Bertani Winery- their new 1 Cru Di Bertani wine plus one other exceptional Valpolicella release.

Their new releases of wines dubbed 1 CRU DI BERTANI are exceptional wines reflecting both their attitude to wine making and the unique vineyards the grapes are sourced from. Two important labels have birthed out of this new project and their desire to produce wines that are extraordinary drinking wines that reflect the classic ValpolicellaContinue reading “Bertani Winery- their new 1 Cru Di Bertani wine plus one other exceptional Valpolicella release.”

What Are You Drinking on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Nights?

Funcken Hausen Vineyards In the late 1800’s the Funcken Family were one of many German families to emigrate from Funckenhausen to Mendoza and, years later, Kurt Heinlein established Funckenhausen Vineyards, in the San Rafael appellation of South Mendoza. His grandson Alejandro with his grandfather continues the family tradition growing and producing very good drinking winesContinue reading “What Are You Drinking on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Nights?”

From the Cellar- December 2023.

It’s become a tradition at home to pull out something nice the day after Christmas and enjoy it with a nice meal. The focus is always the wine and not so much the pairing- this year it was vegetable Lasagna. Torbreck RunRig 2003 – something from the Cellar. This is Torbreck’s flagship Shiraz and is sourcedContinue reading “From the Cellar- December 2023.”

Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank.  

Mac and Billy Cellars M Cabernet 2021 – Paso Robles. This blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah comes from a collaboration of McPrice “Mac” Myers and Billy Grant- two heavy hitters from the Paso region, who believe in sun, soil, and grit to make great wine. “M is aContinue reading “Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank.  “

Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.

Huon Hooke believes ‘Frankland Estate has emerged as one of the great vineyards in Australia’ Imagine leaving Perth and driving south east for 3.5 hours with nothing but scrub through ‘towns’ you cannot pronounce eventually travelling through Kojonup, population 878, about the only major town in outback WA. You think your lost, in the middleContinue reading “Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.”

It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?

Is the third Wednesday in November which would be the 15th. Somehow it got shifted to the 17th … something about a conflict with Beaujolais Nouveau Day, although that is always on the third Thursday of November. Confusion aside for a minute …      The Crljenak Kaštelanski grape, which translates to “the red from Kaštela”Continue reading “It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?”

Two California Gems.

Nick Goldschmidt, the winemaker is truly an international winemaker. Born in New Zealand, and raised in Australia, he became, arguably the first ‘flying winemaker’. He starts his year making wine in Barossa, in South Australia, them flying to California to make wine, then on to Argentina to round the year out. His schedule is aContinue reading “Two California Gems.”

A White Malbec and a ‘Super Tuscan’ worthy of an invitation to your next dinner party.

Artesano De Argento White Malbec 2022 ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’ Juan Pablo Murgia introduces the US to ‘Artesano White Malbec’ made from 100%, Organic grapes sourced from a single vineyard, situated in the foothills of the Andes, in Mandoza, Argentina.    Made in the ‘Blanc de Noir’ technique with no skin contact and harvestedContinue reading “A White Malbec and a ‘Super Tuscan’ worthy of an invitation to your next dinner party.”

Four Wines that define the term ‘Highly Allocated’.

Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2019- Clare Valley, South Australia- Spectacular! Yes, you read correctly, Assyrtiko, the classic Greek varietal is now grown in Australia, since August 2012 no less. When you think about it, the climate in Clare Valley and surrounding wine regions is most definitely Mediterranean so it makes sense that it was bound to appearContinue reading “Four Wines that define the term ‘Highly Allocated’.”

Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.

In my day job I get to taste some really interesting wines, some great, some OK, and some that just make me smile from the first sip. These are three of them. Paul Hobbs is the man behind this impressive Chardonnay made from predominately estate-grown fruit totally from Sonoma Coast and Sonoma County- two wineContinue reading “Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.”