Wine Reviews

4 min read

It’s mid-afternoon in the first full flush of spring. The sunlight is bright on the vineyard-studded landscape beneath the windows...

Interesting White Wine from the Country of Georgia

1 min read

2017 Khareba Krakhuna Though I’ve visited a number of Georgian wineries in the past, I’m grateful to the Khareba winery...

2024 “this life” brut AOC Crémant de Limoux – A Valentine Sparkler

1 min read

An interesting choice for Valentine’s Day, this wine is significant because it’s from the first place in France where there’s...

2023 Villa Sandi “Il Fresco” Prosecco DOC Rosato Brut

1 min read

A rosé sparkling wine for Galentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day? Of course. This one happens to be a prosecco rosato...

Flying Saucer Wine: 2019 Bonny Doon “Le Cigare Volant” Red Wine of the Earth

1 min read

Maybe I’m suggestible, but when I opened the bottle, I did notice the aromas of bramble, blackberry and good clean...

A Surprisingly Versatile Pinot Noir; Affordable, Too

1 min read

2022 Subterra Los Olivos District Pinot Noir A truly versatile light red wine from one of the earliest-planted, great pinot...

2022 Merriam Blanc de Noirs, 25th anniversary sparkling wine: sustainably made

1 min read

2022 Merriam Blanc de Noirs, 25th anniversary sparkling wine, Russian River Valley From the outset, Peter and Diana Merriam,...

Villa San Juliette Crafts Fine Wine in Paso Robles

Deborah Grossman

1 min read

The stage is set for fine wine and hospitality at Villa San Juliette. While driving up the lane to the...

The Lightness of Barolo: Tenuta Cucco Part II

3 min read

A Classic Italian Wine Returns to its Glory Have you ever had a wine that was so light you felt...

A Rare Champagne for Celebrations

1 min read

2018 Champagne Christophe Baron Le Dessus du Bois Marie A rare find: A well-rounded brut Champagne made exclusively with the...

A New Smooth French Dessert Wine: Chateau de Montifaud, Vieux Pineau des Charentes blanc

1 min read

From the Cognac region of France, there’s a fortified drink that’s now becoming famous: Pineau des Charentes. It’s made with...

Party Prosecco: NV Brilla! Prosecco DOC

1 min read

A large part of the appeal of this Prosecco is the bottle itself. The glass is beautifully embossed, and the...

Low-Alcohol Pinot Grigio: 2023 Cantina Zaccagnini Pinot Grigio, Terre di Chieti IGT

1 min read

Low-Alcohol Pinot Grigio: 2023 Cantina Zaccagnini Pinot Grigio, Terre di Chieti IGT Notably, this pinot grigio is fairly low in...

Chardonnay from VOON Wines excites the senses

Deborah Grossman

1 min read

One of the few gay-owned wineries in the San Francisco area, VOON takes its name from the nickname of founding...

Carmel Black Cabernet Sauvignon for Passover or Anytime

Deborah Grossman

1 min read

Passover is my favorite Jewish holiday because it is celebrated at home, and the tradition is to drink four glasses...

2021 Rombauer California Zinfandel

1 min read

Rombauer winery has a superpower: food and wine pairing. This time it’s zinfandel with Ham Hand-Pies. Last time it was...

An Iconic White Wine – for Dessert

3 min read

ICE WINE: Naturally Frozen On the Vine Ice wine grapes must be naturally frozen on the vine for a period...

2022 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay: Wine for Butter Chicken

1 min read

A creamy aroma wafted up from the glass when I first poured this chardonnay. As the wine opened, more of...

Since 1893: Napa Chardonnay from Stags’ Leap Winery

1 min read

2022 Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Chardonnay So surprised when I opened this bottle to find that it’s lean and grassy,...

Why You Should Know More About California’s Wente Vineyards