Other Wine Tastings

All other wine tastings we go to.

Sipping Flora Springs Soliloquy

The story of Soliloquy, a Sauvignon Blanc clone unique to Flora Springs and a wine of the same name made using those grapes, is a story of family and perseverance. California Wine Month is the perfect time to tell it’s tale. We received this wine as a tasting sample. Flora Springs Winery is a family-owned winery that sits at the […]

A Celebration of Portugal with Esporão

Did you know June 10 is Portugal Day? I didn’t until receiving an invitation to gather with a group of wine writers and wine industry professionals to celebrate the Portuguese holiday with Esporão wines. Portugal Day is a public holiday celebrated in Portugal that commemorates Porgugal’s beloved poet Luís de Camões who died on June 10, 1580 in Lisboa. In […]

Lodi Celebrates Albariño

Lodi Celebrates Albariño

Yes, that’s right, Lodi celebrates more than Zinfandel. Albariño is a rising star in Lodi and over the past couple of years we have tasted quite a few delicious examples from Lodi. We can add the three Lodi Albariños in this post, which we received as tasting samples, to that list. This weekend nine Lodi wineries are hosting a celebration […]

Montes Wines

A Taste of Viña Montes

Today, Chilean wine, and quality wine at that, is everywhere. It’s easy to forget that wasn’t always the case. Back in the late 1980s when Aurelio Montes and Douglas Murray founded their winery, Chile was suffering through the final years of the Pinochet dictatorship and demand for wine in Chile was flagging. Chilean wines were sold mostly in Chile at […]

Murrietas Well featured photo

The Food & Wine Experience at Murrieta’s Well

When I think about how I usually enjoy wine, it is almost always with food. Either I’m sipping a glass of wine while preparing a meal, or more commonly, I’m enjoying a glass of wine with my meal. So, from that standpoint it makes perfect sense that a wine tasting be accompanied by food. Experiencing food and wine pairings prepared […]

Montinore Estate featured photo

Montinore Estate: Wine Made with Biodynamic Grapes

When a recent opportunity to receive tasting samples of Montinore Estate wines presented itself, I was quick to respond in the affirmative. I recognized the Montinore name immediately. Last August I enjoyed a bottle of 2015 Montinore Pinot Gris we received through one of our wine club memberships. The Pinot Gris caught my attention for several reasons. First, it was […]

Vermut Lustau featured photo

Vermut Lustau: Sherry Vermouth You Must Try

Josh placed a small wine glass containing a generous taste of a chestnut-colored liquid on our table and stood back. This was a surprise, we hadn’t ordered another wine. After a pause, Josh said, “Taste this. If you can tell me what it is, I will buy your dessert.” Pete and I looked at each other and smiled. We had […]

MerlotMe wines

A Month of Merlot Meals #MerlotMe

If it’s October, then it’s time to celebrate Merlot. For the past five years the Merlot Movement has gained momentum with Merlot tastings and social media sharing during October using the hashtag #MerlotMe across social media platforms. The effort is supported by a group of California and Washington state wineries who have declared October International Merlot Month. You will find […]