UNDER THE RADAR AND VALUE PRICED WHITE WINES, SPARKLING WINES, AND RED WINES FOR SPRING

FEATURING A SELECTION OF WINES FROM AUSTRIA, CALIFORNIA, ITALY, FRANCE, AND SPAIN One of the nice things about wine is that there are many choices to choose from. But, while to some this is a challenge to be approached with gusto, to others it is daunting. But, no matter where you are in the spectrum, […]

IN PURSUIT OF BALANCE 2013

Featuring California Chardonnay and California Pinot Noir Los Angeles, CA  February 6, 2013   This is the third year for this event which was conceived by Rajat Parr of Sandhi Wines and Jasmine Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards. This year the event was held in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Previously, the events were held in […]

THE CURIOUS BOTTLE OF DOMINUS ESTATE

A Story Of A Recent Tasting Of 1986 Dominus Estate Dominus Estate was established in 1982. It began with a partnership of Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, the daughters of John Daniel Jr., the owner of Inglenook winery, and Christian Moueix of Chateau Petrus. The vineyards that were to be the basis of Dominus Estate […]

RED WINES FOR THE FALL

  Following up on my last Distinctive New Wines article which featured under the radar and value priced rosés and white wines, we now enter fall and it is time for some reds. This article will highlight some really terrific red wines including many that are great values and are under the radar. Another article […]

A TASTING OF GROWER CHAMPAGNES AND SPARKLING WINES

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of Grower-Producer Champagnes and Sparkling Wines from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in October at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.

THE HOLY TRINITY OF WINERIES

THE HOLY TRINITY OF WINERIES INTRODUCTION These three wineries are housed in one facility in Santa Maria. Au Bon Climat Winery (which means “a well exposed vineyard”) was founded in 1982 by Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach. Qupé Winery was also started in 1982 by Bob Lindquist. Chanin Wine Company was started in 2007 by […]

Five Lovely Red and White Wines from Northern California

The five wines tasted here from Northern California were a delightful surprise to me. My palate usually leans toward European wines. I like earth, unadulterated purity, varietal correctness, balanced alcohol and wines that are made to be aged.

A Tasting of Grower Champagnes

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of 86 Grower-Producer Champagnes from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in October at Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles.

The Champagnes are delicious, hand-crafted and estate-bottled, grown and produced by a vintner or by a family. Generally, the Champagnes imported by Terry Theise sell for about $45-100 for non-vintage and $60-145 for vintage. Theise calls these Grower Champagnes Farmer Fizz because the wines are made by a farmer and offer the individually distinctive flavors of terroir-driven wines.

A Tasting of Grower Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

The Vienna Wine Company and WineWise Oakland, California presented a tasting of 89 Grower-Producer Champagne and 11 Sparkling Wines from Terry Theise Estate Selections and WineWise in November at Campanile Restaurant in Los Angeles.