A Free Wine Encyclopedia!The venerable French wine producing firm Moillard was founded in 1850 by Symphorien Moillard. It is now managed by the fourth and fifth generations, and remains a family owned and operated concern. While 60% of Moil-lard’s turnover is achieved in France, its wines are sold internationally in over 30 countries. The elite part of the… read more »
In opening, Columbia Winery practically represents ancient history, as far as domestic wines go. Founded in 1962, it is Washington State’s oldest premium winery. Home winemaking buff Professor Lloyd Woodbourne of the University of Washington, in concert with a few similarly inclined colleagues, set up a “cooperative” winery in his garage. They called it “Associated… read more »
“Paul, I have heard that the jostling of wine during transportation can damage it. Is this so and, if so, will it help if I let my bottles rest after I have received them from you?” S.R., Emeryville, CA People often ask me this when I tell them that I will be shipping wines to… read more »
The other day my cousin told me about a wonderful dinner she’d had at a friend’s. “It was French Provincial,” she enthusiastically exclaimed. She then excitedly went into detail about what was served. “What was the occasion?”, I asked curiously. (It seemed like quite a luxurious and romantic affair.) “Book club,” she simply replied. In… read more »
In the heart of the Armagnac countryside in the southwestern part of France known as Gascony lies the beautiful 75 acre estate of the Domaine du Mage. This part of France, which is also known for its gastronomy and general “joie de vivre” is often sadly forgotten by visitors coming to France. Not only does… read more »
Cline Cellars is owned by a family whose name is a household word. About a century ago, six brothers pooled their resources to put the eldest one through college, a cultural tradition in Italy. The brothers immigrated to California. They took odd jobs, in the mines, for the railroads, even as farm laborers picking fruit… read more »
Dear Paul, I heard something not too long ago about lead getting into wine. Then I recently noticed that the ‘foil” which covers the cork on a lot of wine bottles is different than what it used to be. Am I correct in assuming that there is some relationship between the two? — K.N. Huntington… read more »
I love throwing parties, and the bigger, the better. I always start with a theme of some kind, and then go from there. With summer here, I’ll be entertaining a lot, and more important than anything, I need to be organized. I am a list-maker. The first thing I do when I decide to host… read more »
In the year 1647, on top of a hill that slopes down to the Mediterranean, in what is now the province of Cataluna (Catalonia) in Spain, someone constructed a farmhouse in the likeness of a mediaeval fortress. Two hundred years later, this imposing property became a winery, Las Cavas Jaume Serra. Surrounding the cavas (caves… read more »
In 1969 radio station KBIG founder, John Poole, sold the station in pursuit of a more relaxed life style: farming. He acquired a 173 acre property and planted 100 acres of grape vines. Mount Palomar was one of the very first vineyards to be established in the now burgeoning Temecula wine growing district of Southern… read more »