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

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: Vouvray, 1988, Georges Meurgey

August 5, 2016

Vouvray is situated on the north bank of the Loire river just 6 miles north of the town Tours (If you ever find yourself in Tours, be sure to lunch at the Hotel de Bordeaux. The food is exquisite). Vouvray is considered the best appellation in the Loire Valley. The 3,950 acres that constitute the… read more »

Domestic Selection: Cabernet Sauvignon, 1984, Jade Mountain

July 25, 2016

If you want history, try to read the label on this bottle. Some correlation! But here is the current story of this winery. Proprietor Dr. Douglas Cartwright has actually been growing grapes for many years on his spacious ranch in Northern Sonoma County, having planted 34 acres there in 1964. Prior to the 1984 harvest… read more »

Adventures in Eating – Honey and Nut Glazed Brie

June 21, 2016

“Madam,” the ancient proverb says… “That one rich drop of honey sweet, As an alluring luscious treat, Is known to tempt more flies by far, Than a whole tun of vinegar.” St. Francis de Sales 1821 You guessed right. Honey is our subject this month. The quote was a favorite of King Henry IV, and… read more »

Cabernet Sauvignon, 1983, Cache Cellars

May 10, 2016

Caché means “hidden” in French… and I guess it is as good a name as any for this winery. It is located on a remote dirt road west of Davis, California. A great place to be! University of California-Davis has the best enology department in the country. The cellars were established in 1978, by Charles… read more »

Domestic Selection: Sauvignon Blanc, 1985, Sam J. Sebastiani Winery

May 4, 2016

A new California winery with an old name appeared on the horizon in 1986. This is not the giant Sebastiani Vineyards in Sonoma of jug wine fame! (and some occasional premium wines worth considering). This is Sam J., the grandson of the founder, who has struck out for himself. Sam was raised with wine. He… read more »

Domestic: Sauvignon Blanc, 1985, Sam J. Sebastini Winery

April 25, 2016

A new California winery with an old name appeared on the horizon in 1986. This is not the giant Sebastiani Vineyards in Sonoma of jug wine fame! (and some occasional premium wines worth considering). This is Sam J., the grandson of the founder, who has struck out for himself. Sam was raised with wine. He… read more »

Adventures in Eating: Brie En Croute

February 23, 2016

It is a little unsettling to write this column for the holidays, as I must think ahead when I know I am not emotionally ready for the holidays. That always begins after Thanksgiving. My benchmark is Halloween, when I begin thinking of Thanksgiving. The way merchandising is going these days, I fear Halloween will soon… read more »

Adventures in Eating: Aurora Pepi’s Appetizer

February 9, 2016

Imagine waking up each morning on 70 acres of fertile vineyard, bordered by the Napa River, one mile south of Oakville in Napa Valley. That is the place where Robert and Aurora Pepi call home. Their “home” is chateau-like, built in stone and oak to match their all stone winery next door. The Pepis purchased this… read more »

Adventures in Eating: Honey and Nut Glazed Brie

February 8, 2016

“Madam,” the ancient proverb says, “That one rich drop of honey sweet, As an alluring luscious treat, Is known to tempt more flies by far, Than a whole tun of vinegar.” – St. Francis de Sales 1821 You guessed right. Honey is our subject this month. The quote was a favorite of King Henry IV,… read more »