Pull That Cork

We opened this Two Shepherds Pinot Meunier last night and absolutely loved the cranberry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors with interesting savory and cedar notes. It’s so juicy and refreshing, especially when slightly chilled. In addition to being a blending partner with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in champagne, Pinot Meunier also makes a gorgeous still red wine - at least in the capable hands of William Allen. We will keep this wine in our summer rotation for sure. It was perfect with grilled pork chops, corn pudding and heirloom tomatoes. I hope you’re sipping something delicious! @twoshepherdswine . . . #pinotmeunier #redwine #summerredwine #summersipping #hopkinsvineyard #rrrv #russianrivervalley #sonomawine #naturalwine #winelover #winetasting #wineandfood #wineanddine #wineandtacos #tastingnotes #winetime #instawine #winegeek #wineoftheday #winenotes #winelife #winetravel #vino #wineoclock

#samples We’ve been sipping some delicious examples of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. Three are vineyard designates and one is sourced from several vineyards in the RRV. All are well made, balanced wines and typical of the variety. Our blog post today shares a bit of background on Davis Bynum the man and the winery, which has been owned by Rodney Strong Wine Estates since 2007. Aside from tasting wines that are new to us, it is always fun to read the story of the wineries and the people behind them. This was no exception. I hope you’re sipping something delicious! @davisbynumwines This beautiful tablecloth was made by the talented ladies @penduka_namibia. I bought it during our first visit to Namibia and love the memories that using it brings back. . . . #davisbynum #russianrivervalley #sonomawine #chardonnay #sauvignonblanc #pinotnoir #pinotnoirlover #californiachardonnay #drinkcalifornia #drinkcaliforniawine #varietalwine #winefun #winetime #winenotes #winelover #summerwine #summersipping #instawine #winesoftheday #winegeek #vino #wino #eatanddrinklocal

I hear it’s officially summer! 😎 It certainly feels like summer here and we have just the thing to keep us cool…Failla Chardonnay, Fort Ross-Seaview, which just happens to be my favorite Failla Chardonnay. It’s bright and stony, stony, stony with nice body and lots of acidity. Perfectly balanced to my palate. So sippable and the perfect accompaniment to everything from grilled salmon to chicken and even grilled lamb. It’s a stunning Chardonnay. Happy summer and I hope you’re sipping something delicious! @faillawines . . . #coolclimate #chardonnay #sonomachardonnay #sonomawine #fortrossseaview #sonomawinetasting #sonomacoast #winelover #wineoftheday #instawine #summersipping #summerwine #summersolstice #summersolstice2022 #longestdayoftheyear #winenotes #winelover #winetime #winefun #varietalwine #californiachardonnay #californiawine #eatanddrinklocal #drinkcaliforniawine #drinkcalifornia

We have been on a bit of a varietal wine roll of late. This Jolie-Laide Melon de Bourgogne sourced from Rodnick Farm in the Chalone AVA is stony and citrusy with a ton of acidity. Just the style of wine I love to accompany warm weather. Oysters would have been the perfect pairing, but the chances of either of shucking oysters is zero. No worries, it also paired well with a variety of salads over several days. I’m looking forward to the 2021 vintage, which is on the wine rack and unlikely to remain so for long. You will probably see a picture of it here before summer is out, unless we forget it like we did this bottle, which I snagged one evening when I went to pick up a pizza @guantonioswoodfired. We need to get back there for pizza and not pizza. I hope you’re sipping something delicious. @jolielaidewines . . . #melondebourgogne #chaloneava #rodnickfarm #californiawine #californiawinelover #siplocal #whitewine #varietalwine #winelover #winetime #winewinewine #tastingnotes #wineandfood #summerwine #winetraveler #wineoclock #winenotes #summersipper #instawine #winelover

There are many reasons to love Tablas Creek’s wines: history, impeccable winemaking, outstanding tasting experiences at the winery and the foundation of everything they do - care and attention in the vineyards as evidenced by their Organic, Biodynamic and Regenerative Organic certifications. In addition to blended wines, TC makes many varietal wines. Over the years I have learned not to underestimate the complexity of blends, but complex varietal wines that can stand on their own always draw me in. The large number of varietal wines Tablas Creek makes is one reason we joined their wine club. 2019 Tablas Creek Vineyard Roussanne is bursting with aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, ripe melon, guava, citrus and spices. It’s a bit pithy with juicy acidity, rich roundness and long stony, dry finish. What a gorgeous wine and an excellent opportunity to learn what this variety, often used in blends, tastes like on its own. Roussanne was fermented for nine months in a mix of small wood, large neutral foudres and stainless steel. Roussanne is known for its ageability, not that we gave this wine the opportunity to age. We have a serious lack of discipline when it comes to aging the wines we purchase from Tablas Creek. Oh well. I hope you’re sipping something delicious. @tablascreek . . . #pasorobles #pasowine #pasowinelover #pasorobleswinecountry #adelaidadistrict #roussanne #rhonewine #rhonevariety #vinblanc #whitewine #organic #biodynamic #regenerativeviticulture #regenerativefarming #varietalwine #winelover #winefun #winetime #instawine #wineoftheday #foodwine #springwine #summerwine

