Still Wines
NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS WINE STYLE ON FRONT LABEL
Notable Wines aims to take the mystery out of wine shopping. This spring they launched two Chardonnays, a “Fruity & Crisp” Chardonnay from Australia, and an “Oaky & Buttery” Chardonnay from California, both at $14.99. I was just commenting to a colleague that we often find ourselves observing then rescuing folks in the wine aisle trying […]
PARADISE RIDGE WINERY HOSTS WOW DINNER TO BENEFIT AT RISK YOUTH
by Liz Thach, MW Perched on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards and a spectacular sunset view, Paradise Ridge Winery in Sonoma County is not only an ideal location for winetasting, but also as a dinner and special event venue. That is why it was an excellent location for the most recent WOW (Worth Our Weight) […]
WHAT MAKES THE SONOMA COUNTY BARREL AUCTION SO INNOVATIVE?
By Liz Thach, MW for PLANET GRAPE WINE REVIEW Each year there are a variety of charity wine auctions held across the US, but the one that wins the innovation crown is the Sonoma County Barrel Auction. This is because auction organizers challenge local wineries to craft a unique, one of a kind wine blend […]
BEYOND SAUVIGNON BLANC – PRIME TIME FOR PINOT NOIR IN NEW ZEALAND
Beyond Sauvignon Blanc – Prime Pinot Noir Time in New Zealand Catherine Fallis April 19, 2017 Food and Wine I love former West End actor Oz Clarke’s description of New Zealand’s brash, pungent Sauvignon Blanc, an iconic style created by Cloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd. He calls it a “cloudburst, thrilling, shocking, lime zest, capsicum, love […]
CELEBRATING THE FRESH FLAVORS OF SPRING WITH SHAFER VINEYARDS
From SHAFER VINEYARDS in Napa Valley, California Spring has sprung and the aromas and flavors of the season are bright, zesty, and fresh. Annette Shafer offers an all-new round of recipes which deliver the best of this time of year to your table. Enjoy! SPRING HEIRLOOM CARROT SOUP WITH PRESERVED MEYER LEMON SPRING HERB GRILLED […]
COOL COASTAL SIPPER
I like to say that Albariño is Miguel Migs. If you know music, you know this is the cool dude who mixes it up for the dance clubs in SoMa, San Francisco. With notes of apple, pear, lemon, lemon rind and toasted almond, tropical fruit, and occasionally, a vein of chalky minerality, this delicious, dry, […]
ROSE CHAMPAGNE NOT JUST FOR THE LADIES
January/February 2017 Glass of Bubbly Issue 16 Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis Despite the general perception, Rose Champagne is not for ladies only, although the very thought of it brings mouthwatering visions of decadence and frolic to mind. Rose is actually the weightiest and richest of Champagne styles, is made in non-vintage, vintage and luxury […]
LE MESNIL’S RISING STAR
November/December 2016 Glass of Bubbly Issue 15 Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis With a budget of $400 US, or $850, one can easily obtain one of the best Champagnes in the world, a bottle of Salon or Krug Clos de Mesnil. With any luck, the Grand Cru Chardonnay-based bubbly will be expressive, generous and fine, though […]
BOTTEGA LIQUID METALS
September/October 2016 Glass of Bubbly Issue 14 Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis Are you gold, rose or platinum? Like the iPhone 6sPlus, Bottega Liquid Metals offers choices of platinum, gold and rose gold metal coated bottles to showcase their premium Italian sparkling wines. The innovative and eye-catching packaging includes Moscato (platinum), Prosecco (gold) and sparkling […]
AUSTRIA’S WALTZING VARIETAL
February/March 2016 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF RIESLING Benchmark old world Riesling is one of the world’s great vinous treasures, and Austria delivers it in spades. Supremely intense, rich, pungent and dry, quite different from the lacy, low alcohol, delicate, minerally, acidic […]
NO MORE GEEK SPEAK
February/March 2017 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis FOR SOMMS ON THE FLOOR, HOSPITALITY COMES FIRST Food servers have it down to an art, whether by training, instinct or experience. No server would earn big bucks by selling the restaurant’s food with ego-infused technical geek speak. Beyond that, no chef would […]
BEYOND TAPAS
December/January 2016 2017 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis BASQUE PINTXOS TAKE IT UPSCALE Tapas, simple bites such as cured meats, chorizo sausage, olives, or fried seafood have their origin in Southern Spain. One story claims that King Alfonso X stopped in Cadiz to rest from a long journey and ordered […]
WHERE VIOGNIER SHINES
