Many a sommelier student has heard that Haut-Brion was named such by an Irishman named O’Brian or O’Brien, who wanted to make wine but knew that no Frenchman would consider wine made by an Irishman worthy of his palate. So he adopted a French spelling and pronunciation of the name.
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Walla Walla WOW – L’Ecole No. 41 2008 Estate Luminesce
L’Ecole No. 41 takes its name from the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse that houses the winery. Every wine in their portfolio we tasted is good, and it’s no wonder they’ve been named Winery of the Year eight times by Wine & Spirits. If all Washington State wines taste like these, we can’t wait to get to Walla Walla.
Continue readingEarthquake wreaks havoc on Chile’s Wine Industry
Early estimates put the loss at $975 million due to spillage from barrels and storage tanks damaged in Saturday’s 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile. Not since Prohibition has this much wine been spilled in one day alone.
Continue readingSonoma Coast Jewels: Freeman Vineyard & Winery
Part of my motivation to visit Freeman Vineyard & Winery was reading that co-owner and assistant winemaker learned about wine from her grandfather, a Japanese scholar. And that she shared the same first name as my study abroad hostess, Akiko.
Continue readingValentine Gifts for the Wine Lover
Give in to your lover’s Pinot envy, and select a luscious Pinot Noir. Or perhaps some dessert wine? Nothing says “I love you” like a bottle of Sauternes, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer or Late Harvest Viognier for those who prefer white, or a Port or Port-style wine to pair with chocolate.
Continue readingNot Just Another Wine Sample
It doesn’t just apply when you’re promoting wine. Think of an e-mail like a knock on the door. The person on the other side may open the door just to see who it is, but she’s more apt to talk with you, and let you give your pitch if you at least appear to be interested in her, the person.
Continue readingBaptism by Grape
Baptism by the grape can truly be considered a religious experience to even the most unsuspecting wine drinker. When the palate is introduced to the right varietal at that pivotal moment, whether it was accompanied by a meal or not, the flavors hit all of the important sensory points and you just want to throw your hands in the air and shout “hallelujah!” Ok maybe it is not that dramatic but you get the picture.
Continue readingServing Temperature Can Affect Tasting Results
Wines rated 90 and above by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator’s Top 100 didn’t earn a medal. Wines rated much lower by the aforementioned sources were judged much higher by our competition judges. Serving temperature may have been a factor.
Continue readingLeftover Wine Bottles on the Counter? Recycle; Reduce!
Our counters were cluttered. We had accumulated a number of bottles half-filled with wine that we either didn’t drink because we didn’t care for them, or we had wine left over from an event where there were too many wines to consume in one evening. So, what do you do with all that wine? Make a wine reduction! It’s pretty simple but takes a bit of time and attention, but here’s how you do it.
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