Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with moderate acidity, and bright red fruit and strawberry flavors. The tannin structure can range […]
Merlot—It’s hard to believe this is the first time we have reviewed Merlot for the Varietal of the Month! Merlot practically needs no introduction; it’s one of the Noble grapes, and one of the most planted grapes in the world. Perhaps you heard of Merlot in a movie that made the grape fall out of […]
This month we offer reviews of two cool climate varietals—Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Winter is a great time to try these aromatic white wines and add a bit of tropical sparkle to your day with the crisp fresh flavors of these delicious food friendly wines. Check out the Winter Whites below that you may find along […]
Viognier, originally from the Northern Rhone Valley in France, is a full-bodied white wine with a rich, unctuous texture. Intensely aromatic, Viognier has good acidity, tannin structure, and relatively high alcohol. Viognier from cool climates tend towards bright citrus notes, while warm climate wines exhibit deeper floral notes and ripe stone fruit flavors. Pronounced [Vee-ohn-yay] Here are capsule reviews […]
Sparkling wines are not just for holidays and celebrations, they make a fine choice for everyday meals and pair exceptionally well with a variety of foods. From fried chicken to lobster bisque, the range of food pairings are endless, but nothing beats oysters, potato chips or truffle fries for flavor match made in heaven. Sparkling […]
Pinot Noir is synonymous with Sonoma County as one of the flagship wines of the Russian River Valley region. Light bodied with moderate to high acidity gives Pinot Noir a structure that makes it eminently pair worthy with a wide range of foods. A cool climate grape, Pinot Noir can be finicky and difficult to […]
Barbera Barbera: Prince of Darkness, Goddess of Light—well not exactly, but Barbera is characteristically dark in color and light in taste. It’s a fairy tale of red and black berry flavors with high acidity, relatively low tannins, and a spicy finish. A charming and quaffable Italian varietal, Barbera pairs well with braised meats and roasted […]
Introduction Orange wines aka skin-contact or amber wines are having a moment —an ongoing moment that started 8,000 years ago. Simply put, orange wines are white grape varieties made in the manner of red wines with extended contact on the skins, resulting in wines full of texture that are both elegant and complex as well […]
You can’t come to Sonoma and not taste Zinfandel. Well, you could but why would you? Especially since the area is one of the premier Zinfandel growing regions where the grape has been grown since the 1800’s. Zinfandel is a medium-bodied dry red wine with a range of dark fruit flavors that include raspberry, […]
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the Noble Grapes noted for its high acidity and aromatics. Flavors range from lean, green and grassy; to creamy with notes of passion fruit and fleshy peach depending on climate and how the wine is aged be it in stainless steel or oak. Texture is the name of the game with […]
