by Michael Gallo
In terms of value wines, outstanding wines in the ten-dollar range, Bordeaux France is usually not at the top of most lists. Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina, more often than not, claim the top value spots. While these and other wine producing countries certainly deserve their accolades, I recently discovered a few Bordeaux wines that should be added to any ‘value wine’ list. In addition to being easy on the wallet, these wines can be wonderfully food friendly or even enjoyed on their own.Chateau Bois Redon, 2010 Bordeaux Superieur. This family estate near Saint-Emilion on Bordeaux’s right bank, produces traditional wines that have elegance and finesse. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bois Redon is a fruity, soft wine. Easy drinking and well balanced, the wi...
by Uncorked And Decanted Wine Events, Frank & Maria Bramwell
Washington Producers Sharpen Their Game Eastern Washington is shaking its anti-Disneyland charm. On a recent trip to the Northwest to check out current releases, we found a change of pace in our favorite best-kept-secret wine region. For those of you who have not ventured into eastern Washington wine country, and this includes most of our wine friends, we are talking about places like Walla Walla and Red Mountain. Forget classic, evergreen, postcard Washington. This is east-of-the-Cascades Washington, where irrigation is life. It is destination wine country for the hard core; the less adventuresome speak of Washington wine country in terms of the viewing box of Seattle and Woodinville, famous for its urbanite tasting rooms. It’s been several years since we last toured the ar...
by Uncorking Argentina
The long and winding road through Mendoza wine country typically ends with purple teeth and a grumbling stomach. In an effort to offer a more complete experience, many wineries have built-in restaurants, which offer visitors menus designed to perfectly pair with house wines. In the sprawling vineyards of the Luján de Cuyo region, Ruca Malén Restaurant is a popular lunch spot for wine country wanderers.Under the direction of Chef Lucas Bustos, the Ruca Malén Restaurant offers a gourmet wine-paired set menu complete with 4 courses and 5 wines. The menu, along with selected wines, rotates seasonally, allowing chefs to adapt to what local farmers can provide.The meal began with a fall salad, deconstructed. Never before had I eaten a salad that required a road map – with bilingual direc...
by Andrew John Chalk
Allen Shoup left the position of President and CEO position at Washington State’s largest wine maker, Chateau Ste. Michelle, in 2000 but he had no intention of retiring. After three years ‘gardening leave’ (presumably to serve out a non-compete) he founded a new and very unusual winery. Long Shadows Vintners has not one winemaker, but one winemaker for each wine. Furthermore, that wine maker is not an employee but an acknowledged worldwide leader in that genre. For example, the Long Shadows Cabernet Sauvignon is made by Napa legend Randy Dunn. The Merlot, by French legend and Pomerol native, Michel Rolland. There are actually seven superstar winemakers making seven Long Shadows wines.At a tasting this week at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, at which I was an invited guest, I questioned Sho...
by Myrna E. Arroyo
Imagine a journey where you cruise past castles and vineyards, stop in quaint towns along the way, visit vineyards and wineries to taste the local wines, and then return to your comfortable stateroom for a good night's sleep while your luxurious ship takes you to the next stop. People love river cruising because there's no packing and unpacking in every town you visit, no checking in and out of hotels, and your every need taken care of from the minute you board.If you are curious about going on a river cruise, here are some factors to consider:The River Cruise ExperienceThe experience of river cruising is very different from ocean cruising. First, the capacity of the typical river cruise ship is under 200 guests (as opposed the thousands that sail on ocean cruises). So you are getting a...
by Tyson Scheumann
HistoryWhile initially part of Mexico, the land that now encompasses Holman Ranch was originally used by Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo during the Spanish Era. Formally established in 1928, the modern, family-owned Holman Ranch resides in the Carmel Valley just twelve miles inland from the Pacific Coast. Historically, the ranch has served as a retreat for Hollywood celebrities including: Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Vincent Price, Joan Crawford, and Marlon Brando. In 1989, the 400 acre ranch dedicated 19 rolling acres to planting a vineyard. Thomas and Jarman Lowder purchased Holman Ranch in 2006 and after completely refurbishing the property and repurposing the land, they realized their dream of producing estate grown and bottled wine and olive oil. Vineyard & WineryThe sun-...
by Tyson Scheumann
Bello Family Vineyards proprietor, Michael Bello, weekended in Napa Valley for over 13 years before finally embracing his deep passion for wine and realizing his dream of owning a winery. While initially scouring the valley for real estate investment opportunities and a wine country plot to retire on, Bello found himself inspired to enter the business. In 2000, he purchased land in Rutherford and began construction on what would become Bello Family's vineyard estate. Construction on the French style farmhouse took four years, using materials imported directly from France. Bello employed renowned vineyard management veteran, David Abreu, and elite winemaker, Aaron Pott, to head up operations for Bello Family. The team decided to entirely replant the land's current grapes, and remove the cha...
by Gerards Wine
Most people have tried various red wines and white wines and they still have no idea what differentiates both. If you have no clue, then this article will give you the factors to look for; apart from the color which is obvious. Red and white wines can either be dry or sweet or anywhere in between.The red wine is more robust, more complex than white wines. White wines are generally lighter without the complexity of reds. Though the grapes used do matter, but the main difference is in the fermentation process. Red wines are mostly made from red and black grapes, and white wines from green grapes. Sometimes red, black and black grapes are combined.During the fermentation process for white wine, the stems, seeds and grape skin are gently removed from the grape juice after it has been squeezed ...
by Mike Meisner
Thirty minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge, another notable gate now lies at the entrance to California's beautiful Carneros wine region in Sonoma Valley. Ram's Gate Winery is a tastefully conceptualized dream-scape designed by veteran noted architectural firm Backen, Gilliam, and Kroeger. In the last 15 years, the powerhouse team led by FAIA member, Howard Backen, has laid the groundwork for over 40 elite residences, 35 wineries, 18 restaurants, 6 major resorts, and a line of retail stores. Each of Backen's designs are extremely detail oriented, and with four years passing before the project's completion, Ram's Gate is no exception. The tattered farmsteads previously strewn about old Carneros inspired Backen's uniquely Californian design. The general layout consists of two rustic bar...
by Andrew John Chalk
Recently I had the honor to meet Andrea Sartori, the President of his family’s winery, Sartori di Verona, along with his consulting winemaker Franco Bernabei over a meal with some of their best wines. It was a memorable experience.Andrea Sartori is a busy man. As President of Sartori de Verona winery he already has the responsibility of running a family business. However, since he became Managing Director in 1998 his ambition has made his own job even more onerous. He had studied in the United States at Columbia University, producing a more global perspective for the scion of an old-line Veneto wine producer (as well as fluency in English). He doesn’t say he took over the reins of the family winery with an agenda, but events since that date suggest it. That agenda can be summarized as ...
