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The Tenuta di Castellaro winery, on the tiny Sicilian island of Lipari It’s been a while since I was so surprised by the wines from any particular winery. Tenuta di Castellaro’s red wine is mild and the whites are hearty—the...
Before dinner: a bold drink with rounded fruit flavors, not too sweet—isn’t that what we’re all looking for? To fill that position, I offer you a French aperitif you may not have heard of: Pineau des Charentes. It comes from...
2022 Merriam Blanc de Noirs, 25th anniversary sparkling wine, Russian River Valley From the outset, Peter and Diana Merriam, founders of Merriam Vineyards, have worked to create a sustainable environment for people, as well as for their land and...
Experience a day like no other. The Channel Islands, located off the California Coast, approximately 20 miles from Ventura or Santa Barbara Harbor (and about a one-hour ferry ride), is a place to explore for hiking, camping, boating, and especially,...
I haven’t been this carried away by any white wine since the first night I started my wine journey, decades ago, with a different white wine. What’s my new crush? Carricante, the complex white wine from the slopes of Mount Etna...
Maybe I’m suggestible, but when I opened the bottle, I did notice the aromas of bramble, blackberry and good clean earth in this red Rhone-style wine labeled “Red Wine of the Earth.” Now that I think about it, it’s probably...
2022 Subterra Los Olivos District Pinot Noir A truly versatile light red wine from one of the earliest-planted, great pinot noir areas of the US: Santa Barbara County, California. I was also surprised to find this wine is related to...
With a 35-year track record, Palio has out run many other Italian restaurants in a city known for fine food. The original name of the restaurant was Palio d’Asti, evoking the famed city of Asti in Piedmont, Italy, known for...
Norah Jones Joins French Winery Maison Wessman As Co-Owner, Launching Her First Wine Brand This Life Wines Debuts with a Rosé and Sparkling Wine from Southwest France Maison Wessman co-owners Norah Jones (left), Robert Wessman (center), and Ksenia Wessman (right)...
Cyprus has always been considered the birthplace of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty. In the 8th century B.C. (B.C.E.), Homer mentions Aphrodite as ‘Kypris’ and ‘Golden Aphrodite’ and there are many myths connecting her to the island,...
Doesn’t everyone love an adult beverage under the tree or as one (or more) of the eight gifts of Hanukkah?? With its storied past and continuing commitment to quality, Napa Valley staple, Chateau Montelena, still producing their stalwart Chardonnay and...
For most people, prosecco suddenly began appearing everywhere about ten or fifteen years ago—and immediately became everyone’s favorite, everyday bubbly. However, wines called prosecco have been produced for more than a century in this region near Venice, Italy. The Cosmo...
Port can be dry or sweet, red or white—even rosé. All styles pair well with toasted walnuts, dried fruits, blue cheeses. Before a meal, sip dry ports: white or rosé. Tawny ports are great for teatime, or the cocktail hour....