Chardonnay bottles in a row on a table with Paradise Ridge,Jigar, Dutton Estate, Sbragia and Gary Farrell
Varietal of the Month Chardonnay: Varietal of the Month

Chardonnay is planted widely around the world.  It’s sometimes called the chameleon grape given its propensity to display characteristics that reflect the particular climate and region where it’s grown. It can be coy or bold in personality and run the gamut stylistically from rich and creamy to lean and lithe. Hone your palate by tasting a […]

Marcy Gordon / Jul 25, 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon bottles on a rail with tress in the background
Varietal of the Month Cabernet Sauvignon: Varietal of the Month

Probably the most famous of all the varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon is King of the grape world. It grows in practically every wine region and is noted for it’s concentrated flavors and ability to age gracefully for decades. Its hearty body and tight-knit finely grained tannins make it pair worthy with a variety of foods. Sonoma Cabernet […]

Marcy Gordon / Jun 24, 2022
Rosé bottles lined up on a fence rail with trees in the background
Varietal of the Month Rosé: Style of the Month

Overview  Rosé season is here and the annual crop of new releases practically makes me giddy. I can almost hear Ethel Merman belting out “Curtain up! Light the lights! Honey, everything’s coming up roses!” But of course I hear her sing Roses as Rosés. Okay, so maybe Rosé does not conjure up Ethel for you—but Rosé can certainly […]

Marcy Gordon / May 20, 2022
Pinot Noir bottles on a red table cloth with corks in foreground
Varietal of the Month Pinot Noir: Varietal of the Month

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 […]

Marcy Gordon / Apr 22, 2022
Varietal of the Month Zinfandel: Varietal of the Month

Zinfandel is know as the All American grape and has been grown in California since the 1800’s. Yet the grapes true roots are in Croatia where it’s known as Tribidrag. In Italy Zinfandel is called Primitivo. Although the majority of California producers label their wine as Zinfandel, you may see a few Tribidrag’s and Primitiov’s […]

Marcy Gordon / Mar 18, 2022
Varietal of the Month Sauvignon Blanc: Varietal of the Month

Widely planted and universally loved, Sauvignon Blanc is well known for it’s spiky, lively acidity. 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.  Zesty, zippy and zingy –Sauvignon Blanc has swing […]

Marcy Gordon / Feb 18, 2022
Syrah on the wine road
Varietal of the Month Syrah: Varietal of the Month

Syrah, a Rhône varietal, is a medium bodied to full-bodied dry red wine. For many years Syrah was ignored by consumers, it struggled to find it’s place at the table and stylistically many Syrah’s were pushed to the far side of the jam jar. Today winemakers embrace the inherent wild nature of the grape and […]

Marcy Gordon / Jan 21, 2022
Sparkling wine along the wine road
Varietal of the Month Sparkling: Style of the Month

Nothing makes an occasion more festive than Sparkling Wine. The pop of the cork, the rise of tiny bubbles and the gentle whoosh of foam in the glass—it’s romantic and special. Sparkling wines are not just for holidays and celebrations, they make a fine choice for everyday meals and pair exceptionally well with a variety […]

Marcy Gordon / Dec 13, 2021
Malbec on the wine road
Varietal of the Month Malbec: Varietal of the Month

Malbec originated in the Cahors region of France and is one of the building blocks of Boudreaux blends. But Argentina is where the grape developed it’s following and found it’s place in the foothills of the Andes and high elevations sub regions of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. If you like Cab Franc, […]

Marcy Gordon / Nov 19, 2021
Viognier on the wine road
Varietal of the Month Viognier: Varietal of the Month

Viognier Varietal of the MonthViognier is a full-bodied white wine originally from the Northern Rhone Valley in France. Viognier differs depending on the climate be it cool or warm. Cool climate wines tend towards bright citrus notes, while warm climate wines exhibit deeper floral notes and ripe stone fruit flavors. Flavor and aroma will vary […]

Marcy Gordon / Oct 22, 2021