Even generic, corporate-owned wineries like Estancia can make good wine if they have great fruit from Monterey, specifically their Pinnacles Ranch vineyard. And another thing corporate wineries have to offer is lower prices. Like under $15 for a pretty decent Pinot.
... Read More »Easy to Find
Reviews of easy to find wines in the United States.
Rediscovering Chardonnay wine: The unoaked version
Chardonnay has become the whipping child of the wine world — the veritable before-the-ball Cinderella or Joan of Arc. But this unfortunate rep has a reason behind it. There are a crapload of disgusting, woodchipped and buttered Chardonnays lining shelves of every American retailer. And, like ... Read More »
Wine review: Blackstone 2007 Rubric Sonoma Reserve
I’m rarely a fan of the lower level Blackstone wines, seeing them as bland, sweet and too commercial. And, like most Rhianna songs that get played too often on the radio, I grew tired of hearing about and seeing Blackstone Merlot like everywhere when there were so many others of
... Read More »Wine review: Snoqualmie Naked 2008 Merlot Columbia Valley
Snoqualmie is owned and operated by the fine folks who bring us Columbia Crest and Chateau Ste. Michelle wines in Washington State. Per their corporate mantra, this is a good value wine that’s well made but there’s one added benefit to this brand: Snoqualmie practices sustainable and organic ... Read More »
Five refreshing white wines for spring and summer
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 ... Read More »
Wine review: Mulderbosch 2008 Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch (South Africa)
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: Glen Ellen 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor’s Reserve California
There are days when blind wine tastings (link) slap my ass and call me Sally. Like when a stereotypically derided wine brand like Glen Ellen actually represents well in the glass. It’s not a tempting bottle to reach for from the samples rack on a random weeknight, so blind was the *only* way ... Read More »
Wine review: Bogle 2008 Petite Sirah California
Bogle Vineyards, a third generation, family-owned and -operated winery, owns 1,500 acres and isn’t beholden to a bank. That’s how they can sell high quality wine at a low price. That, and they’ve been making Petite Sirah a long time.
... Read More »Wine review: Menage a Trois 2008 White Blend
This brand has gotten HUGELY popular in the past few years, mainly by releasing sweeter, less complex wines for the masses. Unabashed in their promotion and their choice of tropical-tasting, fragrant grapes, the winemakers at Folie à Deux (the producer) have struck a chord — with seemingly ... Read More »
Wine review: Matanzas Creek 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma (California)
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 »Sparkling wine review: Cristalino Brut Cava
Besides Segura Viudas Cava, this little $10 number is a favorite in the “cheap” sparkling wine category. Widely available too.
... Read More »Wine review: Bogle 2008 Merlot California
This wine is so rich and concentrated, it’s like drinking a Merlot in Zin clothing. Intense cherry cola, ripe plum, toasty coconut and sweet blueberry wash over your tongue, kinda leaving you wondering where the Merlot went.
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