There’s no more denying the change of seasons. Our birch tree is nearly bare and mornings are damp and chilly. Gone are morning walks in shorts and a T-shirt; long pants and a light vest are a better choice. In the evening, slippers are more comfortable than sandals. It’s just the time of year we might also reach for a […]
Today we are sipping a bit closer to home. In our glass is a red blend from the volcanic soils of High Valley AVA in Lake County, Northern California. We will take a look at the region, the winery and the sustainability of cork closures. We received this wine as a tasting sample. Lake County’s AVAs Lake County is situated […]
Lugana DOC is a small wine region situated along the southern shore of Lake Garda, in Northern Italy. And while the region lies between the provinces of Brescia and Verona, and sits astride two wine regions, Lombardy and Veneto, it is firmly committed to just one grape variety: Turbiana. If you are a curious wine drinker looking for a taste […]
Every tasting sample we receive is an opportunity to learn about grape varieties, wine regions and winemaking techniques. In the case of FitVine Free we had the opportunity to taste and learn about “functional, non-alcoholic wine…infused with electrolytes, fresh fruit, and adaptogens…” I was just curious enough about the functional, non-alcoholic wine and adaptogens aspects to give them a taste, […]
If the summer heat has yet to arrive where you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it will likely make an appearance soon. Our local forecast is predicting triple-digit temperatures by the end of the week. I’m not looking forward to it, but I do know how to keep my cool in the heat — with a glass of Rías Baixas […]
The two wines we are tasting today are the first made by Robert Hall Winery to earn the Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®) designation. Both wines are available exclusively at Whole Foods. We received these wines as tasting samples. Robert Hall Winery’s journey to Regenerative Organic Certification began in 2021 with a 48-acre block of vines surrounding the winery in […]
There is much to like about Prosecco — it’s easy drinking, low in alcohol, affordable and it sparkles. Its affordability makes it practical for everyday occasions and you needn’t feel guilty using it to make a mimosa or other cocktail — that’s how it’s meant to be enjoyed. Today we’re tasting two examples made by Villa Sandi, provided as tasting […]
On May 15, Stu and Charlie Smith, along with François Bugué, the Smiths’ associate winemaker, celebrated Smith-Madrone Vineyard & Winery’s 55th birthday. The celebration marked Stu’s signing of the paperwork in 1971 to acquire the Spring Mountain property that is home to Smith-Madrone’s vineyards and winery. Stu and Charlie started planting the vineyard the next year and their first vintage was […]
Peter Stafford-Bow does it again in his latest book, Black Odesa! You would think that after all the harrowing adventures Stafford-Bow’s character, Felix Hart, has been through he would relax and take it easy for a while. Well, he tried, but circumstances had other ideas. He thought life was grand, and then unexpected visitors showed up. That’s when everything started […]
Today we’re sipping wines made in three French wine regions. All are white wines with relatively low alcohol but very different flavor profiles. And, as you might expect from French wines, all are made to enjoy with food. Our tasting begins in Champagne before moving to the South West France and ends in the Loire Valley. Champagne everyone will recognize, […]
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.
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