Perhaps one of the most confusing parts of wine is what to order when you are in a restaurant. The pricing can be confusing, the lists full of labels you’ve never heard of, and the wait staff sometimes less than forthcoming with something value minded and still delicious. We were once victims of the infamous [...]
1) Faustino Gran Reserva 2001, Rioja, Spain ($30) PURCHASE LINK This highly rated wine is a rare example of a declsious vintage at a reasonable price. A balanced mix of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Grenache, and 5% Mazuelo it is intense cherry in color and complex on the nose. The extra body and complexity lends itself well [...]
While Chenin Blanc is grown throughout the globe, we have two decidedly favorite places where it is produced: South Africa and France. While some is grown in the USA and Australia, we recommend sticking to these two regions. It is a highly versatile grape (sort of like the Jeep of wines) that varies in ripeness, [...]
Champagne, or sparkling wine, is one of wine’s great pleasures. Champagne has taken on an important part of many celebratory experiences- from mimosas in the morning before a wedding, christening a new ship, or firing off a bottle at a birthday dinner (we just celebrated my dad’s 60th with a wonderful bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut). We [...]
Our Method: For this Pinot Grigio/Gris we look for two styles that are indicative of a quality wine, either fruity and dry or mineral and dry. Beyond this, these reviews are based on our opinion of what makes for a great value-minded wine. We look for balance in how it is made, with nothing coming across as a [...]
For a long time screw tops have been subjected to a great deal of unfair criticism and wrongfully villainized as exclusively for cheap poor-tasting wines. However, this is far from the truth! While with certain wines cork has its advantages, especially with long-term aging and allowing the wine to breathe. However, the quality of [...]
Our Method: For Sauvignon Blanc we look for traditional measures of quality, including herbs on the nose and slight variances with different climates. Beyond this, these reviews are based on our opinion of what makes for a great value-minded wine. We look for balance and no flaws. Second, we taste all the wines to ensure [...]
Our Method: For Non-French Sparkling Wines we look for wines made in the traditional French method with high attention to quality, yeasty smells on the nose, and pleasant small bubbles. Beyond this, these reviews are based on our opinion of what makes for a great value-minded wine. We look for balanced wines with no flaws. Second, we [...]
Our Method: For Chardonnay we look for traditional measures of quality, regional differences and the wines being expressive of their climate (which is primarily based on ripeness correlated to how warm or cold the climate is). Beyond this, these reviews are based on our opinion of what makes for a great value-minded bottle of wine. We look [...]
Our Method: For Pinot Noir we look for traditional measures of quality (especially acidity), regional differences and the wines being expressive of their climate (which is primarily based on ripeness correlated to the specific climate). Beyond this, these reviews are based on our opinion of what makes for a great value-minded bottle of wine. We look for balanced [...]
