Pull That Cork

#LanguedocDay: a great reason to have a party

June 9, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

We were recently contacted and asked if we would like to participate in a celebration of the wines of the Languedoc region of southern France. It didn’t take long for us to decide yes! We joined others around the country in celebrating #LanguedocDay on May 30. We invited a few of our wine friends and put together dishes we thought would match with each of the four wines we received as tasting samples.

‘IL’ Ugo : the name will make you smile and so will the flavor!

June 6, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

‘IL’ Ugo is a sparkling cocktail produced by Mionetto that is inspired by a favorite northern Italian cocktail called the Hugo. The flavors are unlike anything we have tasted and we found it interesting and delicious.

Charles Krug Winery Spring Releases — What’s New From This Napa Icon

June 4, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

The Peter Mondavi family and Charles Krug Winery have much to celebrate in 2014. The winery has completed an ambitious renovation of both their vineyards and winery as well as the Redwood Cellar tasting room originally built in 1872. Owner Peter Mondavi Sr. will celebrate his 100th birthday this year and the Charles Krug Winery spring release wines from the 2011 vintage represent both the 150th Anniversary harvest and the inaugural release of the Family Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ribera del Duero — Another Interpretation of Tempranillo

May 29, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) 1 comment

Ribera del Duero is a wine region located on the northern plateau of Spain known for producing quality wines from Tempranillo. The weather is inhospitable, the soils are complex and the elevation is mostly more than 2500 feet above sea level. Local winemakers work their magic with Tempranillo planted along the Duero River and at higher elevations.

Rioja — Tempranillo is the Star in this Spanish Wine Region

May 23, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) 2 comments

Rioja is a wine region located in northern Spain (between Bilbao and Madrid) that is highly regarded for its Tempranillo, which comprises the majority of the plantings in the region. Garnacha, Carignan and Graciano are also planted and are most often blending partners to Tempranillo.

Borra Vineyards — Making More Than Zinfandel in Lodi

May 13, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) 2 comments

As the folks at Borra Vineyards put it, “Yeah. We make nice Zin. But there’s more to Lodi than Zinfandel.” It’s a good thing to remember, actually, to always keep an open mind with regard to wine and wine regions and what they have to offer.

Casey Flat Ranch — A Hidden Gem in the Capay Valley AVA

May 9, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

To say Casey Flat Ranch is remote is an understatement. The 6000 acre ranch is located in the Vaca Mountains northeast of Lake Berryessa and the Napa Valley. This remote area of Yolo county has a wine producing history dating back to the 1860s, but the Capay Valley AVA was only recently declared in 2002.

The Lodi Native Project: One More Taste

April 30, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

The Lodi Native Project is the collaborative effort of six Lodi winemakers making Zinfandel from six heritage vineyards using a standardized, minimal-intervention style of winemaking. It is intended to showcase some of Lodi’s special Zinfandel vineyards, not the winemaking style. A unique concept which produces six unique and delicious wines.

Alsace: That French Wine Region with a German Influence

April 25, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

The Alsace region is tucked into the northeast corner of France right along the border with Germany. The wine of the region, along with everything else, is influenced by both countries which makes for some very interesting wines.

Mionetto Prosecco Treviso DOC: It’s Made with Organic Grapes

April 22, 2014 by Nancy (CSW) Comments are Disabled

Earth Day and Organic Prosecco, what a brilliant pairing! What’s even more brilliant is how flavorful and fresh this wine tastes. Bubbles are among my very favorite wines, so to be able to enjoy a bubbly made with organic grapes on Earth Day literally made my day.