Chalk Hill is one of the original Sonoma Valley pioneers, in the sense that they, along with others such as Rodney Strong and Ridge helped move Sonoma Valley wines to the forefront of quality on the world stage. They consistently produce high quality wines at prices often half those you find in neighboring Napa Valley. [...]

There are few wines more versatile than Riesling for pairing with food. I particularly find them perfect for my favorite take-out, Pad Thai! The cool, refreshing minerality and the sweet nose compliment spicy Asian food like butter compliments toast. The 2008 Spy Valley Riesling, from New Zealand is both light and tart, with a gingerbread [...]

Pahlmeyer has been producing award-winning Chardonnays and Reds, in Napa, for years. Because of limited quantity, and high scores, their wines mainly make it into higher-end restaurants, and what is left can command pretty hefty prices. Lucky for us, they make a “second” called Jayson. Available in a Red Blend, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, you [...]

Konstantin Frank turns out some of the best Rieslings made in the United States every year, and 2007 was certainly no exception. The Dr. Konstantin Frank Riesling Dry 2007 embodies the best characteristics of the Finger Lakes, its fine mineral austerity grounding a generous purity of fruit. The minerality is present in the aroma, [...]

Continuing the Thanksgiving theme…..Chardonnay continues to be the most consumed grape in the United States, and I don’t see that changing for a holiday. And frankly it does not need to, as Chardonnay can pair very well with plenty of the dishes commonly served for turkey-day. Buttery Chardonnay and buttery mashed potatoes works well, I [...]

Continuing with the Thanksgiving theme….this week I will be highlighting 5 imported wines you can pour at Thanksgiving to blow away your guests, or just to enjoy with the family. Red Cotes du Rhone is rapidly gaining in attention in this country, while CdR whites are still a bit of a rarity.  E. Guigal Cotes [...]

Continuing the Thanksgiving theme…a wine type too often ignored in general, Riesling, can be a near perfect pairing for the subtle taste of roasted turkey, and particularly nice in contrast with a sweet cranberry dish. I went with the slightly riper bottling,  Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese 2006. While I tend to recommend Kabinett [...]

Walter Hansel Winery is located in Sonoma County at the southern tip of the Russian River Valley near the Sebastopol hills. It is bordered to the north by the Santa Rosa Creek and to the west by a tributary of the Russian River known as the Laguna de Santa Rosa. This location is ideal for [...]

Last night I had the pleasure of drink the best bottle of Chardonnay in my wine drinking life! I will set the stage a bit…I made a fantastic Blue Cheese/Onion soup with a very ripe Stilton. To go with the soup, I found a fun recipe for a fancy 3-cheese, roasted tomato, oven-bake, triple-decker sandwich [...]

The 2008 Rieslings are beginning to arrive (with their big scores, and big price) and now seems to be the time to enjoy the 05/06’s before they disappear. While I love the less-ripe Kabinett’s, I have always been partial to the slightly fuller, more fragrant Spatlese style of Germany Riesling. The honeyed nose, the riper [...]