Archive

Getting back to the Vanguard show this past Monday, there were a great many California wineries represented, as well as some awesome wines from Oregon and Washington State as well. And I had to first visit Selene Wines’ table, where assistant winemaker Tracy Hall was pouring. I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating every [...]

Our good friend Terry “Strappo” Hughes, co-owner of Italian importer Domenico Selections, returns to Northern Kentucky for an Italian wine assault (he is probably landing at CVG as we speak). Terry will be dropping in on our Covington store for a tasting of his wines Friday from 4-8 pm and will be at our Fort Thomas [...]

Monday, the DEP’s crew and I (my assistant, Shannon, Ft. Thomas store manager, Matt, and Covington wine guy, Corey S.) went up to Columbus, Ohio for the Vanguard Trade Show, which was held at the Walter Center at St. Charles – oddly enough, a Catholic Prep school for boys. The venue was impressive, with what [...]

As part of my media whoring and shameless self-promotion (being the neophyte social media philistine that I am), I am encouraging everyone to come join my Under The Grape Tree page on Facebook, where I post links to some of my fellow bloggers’ blogs, the occassional wine news article, and whatever I might be listening [...]

Spent yesterday journeying to Columbus for the Vanguard Portfolio show, which for those of you who don’t know, Vanguard Wines is a wine distributor based in Columbus that serves both Ohio and Kentucky, and is run by good friend and winemaker Drew Neiman. While my assistant Shannon and Fort Thomas store manager Matt rode up [...]

Finally getting back on task, the last time we talked about Spanish wine, in commemorating Spain’s victory at the 2010 World Cup, I mentioned the wine regions Bierzo and La Mancha, two up-and-coming regions whose wines are not to be missed. This time, I want to mention two more great, young wine producing areas, as [...]

The continuing adventures of Dr. Gonzo continued Wednesday with the rest of the Fish Eye lineup: Fish Eye Pinot Grigio California 2009. Grade=Average. Simple but nice, very easy to drink with some lemon/lime zest and green apple notes. Fish Eye Riesling South Eastern Australia 2009. Grade=Average. A drier style of Riesling, with some white peach [...]

Our good friend and RNDC/KY rep David came by with a grab bag of cool wines to try: Alma Negra Sparkling Rosé of Malbec Mendoza 2006. Grade=Amazing. Stunning sparkler with creamy notes of strawberries, raspberries and toasted brioche. Lively effervescence makes for a provocative bubbly. Leyda Classic Chardonnay Leyda Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Very subtle creaminess [...]

Good friend/DEPS alum/SWS-Starz rep Jesse came by with some of the Hogue Genesis wines, catering to my newfound love for Washington State wines: Hogue Genesis Riesling Columbia Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding+. One of my favorite Rieslings from Columbia Valley, this one is slightly drier, with honeyed peaches and apricots, some wet stones, Rainer cherries, and white [...]

I had another visit from good friend/Bryant sales manager Jimmy C., who came by the rep and wines of Magnanimous Wine Group, a group of organic wines from Mendocino County founded by Owsley Brown III: Ukiah Cellars Chardonnay Mendocino County 2008. Grade=Average-. This was a weird-tasting Chardonnay, with some foxy elements you might find in [...]