Author: Nancy (CSW)

Photo of 2021 Flora Springs Trilogy wine bottle and glass in front of wine books

A Taste of Flora Springs’ Flagship Red: 2021 Trilogy

The 2021 vintage of Trilogy marks the 38th bottling of what Flora Springs has always considered its flagship red wine. It continues to be sourced from Komes and Garvey family vineyards. Trilogy is a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend sourced primarily from the family’s Komes Ranch Vineyard. We received this wine as a tasting sample. Flora Springs’ history begins with the […]

Photo of three Revelshine wines on a table with trees in the background

Revelshine: California Wine Packaged in Aluminum Bottles

Jake Bilbro is a fourth-generation winemaker from Sonoma. He learned winemaking from his father Chris, founder of Marietta Cellars, before he went on to purchase Limerick Lane. He appreciates the importance of sustainability and also enjoys outdoor sports — his love of the outdoors is something else Jake learned from his father. Revelshine brings together Jake’s winemaking experience with his […]

Photo of a bottle of French Sparkling Cider and Crémant de Bourgogne on a table with lemon tree in the background

Sipping French Bubbles, But It’s Not Champagne

Today we are sipping French bubbles that are not champagne — one is a crémant and the other a non-alcoholic sparkling cider made in Normandy. We have tasted Crémant de Bourgogne before, but sparkling apple cider from Normandy is new to us. We received both as tasting samples. Cider has been made in France, primarily in Normandy and Brittany, since […]

Gurrieri Frappato bottle and glass of wine on a table with lemon tree in the background

A Taste of Sicily: Gurrieri Frappato

Unless you are familiar with Sicilian wines you might not be acquainted with the Frappato grape variety. It is indigenous to the southeastern corner of Sicily near Siracusa and Vittoria where it is mainly used as a blending partner for Nero d’Avola in Cerasuolo di Vittoria — Sicily’s only DOCG wine. But Frappato can also stand on its own as […]

Featured photo Alentejo wines bottled by Master the World

Alentejo Wines: Taste them to Know the Region

Portugal’s Alentejo wine region sits in the southern part of the country. It is Portugal’s largest wine region and occupies 30% of the country’s land mass. In terms of acres planted to vines, Alentejo represents 13% of Portugal’s total acreage. But in terms of domestic sales, both by volume and value, Alentejo comprises more than one-third. Portuguese consumers know a […]

Photo of four Hard Working wines on a table with a bench and lemon tree in the background

Hard Working Wines by McPrice Myers: A Focus on Paso Robles and the Central Coast

The Hard Working range of wines made by McPrice Myers are, by the winemaker’s description, his value-driven wines. They are sourced from Paso Robles and the Central Coast. We received a selection of Hard Working wines as tasting samples. Mac, as he is known, has been making wine for more than 20 years. After making wine in a shared facility […]

Photo of Ameri Red Blend and Malbec wines on table with tree in background

Ameri: Domaine Bousquet’s Single-Vineyard Wines

Ameri represents Domaine Bousquet’s top tier of wines. They are sourced from the Bousquet Estate Vineyard that was planted in 1998 and are made only in the best vintages. The land was untamed when the vines were first planted by Anne Bousquet’s father, Jean, and the vineyard has been farmed organically since the very beginning.  As you may know, Domaine […]

Photo of Avignonesi 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in front of wine books

Dinner with Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

One of the highlights of my wine year in 2023 was an introduction to Avignonesi and their single-vineyard Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. I had the good fortune of meeting Xiaowen DU, Marketing Manager and Assistant Winemaker at Avignonesi, and Master of Wine student in April. We connected via Zoom, she in Montepulciano with Avignonesi’s vineyards over her shoulder and […]

Photo of two Lang & Reed wines on a table with chairs in background

Lang & Reed and Rockhound — Two Wine Labels, One Family

Tracey & John Skupny established Lang & Reed with the expressed goal “to explore the distinct charms of Cabernet Franc and to craft wines that are both expressive and enjoyable to drink.” Their appreciation of Cabernet Franc came from years of experience as sommeliers. Their appreciation of Napa Valley’s vineyards drew them to the region and they moved to Napa […]