Articles by
John Tilson
MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS AND DOMAINE EDEN — SOMETHING OLD AND SOMETHING NEW
Mount Eden Vineyards is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was launched in 1972 on the site of the old Martin Ray Estate which was started in 1945. My first visit to Mount Eden was in the early 1970s. The wines from here are some of the best made in California and I have been tasting, drinking, and writing about them for over 40 years.
Click here to read entire article »SOME MORE BIG HOUSE RELATIVES PAY A VISIT TO THE UNDERGROUND
A short time ago, I had my first experience with the Big House family. It was the 2010 Big House White which I featured in my article Wine and Closure *click here to read the article*. DANIEL PLEASE ADD THE LINK There were three wines: the agony, the ecstasy, and the mystery. The Big House White was the mystery.
Click here to read entire article »THE STRANGE NEW WORLD
Isn’t it funny how things can get so alienated at a point in time? I guess now a lot of folks are focused on politics and the polarization that is being experienced as we head into elections next year. But, how about the current world of food and wine? Here we have yet another polarization. Food is moving rapidly toward lighter, fresher, natural ingredients. Wine, on the other hand, seems still stuck in the industrialized wines that I talked about in my recent article What is Wine?
Click here to read entire article »RIDGE VINEYARDS – UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY
The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor who became a prominent member of San Francisco’s Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards; using native limestone, he constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892.
Click here to read entire article »A GRAND EVENT: FEATURING OLD CALIFORNIA WINES FROM PIONEER PRODUCERS
Earlier this year I attended a wine and food dinner featuring old Santa Cruz Mountain wines from two of the early pioneers, Hallcrest and Martin Ray. There was also an old BV Pinot Noir from Napa Valley, a very old Madeira, and a very rare Cabernet Sauvignon from Hanzell.
Click here to read entire article »A GRAND EXPERIENCE: MAUI, FOOD AND WINE
MAUI FEATURING Great Dining, Kumu, Maui Potato Chips, and 2010 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Introduction I recently did a Grape Press article on New Zealand wines. The bottom line is that these are wines that offer value and quality in a very food friendly style. You can view the entire article here New Zealand Trade […]
Click here to read entire article »WINE & CLOSURE
How about three unusual white wines? They are all different and with very interesting details. One will make you happy, one will make you cry, and the other will amaze and mystify you.
Click here to read entire article »YIKES! THE TIDE MAY BE GOING OUT SOON! WHO’S SWIMMING NAKED?
Geez, I had barely got my Underground Wine Line commentary “What Is Wine” out and I get an email offer saying “Stay tuned…This Could Get Interesting.” If you have not already read my “What Is Wine?” article I encourage you to do so. (To read the article click here) And, then please consider the following […]
Click here to read entire article »2010 ROSÉS — A ROSE IS A ROSE, IS A ROSE, IS A ROSE…BUT A ROSÉ IS A ROSÉ
Just in time for the warm weather of summer, the 2010 Rosés are here. For me, there is nothing better than a well-chilled Rosé on a warm day. In Mediterranean climates there are many warm days. So it should come as no surprise that the best Rosés come from these areas where the wines are made to go with the regional food.
Click here to read entire article »WHAT IS WINE?
Simple question? Well, maybe it is not so simple as you think. Fermented grape juice? Hmmm…………….??? I guess I don’t know. I used to think that I did know. But, things have changed and now I am not so sure. What about you? How would you answer this question? But, before you do, please let […]
Click here to read entire article »
