Avignonesi was established in 1974 and sits in Tuscany’s Vino Nobile di Montepulciano denomination. Sangiovese is, of course, the focus of its Nobile wines. Viticultural practices embrace organic and biodynamic principles, and not just in word. Avignonesi is certified organic and biodynamic, which means they fulfill the required record keeping and inspections; it’s rigorous, time consuming and expensive, but good […]
The story of Brunello di Montalcino and Bolgheri wines provide an interesting contrast between Tuscan regions that have achieved their prestige in very different ways — one through the embrace of tradition and a local variety and the other by throwing off tradition and embracing international varieties. The wines are very different, as you would expect. We received these wines […]
I find the labels on Famiglia Pasqua’s Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento artful and appealing. The label art comes from the entrance wall to Juliet’s Verona home that for many years was used by visitors to write love messages. Both blends are equally appealing for their taste and price; we received them as tasing samples. Pasqua’s home is in Verona, […]
Most of us are very satisfied to visit Napa Valley to taste wine and enjoy good food, but for a subset of wine enthusiasts a visit to Napa Valley leads them to make wine in Napa Valley. Husband and wife, Brian and Miki Cunat, found themselves at just such a crossroads after visiting Napa Valley and wine regions around the […]
Coeur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon is a delicious reflection of Napa Valley’s Rutherford sub-AVA and Sullivan Rutherford Estate. The estate was established 50 years ago, with the assistance of esteemed winemaker André Tchelistcheff, a friend of the original owner, James O’Neil Sullivan. This is the second vintage of Coeur de Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon we have tasted. As with the prior […]
ETTORE is an organic winery located in the Sanel Valley near Hopland in California’s Mendocino AVA. The 64-acre estate, with 35 acres of vines, has been certified organic since 2005. Today we are tasting two wines from the 2018 vintage, which we received as tasting samples. The Sanel Valley lies along the Russian River in the southern part of the […]
A glass of wine can be so many things. Wine can simply be a libation to quench your thirst, or it can be celebratory, or it can accompany a meal and go unnoticed. If you’re really fortunate a glass of wine will make you take note because of its style, its background story or the opportunity to learn about a […]
We enjoy the same kinds of wines at home as we look for when we travel: small-production wines sourced from interesting sites made by dedicated winemakers. We enjoy supporting small wineries, I guess we’re always rooting for the underdog, but also small-production wines are often the most unique and interesting. Sosie Wines fits into this category nicely and we are […]
I gathered recently with Zeke Neeley, Kenwood Vineyards winemaker, and a group of wine enthusiasts for a virtual tasting of four wines sourced from the historic Jack London Vineyard located on the slopes of Sonoma Mountain. The story that unfolded is one of appreciation for the wilds of Sonoma Mountain, relationships solidified with a handshake and the delicious wine that […]
We’re sipping more white wine than usual this time of year and Flora Springs has us covered with several recent releases that hit the spot. And Merlot is always a welcome red wine even in summer. We received these wines as tasting samples. Flora Springs is a name that is familiar to most wine enthusiasts who are at all familiar […]
We enjoy wine, food and travel. Pull That Cork is a chronicle of our wine adventures, the food and wine pairings we create and our travels which are increasingly organized around wine.