Regional Wine Week is in full swing across the country. An interesting twist to drink local wine is to make local wine. On Saturday, fourteen people showed up at Vint Hill Craft Winery, in Vint Hill Virginia to help sort local Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. The grapes had arrived and were put in cold […]

I am paying particular attention to tasting Sauvignon Blancs while in California. I recently offered to make the wine for my son’s wedding in 2011. It will be an August east coast wedding, probably temperatures and humidity in the 90’s. A Sauvignon Blanc may prove to be quite a cooling, crisp and refreshing wine for […]

After last evening’s dinner I had a taste of a black Sambuca. The dark purple to black color had an aroma of alcohol and star anise seed. The taste instantly reminded me of licorice, however after another taste I was reminded of Good & Plenty. The long aftertaste of the Sambuca brought back images of […]

Every now and then I want a sparkling wine with a meal. Given that yesterday was our thirty-seventh anniversary, a sparkling wine seemed appropriate. Thornton Winery’s Brut Reserve 1999 California Champagne was a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. The result was an aroma and taste of apple and pear. The wine was […]