A Taste of Wine

If I likened the kickoff Mindi Abair  Concert at the beautiful outdoor Thornton Winery  in Temecula to wine, my quote would be:  “I came expecting Merlot and got Zinfandel!”  Mindi, ever seductive charmer with her cooing smooth jazz and tenor …

The stars are aligned for a banner year in Temecula Wine Country this year. My in-box is full of exciting developments for most of the 35+ wineries that are anticipating an overwhelming public response to their ambitious programs of improvement …

In my Rock ‘n Roll DJ days, I played everything I could get from Creedence Clearwater Revival, in my mind the best American band to come out of the 60’s and 70’s.  When their song Lodi came out in 1969, …

In 2012 America solidified its position as the world’s largest wine consuming country in the world (beating the French, again).  Sales at COSTCO, the number one seller of wine, reached 1.4 billion dollars as the membership discounter amped-up its square …

Along the Sonoma Coast, high on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and barely accessible, sits Fort Ross Vineyards and Winery, home of the finest Pinot Noirs in California. It meets all the demands of this “queen” of the wine …

A growing number of people I know have had it with the “rush hour” mentality of the days leading up to Christmas and extending into the New Years holiday.  Those intrepid individuals tend to park their cars in the driveways …

Good times and fine wines are a fixture in Temecula Wine Country, but when the clock strikes December, its 35+ wineries light up with seasonal events and deserve a visit.  Each in its own way, most wineries design their tasting …

I’ve never met a Pinot Noir I didn’t like that came from an Oregon winery.  It is the American home for this complex yet smooth, velvety, delicate varietal.  I have talked to many wine aficionados who either have gone through …

I’ve known for some time now that the most vital district in San Diego County is that business and residential area between University City and Del Mar.  If you take a good look at a county map, it’s the geographical …

There is no debate that the best known wine country in America  has been under a lot of stress due to the economy, challenging grape growing weather, price cutting and carpetbagger-discounters.  It’s been a struggle the past 5 years for …