There was a time when Argentina in particular and South America at large was the home of bargain basement wines. They were reasonably tasty and super cheap but not very complex. Over the years, the quality has steadily improved. At a recent dinner with Anne Bousquet, daughter of founder Jean Bousquet, I was knocked out by their range of wines. The Domaine Bousquet hits a sweet spot of quality and affordability that I’m always on the hunt for. To wit, these wines are really well-priced and affordable to most wine lovers for regular consumption, but they aren’t what one would…
Author: Gabe Sasso
At a recent dinner, I had the opportunity to taste a range of J. Lohr wines with two people that are a huge part of what goes on at this venerable California winery. One of my dining companions was Cynthia Lohr, daughter of founder Jerry Lohr, and the other was Kristen Barnhisel, the winemaker responsible for the production of J. Lohr’s white wines. We discussed a myriad of topics including the history of the winery, their commitment to sustainability, charitable work they’re involved with and the inclusive nature of their business. Jerry Lohr planted the first vines back in 1972…
The popularity of Pinot Noir seems to know no bounds. It’s always been popular, but it’s upward trajectory the last decade and change has been nothing short of impressive. It’s also one of the most challenging grapes to grow and shepherd into great wine. The struggle to grow great Pinot Noir begins with site selection. Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon, for instance, which thrives more easily, Pinot’s demands are more specific. It wants cooler sites, preferably with early morning fog and proximity to maritime influence. Once you have a great spot to plant Pinot Noir, you want to make sure you have…
With 14 AVAs (American Vinicultural Areas), Washington is a geographically diverse state for grape growing. Depending on the region in question, grapes both delicate and hearty in nature thrive, not to mention those in between. Washington also shares several regions with Oregon. These grape-growing areas cross state lines, but regardless of what side of the line they’re on, the conditions for grapes are in sync. Cadaretta is located in the Walla Walla region of the state, an area acclaimed for grapes such a Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. However, they also source fruit from places such as Columbia Valley, which is…
Portugal’s Alentejo region, which sits in the Southern part of the country, has quite a lot going for it. Vineyard plantings are dominated by indigenous grapes with a splash of international varieties that thrive there. By and large, producers are committed to utilizing a combination of Organic, Sustainable and/or Biodynamic farming practices. That commitment allows not only the grapes to shine but also the wide array of different micro-climates to make their presence known. Here are five wines from different producers that offer a peak into the diversity of what Alentejo is accomplishing. What ties them together aside from their…
Wine is the perfect holiday gift. Nearly everyone loves a glass of wine with dinner or as a standalone beverage. Every year that passes, there are more and more brands on store shelves from U.S. producers and the rest of the world too. Making a choice can be a bit daunting, but fear not, because I’ve done the heavy lifting for you, tasting through a large quantity of different wine in a myriad of price points and styles. The wines below have one thing in common: they’re all really delicious. So whether you’d like to spend less than $20 or…
Situated in Northern Italy near the city of Verona, the Valpolicella region’s most famous wine is Amarone. This well-known style is produced by allowing the grapes to dry for more than three months prior to pressing and vinification. As a result, the wines produced are deeply concentrated, intense and often at their best after decades of bottle aging. The traditional grapes grown in this region are Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella. There are other styles of wines made in the area using these same grapes. Valpolicella is produced from the vinification of fresh grapes. Valpolicella Superiore relies on a stricter grape…
If you travel around the country and visit wine shops, supermarkets and any other place that sells wine, you’ll notice a few things. One of those things is the ubiquity of certain brands. Some wines are made in massive quantities and appear to be as widely available as soft drinks. Many of those brands aren’t worth drinking if you’re looking for a genuine glass of wine. However, if you scratch below the surface slightly, you’ll find a handful of brands that aren’t quite as ubiquitous but still pretty commonly available. The wines of Rodney Strong Vineyards are on that second…
Nestled just about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco is the wine growing region of Paso Robles. When the AVA was established nearly 35 years ago, only a small handful of producers existed. For a time, Paso was mostly known for Zinfandel and other big, juicy reds, but over the years, as Paso Robles has grown in the number of producers (more than 200) and planted acres, their diversity has increased exponentially. Today, there are vineyards planted to varieties indigenous to the Rhone, Bordeaux and Burgundy, not to mention parts of Italy and Spain. This wide cross-section of grapes…
At a recent tasting in New York City, I sampled a wide range of wines from Côtes de Bordeaux. This area, while still mostly based on blends and grapes that are traditional throughout greater Bordeaux, is a bit different than some of its more famous neighbors. A handful of the wines on display will benefit from bottle age, but in large part, their focus is on wines to be enjoyed in their youth. The wineries tend to be family owned, run and operated. Pricing and style is certainly accomplished with everyday drinking in mind. The wines from Côtes de Bordeaux…