Tasting Notes

Tasting notes for individual wines.

2019 Ettore Chardonnay Pure, Mendocino, California featured photo

2019 Ettore Chardonnay Pure: A Cellar Note

This post brings you a second taste of Ettore organic wines grown and made in Hopland, California, the southernmost town in Mendocino County. All Ettore wines are estate grown in their Sanel Valley Vineyards, which are certified organic by CCOF. We received this wine as a tasting sample.   2019 Ettore Chardonnay Pure, Mendocino, California — light golden with aromas […]

Photo of Domaine Bousquet Virgen and Gaia wines

A Taste of Domaine Bousquet’s Virgen and Gaia Wines

During an online discussion earlier in the year, Anne Bousquet, co-owner of Domaine Bousquet with her husband Labid Al Ameri, told the assembled group that Domaine Bousquet is the only winery in Argentina whose entire production is certified organic. Their annual production is about 7 million liters, which represents 65% of Argentina’s organic wine export. Domaine Bousquet is located at […]

Photo of seven Domaine Bousquet wines

Domaine Bousquet: Behind the Scenes at Argentina’s Leading Organic Winery

Describing Domaine Bousquet as Argentina’s Leading Organic Winery is a big statement, but once you learn how much the Bousquet family has achieved in the past 25-plus years you will be impressed. After you taste the wines and realize how reasonably priced they are, I think you will agree they are leaders in Argentina, if not the world.  Domaine Bousquet’s […]

photo of The Pairing Current Release wines: 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 Red on table

The Pairing: A Taste of the Current Release Wines

The Pairing is part of a very fancy family of wines that includes JONATA and The Hilt. The Pairing wines are sourced from the same vineyards as JONATA and The Hilt, but from blocks that are too young or don’t fit their vintage style. That’s good for consumers because The Pairing wines are made with the same attention to detail, […]

Trio of Terlato white wines photo

White Wines to Help You Keep (Your) Cool

All things considered we have had a relatively mild summer in Central California.  After recently experiencing the heat and humidity of a heat dome in the Midwestern US, we have a new appreciation for temperatures in the mid-90s with relatively low humidity. We also have an appreciation for sipping chilled white wine on a warm evening and today are sharing […]

Photo of Sovi wine and Athletic Brewing beer paired with Beehive cheese

A Pairing of Cheese and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

I know from lots of experience that cheese and wine are a match made in heaven. Beer and cheese I don’t have much experience pairing because I don’t often drink beer. Until recently I had zero experience pairing cheese and non-alcoholic wine or beer because, to be honest, I had never tried non-alcoholic beer or wine. I know I should […]

White Bordeaux Wines Perfect for A Summer Meal

Bordeaux is best known for its dry red wines, but Bordeaux is also home to delicious dry white wines. With temperatures soaring this summer, here and in much of the Northern Hemisphere, a crisp white wine is just what I want in my wine glass. We recently tasted three dry white Bordeaux wines, sent to us as tasting samples, that […]

Photo of four Avignonesi wines

Understanding Avignonesi: Their Practices, Culture and Single-Vineyard Wines

Avignonesi is situated in the hills of Tuscany on the edge of Montepulciano near Cortona. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is their flagship wine and while they are Sangiovese specialists, and dedicated to the variety, they are also looking to native grape varieties as a hedge against climate change. Their organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard are carried into the […]

Photo of Aridus Viognier, Syrah, Tempranillo

Aridus: A Name to Know in Arizona Wine

We are continuing our exploration of Arizona wine for one more post, though I cannot promise it will be the last. We are happy to share three current-release wines made by Aridus Wine Company in Willcox, Arizona. We received these wines as tasting samples.  Scott & Joan Dahmer began their journey from wine enthusiasts to winery owners in 2009 with […]