What I love — what I really love about boutique wineries is that “single vineyard” is (often) a norm. And, I don’t want to be a wine snob or anything, but I’ve had the opportunity to taste the difference between an “appellation series,” a “vineyard series,” and “single vineyard series” as it pertains to the same winery and same varietal. And I have to say, the attention to detail given to the single vineyard series — whether from a major player or an up-and-comer — is astronomical. So you can imagine that when a small-lot winery, like Lombardi wines, stakes its whole business on two varietals (PN and Chard) that those vineyards are going to be quality sources and that the winemaker is going to take the utmost care to respect the fruit during production. So then it becomes — what I really love about boutique wineries is the quality of wine.
Searching for "Italy"
Hearthstone Estate 2013 Montepulciano
I’d never heard of Hearthstone Estate until I was approached to taste their wines. Imagine my surprise when, upon opening the package, a bottle of Montepulciano was staring right up at me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen, let a lone tasted, a California Montepulciano. I discovered — and fell in love with — the varietal when eating my way through Italy on my honeymoon. I know to those more versed in Italian wines, Montepulciano may seem like an everyday “bulk-buy” type wine, but to me it bottles the beauty I think of when I think of Italian culture — forza, forte, y la bella vita. What I’m saying is that this wine had a lot to live up to…
Book Review: Corkscrew by Peter Stafford-Bow
categories: Books
I came across this book when one of my Wine-Tweeps tweeted out that he was reading it. A sucker for anything literary and anything wine, I immediately threw it into my Amazon cart (along with like a 100-pack of k-cups, a pair of SJ Sharks earrings, new cereal bowls, a dishtowel to clean my Riedel stemware, and a kitchen sink…ah Amazon, the Target of internet shopping…). Not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, I highly recommend it — as a lit lover and as a wine lover.
WARNING: I was pre-disposed to British humour as a young child and have an affinity for blunt, tongue-in-cheek dialogue. I’m also not offended by the obscene, vulgar, or grotesque in writing, film, or life in general.
Book Review: The Drops of God, Volume 2
categories: Books
Continuing our look at The Drops of God, Volume 2 by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto…
(See The Drops of God, Volume 1 before continuing)
Daily Drinker: St. Michael Eppen 2014 Pinot Grigio
Let me start off by saying that this wine is my definition of a “Daily Drinker.” Not only is it easily accessible, both in price and on the palate, but it comes in a cute little half bottle at my local Whole Foods Market. I’m a big fan of the half bottle for a during the week drink — think of it as portion control. You know when it’s only Tuesday, but you really want a glass or two of wine, but you really don’t want to open a whole bottle and make vinegar for the weekend? Yeah, that’s when half bottles are awesome. And when the flavor profile is easy on the palate, well, that’s just bonus points.
Little did I know that my weekday, “Daily Drinker” actually has a bit of a story and a little more depth than I originally gave it credit for…
