Tag: Chardonnay

Chalk Hill Chardonnay featured photo

Chalk Hill Chardonnay Paired with a Savory Tart

By Memorial Day the weather forecast predicts triple-digit temperatures. So that means it’s time to get white wine chilling. Conveniently, #ChardonnayDay always falls on the Thursday before Memorial Day as a reminder, in case the weather forecast doesn’t do so. Today we’re sipping a meal-worthy Chardonnay we received as a tasting sample. Chalk Hill AVA lies in the northeast corner […]

Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir featured photo

An Introduction to Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Tasmania lies off Australia’s south coast and is separated from the rest of Australia by Bass Strait. The Australian island state is cool, windswept and largely wild. Tasmania is home to a small wine industry defined by one GI (geographical indication), Tasmania, and seven informal wine growing regions. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the two most-planted varieties, so they are […]

Benziger wine featured photo

Benziger Family Winery Celebrates 20 Years of Biodynamic Certification

The Benziger family is a large and raucous group according to Chris Benziger of Benziger Family Winery. Political points of view differ, but the Benzigers are united in their dedication to sustainable, organic and biodynamic viticulture and winemaking. They were early adopters of these principles in Sonoma County and this year are celebrating 20 years of Demeter Biodynamic® certification. We […]

Vasse Felix featured photo

Vasse Felix: A Taste of Margaret River

Today we are traveling the only way we can, through the wine in our glass, and we are thankful to do so. No passport required, no long airplane flight, no jet lag. Two wines from Vasse Felix in South West Australia’s Margaret River will introduce us to the region and begin at the beginning. Vasse Felix is the the first […]

Kenwood white wines featured photo

Two New White Wines from Kenwood Vineyards

Winemakers are a curious lot. They are always on a quest to identify unique vineyard sites and expressions of grape varieties. Every vintage brings with it unique challenges and opportunities to craft interesting wines. Kenwood Vineyards has introduced two white wines for winter sipping and beyond. We received both wines as tasting samples. Both of these wines are new additions […]

The Paring featured photo

The Paring: Wines with an Edge

The Paring has a backstory that includes winemaker Matt Dees and two of Santa Barbara County’s acclaimed wineries, JONATA and The Hilt. Through common ownership there is a connection to Napa’s cult wine, Screaming Eagle. Impressive connections. But when we receive wines as tasting samples for review we taste them without learning more about them than what is on the […]

Vintage Longbottom featured photo

Vintage Longbottom: A Taste of Persistence

We were recently introduced to the wines of Vintage Longbottom, made by Kim and Margo Longbottom in South Australia, when we received several wines as tasting samples. We opened the two white wines and tasted them without knowing anything about the winery or how they were made. When I went looking for background on the wines and Vintage Longbottom, I […]

Sbragia Family Vineyards: A Taste of Dry Creek Valley

Sbragia Family Vineyards has all the elements necessary for an interesting wine story: family-owned vineyards, multi-generational history of winemaking and well-crafted wine. We recently became acquainted with Sbragia Family Vineyards (pronounced SPRA-juh) through a trio of wines sent to us as tasting samples. We are happy to have met and to share these wines with you. The Sbragia family has […]

Kenwood Vineyards: Wines for a Change of Seasons

I usually spend September in denial about the end of summertime. By the time October rolls around I’ve come to terms with fall and actually look forward to a change of seasons. Thanks to Kenwood Vineyards that transition has been especially easy, and delicious, this year. We received a group of wines as tasting samples that perfectly bridged the change […]

Legacy: A Jewel in the Crown of Jackson Family Wines

September is California Wine Month, a time to celebrate the outstanding quality of wines made in the Golden State. Today we are celebrating with two wines from Legacy, a winery that is part of the portfolio of wines from Jackson Family Wines. They are a perfect example of quality California wines and we received both as tasting samples. Jess Jackson […]