Pair take-out with sparkling wine.   It flat out does not get any more casual than this.  Before any devout winos recoil in horror, let me qualify that statement to say that such a pairing should embody a degree of culinary thoughtfulness.  In the early articles of this web publication, I paired Mexican cuisine with sparkling […]

For those who love Cabernet Sauvignon, sometimes the palate longs for variation yet not deviation from the strong nature of the varietal.   If you seek a red wine that still maintains the stoically strong backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon yet offers a unique spicy suppleness, look no farther than a Cab-Syrah. Hall Winery, located in St. […]

Winter continues to sidestep the true arrival of spring in the Bay Area as rains fall heavily and fog ensconces homes in the evening.   Continued moisture ensures blooms and on pace, spring continues to press forward despite slightly abnormally wet conditions. Whether in the rain, the fog or by luck of catching a break in […]

As February coasts to a quiet close, it seems as though all who are writing for this site are enamored with Merlot.   Earlier this week, a Reserve Merlot was featured from the Virginia wine country in the United States as the monthly featured wine for the Mid-Atlantic Vine and two weeks prior, in Denver, a […]

Once upon a time in Napa Valley, “field blend” red wines graced many a table.   Popular as they were, whims drove vineyards to change vine composition such that today to find a true single vineyard “field blend” in Napa Valley is a rarity. What is a Field Blend Red Wine? To be a “field blend”, […]