Sometimes you just don’t want to mess with success. That is often the mantra with Antinori when it comes to wine, and it certainly applies to the 2006 Chianti Classico Peppoli. This wine is a perennial favorite of the staff at Saratoga Wine, as much for its consistency as for its quality. Peppoli delivers ripe [...]

This one is gonna be controversial. People are always mixed on this wine, some will say we should change the name of the site to “Wines that Suck”, and some will say “you could not be more right!”. I was introduced to this wine about 4 vintages ago and have never looked back. Never a [...]

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, [...]

2002 was a difficult year for most Australian winemakers. Intense heat was the name of the game, all year. Many vineyards received so much sun, they were actually damaged. Most of the reds are insanely high in alcohol and many so extracted as to taste thick. While this may seem a negative, what it ends [...]

Continuing the Thanksgiving theme….I love trying to find different and interesting wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are such easy choices…but sometimes I like easy. Siduri Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2007 is easy, but in no way simple. Great wines are often “easy” to choose. Intense and vibrant, with snappy [...]

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 the Thanksgiving theme….we know that the “experts” say Pinot Noir for turkey, but what if you are doing something different for Thanksgiving? A few years back I had a chorizo-stuffed turkey (fantastic FYI) that would have destroyed a Pinot. Or, for that matter, what if you just don’t like Pinot? Cabernet Sauvignon, especially those [...]

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…..aaaaaayyyyyyy, Ponzi Pinot Noir 2006 fits the main course niche perfectly (2 thumbs up). Old TV references aside, especially since I am dating myself, this Pinot is medium ruby-colored with an expressive perfume of spice box, earth notes, cherry, and raspberry. Friendly and easy-going, it also has good concentration and depth leading [...]

Continuing my Thanksgiving theme…you cannot go wrong with Champagne. Ever. EVER!
As for Turkey-Day, serve it before the dinner, to get people chatting. Serve it with the turkey, pair wonderfully. The acidity cuts gravy like nobodies business. Champagne and cranberry sauce you ask? Of course! Serve it with dessert. Last but not least, serve it to [...]