Archive

A LITTLE RE-EDUCATION IN WALLA WALLA

On June 25th, 2010, posted in: Wine by Grape Tree |

I received some samples from L’Ecole No. 41 Winery some time back, and in my usual fashion, I am just now getting to them, just in time for the Wine Bloggers Conference in L’Ecole’s own backyard, in Walla Walla, Washington. I had the good fortune to visit the tasting room back in October during the [...]

EVERGREEN WITH ENVY

On June 23rd, 2010, posted in: Wine by Grape Tree |

The beauty of the Wine Bloggers Conference this year is that (besides me not being there) is that my wine blogging brethren will get to see what I have seen – how awesome Walla Walla Valley and Washington State wines are! I am “ever”green with envy right now, but still, I like the fact that [...]

THE WAIF-AND-OAF CHANNEL

On June 23rd, 2010, posted in: Wine by Grape Tree |

So several weeks back, the marketing guys our store works with proposed to do some instructional videos featuring my assistant Shannon, and myself, waxing briefly about one wine topic or another, trying to keep it under a few mintues. Maybe it’s my self-depricating tendencies but I watched the first four we have on the DEP’s [...]

THE HIGHS-AND-LOWS OF GOING ON HOLIDAY

On June 23rd, 2010, posted in: Wine by Grape Tree |

I am beginning to think I need to go into rehab for being addicted to BBC America - I find myself overusing such Brit slang as “snogging,” “punters,” “bollocks” and “bloody hell” all the time, so it should be of no surprise to most folks who know me when I say that this week “I’m [...]

HOW IS WINE MADE?

On June 21st, 2010, posted in: Videos by admin |

NEW WORLD, OLD WORLD, WHAT GIVES?

On June 21st, 2010, posted in: Videos by admin |

WHAT THE HECK IS SOMMELIER

On June 21st, 2010, posted in: Videos by admin |

WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH AGING WINE?

On June 21st, 2010, posted in: Videos by admin |

IT TASTES NEAR TO HEAVEN

On June 19th, 2010, posted in: Wine by Grape Tree |

Yesterday, good friend Kyle from Kevin Chaney & Co. came by with Louis Geirnaerdt from Axial Wines, a great new Spanish wine importer, to show off some of their Fall releases, all of which kicked serious ass!: Esperanza Verdejo Rueda 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Lovely, crisp and lively with notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, kiwi and mineral. [...]

IF 6 WERE 9 I MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN BUZZED

On June 18th, 2010, posted in: Wine by Grape Tree |

My RNDC/Cumberland rep and former assistant Jen came by with some new wines from some familiar friends: Bonterra Riesling Lake County/Mendocino County 2009. Grade=Outstanding. This is surprisingly good Riesling, with just a slight sweetness (much like a Kabinett). Made from organic grapes (which according to good friend the Hosemaster, is in league with the Dodo), [...]