Archive for December, 2008

 

Sparkling Wine: Where Extra Dry is not really extra dry

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

More than any other time of year, this is the season for bubbly. There are just so many opportunities to enjoy sparkling wines during the holidays. Whether you are looking for an aperitif to enjoy before Christmas dinner, celebrating your team’s big win in a bowl game, or ringing in the New Year, a good […]

Filed under: General Wine Information, Sparkling Wine |

 

Football Watching Wines for Bowl Season

Tuesday, December 16th, 2008

This Saturday, December 20, is the beginning of the annual college football marathon, 34 games in 19 days culminating in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami on January 8. Those of us football fanatics are stocking up on our manly fare of burgers, chili, pizza, brats, chips, salsa, and cheese. Now we need some […]

Filed under: American Wine, Argentine Wine, Australian Wine, Chilean Wine, Contest, Malbec, Red Wine, Shiraz/Syrah, Spanish Wine, Sparkling Wine, Washington State Wine |

 

A Very Special Private Tasting of Washington Cabs

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Several years ago, Dad (John) began purchasing special bottles of wine to put in his cellar and then enjoy on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and so forth. We always look forward to these occasions knowing that we are in for a very special wine treat. Since we are firm believers in blind […]

Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25 |

 

1995 Columbia Crest Reserve Ice Wine

Friday, December 12th, 2008

As with most things in life, even those things we love, drinking wine can become routine, ho hum. Sure you may enjoy a good bottle here and there, have fun at a winery, or try a new varietal to keep things interesting. But then, out of nowhere, BAM!, a wine experience comes along that really […]

Filed under: American Wine, Dessert Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Riesling, Washington State Wine, White Wine, Wines Under $25 |

 

Wine Word of the Week: Phylloxera

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

This week’s Wine Word of the Week is phylloxera. Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine: Phylloxera. This small yellow root-feeding aphid has probably had a more damaging impact on wine production than any other vine pest, or any vine disease. It attacks only grapevines, and kills vines by attacking their roots. […]

Filed under: Wine Word of the Week |

 

Wine Blogging Wednesday #52: Value Reds from Chile

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Our host for the December edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday, the blogosphere’s monthly virtual wine tasting event, is Tim Lemke of Cheap Wine Ratings. Tim selected Value Reds from Chile as the theme with these parameters, “The rules are any red wine from Chile for $20 or less. If you can find a really good […]

Filed under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chilean Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Red Wine, Wine Blogging Wednesday, Wines Under $10 |

 

Thanksgiving Weekend in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

Monday, December 8th, 2008

After spending Thanksgiving Day in Seattle, we loaded up the car and headed to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The last time we visited wineries in the area, which was several years ago, we had not had a very pleasant experience. With the increasing notoriety that Oregon has received worldwide as a wine producing region, we decided […]

Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dessert Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Oregon Wine, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Port, Red Wine, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Travel, Wines NOT To Buy (1 & 2 Star), Wines Over $25, Wines Under $10, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25 |

 

The Health Benefits of Wine

Friday, December 5th, 2008

“Consuming wine in moderation daily will help people to die young as late as possible.” –Dr. Phillip Norrie “Recent scientific evidence suggests that people who drink moderate amounts of wine each day are healthier and live longer than teetotalers.” –Malcolm Kushner The French Paradox segment on 60 Minutes a number of years ago was something […]

Filed under: General Wine Information |

 

Wine Word of the Week: Faults

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

This week’s Wine Word of the Week is faults. Official definition from Jancis Robinson’s The Oxford Companion to Wine: Faults in wines vary, of course, according to the taste of the consumer. …. To winemakers, however, wine faults are specific departures from an acceptable norm, the least quantifiable of which may be a lack of […]

Filed under: Wine Word of the Week |

 

Gift Ideas for the Wine Lovers on your List

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

Even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, if you are like me, you still have plenty of Christmas shopping to do. Are you at a loss for what to get your dad, sister, Aunt Sally, or your next door neighbor? If you know the person that you are shopping for is […]

Filed under: Wine Books, Wine Gadget, Wine Gifts/Accessories |