Wine

2 min read

This is the second in a three-part series on the terroirs of Central Otago. After Gibbston and Wanaka, last week, here is a look at the largest winegrowing areas: The Cromwell Basin and Bannockburn, which combine to account for 70% of all Central Otago vineyards. The Cromwell Basin is east

Central Otago Terroir Breakdown, Part III: Bendigo and The Alexandra Basin

Craig Pinhey

Feature Stories

1 min read

This is the last of a three part series on the terroirs of New Zealand’s Central Otago. After Gibbston and Wanaka and The Cromwell Basin and Bannockburn, we are finishing with Bendigo and The Alexandra Basin, the two lowest elevation, most easterly sub-regions. Bendigo Bendigo is just east of the

What We’re Drinking – Gonzalez Byass “La Copa” Vermouth

David Honig

Features

1 min read

Cocktail lovers, take heed. This new sherry-based vermouth from Gonzalez Byass is going to give you something to shout about. It's a revival of the 19th century La Copa vermouth, made from 8-year old Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries, with wormwood, clove, orange peel, nutmeg, angelica and quinine. The orange peel has

Heroic Viticulture on the island of Pantelleria

Joe Roberts

Feature Stories

4 min read

Even in a wine world where context is king, Donnafugata’s complex sweet wine called Ben Ryé - the product of air-dried Zibbibo (Muscat) grapes - stands out as uniquely tied to its place of origin. Second generation winegrowers Antonio and José Rallo, who helm the Sicilian winery, describe its production

2018 Cedar + Salmon Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Much bigger and more tropical than the European pinot gris and pinot grigio wines I’m used to, this wine was a surprise to me. It begins with sweet florals that continue onto the palate, morphing into honey and honeysuckle. As the wine opens it shows hints of citrus along with

Plush and Forward Thinking: 2018 Alma Rosa Winery La Encantada Blanc

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Santa Barbara County’s pioneering winemaker Richard Sanford has been known for his unexpectedly wonderful wines for many decades. He was recently honored as 2020 vintner of the year, a visionary in planting and producing wines in what is now called the Santa Rita Hills AVA [aka Sta Rita Hills]. His

To Drink before Dinner: 2017 Ron Rubin Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

When I opened this wine before dinner I found it way too easy to drink. There’s an appealing lively acidity that makes you keep wanting another sip, and another. Then I remembered I had opened the bottle to review the wine, so here’s a description of what’s in the bottle:

A Good Choice for a Warm Evening: 2016 Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna Rosso

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

“Volcanic wine” is an important new subset of vital wines. Grapevines grown on volcanic soils can impart more complexity to many aspects of the finished wines, from aromas and flavors to structure and overall quality. This red wine is from one of the new, well-known volcanic wine growing regions in

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Wine Country Hospitality in Amador County

Top of the Mark Lounge in San Francisco Celebrates 85 years

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Top of the Mark Lounge in San Francisco Celebrates 85 years

Central Otago Terroir Breakdown, Part 2: The Cromwell Basin and Bannockburn

Central Otago Terroir Breakdown, Part III: Bendigo and The Alexandra Basin

What We’re Drinking – Gonzalez Byass “La Copa” Vermouth

Heroic Viticulture on the island of Pantelleria

2018 Cedar + Salmon Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Plush and Forward Thinking: 2018 Alma Rosa Winery La Encantada Blanc

To Drink before Dinner: 2017 Ron Rubin Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

A Good Choice for a Warm Evening: 2016 Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna Rosso