http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com Best online guide to highly drinkable wines! Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:09:53 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=360 And now for my "I don't have time to look for the perfect Champagne, I just need a really nice one for the evening....no special occasion" Champagne....Gloria Ferrer Brut. I know, I know, we (Americans) drink Champagne for 'events' and 'occasions', but that is a real shame. Champagne is just ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=357 It is no secret that I love all things labeled "Rhone Blend" and this offering from E. Guigal (one of the regions best) perfectly illustrates why. The 2006 E. Guigal Gigondas is all creme de cassis, blueberries, crushed rock, pepper, and hints of lavender. Incredibly muscular, this wine is finally ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=355 I usually know what I want to drink with any particular dish I am eating. I say usually. Occasionally I either can't quite figure out what would be best, or I just plain don't care! This often happens when I grill a great burger and want a nice red to ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=352 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 ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=350 Two Hands, while relatively new, has been turning out consistently outstanding Syrah-based wines from the Barossa Valley every single year. Five wines in Wine Spectator's Top 100 and 2 in the Top 10! The just-released 2008 vintage of Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz continues this excellence with a big, bold ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=348 Schramsberg long ago established themselves as the preeminent California Champagne maker with such offerings as their Reserve and J Schram bottlings. The new Mirabelle Brut Rose NV continues the streak of great wines, just with a significantly lower price. A rosé with serious intentions, this has a delicate pink hue ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=346 Ah, Tempranillo and cold-weather...as a current resident of Southern California, I miss the later (occasionally) and use the former to remember it. For years, I drank copious amounts of Tempranillo with the hearty, comfort dishes my wife would make during the loooong, cooooold Upstate New York winters, and nothing quite ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=344 Huge fan of Rhone blends...always have been, most likely always will be. My problem is I drink so many from the Rhone Valley that I crave change. That is why I love the fact that so many other countries are experimenting with these blends at all different price-points. My latest ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=342 Henry's Drive, with their terrific winemaker Chris Ringland, are turning out some of Australia's most exciting and highly rated wines, with a stable that includes Dead Letter Office, Pillar Box, and Parson's Flat Shiraz/Cabernet. A blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% American oak, of which ... http://www.winesthatdontsuck.com/?p=340