Checking On Some Older CA Pinot Noir
Once upon a time, among the many criticisms leveled at California wine, there existed the notion that California wines did
Chateau Rayas and the 2012 Vintage of Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Some wineries are famous. Some are infamous. And some are legendary. Château Rayas sits comfortably between the latter two: equally
Vinography Images: Tuscan Garden
Tuscan Garden The sun falls on an exquisitely manicured, Tuscan-style garden at Newton Vineyard in Napa, California. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this
IPOB – The Tasting That Became a Movement
It began on a whim and has become a focal point for the conversation about where California wine is going.
Does Vine Age Matter?
Vielles Vignes. Alte Reben. Viñas Viejas. Vinhas Velhas. These terms appear, if not frequently, then with some regularity on wine
Vinography Images: The Future Vineyard
The Future Vineyard Through the fog, stakes mark the site of future vine plantings in the Sonoma Valley. INSTRUCTIONS: Download
A Little Vinography Housekeeping
I owe a lot of you readers an apology of sorts. You’ve probably noticed that over the last few weeks,
2014 Rhone Rangers Tasting: April 6, Richmond, CA
Spring is in the air here in San Francisco. The plum and some cherry blossoms have already burst forth, those
Napa Wines and a Diversity of Opinions
Who would have thought a simple little tasting of lesser known grape varieties made into wine in Napa would be
Vinography Images: Sunlit Ridges
Sunlit Ridges Sunlight dapples ridges in the Carmel Valley, south of Monterey, California. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on
Returning to Chateauneuf-du-Pape For the First Time
I am in love with Grenache again. Estrangement from the grape hardly describes the last ten years of my life,
In Pursuit of Balance Tasting: March 10, San Francisco
There are public wine tasting events, and then there are public wine tasting events. Many consist of massive mob scenes
Vinography Images: Electric Vineyard
Electric Vineyard The mustard and the new growths of spring show electric in a hypercolor view of a Napa vineyard.
Premiere Napa Valley and 2012 Cabernet
This past Saturday, The Napa Valley Vintners association held its annual Premiere Napa Valley barrel auction. Held each February as
Robert Parker Addresses Wine Writers
As some of you know, I spent the last week at the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers in Napa. This
12th Annual Pinot Noir Summit: March 9, San Francisco
Every January, unbeknownst to most wine consumers, a group of wine writers, sommeliers, and other wine industry professionals spend many
Vinography Images: Sunset Oak
Sunset Oak A lone California Live Oak catches the sunset light in Sonoma County. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking
The Worst Drought in Five Centuries
As I write these words, the usually sunny state of Georgia has been brought to a standstill thanks to more
Journalists Banned from Tasting Domaine Huet Wines
I was surprised to learn this morning that a Loire Valley winery refused to let two journalists taste their wines
