Category: Wine Reviews
The Best of Brazilian Wine: My First Taste and Impressions
Call me curious, or just call me a big geek, but I get really excited when I get the opportunity
Dewazakura Dewasansan Nama Junmai Ginjo, Yamagata Prefecture
By W. Blake Gray It’s easy to taste the difference between wine grapes. But can you taste the difference between
2006 Vincenzo Cesani Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy
If someone ever held my feet to the fire and forced me to name just one group of wines that
California’s Best Boutique Wines: Tasting Family Winemakers 2007
Better late than never? Many of you have been e-mailing me for the last few weeks since the Family Winemakers
Shirataki Shuzo Jozen Mizunogotoshi Junmai Ginjo, Niigata Prefecture
By W. Blake Gray. Shirataki brewery was founded by an innkeeper on a road through the snowy Mikuni mountains in
W. Blake Gray on Sake
Irrashaimase! Welcome to Sakography. (Rice-ography?) We’re in the golden age of sake on this planet: sake has never been better
2005 René Noël Legrand “La Chaintrée” Cabernet Franc, Saumur Champigny, Loire Valley, France
Lots of people I know have a “house wine” — some bottle that they buy in much larger quantities than
Masters of Wine Champagne Tasting: September 17th, San Francisco
There was a time, I am not ashamed to admit, that I wasn’t really a fan of Champagne or sparkling
2007 Joy of Sake Tasting: September 13, San Francisco
It brings me great pleasure to not even really have to explain why a sake tasting in San Francisco might
Rolf Binder Wines, Barossa, Australia: Current Releases
Some of my favorite people in the world are those who offer no affect of their knowledge, even when you’re
1970 Chateau Gazin Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
It shows a particular breed of idiocy that the American public has turned its nose up at a grape as
The Inexact and Ancient “Science” of Growing Stuff
Farmers, that is, people who spend pretty much all day trying to coax living things out of the soil are
2005 Bodegas Colomé “Estate” Malbec, Salta, Argentina
Once upon a time, I went to Argentina looking for the good wine. Frankly I couldn’t understand what all the
Stop Telling Us What to Taste
It will be very easy for you to take this the wrong way. I certainly won’t be surprised at reactions
1988 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Blanca, Rioja Alta, Spain
There are few wineries in Spain whose names conjure the heritage and prestige evoked by R. Lopez de Heredia. Don
Winemakers, Watch out for Wasps!
Most winemakers are looking for a very specific reaction to their wine — somewhere between an “aaah” and a “wow!”
Top 2004 Napa Cabernet: Tasting at the Napa Wine Library
There are very few times during the year when the ordinary public has an opportunity to taste a large cross
Tasting Notes for Indian Wine: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Shall I reveal to you the true depths of my wine geekness? One of the most exciting things that I’ve
2005 Spencer Roloson Grenache Blanc, California
It’s particularly pleasurable to watch a small wine label mature and make a name for itself in the world. I