October/November 2016 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis THE ANCIENT GRAPE IS AT ITS BEST IN CONDRIEU AND SOUTH WEST FRANCE Viognier (vee oh nyay) was grown in the Northern Rhone during the Roman Empire. When the Romans were forced out of Gaul in the 5th Century, the vines remained uncultivated […]
OUT FROM UNDER THE SHADOW OF NAPA VALLEY
August/September 2016 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis DISCOVERING THE LONG ESTABLISHED, NEWLY RECOGNIZED COOMBSVILLE AVA Just five minutes east of bustling downtown Napa with its popular riverfront and Oxbow Market is the bucolic, off-the-beaten-path Coombsville, a cool southern valley area protected by an ancient caldera which was granted AVA status […]
WHERE PINOT REIGNS
June/July 2016 The SOMM Journal planet grape by Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis AN INAUGURAL BARREL AUCTION MARKS A 50-YEAR MILESTONE FOR WILLAMETTE VALLEY WINES While wine grapes were cultivated in Southern Oregon in the mid and late 1800’s, it wasn’t until 1965 that marked the first plantings the Willamette Valley, when David and Diana Lett […]
PINOT NOIR NEW ZEALAND 2017 – WELLINGTON WATERFRONT
Global wine industry leaders to descend on Wellington this month In just under three weeks, an astounding selection of global wine imbibers and influencers will descend on our nation’s capital for Pinot Noir NZ 2017. We’ve got a line-up of 30 speakers from Japan, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, who […]
SHERRY-LEHAMNN/KEVIN ZRALY BORDEAUX MASTER CLASS NYC
Explore the terroir of St. Julien and the great Leoville estate along with its newest acquisition, Chateau Mauvesin with Proprietor Damien Barton-Sartorius and America’s Leading Wine Educator Kevin Zraly on Tuesday, January 24th, 7:00-9:00pm, for a reception and seated tasting at the Sherry-Lehmann Gallery, 505 Park Avenue at 59th St. NYC. $250 per person. Limited. […]
A NEW D.O.C. IS BORN: FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA D.O.C.
ENHANCING THE IDENTITY OF THE TERROIR THE FIRST BOTTLES OF THE NEW DENOMINATION WILL HIT THE SHELVES IN 2017 D.O.C. – F.V.G. Consortium Press ReleaseA long journey that began with plans, ideas and hopes, which lasted several decades, has finally culminated in July with the creation of Friuli Venezia Giulia D.O.C. The first bottles […]
WINTER WINE COCKTAILS
Simple Winter Sangria & Mulled Chardonnay Cider from Adirondack Winery in New York Simple Winter Sangria Recipe Date: November 21, 2016 Cook Time: 00:00:00 Difficulty: Easy Measurements: Imperial (US) This simple winter sangria is sweet and spicy and perfect all year round! Best of all, you can make it white or red! Ingredients 1 bottle Adirondack […]
SUNNY HOLIDAY CHEER
It’s here! Holiday shopping, festive parties, and the time of year to rock the ugliest sweaters ever made. I have selected some of my personal favorites wines and spirits of 2016 to assist you with your holiday beverages and up your game. These are all value-priced and easy to find online @drync or @eBay wines, or at your […]
GAME ON – TWO WINES FOR TURKEY DAY
What wines go with Turkey? That also pair nicely with all the sides? Now that is a bit complicated. So why don’t we reverse engineer this scenario and start with, what will my friends and family enjoy, that won’t steal the show or dent my budget? Check out this eclectic Italian duo. I recommend this […]
BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU 2016 EST ARRIVE!
Each year for the past 30 years, Beaujolais Nouveau makes its debut across the world on the third Thursday of November, just in time for the holiday table, when cheap and cheerful red is just the ticket. This year is no different, though some palates are fatiguing of the banana/tutti frutti and bubblegum flavors often […]
AWARD WINNING CHEESE EXPERT LAURA WERLIN HOSTS SEMINAR AT DUTTON-GOLDFIELD WINERY
Press Release Sebastopol, California, October 18, 2016 – Dutton-Goldfield Winery is pleased to announce their upcoming wine and cheese pairing class with award winning cheese expert Laura Werlin on Saturday November 12 at 3pm. In this rare opportunity, guests will taste limited production, single vineyard Dutton-Goldfield wines alongside some of America’s greatest cheeses in a sit-down […]
ITALIAN WINE SCHOLAR PROGRAM RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM THE ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Press Release The Wine Scholar Guild’s Italian Wine Scholar Program received official endorsement from the Italian Trade Commission (ITA). The Italian Trade Commission is a governmental body whose role is to promote the internationalization of Italian companies in line with the strategies of the Italian Ministry for Economic Development. It identifies and connects Italian and […]
