Tasting Notes

Tasting notes for individual wines.

"Champagne Widows" by Rebecca Rosenberg photo

“Champagne Widows”: A Book Review

Champagne Widows is a new novel set in Reims during the Napoleonic Wars written by Rebecca Rosenberg. Rebecca enjoys telling the stories of interesting women throughout history. She has three published novels to her credit and two more coming soon. We received Champagne Widows for review. Champagne Widows is the story of a young, capable, independent-minded woman living in a […]

Alavida Malbec featured photo

Alavida Malbec: It’s Organic and Kosher

Honestly, I have to wonder if the fine folks at Domaine Bousquet ever sleep. The family-owned winery located in the Gualtallary sub-zone of Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, has been organic from its very beginning in the late 1990s. Their wines are certified organic and they have earned a number of certifications reflective of their commitment to sustainability and the […]

Organic Clilean Wines featured photo

Three Affordable Wines from Chile — And They’re Organic

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 […]

Iconic and ageworthy Shiraz featured photo

Australian Shiraz: What Does It Taste Like and Is It Ageworthy?

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 […]

Vilarnau Valentine's Day Cava photo

Treat Your Valentine to A Glass of Vilarnau Cava — Brut or Rosé

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 […]

Cozy Ports featured photo

Cozy Up With A Glass of Port

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 […]

Little Vumbura from the water photo

Little Vumbura: So Much to Experience in the Okavango Delta

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 […]

Domaine Bousquet sparkling wine featured photo

Beautiful Organic Sparkling Wine from Argentina’s Domaine Bousquet

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 […]

Eight at the Gate featured photo

Eight at the Gate: It’s All About Family and Wine

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 […]