Wine Tasting | Wine of the Month Club's Ultimate Wine-pedia

Domestic Selection: Zinfandel, 1991. Bogle Vineyards

August 29, 2016

Chris Bogle is the fifth generation of Bogies to farm the fertile Sacramento River Delta region of northern California. In 1968, Chris helped his father, Warren, plant their first vineyard. Then, in 1973, they formed Bogle Vineyards. With nearly 650 acres under vine, the winery is virtually self sufficient in fruit. In some cases, however,… read more »

Domestic Selection: RS Reserve, 1989. William Wheeler

August 29, 2016

Bill and Ingrid Wheeler, owners of the William Wheeler Winery, met while Bill was posted in South America as a U.S. Foreign Service officer. In 1970 they bought a 175 acre Sonoma County ranch. They planted their first vineyard (Cabernet Sauvignon) during 1973-1974 and harvested their first grapes in 1975 (these they “sold off”). They… read more »

Import Selection: Pinot Gris, 1991. Dunavar

August 29, 2016

This wine comes from the largest mountainous wine-growing region in Hungary, Mátraalja, in the foothills of the Mátra mountains. Running from east to west, this mountain range offers ideal viticultural conditions to about 30,000 acres of grape vines which thrive on its sunny, south-facing slopes. There are three major quality strata in Hungarian wines. Vin… read more »

Import Selection: Cream Sherry, NV. Sanchez Romate

August 26, 2016

Over 200 years have passed since the prominent and enterprising Don Juan Sanchez de la Torre founded this venerable sherry house. The company has distinguished itself for the unsurpassed quality of its products many times over, receiving coveted appointments as purveyor to the Royal Family of Spain, the Vatican and the House of Lords. The… read more »

Domestic Selection: Blanc de Noirs, Five Star. Sebastiani

August 26, 2016

Wow! Two superb Sebastiani bargain wines practically back-to-back! (Remember this September’s wonderful “Emilia-label” Cabernet #992A? It’s still available at only $7.29 ea., if you’re new and you missed it!) This winery has managed to stay in the same family’s hands despite tumultuous times; Prohibition, The Great Depression, hostile take-overs and whatever else has come along… read more »

Import Selection: Fondation, 1991. Barton & Guestier

August 26, 2016

The venerable French wine-shipping firm of Barton & Guestier (B&G) was founded by Thomas Barton in 1725, hence the proud name of this selection. Barton, of English/Irish heritage, having taken on a French partner, Daniel Guestier, was notably instrumental in developing the British Isles’ seemingly unquenchable thirst for Bordeaux wines. The massive market he helped… read more »

This Matter of the Color of Wine

August 26, 2016

Your first introduction to a wine is through the sense of sight. The appearance and color of a wine tells you, or warns you, about what’s coming. The first question we ask: “Is it clear?” Cloudy wines are undesirable. These wines could have several different problems; leftover sugar combining with yeast for a secondary fermentation,… read more »

Import Selection: Cotes du Ventoux, 1990. Jaboulet Aine

August 26, 2016

“I do not think that Gerard Jaboulet has ever made greater wine than he has in 1990…a new quality threshold has been attained…” Robert Parker Jr. When we tasted this wine, we had to agree. Paul Jaboulet Aine is another family owned winery. They have achieved the dual distinction of being not only one of… read more »

Domestic Selection: Chardonnay, 1990. Maddalena

August 26, 2016

If you were to try and imagine the most irregular, most unnatural, most intriguing location for a winery, would you choose downtown Los Angeles? No, seriously, I mean downtown Los Angeles! In 1917, when Santo Cambianica came from Padua Italy, winemaking in Los Angeles was truly in its infancy. He opened this winery and named… read more »

Member Inquiry: When is Wine at its Best?

August 26, 2016

“Paul, In the newsletters it says things like, Will complex over the next two years.’ How can I tell when a wine will be at its best? M.N., North Hollywood, CA As many factors are involved, this is a complex issue (no pun intended). Unfortunately, the main factor, is experience, and that you must gain… read more »