Cellar Notes

Notes about the wines we have tried recently.

Alavida Malbec featured photo

Alavida Malbec: It’s Organic and Kosher

Honestly, I have to wonder if the fine folks at Domaine Bousquet ever sleep. The family-owned winery located in the Gualtallary sub-zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, has been organic from its very beginning in the late 1990s. Their wines are certified organic and they have earned a number of certifications reflective of their commitment to sustainability and the […]

Organic Clilean Wines featured photo

Three Affordable Wines from Chile — And They’re Organic

The three wines in this tasting have at least three things in common: organic viticulture, Chilean origin, affordability. And all three wineries, along with Neyen, are sister wineries. We received these wines as tasting samples. Organic wine choices are finally becoming more common and more wineries are putting their organic certification on the wine bottle, though not all do. That’s […]

Domaine Bousquet sparkling wine featured photo

Beautiful Organic Sparkling Wine from Argentina’s Domaine Bousquet

Opening a bottle of sparkling wine takes a bit of additional care and attention, but the reward is a glass of wine made more beautiful by its lively bubbles. Once you sip that wine the bubbles fill your mouth adding texture and energy, in addition to a variety of flavors. And there is something mesmerizing about simply watching the bubbles […]

2019 Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco, Portalegre, DOC Alentejo photo

Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco — A Taste of Alentejo’s Portalegre

When the Symington family decided to expand beyond the Douro, where they have spent five generations establishing themselves as makers of quality Port and dry red wines, they chose Portalegre. In 2017 they purchased an estate they have named Quinta da Fonte Souto. The 511-acre property has just over 100 acres of vineyards at elevations between 1600 and 1800 feet […]

Domaine de Cala Rosé featured photo

2020 Domaine de Cala Rosé — Welcome In My Glass Any Time of Year

Today we’re thinking of Provence, pretending we’re sitting at a shady table on a warm afternoon watching the sea and sipping rosé. We’re waiting for lunch to arrive and planning a lazy afternoon. Well, a girl can dream can’t she? The second best thing to being in Provence sipping rosé is sipping a glass of Provençal rosé at home on […]

Sosie Red Blend Rossi Ranch, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County photo

2019 Sosie Rossi Ranch Red Blend: Made For A Meal

Sosie Wines proprietors Regina Bustamante and Scott MacFiggen are well acquainted with the wines of France, and that influence is reflected in the wines they craft. They source grapes from a number of very special vineyards in Northern California and take a light hand in winemaking. Rossi Ranch in Sonoma Valley is one of those special vineyards. We received this […]

White Wines For Summer Imported by González Byass photo

White Wines For Summer Imported by González Byass

Austria, Spain and Chile are represented in this group of white wines imported in the US by González Byass. In addition to the importer they share affordability and offer a variety of grape varieties to enjoy for summer sipping. We received these wines as tasting samples. 2020 Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen, Wachau, Austria — pale yellow with aromas […]

Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc featured photo

Priest Ranch Napa Valley Grenache Blanc: A Taste of The Unexpected

Summer is here, temperatures are rising and we’re enjoying lighter meals. We’re grilling and trying to keep cool. White wines are more likely to grace our dinner table this time of year and Grenache Blanc is a delicious choice to accompany meals or sip before dinner. Grenache Blanc from Napa Valley isn’t the most common of choices, but Priest Ranch […]