• WINE

A Delightful, Though Virtual, Dinner in Spain

September 17, 2020

Grilling season is winding down and a friend called to invite me to dinner. Which is how I found myself …

• WINE

Honoring Richard Sanford, Pioneer of the Sta. Rita Hills

September 15, 2020

Richard Sanford is nothing if not humble. The pioneer of Central Coast pinot noir and the Sta. Rita Hills AVA …

• WINE

World-Class Pinot Noir—Grown on Long Island

September 09, 2020

To really understand what is happening at McCall Wines, out on the North Fork of Long Island, it is helpful …

• WINE

Sparklers from England? Jolly Good, Actually.

September 02, 2020

“Sparkling wines from England? What?!? Tell me more!” So said a good wine friend when I invited her to join …

• WINE

Talking Wine with Spiaggia’s Rachael Lowe

August 24, 2020

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Late last week the James Beard Foundation announced the cancellation of its 2020 awards, originally rescheduled (in virtual …

• WINE

ESSENTIALS: Petite Sirah

August 20, 2020

Petite Sirah is a big, bold, beast of a red wine produced most notably in California, but to a lesser …

• WINE

LABEL ANATOMY: Chateau Breillan 

August 17, 2020

One dirty little secret even experienced wine lovers won’t tell you?  They don’t always know how to really read a …

• WINE

TASTING NOTE: Inama Soave, Bradisismo and Carmenere

August 13, 2020

When we travel to Italy, tasting with both known and new-to-us producers is one of the activities we enjoy most. …

• WINE

Innovation at Château Phélan Ségur

August 11, 2020

When Véronique Dausse was 20 years old, she left France for the verdant vineyards of Napa Valley, joining Bernard Portet …

• WINE

The Polished Napa Gems of Sullivan Rutherford

August 05, 2020

Jeff Cole is something of a rare bird, in that he grew up in Napa Valley—specifically, in Yountville, a few …

• WINE

Miller Union Co-Owner Neal McCarthy Talks Wine

July 30, 2020

It takes serious corkscrew skills to score back-to-back James Beard Award finalist nominations for Outstanding Wine Program, and Neal McCarthy—co-owner, …

• WINE

Willamette Pinot Auction Goes Virtual—and Will Benefit Beard Foundation

July 25, 2020

PINOT WEEK Even for the pros who are there to work, the annual springtime Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) Pinot …

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Singular Delights from the Gary Farrell Winery

July 25, 2020

PINOT WEEK A chance to taste seven 2016 single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Sonoma’s Gary Farrell Winery, side by side—and …

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ESSENTIALS: Central Otago

July 24, 2020

PINOT WEEK Most people think of New Zealand for its Sauvignon Blanc, and rightly so—but these days the buzz is …

• WINE

A Look Back at Sideways, Where Wine is A Metaphor

July 24, 2020

PINOT WEEK Alexander Payne’s close-to-the-bone 2004 Oscar-winning comedy Sideways earned substantial credit for successfully recasting the Hollywood buddy movie stereotype …