-
Read MoreBousquet Argentine Wines Are Great Bargains
Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Argentina Cost: $12-14 Knowing how to grow wine in one country does not always mean you will be successful in another country. Expertise is important, but understanding the region where the grapes grow is the key to success. Jean Bousquet’s family had made wine in southern France for four generation before Bousquet decided Argentina would be a great place to produce...
-
Read MoreLooking For Great Flavor? Don’t Forget White Rhones
White Wines From The Rhone Valley Of France Cost: $12-21 The red wines of the Rhone Valley in southeastern France have been famous among wine drinkers for decades. The region produces powerful, exotic, flavorful wines that are among the best in the world. Rhone’s white wines, which are equally interesting, have only recently become popular. And compared to whites from Bordeaux and Burgundy, the wines from...
-
Read MoreConcannon Mother Vine Cab Delivers Power, Smooth Taste
Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon Mother Vine 2016, Livermore Valley Cost: $44-46 Most of the world’s greatest red wines are made from four grape varieties considered classic: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir and syrah. Of those, the most versatile and most familiar to wine drinkers is cabernet sauvignon. It is grown all over the world in a wide variety of styles. Some cabs are bold, some are soft and...
-
Read MoreLa Crema Celebrates 40 Years Of Great Chardonnay, Pinot
La Crema Chardonnay 2017, Sonoma Coast Cost: $22-24 Longevity is somewhat of a rarity among American wine brands. While many French chateaux have been around for more than a century, when an American winery reaches 20 years it’s cause for celebration. When it gets to 40 years, it shows the winery must be doing something right. In the case of La Crema, they have done many things right. But the thing they...
-
Read MoreThe Hilt Produces Great Pinot From Extreme Vineyard Sites
The Hilt Estate Pinot Noir 2016, Sta. Rita Hills Cost: $44-46 With grapevines, as with humans, struggle often produces amazing positive results. I know you’ve heard the phrase “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” With the grapevines for The Hilt that is literally true. Some of the grapes are grown on windswept, steep hillsides, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. The vines have to struggle...
-
Read MoreCline Works Magic With Old Vine Mourvedre
Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre 2017, Contra Costa County Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre Rosé 2018, Contra Costa County Cost: $21-23 $17-19 Over the years many people have asked me why some winemakers make such a big deal about old vines. You see that designation often with California zinfandel and with French varietals grown in California, such as mourvedre and carignane. Old vines really can make a big...
-
Read MoreDon’t Overlook Chehalem Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
Chehalem Inox Chardonnay 2018, Willamette Valley Chehalem Pinot Gris, 2018, Willamette Valley Cost: $19-21 It seems like everyone knows about Oregon as a great pinot noir producer. Some of their wines even rival the great Burgundies. While the pinot noirs are memorable, many people forget about the great white wine produced there. I am particularly fond of their chardonnay and pinot gris, but you should...
-
Read MoreCasteller Cava From Spain A Perfect Summer Sipper
Casteller Cava Brut NV, Spain Cost: $12-15 Summer seems like the perfect time for sparkling wine, especially those less expensive sparkling wines not made in a place called Champagne. The Casteller Cava from Spain fits the bill perfectly. It has a bright, zesty flavor, with plenty of tiny bubbles. It is made the same way as Champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle. While Champagne usually has...
Recent Tasting Events
Upcoming Events
Recent Reviews
Most Recent Articles
Don’t Overlook Chehalem Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
Chehalem Inox Chardonnay 2018, Willamette Valley Chehalem Pinot Gris, 2018, Willamette Valley Cost: $19-21 It seems like everyone knows about Oregon as a great pinot noir producer. Some of their wines even rival...
Read More
Bousquet Argentine Wines Are Great Bargains
Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Argentina Cost: $12-14 Knowing how to grow wine in one country does not always mean you will be successful in another country. Expertise is important, but understanding the...
Read More
South African Weekend Tasting-Cork & Flame-Sept. 6-7
Soutth Africa has been producing for year but it has only been recently that...
Read More
Ole Wine Dinner-Cork & Flame-Sept. 18
Cork & Flame next wine dinner will be on Wednesday, September 18. Ole...
Read More
Looking For Great Flavor? Don’t Forget White Rhones
White Wines From The Rhone Valley Of France Cost: $12-21 The red wines of the...
Read More
Concannon Mother Vine Cab Delivers Power, Smooth Taste
Concannon Cabernet Sauvignon Mother Vine 2016, Livermore Valley Cost: $44-46...
Read More
La Crema Celebrates 40 Years Of Great Chardonnay, Pinot
La Crema Chardonnay 2017, Sonoma Coast Cost: $22-24 Longevity is somewhat of a...
Read More
Paso Robles Weekend Tasting-Cork & Flame-Aug. 23-24
Cork & Flame’s newsletter this week says “Paso Robles Wine...
Read MoreOur Advertisers And Supporters
