A Free Wine Encyclopedia!For some reason, the chore of uncorking a bottle of sparkling wine intimidates some people. They sort of quietly pass on the responsibility to another in the group! (and thus never learn how to do it well). Then… there are those who tackle it head on, and sort of think that popping it is the… read more »
Founded in 1705, the Melini winery owns 225 acres of vineyards in Tuscany, home to many of Italy’s finest red wines. Melini stands as one of the top four producers in the renowned Chianti region there. This wine gets its name for the villages (borghi) along the River Elsa and comes from their modern facility… read more »
Spring is here! I love this time of year so much. Everything seems so fresh and alive. The garden is full of tulips and daffodils, summer is just around the corner, and “love” is in the air! With Easter and Passover just around the corner, too, cooks are busy planning their holiday menus. Brunch seems… read more »
After about twenty years in the construction industry, Peter Hay-wood’s tolerance for night meetings had waned. He longed to “get back to the land”. So, he undertook a search for the perfect vineyard. In 1973 he located, in Sonoma County, a valley of great potential, covered with oaks and brush. He judged, from the harshness… read more »
Wine labels are an interesting phenomenon. There are two forces governing them. First, there’s the marketing arm of the winery which, hopefully, is in tune with what the consumer wants and gives it to them. Secondly, there is the government, better known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF). These two are frequently… read more »
Every cook has a specialty; something they can make better than anyone else. My best friend is famous for her scones, my mother for her Caesar Salad dressing (which is currently being packaged to sell in markets under the name “Louise’s Garden”). Even my husband, who still doesn’t know where the potholders are in the… read more »
Roemische Weinstrasse is the region which surrounds the oldest city in Germany, Trier. In the year 70 A.D., in the battle of Rigodolum, the Roman legion successfully conquered the Germanic tribe, Treverer. The name “Roemische Weinstrasse” means “Roman wine route” and even today vivid evidence of the era is visible throughout this Mosel River district… read more »
If you have been with us for about a year, you will remember Cask One Sauvignon Blanc (#291A). Well, the same people who make Cask One make Fran-cal. There is, in fact, no Francal Winery or Cask One Winery (or Plume Ridge Winery, for that matter, recalling last month’s Chardonnay, #291A…different producer, though). To make… read more »
“I have been with the Wine of the Month Club for three years…in the past year I have noticed more ‘table wines’…I belong to the club to try new wines and wineries. Not table wines that I have little control of their contents and would be unable to compare vintages”. F.C., Santee This is an… read more »
Last month my husband and I went out to dinner for his birthday. It was a cold and rainy night, and even after sitting down in the warm and comfortable restaurant, I was freezing. “Are you sure you want to keep your coat on?”, my husband asked. Not only did I want to keep my… read more »