The label “Saracina” may not be a household name, but if I mention “Fetzer,” most wine drinkers would recognize the name. But the Fetzer family, particularly former CEO John Fetzer, […]
wine
Posted inFood & Drink
Learning to like LIOCO
Among the new class of wine makers are upstarts who eschew the expense of vineyards, fancy tasting facilities and big payrolls. Instead, these newcomers settle into readily available warehouses and […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Let’s hear it for a good table wine
The hilly country not too far north of Verona is home to one of my favorite everyday wines: Valpolicella. This pretty wine–next–door is made entirely, or predominately, from the Corvina […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Discover Siduri Pinot
Readers ask, “What wine should I buy?” Barring some special requirement — a menu or an occasion — the plain, honest–to–gosh truth is pretty simple: “Buy the wine you like.” […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Easy on the wallet as well as the palate
Two tips if you’re looking for a wine bargain: 1. Go the aisle marked “France.” 2. Look on the label, maybe even the back label, for the phrase “Vin de […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Reconsidering chardonnay
Chardonnay gets a bum rap, let’s face it. This ubiquitous white wine became a mundane staple of house wine lists everywhere. It became the poster child for boring party wines […]
Posted inFood & Drink
New Year’s wine bargains
Kick off the New Year with some real wine bargains. Tough times have resulted in some really good wines coming to market –– including this selection –– that will only […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The best in wines, 2009
Sometimes, you want a simple bottle of wine. Maybe it’s a basic Chianti for a quick pasta dinner; perhaps it’s a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to knock down the heat on […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Don’t duck the Duckhorn
For me, there are a handful of California wineries whose names are immediately synonymous with the elegant, painstakingly crafted wines they produce. One of those is Duckhorn Vineyards. I recently […]
Posted inMusic & Clubs
Blues, BBQ and beer — what more does one need?
IF, AS THE LEGENDARY BLUES SINGER AND GUITARIST Muddy Waters once intoned, “the blues had a baby, and named that baby rock ‘n’ roll,” then a strong argument could be […]