The red grape Barbera is an Italian varietal that produces wines that are deep in color, full body, with low tannins and higher acidity. Barbera can be grown just about anywhere but if you s a bottle on the shelf at your local store, chances are, it will be from Italy. It is still one of the most planted grape
Read moreI am a big fan of Riesling and I enjoy all the Riesling styles and sweetness levels. Dry Rieslings are usually my favorite because they pair so well with many types of foods. Germany is best known for its Riesling wines but places like Michigan, New York, Ontario, Alsace, Oregon, Washington State, and other cool northern climates also grow Riesling
Read moreI like a winery that will try something new and take some intelligent chances in their wine making efforts! Sticking to traditional ways is great when you have found perfection, but sometimes those creative juices start flowing and you want to…you know….bend the rules a bit. The wine I am tasting today is the Calculated Risk Monterey Pinot Noir 2016
Read moreThe Lodi growing region in California is sometimes a mystery to me since I have yet to travel there to explore all its wonders and its wineries! I DO know that the Lodi region is very well known for growing Zinfandel grapes and producing excellent Zinfandel wines. I know that Lodi also produces about 40% of California’s premium Zinfandel since
Read moreI love Rosé wines all times of the year but really CRAVE it when the weather gets above 85 degrees! It is a party wine, a food wine, and enjoying life with family and friends wine. I call it “Sunshine in a Bottle” and I always smile when the sun is out. Today I am savoring the Napa Valley Estate
Read moreStories of King Arthur, Merlin, dragons, and medieval days are all brought back to life in a wondrous red wine from Trefethen Family Vineyards called “Dragons Tooth”. Or maybe watching an episode of the Game of Thrones series on HBO makes a “dragon” wine label more appealing to you! Because I enjoy stories of dragons and medieval days, the wine
Read moreProvence, France is the place to look when searching for a flavorful, bright, and refreshing Rosé! The climate is just right for the growth of the grapes and the Mediterranean breeze keeps the cool nighttime air circulating. The wine I am sampling is the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé Cellier d’Eguilles Belles d’Eguilles and it is impressive. This 2019 Rosé is a
Read moreItaly is a place that has an amazingly long history and I have found it is best to learn about it while enjoying a glass of fantastic Italian wine. The Sangiovese grape is king in Italy and many Italian red wines are made using Sangiovese exclusively or in a blend. Sangiovese means the “blood of Jupiter” and is a well
Read moreI love white wines all year long but a light, crisp Pinot Grigio from the northern region of Italy can definitely beat the heat! These Pinot Grigios are most always done in stainless steel and are light in body and dry. These make easy pairings for warm weather foods and outdoor events. Today I am sipping on Corte Grande Delle
Read moreGrowing up in Michigan exposed me to many northern grape varieties when I started tasting and getting into wine. Riesling was one of those grape varieties since Michigan had Rieslings of all different styles and levels of sweetness. So it is very natural to me to find great Rieslings and know the correct flavors that should follow when I taste.
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Wine Splash! 