Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
Posted on May 18, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
2009 Bordeaux – An Investment In Taste
One of the things that really sunk in about the past decade in Bordeaux is that for the first time in recent memory, Bordeaux did not experience any “off” vintages. Not a single one. And of all the good-to-great vintages, 2009 seems to be the best of the bunch, with a perfect combination of a gentle, cool winter, a warm spring and an even rise in temperature throughout the summer months.
As a result, both red and white grapes developed beautiful flavors that made spectacular wines. But are the prices beyond most consumer’s reach?
Posted on May 11, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
A Variety of Red Varietals for Grilling Season
I am excited about summer because it signals the beginning of the grilling season, and I love to grill. I also love red wine – and there is a red wine out there to pair with every grilling option and every budget. From burgers to filet mignon and everything in between, there is a red wine to suit every palate and paycheck.
Posted on May 3, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – The Vine Gal
I know that the old adage about gift giving is, “it’s the thought that counts,” but this Mother’s Day, mom thinks it would be wonderful to receive a “tasteful” gift. After all, if you have a mother who loves to cook – and occasionally enjoys a delicious glass of wine along with her culinary efforts – then you’ll love the idea of pairing cookbooks and wine. And if it really is the “thought that counts,” chances are good that thoughtful spouses and children will reap the benefits of mom’s kitchen creations.
This week’s Vine Guy column was actually penned by the Vine Gal – so there is no mistaking what she’d like to take for a taste drive this Mother’s Day!
Posted on April 26, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
A Little of This, A Little of That…
Each spring, my wife and I are inundated with wine samples from PR firms, winemakers and vineyards from around the world. They keep showing up every day and multiply in numbers like a pair of rabbits in a Fibonacci sequence. Each week, we dutifully open the boxes and attempt to categorize the wines into groups or themes. But sometimes there are a few really interesting wines that don’t fall into any specific topic or theme. That’s when we decide to write a little of this, and a little of that.
Posted on April 19, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
Finding a Sense of Place in Spain’s Ribera del Duero
Over the last decade or so, there has been a trend by winemakers all over the world to produce wines that have a similar “International” style – that is to say that they seem striped of their sense of place. But not so with the Spanish wines from the region of Ribera del Duero. At a recent tasting I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the wines actually tasted “of a place.”
Posted on April 18, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
Wine Season In Washington, DC
For every reason, there is a season, and wine is no exception. Over the last decade, Washington, DC has steadily become one of the most prominent wine-consumer cities in the country and wine makers and retailers have taken notice. During the months of April and May, the metropolitan area is filled with opportunities to taste a variety of varietals.
Click Here to listen to my recommendations on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Posted on April 6, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
Wines for Passover and Easter
The Jewish tradition of Passover and the Christian celebration of Easter usually falls within close proximity of each other, but this year, the first night of Passover begins tonight and Easter Sunday is just a couple of days behind it. And while both of these holidays have significant meaning in their respective religious histories, both have one thing in common; copious amounts of food.
Like any important gathering that involves family, friends and food, wine plays an important role, so the wine you pour for your particular celebration should be as joyous as the occasion itself.
Click HERE to read the recommendations in this week’s Vine Guy column in the DC Examiner Newspaper
Posted on March 19, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
Sunshine On A Cloudy Bay
When Captain Cook, on his 1770 voyage to New Zealand dubbed the inlet at the eastern end of the Wairau Valley, “Cloudy Bay,” he definitely got it wrong. Cloudy Bay Vineyards was established in 1985 at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand, in the Wairau Valley of the Marlborough appellation which enjoys the longest hours of sunshine in the country!
Cloudy Bay Vineyards’ philosophy is simple; they believe in the production of the highest quality wines from the best varietals grown in the most appropriate vineyard locations. This dedication to detail results in a distinctive style that shines through in every bottle of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir that Cloudy Bay produces.
Click Here To Read The Full Vine Guy Column In The Washington Examiner Newspaper
Click Here To Listen To Recommendations On WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week Segment
Posted on March 13, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
German Rieslings from the Mosel
I am a big fan of Germany’s white wines, particularly the wonderfully aromatic Riesling wines from the region that crawls along the Mosel River and its tributaries, the rivers Saar and Ruwer.
These wines are produced in a variety of styles that range along a continuum from crisp and dry to sweet and bright.
Click here to hear about a couple of my favorites on WTOP radio’s WOTW segment
Posted on March 13, 2012 - by The Vine Guy
The Diverse Wines of South Africa
There is a place on earth where two oceans collide and where New World wines meet with Old World standards. This tip of the world is known as South Africa, and it is home to some of the most diverse vineyard lands in the world.
South Africa’s rich heritage, is reflected in the diversity of their wines. The combination of maritime influences and dry climates combined with the unique and varied terroir of the different regions results in a plethora of wine styles that run the gamut from simple yet charming to powerful yet elegant.
Click here to read the review in this week’s Vine Guy column in the DC Examiner
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