2005 Earthquake Petite Sirah, Lodi

This big fruit bomb delivers powerful blackberry and spice with an alcohol punch at 15.5 percent. They have too much fun with the name “it will rock your world, etc.” but it’s big wine. Fruit bomb has become a derisive term used by lots of wine writers. This is definitely a fruit bomb, but what’s wrong with that? Wouldn’t it be boring if they were all the same! If you like big wine, its hard not to like Earthquake. Read Howard’s full review on his blog Grape Sense.

Wine For Haiti – A Global Effort

Wine for Haiti has become an international relief effor to support earthquake relief for Haiti.

2003 Aglianico Ocone

This wine had an earthy, dark cherry flavor that was well balanced with mild tannins. It’s a lighter style with big flavor. Stick your nose in the glass and get the must, the earth and enjoy something a bit different.

Checking In On The Chains

Retail wine franchises, Vino 100 and Wine Styles, have grown using descriptions like Crisp, Bold, Rich, and Mellow. Is it over simplistic or a new avenue into wine for the novice consumer?

Domaine Lefarge Cote’ EST 2008

Here is a French blend of Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay, and Marsanne
that is drinkable, affordable, and great value for the price point. The
wine has a beautiful light straw color with a nose of light citrus and
flowers. This Eric Soloman selection is a beautiful “bang for your
buck” white wine. It holds up nicely to food and would go [...]

2006 Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Cabernet Sauvignon

This is another of those easy-to-drink and well-made Washington state Cabernets.It’s smooth with a hint of currant and paired nicely with a steak off the grill. It’s a fruit-forward wine that is well structured with an easy to enjoy finish. This is a real bang-for-the-buck wine!
WHO Milbrandt Vineyards
WHAT Cabernet Sauvignon (75.4%), Merlot (12.3%), Petit Verdot [...]

Portugal’s Table Wines Emerge as Value Buy

Touriga Nacional and Roupeiro may not be as familiar as Merlot or Chardonnay but Portuguese wines are riding a surge of attention around the world.

Howard Hewitt

Howard Hewitt writes an every other week newspaper column about wines under $25 and feature education aspects for the novice wine drinker. He posts those columns to the blog titled “Grape Sense.” Howard writes on “Grape Sense – A Glass Half Full” 2-3-4 times a week about wine news, events, and the wines I he is drinking.