One thing is certain about Natalie MacLean: she can sure spin a yarn. Unquenchable, the latest book by this popular Canadian author with a keen sense of self-promotion and a remarkable level of energy, is full of entertaining stories. For example, there is a hilarious, semi-terrifying car ride with German
This chardonnay is the product of grapes from an exceptional vineyard, yes, but also of a high-powered alliance between Rajat Parr (wine director for the Mina Group of restaurants, including RN74, in San Francisco), Charles Banks (former owner of Screaming Eagle, no less), and Sashi Moorman (a winemaker who worked
Burgundy is the kingdom of pinot noir and chardonnay, responsible for almost all wines in the region. Almost all, since a few other varieties are allowed and sometimes dominate certain appellations like Saint-Bris (sauvignon blanc) and Mâcon-Cruzille (gamay, for the reds). Made by Domaine Guillot-Broux, a family-run, careful organic producer, imported
In a previous article, here on Palate Press, I wrote just how impressed I’ve been with the sparkling wines from Nova Scotia, in Atlantic Canada. After visiting the province in August, while judging at the Canadian Wine Awards, I discovered many other good bubblies, as well as the Tidal Bay
Tasting this remarkable, balanced and vibrant cabernet franc from the Basque country, in Southwestern France, I was impressed by how discreetly it is produced by the owner of this small, 4.5-hectare (10-acre) biodynamic domaine, none other than Jean-Claude Berrouet, winemaker at Château Pétrus from 1964 to 2007. Born in Basque
If you've never put your nose inside a few well-wrought barrels, it may be hard to understand just how excited winemakers can become about oak - and also, just how varied the contribution of oak to the profile of a wine can be. The range of smells, the different characters
Quite an unusual wine from this Okanagan Valley winery: a field blend of grenache, viognier and marsanne, pressed together and fermented together in oak barrels, thus creating an unusual, largely blanc de noirs, white wine. Coming from a cool vintage, it has an edgy, vibrant touch, combining the aromatics of
By Lopez de Heredia standards, this is a short-lived wine—meaning that at close to ten years of age, it may not have more than a few interesting years in front of it. A rather reasonable longevity for any wine, but when compared to the feisty and still bright 1991 Gran