Sommelier John Lancaster: Peay Vineyards “La Bruma” Syrah

This week’s pick comes from John Lancaster of Boulevard Restaurant in San Francisco.  I was interested in  John’s pairing recommendation for the California squab & quail combination on Boulevard’s menu.  Here’s a description of what the pan roasted birds are served with:  Wild Rice & Farro with Seared Foie Gras & Caramelized Shallots, Knoll Farm [...]

Saxon Brown Cabernet Sauvignon

This week’s pick was offered by the man behind Onotria Wine Country Cuisine, Massimo Navarretta.  Massimo grew up farming and making wine in Campania, Italy, and now shows off his skills in Costa Mesa, California.  Here are Massimo’s comments about his selection:  ”The wines of Saxon Brown are unique and very special.  The Cabernet Sauvignon [...]

Cline Cellars’ Reliably Delicious Wines

Ask me what wineries produce portfolios that are all reliably terrific and Cline Cellars immediately comes to mind.  And after a couple visits to their tasting room, I can also attest that it is among the friendliest in Sonoma. Cline Cellars was founded by Fred Cline, grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi, inventor of the Jacuzzi tub [...]

Mother’s Day Shopping: For Wine-loving Moms

It’s getting very close to last minute for your Mothers Day gift selection. But if you live near your mom and she likes wine, you are in luck. You have many options. If she likes sweet wine, consider an Italian Moscato d’Asti, which is produced in Italy’s Piedmont region near the town of Asti. Piedmont [...]

Blue Rockin’

I was excited to taste the samples wine-maker Kenny Kahn sent me last month.  I thought his 2005 Blue Rock Estate Cabernet was the best of show two years ago at Bassin’s Annual California  Barrel Tasting, where 50 top California wineries descend to the  basement of the Mandarin hotel in DC with barrel samples of their [...]

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