Thank you, Meg

Meg, I raise a glass to you in thanks, and in best wishes for the future. We look forward to seeing your byline again in Palate Press: The online wine magazine.

The Next Generation of Rhône Rangers

For three days every May, winemakers and wine enthusiasts gather in Paso Robles, California, for the largest international celebration of Rhône wines in the world. Now in its nineteenth year, the Hospice du Rhône’s seminars, exhibits, and large- scale wine tastings attract throngs of eager attendees.

2008 Bonny Doon Vineyard Vin Gris de Cigare – Santa Cruz, CA

I will confess I am partial to Bonny Doon’s wines, but the 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare is one of the finest rosés I’ve tasted. I keep several bottles well chilled at all times. A blend of grenache, cinsault, roussanne, mourvèdre, syrah and grenache blanc, it is perhaps untypical of a Southern Rhône rosé since two white grapes (roussane and grenache blanc) have found their way into the blend, but to me the 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare is a quintessential rosé. Crisp and light yet round in the mouth, the strawberry and summer fruit notes harmonize with the sweetness of the tomatoes, while the citrus notes and crispness of the wine cut through the richness of the olive oil. You’ll keep sipping this one long after you’ve licked your plate clean.

Creating a New Breed of Vine with Randall Grahm

Can you imagine using a jeweler’s eyepiece and tweezers to pull the male organs off a grapevine?

Randall Grahm can. It’s a patient task, but he’s doing it because he’s impatient.