The Rhone Rangers Ride Again

This week a number of American winemakers who craft wines in the style of those made in the Rhone Valley will descend upon DC for the Smithsonian’s seminar on Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic American Rhones.  The seminar, moderated by WaPo wine columnist Dave McIntyre, features tastings of sustainable and organic Rhone wines, as well as [...]

Bianchi Winery Zinfandel and Petite Sirah

If you are looking for bold flavors and character in your wine without breaking the bank, the wines of Bianchi Winery are worth trying.  I recently sampled their Zinfandel and a Petite Sirah sent by the winery’s PR rep, and thought both offered a high quality-price ratio.  The 2007 Heritage Series “Zen Ranch” Zinfandel is ripe [...]

Rhone Rangers Ride Into DC

Tonight, June 11 at the Museum of Natural History, the Rhone Rangers continue a series of special events in DC by participating in The Smithsonian’s Savoring Sustainable Seafood reception.  The winemakers of the organization will pour wines made from Rhone varietals to match with dishes prepared by dozens of notable DC chefs, including Robert Wiedmaier, [...]

Tablas Creek Wine: Bringing the Rhone Tradition to America

Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyards presented some wonderful wines at a class on wine blending at the Society of Wine Educators annual meeting this past summer–and all of them are worth procuring. The seminar focused on blending wines because Tablas focuses the Rhone-style wine blends, which Tablas maintains makes for wonderfully complex and delicious [...]

2006 Women of the Vine Tempranillo

Debora Brenner, author of Women of the Vine offers this week’s pick, suggesting one of California’s few Tempranillo wines.  Women of the Vine Tempranillo is produced by winemaker Dorothy Schuler in Paso Robles California.  Partly thanks to Schuler, Paso Robles  is one of the very few places in California where this Spanish grape is being [...]