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News August 10, 2012

The Popularity of Pinot Noir is a Concern for Some Wineries.

Is Pinot Noir becoming too popular? That is the question being asked by some of vineyard owners in California and Oregon. The primary concern is that due to the increased popularity of the grape, vineyards are planting vines with a focus on high production and low cost. To illustrate this shift, Jason Lett, the owner of Eyrie Vineyards in Oregon confirmed that Pinot Noir vineyards were beginning to appear on the fertile valley floor of…

Facts, News August 10, 2012

How Valuable is the “Story” Behind a Wine?

It goes without saying that when it comes to wine, the taste is front and center. But what about the story behind a bottle of wine? It may come as a surprise to you to say that I’ve actually dropped wines from a wine list, in favor of a similar tasting wine with a better story behind it. That will probably seem like a ridiculous notion to most people; but let me explain, I have…

Reviews August 8, 2012

Le Claux Delorme, Valencay, Loire Valley, France.

Grapes 40% Gamay, 30% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Pinot Noir Facts If you were to make a list of the red wines coming out of France, Loire Valley reds would certainly come near the bottom; not because of quality, but for the fact it’s one of the more overlooked wine regions. Loire reds have a tendency to be overshadowed by the whites from famed Sancerre, Vouvray, Pouilly Fume and Muscadet regions, and certainly…

Reviews July 6, 2012

Primarius Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2010.

Grapes 97% Pinot Noir 3% Syrah Facts If it’s good enough for the President of the Philippines and Hillary Clinton, it’s good enough for you! What am I talking about? Well, the Primarius Pinot Noir was recently served at a June luncheon at the Department of State in Washington DC. Check-out the full menu at the bottom of this post. It’s only been in the last 2 years that I’ve started to grow…

Reviews February 15, 2012

Christian Salmon Sancerre Rose, Loire Valley, France.

Grape 100% Pinot Noir Facts This would happen to actually be only the 3rd Rose Sancerre I’ve ever tasted. Rose Sancerre isn’t made in huge quantities, but when you do find it, it’s always made from Pinot Noir. Personally I’ve always found Sancerre to produce some of the most reliable wines coming out of France. At least one wine from the region should be a staple on every wine list. Domaine Christian Salmon have…

Reviews February 6, 2012

Bollinger La Grande Annee 1999, Champagne, France.

Grape 63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay Facts I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you (we) don’t drink Champagne often enough! With that being stated from the get-go, I should probably point-out that what we’re dealing with right here isn’t exactly a once-a-week kind of bottle! I’ve been saving this bottle of Bollinger La Grande Annee for a special occasion, and that occasion was last Friday. So what was the occasion?…

Reviews January 16, 2012

Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2009.

Grape 100% RieslingHistorical references to the Riesling grape can be traced back to Germany in the 15th century. Facts I’ve been a fan of Willamette Valley Vineyards (“WVV” for the cool kids) for quite a while now. Yes, they’re certainly one of the largest Oregon producers (70,400 cases in 2010), but I feel WVV maintain a consistently favorable quality to price ratio. An attribute which I personally note is lacking in a number of…

Facts, News November 22, 2011

The Thanksgiving Wine Survival Guide

Selecting Wine Since there’s no possible way you can select one bottle of wine to satisfy everyone’s taste-buds,so I recommend we split it up! The one theme I do suggest you stick to is, whichever wine you choose, make sure it’s from the U.S. (Beaujolais being the exception). It’s an American holiday after all! White Wine Californian white blends are usually a big hit, especially ones with a hint of sweetness to satisfy the Riesling…

Pairings October 18, 2011

Lamb Meatballs with Cumin, Mint, and Tomato Sauce Paired with Ramspeck Napa Pinot Noir 2009

Cabernet vines dominate the Napa Valley landscape, but everyone (I assume) knows that! What often gets overlooked is that (given half the chance) Napa can still do a decent job with Pinot Noir; even though Sonoma, Willamette (Oregon), and Carneros hog most of the limelight. Now don’t get me wrong, the Pinot’s coming out of “the Valley” are stylistically very different than those hailing from the cooler aforementioned regions; producing wines which are much more…

Facts, News October 7, 2011

Vineyard-Surface in Germany Infograph

Pairings September 9, 2011

Tortoise Creek Pinot Noir Paired with Hanger Steaks with Wilted Spinach and Gorgonzola Sauce

The Mrs. wanted burgers, I wanted steak. Since it way my day off, and therefore my turn to cook: STEAK IT IS (WAS)! Hanger Steak is one of my favorite cuts of meat, however, I think my brief stay in England a few weeks ago might have impaired my ability to grill red meat to a cooking temperature of rare. I’m serious! It’s a major problem over there, with most beef being served to the…

Reviews July 29, 2011

Cobb Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

This is a featured post from Gary Vaynerchuk’s Daily Grape Newsletter Grape 100% Pinot Noir Rating 91 Points Price $68 MSRP Gary’s explanation: California Pinot Noir producers have one man to thank for the ability to routinely price their wines over $50: Rex Pickett. The author of the book-made-movie, Sideways, single handedly skyrocketed the popularity of Pinot Noir almost overnight with his $71 million grossing blockbuster. Yet so much of the…