2020 was a challenging year everywhere. In California, growers and vintners had to deal with a lot of their own: the novel coronavirus’ impacts, heat waves, wildfires in parts of the state. And while conditions were varied across the vast growing regions, a lot of the yields were lower. From what I’m hearing and tasting so far, the fruit quality …

When we’re perusing the Costco wine aisles, there’s usually 3-4 bottles we’re on the lookout for, either reader recommendations, or Kirkland wines we expect to be dropping. In addition we’re always on the lookout for wines we’ve never seen carried at Costco before. Or at least bottles that haven’t appeared in the stores we frequent around the Atlanta area. So …

This is the second in a two part series: Discovering Portuguese History and Portugal’s Esporão Group Wines ~ Part 1 PROLOGUE A great life gift to wine education was having a Portuguese client, which had several wine brands in its portfolio. I was given 10 days to dig deeply into this historic, old-world culture, traced […] The post Exploring Portuguese …

Proprieta Sperino in the Lessona DOC, Alto Piemonte, has been managed with great enthusiasm and flair for some years by Paolo de Marchi’s son, Luca. Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 10 Proprieta Sperino’s wines Paolo de Marchi was best known, of course, as the owner of the renowned Chianti Classico estate Isole e Olena until its …

A voluptuous wine hallmarked by inviting pure fruit, with pronounced olive tapenade and sweet, warm black licorice. The long, generous finish is detailed by oak spice and vanilla. Best from 2025 through 2035. 650 cases made, 125 cases imported. Source : 449f2e4a43a2b1cf3f299e443354632c

Bright and mouthwatering, with peach blossom accents and a core of pineapple and Honeycrisp apple. Features a touch of lemon zest on the finish. Drink now. 7,500 cases imported. Source : 6cdf3342da54400dd6e3db310dc173ba