ATTENTION COSTCO WINE SHOPPERS: WHEN IS A ROSÉ NOT A ROSÉ?

Can you answer this question? Before you open a bottle and smell and taste a rosé, let’s see the number of possible answers that might cause you to think the wine is NOT a rosé: The wine is not pale pink to light/medium/dark red in color. The wine is not made from red grapes. The […]

2004 WHITE BURGUNDIES: PREMOX OR NOT? THE BEAT GOES ON!

 I had just posted my article on Premox (to read that article click here) when I set off to attend another tasting of the 2004 White Burgundies. I mentioned in the Premox article that Don Cornwell had been doing tastings each vintage of selected White Burgundies for several years. (To see that report click here) […]

MORE TERRIFIC 2010 BEAUJOLAIS, ANOTHER 2009 CHINON, AND A 2007 SAINT JOSEPH PLUS A COUPLE OF INEXPENSIVE RED WINES AND A 2009 SANCERRE FROM ONE OF THE GREATEST PRODUCERS

2010 Beaujolais   I did my first review of 2010 Beaujolais a short time ago. (To read that article click here). Below is my introduction from that first review: The 2010 Beaujolais seem to compare with the 2009s in much the same way as the 2010 Red Burgundies compare with the 2009s. In both instances […]

TWO FAVORITE CHAMPAGNE HOUSES

I have said many times that I think the most versatile of all wines with food is Champagne. And, since I eat my own cooking, I drink a lot of Champagne. Almost without exception, every evening meal for us begins with Champagne. In fact, my wife Laurie, expects there to be cold Champagne ready before dinner well in advance. If I fall down on this job, I shudder to think of the outcome.

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.

Retrospective Review: Volume II, Number 1 (August-September, 1980)

We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume II, Number 1 of The Underground Wineletter. Below you’ll find an updated review of each article, where I will go over what we got right and what we got wrong. We will follow this format with each successive issue.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON…

Wine prices have been really volatile for some time and a real topic of conversation among wine lovers. But, it looks like there is no end in sight. Consider the following:

The price of 2008 Mouton Rothschild has soared from $200 to $1000 per bottle literally overnight. What would cause such an increase you ask?

2009 Beaujolais

Beaujolais is one of my favorite “under the radar” wines. By that I mean not many people take it seriously. Most people think of it as a light, simple, fruity wine. This is usually based on their experience with Beaujolais Noveau. Beaujolais Noveau is the first French wine to be released each year. The grapes are harvested in August-September, the wine is fermented for a short time and released to the public on the third Thursday of November which is designated “Beaujolais Noveau Day”. This day is heralded around the world and the Beaujolais is widely available. The reason is simple. Beaujolais Noveau is made in a large quantity accounting for about 1/3 of total Beaujolais production. And, while most are simple and of little interest, there are some that can be very fruity, zesty, and balanced and make a lovely wine for early consumption to accompany a wide variety of foods.

Champagne — The Wine of Kings

Few wines captivate us to the extent that Champagne does.  Champagne is not just a wine; it’s also a state of mind.  Enjoying the luxury of Champagne is what made Dom Perignon exclaim at his first sip, “Come quickly, I am drinking the stars.” Legend has it that Marilyn Monroe once took a bath in […]