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 […]
It was during a visit to Australia in October 2019 that my view of Australian Shiraz changed — and for the better. My prior experience with very ripe versions of Shiraz lacking finesse left me less than enthusiastic about Australia’s expression of the variety. I probably would not have been interested in a wine tasting offered by San Francisco Wine […]
I think we can all agree that a glass of sparkling wine makes any occasion (more fun). And, who doesn’t want to have fun on Valentine’s Day? Whether you celebrate with your spouse, partner, friend(s) or on your own, a glass of sparkling wine is in order to celebrate love. That glass might as well contain Cava, the traditional method […]
It is primarily the animals and the landscape that draw us to a photo safari location, not the luxurious accommodations. I always question whether fancy accommodations will separate us from the views and the sounds of the African night. Happily the view and the chorus of nighttime voices were thoroughly enjoyable from our tented suite at DumaTau. Click on individual […]
A chilly day is followed by an even colder evening. You sit fireside wanting just a little taste of something to accompany a good movie after dinner. You’re not craving dessert exactly, just a little something sweet and warming; a glass of Port might be just the thing to satisfy. Port is made in a range of styles with flavors […]
Cava has its origins in the Penedès region of Spain near Barcelona and is made in four zones around the country. Both local grape varieties and those used in Champagne are used in winemaking and as a result Cava offers a unique flavor profile along with mouth-filling bubbles. Today we are tasting a range of Cavas to help us understand […]
Little Vumbura is a six-roomed tented camp located on an island in the northern part of the Okavango Delta. Reaching Little Vumbura is a bit of an adventure and reflects the variety of habitats in the Okavango Delta. The flight from Jacana Camp, our first stop in the Delta, was only 20 minutes. The 40-minute drive from the airstrip to […]
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 […]
Including the word family in a winery’s name is the most direct way to indicate the enterprise is a family operation, but it’s certainly not the most creative way to do so. Eight at the Gate, however, might be the smartest way I’ve seen to include family in a winery’s name. How is that you might wonder? Well, when two […]
Brothers Stu and Charles Smith have been making wine on Spring Mountain above Napa Valley since the early 1970s. The mountainside location sets Smith-Madrone apart from the valley and so does the brothers’ winemaking style. They make Cabernet Sauvignon in an elegant, old-world style along with lively, oaked Chardonnay and Riesling — yes, Riesling, because they both really love Riesling. […]
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.