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Annual Wine Gift Giving Guide
In our household, the day after Thanksgiving can only mean one thing; trying to figure out what gift my wife is going to get the man (i.e. me) who has everything wine-related for the holiday season. Personally, I like “usable” wine gifts, something that can be helpful year after year. So, if you are scrambling for a hostess gift, Secret Santa present, stocking stuffer, or the perfect gift for your wine lover, look no further. She’s got you covered.
Fall Into Fall with Pinot Noir
For me, the daylight savings adage should be, “Spring Forward to White Wine, Fall Back to Red Wine.” This is the time of year when my palate begins its annual migration from bright whites to cool reds, whose flavors tend towards red berry and bright cherry notes and are built on a frame of generous acidity and smooth tannins. I am referring, of course, to Pinot Noir.
Click here to find out what Pinot Noir wines I am talking about on WTOP radio’s Wine of the Week
He Said/She Said Annual Thanksgiving Day Wine Guide
Each year, we like to pick a wine theme for Thanksgiving and have some fun with it. And while the themes may change from year to year, the challenge of pairing wines with a traditional Thanksgiving meal still remains the same. With all of the competing flavors and textures battling it out for space on the palate, selecting the right wines can be a little bit like navigating a culinary maze without a recipe. Add to that the task of pairing wines to suit different guests’ tastes and preferences (while staying within budget) and the undertaking seems nearly impossible.
Click here to listen to Thankgiving wine recommendations on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Scary Good Wines for Halloween
While Halloween may not fall on a Friday or Saturday night this year, that does not seem to stop the adult “trick-or-treaters” from knocking on our door, waving their plastic wine glasses, looking for a bottled goody of the red or white varietal. So once again, I will sit at home and man the door, the candy bowl and the corkscrew, waiting for trick-or-treaters of all ages to stop by.
Click here to listen to WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week segment for scary good wines
Blackie – The EMH Vineyard Cat
Debateable Wines – Cindy and Scott Debate Over Four Wines
Cindy and I are usually in the same camp on the big issues – like vacation spots and kid’s curfews – but whne it comes to wine and politics, we occasionally have a difference of opinion. Sometimes it’s big, sometime it’s small, but when it comes to opinions on wine and politics, can anyone really be wrong?
So in the spirit of the current political climate and the upcoming presidential debate, we thought it would be fun to select several wines which we typically have different views on and have our own “wine” deliberation.
Click here to listen to the wine debate on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Valentin Bianchi Brings Value to Hand Crafted Wines
Many New World wineries were founded by European immigrants. In South America – just as in Napa and Sonoma Valleys – many of the wineries have been established by Italian immigrants who brought their agricultural heritage with them and planted vines in fertile soils abroad. Valentín Bianchi was one such immigrant. He came to Argentina from Italy in 1910 with a strong desire to succeed and a penchant for hard work. And he succeeded…
Click here to listen to this week’s Wine of the Week on WTOP Radion
The Best Wine Values from Australia
From time-to-time, I taste some really great wines from a specific country that earn a very high rating on the quality-to-price ratio (QPR) scale and think, “Wow, what a great wine. I’d love to write about this.” But often, there are just not enough wines from one winery or region that qualify for the highest QPR ratings to produce a column… until now. I have been keeping a list and saving up my favorites for the inaugural “Best Values From…” column.
The first of this new series features a country where I cut my proverbial wine teeth – Australia.
“Naked” Red Wines for Oak Allergies
Many wine lovers assume that Red Wine Headaches (RWH) has something to do with sulfites, but it is more likely that other element is responsible since less than one percent of the population is sensitive to sulfites. Tannins are another popular hypothesis. Tannins are found in the skins, stems, and seeds of grapes, as well as the oak wood barrels and casks used for aging. And therein lays the rub.
Click here to listen to WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week “Naked Red Wine” recommendations
The Wines of SLO Town (San Luis Obispo that is…)
My son is now on the college tour circuit, looking at a variety of schools across the country for admission next fall. One of the schools that have caught his attention is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, located on the central coast of California. As it so happens, the San Luis Obispo campus offers courses in vineyard management and other agricultural based programs, but my son is strictly interested in the school of engineering (sigh). However, there is a silver lining. San Luis Obispo (SLO Town to locals) is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in California for premium wine production, so Parent’s Day, and other excuses to visit, just got a little more interesting. I mean in addition to seeing my son, of course.
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Election Day Wines: Non-partisan Party Wines to Party With
Click here to listen to a few of my recommendations on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week
Click here to see all of the wines that get my vote, regardless of party lines.