Ridge Vineyards
RIDGE VINEYARDS
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS: A CALIFORNIA TREASURE On a recent visit to Ridge Vineyards I met with Paul Draper, CEO/Winemaker, and Eric Braugher, VP Wine Making Monte Bello, and tasted some 2011s out of barrel as well as some bottled wines from 2010 back to 1992. The 2011 vintage presented some challenging weather conditions, but, […]
Click here to read entire article »UNDER THE RADAR & VALUE PRICED ROSÉS AND WHITE WINES
My last Distinctive New Wines article featured rosé and white wines (to read that article click here). As the end of summer approaches, here are more rosé and white wine selections that are perfect for warm weather drinking. There are many Under The Radar wines and many terrific values. There are also rare wines and […]
Click here to read entire article »JOSEPH SWAN: A CALIFORNIA WINE LEGEND
THE MAN AND HIS WINES AND THE CONTINUATION OF HIS VISION Recently, I attended a dinner that featured 17 different wines from Joseph Swan Vineyards. It was organized by The Rare Wine Company with the wines almost entirely from the Joseph Swan Vineyards library. Held at The Murray Circle Restaurant at Cavallo Point in San […]
Click here to read entire article »SPRING WILL SOON BE HERE: THESE ARE WINES FOR THE SEASON
As spring approaches, here is a variety of special wines to grace your table and brighten your day: Under The Radar Red and White Burgundies from two favorite producers The new spring releases from Ridge Vineyards Some California wines that offer really good value DOMAINE BALLOT-MILLOT This is the third year I have […]
Click here to read entire article »WHAT’S ULLAGE GOT TO DO WITH IT? – THE CURIOUS CASE OF 1928 LA GAFFELIÉRE NAUDES
This case is all about provenance and storage. (To read Dennis Foley’s article on proper wine storage click here) But, despite the long standing belief that the history of the wine (provenance) is the most important thing in evaluating an old wine, it is the thing that most new wine buyers have ignored. This is […]
Click here to read entire article »NEW WINES TO CONSIDER AS WE RAPIDLY APPROACH THE END OF THE YEAR
I am always looking for new and different wines. These range from obscure “Under the Radar” wines to the latest Burgundy vintage and other wines tasted from barrel. Around the year end holidays is always a time to relax and enjoy life. That includes time with family and friends and food and wine. So as […]
Click here to read entire article »THANKSGIVING PAST – 2011
Thanksgiving has come and gone for another year. I trust all of you had a wonderful celebration. We certainly did. As I promised in my Thanksgiving article (to read that article which includes recipes click here), here are notes on the wines we enjoyed with our Thanksgiving meal and other wines that we enjoyed with […]
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 »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 »The 21st Annual Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters Generated $1.7 Million For The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The “Midwest Street” backlot at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, once again served as the venue for A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, a tasting and hors d’oeuvres extravaganza, on May 14, raising $1.7 Million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, besting the 2010 total of just under $1.6 Million.
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