Beer and tequila are the traditional alcoholic beverages of Mexico. But the wine region of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is changing dramatically, receiving many high scores from the American wine press, and a new breed of winemaker there is dedicated to producing premium wine. But the Mexican wine industry faces uphill
It’s an ironic incongruity: the Pacific Northwest appellation with the fewest regularly open tasting rooms (only three of them) is the source of a quarter of Washington State’s wine grapes—and has contributed to the most 100 point-scoring Northwest wines. The Horse Heaven Hills AVA may not yet be wine touring
They may have mischievous names: Sex on the Beach or Sexy Lady. They may be fanciful like Faliraky by Night or world-famous: Caipirinha, Cosmopolitan, Tequila Sunrise, Tom Collins. But they are all colorful, fun, fresh: a glass in hand, good company, a bit of music and the warm breeze from
From a dry-farmed vineyard and using a laid-back, relatively low-intervention approach, a very nicely structured cabernet sauvignon, with a good tannin structure and freshness - in particular for this price category, where residual sugar and excessive jamminess too often rule. Old World wine lovers will like this New World wine
Gin is getting its groove back. In the past five years or so, scores of new gins have hit the market, some entirely new products, some new twists on existing brews. Countries not known for gin, like Spain, have new brands and micro-distillers have been pushing the envelope on what
Despite repeated attempts at coercion, I can't get Franz Landauer-Gisperg to tell me how he acquired his amphorae. “If the other winemakers round here knew where I got mine, they'd all want one” is his rather cryptic comment. A better question might be “what the hell is an amphora doing
Zingy and fresh, a food friendly Suav Blanc. The nose shows pears and a light background of lime. The palate is citrus and peach, lemon-lime and white peach, with a background of fresh-cut grass. There is a pink grapefruit and pineapple zing on the finish. Bright and refreshing, this would
Glassware drips with condensation. Ice cubes shift and clink softly. Screw caps and cans crack and hiss gently. Summer is perfect for white wine. Depending on where you live, summer ranges from clear and sunny to oppressively humid. In the Pacific Northwest we're spoiled by gorgeous summer weather, but endure a