Whenever I come home to California, I like to explore lesser known Californian producers, regions and varieties. If you’re looking to find something else besides Napa Cab and save some money, here are the highlights of what I tasted, including a bonus review on wine from Hawaii. Continue reading
Wine Review: Exploring the Neverending Landscape of Italian Wines
I’m still on my Italian wines discovery journey with 5 more Italian wines to explore with you. Be aware that once you start this journey, there will be a never-ending assortment of regions, styles and varieties to try. Continue reading
Wine Review: Californian v. Austrian Sauvignon Blanc
Although the wine market has been down in general, Sauvignon Blanc is one of the few varieties to see an increase in consumption recently. I want to explore 2 regions known for Sauvignon Blanc that might be a different style from what you’re used to. Continue reading
Can we put ice in wine?
I know most of you are in winter, but it’s summer here in Chile, so it’s rosé time. I decided to experiment with putting ice in my rosé. Although most wine connoisseurs would scoff at the idea of putting ice in wine if not downright berate you for doing it, it is not as uncommon as you’d think. Should we ever put ice in our wine? Continue reading
Wine Review: South American v. Spanish Albariño
Albariño is becoming more popular in South America as producers look towards their Spanish roots. How do they compare to Spanish Albariño? Continue reading
Wine Review: Cool Chilean Sparklings
Usually around the holidays, I try to review a Chilean sparkling wine (espumante). Despite not being my favorite type of Chilean wine, Chilean espumantes have been improving of late. Continue reading
Wine Review: Vik La Piu Belle
Vik’s top end Carmenere blend, La Piu Belle, is becoming one of the most recognizable wine labels from Chile. I finally got to taste and review a bottle. Continue reading
Wine Review: Chilean Ciliegiolo
The variety Ciliegiolo is becoming more popular in Italy. Have you tried it yet? Continue reading
Wine Review: Top Peruvian Wines
When wine lovers think of South American wines, normally Chile and Argentina come to mind. Some might even say Uruguay. However, there is quality wine being made in Peru. Continue reading
The Cult of Wine
I hosted a wine tasting recently with other wine geek friends and their significant others. However, one of the wine geeks brought her new boyfriend, who knew very little about wine. It was as if she was testing him. Would he be accepting of her lifestyle? Would he convert to being a wine lover too? Another wine lover, after several glasses of wine in him, asked the new boyfriend to share his feelings about what he was experiencing and learning while being surrounded by a bunch of wine encyclopedias commenting about every sip they were taking of the over a dozen bottles we had opened. This was after other wine geeks had shared their personal stories of how they came to love wine so much and for some, work in the industry. Then it suddenly hit me: being a wine lover is like being in a cult. Continue reading