Author: Nancy (CSW)

Barrel Road Red Blend featured photo

Barrel Road Red Blend

Today’s tasting note brings you something a bit different. Red wine aged in American oak barrels first used to age bourbon. This is only our second taste of wine aged this way, but I have noticed more wineries using this aging technique. I wonder if it will be a passing fad or if it will catch on. We received this […]

Arrogant Frog Paul Mas featured photo

A Taste of Domaines Paul Mas

Our Cellar Note for today takes us to the sunny, southern French region of Languedoc for a small taste of wine from a large portfolio of wines produced by Domaines Paul Mas. Who couldn’t use a little ray of sunshine in winter? We received all three wines as tasting samples. Domaines Paul Mas produces a broad portfolio of wines in […]

Jalapeno Popper Dip and Jordan Chardonnay

A #SonomaStrong Pairing: Jordan Chardonnay and Jalapeño Popper Dip #winePW

The Wine Pairing Weekend group of bloggers is beginning the year with a show of support for Sonoma wineries and an acknowledgement of the fire relief efforts since the devastating fires that scarred the wine country in early October. Jill Barth, this month’s #winePW host, set the tone perfectly in her post announcing the event: We’re calling it #SonomaStrong to […]

Ferraton wines featured photo

Rhône Reds from Ferraton Père & Fils

Today’s Cellar Note takes us to the the Rhône Valley in France and a taste of two wines from Ferraton Père & Fils, both of which we received as tasting samples. These wines are part of the négociant range of wines produced by Ferraton Père & Fils, which was founded in 1946 by Jean Orëns Ferraton. Ferraton has been owned […]

Champagne Bruno Paillard and crab salad

Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée MV

I freely admit I love bubbles and, more specifically, Champagne. It is a classic, and therefore the standard against which all sparkling wine is judged. Champagne is beautiful in the glass. Watching those tiny bubbles rise to the top of the golden liquid can be mesmerizing. As much as I enjoy watching a glass of Champagne, I would much rather […]

Cafe Ciudad

Camagüey: A Colorful Introduction to Cuba

Looking at a street map of the city of Camagüey is not at all helpful in navigating this historic Cuban city. The maze-like layout of the city was completely confusing to me, not that I minded being lost in historic Camagüey, it provided a delightful opportunity to interact with local Cubans. Pete and I had only a couple of opportunities […]

Parducci 85 featured photo

Parducci Wine Cellars Celebrates 85 Years of Winemaking

Parducci Wine Cellars was founded in 1921, making it the oldest winery in Mendocino County still making wine. That milestone is being celebrated with the release of 85, which also honors John Parducci who was known as Mr. Mendocino. Parducci was a lover of Petit Sirah so, as part of the celebration, a vertical of Parducci True Grit Petite Sirah […]

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 […]

Crowded House and Catalina Sounds featured photo

A Taste of New Zealand’s Marlborough Wine Region

According to New Zealand Wine, Marlborough is home to 2/3 of New Zealand’s vineyard acreage. Sauvignon Blanc comprises almost 80% of plantings, with Pinot Noir coming in second followed by aromatic white varieties and Chardonnay. Marlborough has three sub-regions: Southern Valleys, Wairau Valley and Awatere Valley. Sunshine, moderate temperatures and significant diurnal temperature shifts are characteristic of the region. Soils […]