despite its six years of age . Aroma has that sweetness which is characteristic of these

  • Updated Review: *** Chez Ray Bordeaux Blend, 2004, Lodi, CA

    Updated: 2012-09-18 21:49:00
    : : , , skip to main skip to sidebar Chez Ray Winemaking Trials , tribulations and . tips Tuesday , September 18, 2012 Updated Review : Chez Ray Bordeaux Blend , 2004, Lodi , CA Original Review November , 2008 : The 2004 Chez Ray Bordeaux Blend B4 is a mix of 2004 cabernet sauvignon and merlot grapes from Lodi , CA . In the glass , it is medium deep red , showing purple and brick at the . edges Aroma is strong , fruity and oaky . Robust and simple think pizza wine aromas . On the palate , there is a bit of an old-world style it hits to the back of the mouth , with a bit of smoke and tannin . Not much fruit up front , in contrast with the aroma . The bit of gritty tannin is unexpected , but nice . It allows for a rolling , lengthy finish , where the fruit finally arrives with a bit of shy

  • Winemaker Eric Dunham’s Walla Walla Wonderland ~ Dunham Cellars

    Updated: 2012-09-18 11:00:52
    I’m fascinated by how closely wine is aligned to art. It’s liquid art, really, when it’s a handcrafted procedure during the winemaking process. Many, like Jan Shrem of Clos Pegase, who in this instance was a publisher in his past life, has now surrounded his winery with art  which he’s purchased. That’s always lovely… Now, [...]

  • Review: Chez Ray Blueberry / Jostaberry, Connecticut, 2003

    Updated: 2012-09-18 00:03:00
    Original Review: nbsp; This is a fruit wine combination of blueberries and jostaberries from central Connecticut orchards. Fruits were harvested in 2003. This tasting is nine years later. In the glass, this is light ruby and orange. Aromas are bright and suggestive of light port. The palate, however, shows a light brightness that still carries the brambly jostaberry fruit plus the gentle sweetness of blueberry. Hint of wine, suggestion of fruits, lightly sweet. A pleasant sip as an aperitif or with cheese. 

  • Updated Review: ***+ Chez Ray Lodi Syrah, 2003, Valley Oaks Vineyards, Lodi, CA

    Updated: 2012-09-17 23:31:00
    : : , , , skip to main skip to sidebar Chez Ray Winemaking Trials , tribulations and . tips Monday , September 17, 2012 Updated Review : Chez Ray Lodi Syrah , 2003, Valley Oaks Vineyards , Lodi , CA Original Review December , 2008 : This 2003 Chez Ray Syrah is made from fresh grapes from Valley Oaks Vineyards in Lodi , CA , fermented warm with Pasteur Red yeast , pressed at . dryness Color in the glass is medium , rusty red , turning slightly toward brick at the edge . Aromas are modest , gutsy warm fruit , hint of oak , hint of . vegetation On the palate , an even , clean , durable fruit middle is the first note , very nicely balanced with touch of oak , touch of tannin . Not a bunch of layers , not a bunch of depth , but the solid fruit throws off a clean , mineral tone that makes for a

  • Updated Review: **** 2003 Chez Ray Zinfandel, Lodi, CA

    Updated: 2012-09-17 20:10:00
    : : , , skip to main skip to sidebar Chez Ray Winemaking Trials , tribulations and . tips Monday , September 17, 2012 Updated Review : 2003 Chez Ray Zinfandel , Lodi , CA Original Review September , : 2007 This Lodi zin was made from fresh grapes , fermented warm with Pasteur Red yeast . In the glass , it shows a medium dark red . Clean , sweet leather and cinnamon aromas push from the glass . In the palate , a thick , sweet fruit coats the mouth , bringing zinfandel-style tang and noticeable oak . Full round middle with enough tannin and acid to hold the finish , even after a few years in the bottle . This is a keeper for the evening . Four stars out of . five Especially good with the yummy roasted tomato and pasta dish Karen prepared Updated Review , five years later September , 2012 :

  • Updated Review: *** Chez Ray Lodi Syrah (S5, S'5, S5 Prime), 2005

    Updated: 2012-09-16 01:24:00
    : : skip to main skip to sidebar Chez Ray Winemaking Trials , tribulations and . tips Saturday , September 15, 2012 Updated Review : Chez Ray Lodi Syrah S5, S'5, S5 Prime 2005 Original Review October , 2010 : nbsp This 2005 syrah from Lodi grapes was given preliminary notes as : follows 2005 Lodi Syrah , Lodi , CA S5, code 46 nice nose and fruit , rich , acidic , sweet , nice finish 90 hi-red nose , red burnt merlot , soft tannin , mid fruit , soft acid , soft alcohol , dry , lots of bite , very tasty Now , in 2010, following several years in the bottle , it shows as solid mid-red in color , not quite opaque in the center . nbsp Poured cool with a brief decant , it shows a shy , slightly plumy nose , with the tiniest hint of savory earth . nbsp On the palate , a gentle , spritzy , sweet ,

  • Chez Ray Dry Honey Mead 2008

    Updated: 2012-09-15 23:50:00
    : skip to main skip to sidebar Chez Ray Winemaking Trials , tribulations and . tips Saturday , September 15, 2012 Chez Ray Dry Honey Mead 2008 Original posting July 2008 : nbsp Running short on my 2002 vintage honey mead , I decided to whip up another batch this time using Trader Joe's Desert Mesquite . Honey I published full recipe and instructions over here at Associated . Content Once it ages out , I'll let you know how it . is For labeling , I coded this as HM8. Tasting notes , four years later September , 2012 : Wow , it sure is a long time since I got around to sampling this The bottles were tucked in my wine cellar behind a couple of other heavy cartons which haven't moved for awhile . nbsp Thanks to Kiljoy's comments which finally prodded me to unearth them In the glass , this is

  • 2012 Fall Wine Festival September 15

    Updated: 2012-09-04 21:03:42
    : Oklahoma Wine News Statewide Oklahoma wine industry news and vineyard events . Never miss a local wine tasting event . Our wine blog includes an online archive of winery news , festival dates , state wine law news , grape growing tips , and a full list of Okahoma winery . websites 9 04 2012 2012 Fall Wine Festival September 15 Here in Nuyaka , Oklahoma , the year has just flown by . in spite of the terribly hot days we thought would never end Our festival is the 3rd Saturday in September and will be on the 15th this year . We are looking forward to seeing old friends and customers along with new friends and customers . We will have a fun filled day with wine tasting and music . Plus , we have made some improvements to the grounds that we are eager to show . you We harvested our wine

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