Jun
9
The New Spain Emerging
My previous article on Priorat explained the context of the Spain most of us have come to know, derived from the globalized influence of a limited number of palates seeking
Mar
16
Xanadu in Uruguay: Bodega Garzon
The scope of the Bodega Garzon project in Uruguay is almost megalomaniacal. It takes a Citizen Kane like vision to start a winery by planting 200 hectares comprised of 1,200
Aug
21
Cascina Val del Preta “Carolina” Barbera d’Alba Superiore 2009
I am not usually a fan of Barbera – even the ‘upper echelon’ stuff. I find it often marred by overuse of new oak and lacking the finesse, complexity and
Aug
3
Sandlands Sonoma County Trousseau Noir 2014
I spend a lot of time thinking about how to remain consistent with my own personal integrity. You can blow up your life repeatedly to bring in new challenges, but
Jul
10
Searching for Okanagan Terroir with Sparkle: Bella Wines
Over the last decade, from the time I began writing about wine seriously, I have been searching for the signal that the Okanagan has (1) interesting terroir, (2) the technical
May
26
Spotlight on Indigenous Italian White Wine: Cantina Giardino Paski 2014
Whereas Friuli is an established but neglected region of great indigenous Italian whites, Campania is as forgotten as the ancient Etruscans – the people older and more established than the
May
7
Scholium Project Gardens of Babylon 2013
An ever evolving enterprise, Abe Schoener’s Scholium Project represents the soul of American innovation. Schoener has been making a huge range of quirky wines as far back as the mid
Apr
9
Massican “Annia” Napa Valley White Wine 2014
Napa Valley whites do not evoke bucolic sentiments. No one expects to find the charms of hyper-local, aromatic whites finding harmony with local foods over generations. But California’s latest re-invention
Jan
19
L’Oratoire de Chasse-Spleen 2009
Bordeaux remains one of the world’s greatest wine regions and I am increasingly interested in exploring and drinking those wines outside of the most famous. With such wines one can
Dec
13
Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino 2000
This wine taught me three lessons. Lesson 1: There is Top Tier Brunello Not Currently in B.C. While some might not be surprised that B.C. is missing representation for top