This simple meal felt so indulgent and tasted so delicious. Champagne Lanson Brut Rosé is one of our favorites. We love the lively bubbles, generous fruit in the mid-palate, abundant acidity and the clean, stony finish. And the price is relatively easy on the pocketbook. We love the creamy goodness of Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam cheese. We’re all in for asparagus this time of year and find them very wine friendly when oven roasted, especially when wrapped in prosciutto. Local apricots are in season and they’re delish. The only thing that didn’t quite cooperate was the very warm evening. No complaints though, it was a delicious meal and we are already looking forward to more Lanson Rosé this evening. Hope you’re sipping something delicious. @champagnelanson . . . #champagnelanson #champagnelife #champagnehappyhour #champagnelover #champagne #champagnerosé #champers #champagneeverything #champagneislife #rosé #roséchampagne #pinkwine #winelover #winetime #wineandfood #winefun #winetasting #winetraveler #instawine #instachampagne #outdoordining #winewinewine

Some things that were already pretty great get even better with age. This is one of them. . . . #chablis #chabliswine #chardonnay #chablispremiercru #chablis1ercru #chablislover #chardonnaylover #fourchaume #bourgogne #winegeek #wino #winetime #winetraveler #whitewine #goodwine #wineoclock #singlevineyardwine #winenotes #instawine #levindechablis #lechardonnay #thelastbottle

Thanks to our friends Valentina and Gian Franco, the dynamic couple behind Nonna Urban Eatery in Old Town Scottsdale, we got a head start on our Cinco de Mayo celebration last night. The fresh and flavorful summer menu was paired with three wines from Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico. What a treat. We started with an aromatic Montefiori Rosado of Sangiovese paired with corn chowder, followed by Paolini Sangiovese Grosso (slightly chilled 👍) paired with pork loin before finishing with Cava Maciel Apogeo Nebbiolo paired with dark chocolate mousse & salted caramel. The pairings were absolutely spot on. Valentina told us she went out on a limb with the dessert pairing and I’m glad she did…it was so delicious! The wines were very good and now we’re thinking of visiting Valle de Guadalupe to check out the wine scene. We can always count on chef Gian Franco to create an inventive menu and Valentina to pour us something delicious to pair with it. Dining at nonna is always a highlight of our time spent in Old Town Scottsdale. It was wonderful to hear Valentina’s laugh and see her visiting with guests. Be sure to check out Nonna when you visit! @nonnascottsdale @villamontefiori @cavamaciel . . . #nonnaurbaneatery #mexicanwine #bajacalifornia #valledeguadalupewine #valledeguadalupe #rosado #sangiovese #nebbiolo #foodandwine #wineanddine #summermenu #oldtownscottsdale #scottsdale #scottsdalefoodie #arizonaspringtime #wineoclock #winetasting #winenotes #wino #winetravel #winetraveler #arizonasunshine #arizonadesert

The spring menu at Sel Restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale is outstanding! We enjoyed a lovely meal and a stellar bottle of Bourgogne a couple of nights ago. The evening was warm and we enjoyed a leisurely dinner on Sel’s patio. This afternoon we’re relaxing with another glass of said Bourgogne in the shade of our patio at the nearby Inn we’re calling home at the moment. We’re still loving the wine. 💕 We were out in the desert for a morning hike yesterday and enjoyed a canal walk this morning before meeting a friend for lunch. Cheers to good food, good wine and good friends! @domaine_alain_chavy @selrestaurant . . . #domainealainchavy #alainchavy #pulignymontrachet #bourgogne #bourgogneblanc #chardonnay #frenchwine #vino #foodandwine #wineanddine #springmenu #oldtownscottsdale #scottsdale #scottsdalefoodie #arizonaspringtime #burgundylover #wineoclock #winetasting #winenotes #wino #winetravel #winetraveler #vindebourgogne #goodwine #whitewine