Food

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 …

Time is running out to finish up your Christmas shopping.   For those looking to impress a wine enthusiast, these final days are daunting. Malls and department stores offer little that would please an oenophile, and the staff at Best …

Last weekend at my sister’s wedding, my family served a lot of wine to a lot of people. Our vino of choice was an everyday Concha y Toro from Chile, poured out of magnums, helpfully plastered with American-friendly varietal names …

In 2010 and 2011, the struggles of wineries up and down the state resonated in all corners of the industry.  The weather, front and center, was a force to be reckoned with and it sorted the winemaker pros from the …

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 …

Legend has it that a renowned British wine taster was once presented with a flight of wines while wearing a blindfold. He nailed each wine, correctly identifying the grape and the region in which it was grown. Toward the end …

Barolo has long been described as “the wine of kings, the king of wines.” And together with its neighbor, Barbaresco, it takes most of the Nebbiolo spotlight. It is for good reason that the two regions do so well, but …

On April 17, wine enthusiasts across the globe gathered to celebrate World Malbec Day. For novices and oenophiles alike, the celebration was a great opportunity to sample some of Argentina’s flagship varietal.   Although Malbec is stunningly popular, few Americans …

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 …

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 …