Taylor Eason | June 23rd, 2011
There’s a bit of a backlash with oaky/buttery California Chardonnays now. A newfound love of the unadorned version — labeled “Unoaked”, “Virgin”, “Naked” or “Stainless Steel” — can be witnessed on retail shelves and on restaurant wine lists. The taste difference between oak-aged and/or fermented Chardonnay and those that don’t see wood can normally be summed up in one word: minerality. Washington State’s Buried Cane is on to something.
Read more: Wine review: Buried Cane 2009 Whiteline Chardonnay (No Oak)
Taylor Eason | May 3rd, 2011
Warmth is finally peeking out from underneath the underbelly of winter, escaping to where people wear shorts and sandals. When the mercury rises to this level, it’s difficult to slurp red wine, so I recommend these five inexpensive white and sparkling wines that should quench the thirst tugging at your tongue.
Read more: Five refreshing white wines for spring and summer
Taylor Eason | April 23rd, 2011
Used to be bubbles were out of reach for everyday drinking, but then quality Italian Prosecco came along. Like the Sorelle Bronca Prosecco that I tasted at a wine bar in Santa Rosa in Northern California. By the glass for $8. An absolute steal.
Read more: Sparkling wine review: Sorelle Bronca Prosecco Brut (Veneto, Italy)
Taylor Eason | April 11th, 2011
Dry Creek Valley grows some of the best Zinfandel in California and Quivira lies in the middle of it all. When I visited their biodynamically-farmed vineyards in Sonoma County a few years ago, I was pretty awed with everything they produced.
Read more: Wine review: Quivira 2008 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
Taylor Eason | April 4th, 2011
Melissa Stackhouse, a fantastically talented Pinot and Chardonnay winemaker, was recently promoted at Kendall Jackson (who owns La Crema Winery) to Pinot Noir Winemaster for all of Jackson Family Wines. I’m not surprised since her gorgeous creations continue to overdeliver for the price. I’ll be watching to see if they remain as good without her daily oversight. This Pinot is divine.
Read more: Wine reviews: La Crema 2009 Monterey Pinot Noir and 09 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Taylor Eason | March 18th, 2011
In new world regions like South Africa, Chenin Blanc transforms. They often call this white grape “Steen” in South Africa. And the Mulderbosch Chenin was mistaken for a White Burgundy at a recent blind tasting… embarrassing all the certified sommeliers in attendance.
Read more: Wine review: Mulderbosch 2008 Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch (South Africa)
Taylor Eason | March 5th, 2011
In Europe, gender equality in the wine world still hovers in the Middle Ages, but strong-willed females have made progress. In 1975, Maria Martinez, a warm-hearted yet tough survivor, began her wine career in Spain’s Rioja region. After only four years of working in the cellars, she earned her spot among the esteemed winemaker ranks, and has since been crowned “the Queen of Rioja” as the head winemaker at highly respected, 135-year-old Bodegas Montecillo.
Read more: Wine review: Montecillo 2001 Rioja Gran Reserva
Taylor Eason | February 26th, 2011
The Clif Family — yes, the same people who make the cand…er… “nutrition” bars — started making wine in 2004 after moving to Napa Valley. Like their bars, they source from sustainably and organically-grown vineyards (link) in northern California. Winemakers Sarah Gott and Bruce Regalia do an outstanding job with all the Clif wines, especially whites like this one.
Read more: Wine review: The Climber 2009 Sauvignon Blanc California
Taylor Eason | February 13th, 2011
Of all the French wine regions, Alsace (ALL sass) is the easiest to understand. Unlike other regions, it labels its bottles by varietal name, making the selection — and pronunciation — less problematic. This Pinot Gris from Zind Humbrecht is nearly perfect.
Read more: Wine review: Zind Humbrecht 2009 Pinot Gris
Taylor Eason | January 7th, 2011
This California winery boasts a fantastically talented French winemaker who crafts decidedly European-style white and red wines. In essence: food wines with more acidity. This is a “grown-up” Sauvignon Blanc.
Read more: Wine review: Matanzas Creek 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma (California)
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