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World of Wine News- Host of the Italian Wine Podcast Receives Vinitaly Lifetime Achievement Award
- ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY REOPENS ITS HISTORIC OAKVILLE ESTATE FOLLOWING A MULTI-YEAR TRANSFORMATION
- The Catalina Wine Mixer Returns To Descanso Beach Club May 29-30, 2026
- Frederick Wildman & Sons Expands National Alignment with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
Author Archives: winellama
Chardonnay, Charles Shaw, California, 2012, 12.5% abv, US$2.49
Let it be said I will try just about anything – at least once. When I saw the infamous bottles of Two Buck Chuck on the shelves at Trader Joe’s during a cross-border shopping trip, I admit I was terribly … Continue reading
Posted in California, Chardonnay, WHITE
Tagged 2 buck chuck, 3 buck chuck, california, chardonnay, charles shaw, white wine
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Espero, Tulip Winery, Galilee, Israel, 2012, 14.5% abv
It pays to have relatives living on the opposite side of the earth when your interests include tasting and writing about wines made in esoteric styles, or in off-the-beaten-track wine countries, or from unusual grapes. Here we have a sample from Israel’s Tulip Winery … Continue reading
Posted in Cabernet Franc, Israel, Merlot, RED, Shiraz / Syrah
Tagged cabernet franc, Israel, kosher, merlot, red wine, syrah, Tulip Winery
2 Comments
Viader, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, 2001, 14% abv, US$80
The first thing Doug said when I met him was ‘I only drink vodka and Californian wines’. Who says that?! Then he sent me a bottle of Viader. Now at least I understand the method of his madness – … Continue reading
Dominio IV, The Tango, Tempranillo, Columbia Gorge AVA, Three Sleeps Vineyard, Oregon, US, 2006, 13.8% abv, US$45
I’m so confused. Most who know me would say that’s a permanent state (insert raised eyebrow here). That aside, herein lies the source of my befuddlement. This wine is made from Tempranillo, but the winery is based in Oregon’s McMinnville … Continue reading
Posted in Oregon, RED, Tempranillo
Tagged Columbia Gorge AVA, Dominio IV Wines, mcminnville, oregon, red wine, tempranillo
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Pinot Noir, Seven Terraces, Rossendale Winery, Canterbury, New Zealand, 2012, 13% abv, C$27
Wine is about people and community – it’s usually best enjoyed with others and it always has a story. This Pinot Noir is no exception to that general rule. From New Zealand’s South Island just 13 km south of Christchurch, it’s made … Continue reading
Posted in New Zealand, Pinot Noir, RED
Tagged Empson, New Zealand, pinot noir, Rossendale, Seven Terraces, wine
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The Tyrconnell, Single Malt, Irish Whiskey, Andrew A Watt & Co., Ireland, 40% abv, C$60
The Tyrconnell was a horse owned by the Watt family that was entered into the Irish national stakes in 1876 and won against enormous odds of 100-1. Now the name is used for this Irish whiskey produced at the Cooley Distillery, … Continue reading
Posted in Ireland, OTHER, SPIRITS, Whiskey/Whisky
Tagged Cooley Distillery, Ireland, single malt, spirits, Tyrconnell, whiskey
2 Comments
Genium Cellers, Costers vi de Guarda, Poboleda, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2005, 14.5% abv
One thing I have learned about winemakers and winery owners is that showing even a little interest in their work usually yields immensely positive results for anyone wanting to learn more. Most are keen to share and you realize very quickly … Continue reading
Posted in Carignan, Grenache / Garnacha, Merlot, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain
Tagged carignan, garnacha, genium cellers, grenache, merlot, poboleda, priorat doq, spain, syrah
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Pinot Noir, Proposal Bloc, J Wrigley Vineyards, McMinnville AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, 2012, 14% abv
Little brother Allan purchased this across the border in Bellingham, WA where the owner of the winery and winemaker, John Wrigley, was doing a tasting. I have a soft spot for McMinnville having visited several wineries there in August, 2013. There … Continue reading
Posted in Oregon, OTHER, Pinot Noir, RED
Tagged j wrigley vineyard, mcminnville, oregon, pinot noir
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Sol Lucet, Koshu, Kurambon Wine, Japan, 2013, 11.5% abv C$24 (UK L13)
Eight. Yes, eight different Marks & Spencer’s stores. That’s exactly how many stores Brian visited to find this bottle of wine for me during a recent business trip to London, England. All praise be to Brian, best (and most persistent) … Continue reading
Salentein Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2012, 14.5% abv
Argentina’s vineyards are some of the highest in the world – most start at about 600m and can go as high as 1,600m. Almost all of them are on the country’s western strip bordering the Andes mountains toward Chile and … Continue reading
Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, RED
Tagged argentina, Bodegas Salentein, Cabernet Sauvignon
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