2016 December | Wine of the Month Club's Ultimate Wine-pedia

Import Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1988. Los Vascos

August 23, 2016

The Vina Los Vascos winery lies sheltered in its own private viticultural paradise, the 4900 acre Caneten Valley, about 90 miles south of Santiago, in Chile’s climatically-endowed Colchagua region. Don Pedro Gregorio Echenique, a knight of the Order of Santiago, built the winery in 1750. It has stayed in his family ever since. The soil,… read more »

Domestic Selection: Muscat Canelli, 1990. Santino Winery

August 23, 2016

Matt and Nancy Santino, along with Nancy’s father, Joseph Schweitzer, founded Santino Wines in 1979. Mr. Schweitzer remained as owner when the younger couple left the operation some time ago. The winery is located in the heart of California’s Shenandoah Valley in Amador County, adjacent to the oldest known producing Zinfandel vineyard in California. This… read more »

Member Inquiry: Investing in Wine

August 19, 2016

“Paul, I read now and then about wines that sell at auctions for wild prices, like $25 ,000 . a) What kind of wines are worth that much? b) Can I start a collection for investment purposes using WOMC wines, and sell them later for a big return?” A.R., El Cajon Thanks for asking about… read more »

Adventures in Eating: Vegetarian Burritos

August 19, 2016

It seems like everybody I know is on a diet. Now that bathing suit weather is here, I’ve lost my “In and Out Burger Buddies”. The friends who once accompanied me to every juicy burger joint in town are now either at the gym, or guzzling Slim Fast like it’s going out of style. Don’t… read more »

Import Selection: Chardonnay, 1989. Marcus James

August 19, 2016

Brazilian wine? Just consider this: Vinecola Aurora Ltd. is, surprisingly, the largest grape growers’ cooperative in the world. The Marcus James brand, from Vale (“Valley”) Aurora, vanguards their U.S.A. marketing campaign. A wine co-operative is an association of grape growers who pool their crops to make wine under one roof, rather than independently. Such operations… read more »

Domestic Selection: Pinot Noir, 1988. Austin Cellars

August 19, 2016

Anthony Austin’s roots go back to the very early days of California wine… literally. His ancestors were granted a homestead in 1881 in Sonoma County, and are said to have planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the Russian River Valley. After attending U.C. Davis’ viticultural school, Austin became a protege of the country’s most… read more »

Member Inquiry: Personal Requests

August 19, 2016

This letter came in recently. “A friend asked my husband and myself to a wine tasting at their home. We went to find a salesman from a German wine company showing his wines. They were medium to good but very expensive! We find the Wine of the Month Club has better value. It was not… read more »

Import Selection: Chateau de Gourgazaud, 1988.

August 19, 2016

It is always pleasure to find a worthy selection from a time-honored winery. This wine originates from a chateau which was, according to the importer’s notes, “restored to its present condition in 1832.” The ancient domaine of Chateau de Gourgazaud is noted, in fact, on maps dating from the seventeenth century. What is more important,… read more »

Domestic Selection: Rsv. Sauvignon Blanc, 1986. Concannon

August 19, 2016

The Concannon Vineyard is factually a piece of California history, California Historical Landmark No. 641, to be exact. Over 100 years ago James Concannon founded this venerable operation 50 miles east of San Francisco in the Livermore Valley. This area distinguishes itself from other wine regions of California by its striking similarities to the great… read more »

Member Inquiry: Differences in Blush, Blanc, Rose

August 19, 2016

“I have seen some of the same grapes used to make ‘blush’, ‘blanc’, and ‘rose’ wines. In some cases from the same winery! Could you tell me the difference?” Dr. T.R.E. Bakersfield I’m not sure that I can because there is no code, law, or regulation which governs the terminology regarding the color of wine…. read more »