Wine 101

A Quick Guide and Introduction to Wine. Wine might seem a bit daunting at first. We can help you with that. Enjoy the process.  We’ll take it one step at a time. Step One: WINE REGIONS A good way to learn about wine is to learn about wine regions. I’ve included special wine regions here, ones that gave birth

Sauvignon Blanc – the white wine

Sauvignon Blanc   (classic tasting notes of cut grass, lemon, herbs and a hint of gooseberry)   Sauvignon Blanc is a popular alternative to Chardonnay. It makes a crisp, light wine. It originated in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Tasting Notes: Herbal flavors, olive and a soft, smoky flavor. It can range from sweet to

Beautiful Gigondas village, in the Southern Rhône, is a setting of stone edifices, narrow lanes and …

My recent visit to Gigondas, Rhône, France. Beautiful Gigondas village, in the Southern Rhône, is a setting of stone edifices, narrow lanes and steep hills. I am here to taste the iconic wines of the area: Gigondas, Vacqueyras, & Beaumes de Venise. I’m finding truly excellent and affordable wines here. The further south I go

Rhone Part 7, Sunday: We are in the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape today. We park near the tower…

… We park near the tower and survey the gravel, limestone, and clay soil in these hallowed vineyards. The Grenache vines are very old, thick, and twisted, just beginning to sprout new shoots for the Season. The Syrah vines are distinctly thinner in appearance. As we descend into the village, the bell tolls; it’s Sunday

Rhone Part 5, Friday: Tastings in Chateau de Grignan then on to Chateauneuf

Chateau de Grignan This chateau is a large imposing facility high on a hill. Dozens of wines tasted. A great representation of Rhone. Now on to Chateau de Suze-la-Rousse, the home of the Wine University in the area. The wines of Grignan, Vinsobres and Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages, are marvellous here. For

Rhone Part 6, Saturday: we drive from home base in Cairanne to a chateau and then to Pont-du-Gard…

… In Pont-du-Gard to visit with 39 wineries who’ve set up for the day. We’re in the shadow of the Roman aqueduct & bridge. A very picturesque setting. We taste wines from Tavel – home of famous rosé wines, Lirac and many more Cote du Rhone wines. Memorable wines: – ’09 Domaine Coudoulis Cotes du

Rhone valley part 4 continued…

Rhone Part 4, Thursday: it warms up quite a bit today with lots of sun. Beautiful Gigondas village is a setting of stone edifices, narrow lanes and steep hills. I’m tasting Gigondas, Vacqueyras, & Beaumes de Venise today. I’m finding truly excellent and affordable wines here. The further south I go, the more robust and

Rhone Part 4, Thursday: it warms up quite a bit today with lots of sun.

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Rhone Part 3, Wednesday: in Tain L’Hermitage, an attractive village on the Rhone. On the way we visit a centuries-old village…

… called Châteaubourg complete wth castle. It has a veritable fairy-tale look. Now we’re into the Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray. Whereas yesterday’s wines were quite delicate, many of today’s have more body. The big wineries, like Jaboulet, are in fine form, but the really interesting stuff is among the smaller producers. I’m meeting

Rhone Part 2, Tuesday: I am in Ampuis, South of Lyon to taste the red wines of Cote Rotie & St. Joseph…

Côte-Rôtie is just 3 km long, comprising 7 or 8 hills. St. Joseph is a longer region along the river. I taste mostly 2008, 09, & 10. They’re still young yet show impressive potential. I am pleased with Domaine Louis Chèze. I score 5 reds 90 to 91. D. de la Faviere St. Joseph ’09