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Cellar Favorite: 1976 Hungarovin Tokaji Aszu Essencia
Cellar Favorites, Rest of the World
, Dec 2016
Hungarian Aszu Essencia has long been one of my favorite wines of all, given that to consume the similarly named but much more expensive Essencia regularly, would require a bankroll comparable to the GNP of a small country.
Norman Hardie Chardonnay Vertical: 2006-2014
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, Rest of the World
, Nov 2016
Norman Hardie is considered to be one of Canada's best winemakers. His Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are sought after by bon vivants and collectors alike. This unique vertical tasting reviews all of Hardie's various Chardonnay bottlings from Niagara and Prince Edward County.
Canada’s Maritime Provinces: A New Wine Frontier
featured, Rest of the World
, Oct 2016
Believe it or not, the Maritime provinces of Canada’s eastern seabord (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) are not just producing wine, but in some cases very good wine. In particular, a combination of extremely cool climate and suitable geology have made this part of eastern Canada a region of note for sparkling wines.
Tawse Chardonnay Quarry Road: 2006-2013
Verticals & Retrospectives, Rest of the World
, Aug 2016
Toronto-based banker Moray Tawse opened his organic and biodynamic winery located on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario’s Niagara wine country in 2005. Tawse’s best wine is the Quarry Road Chardonnay, which is made from a single vineyard of 40 acres first planted in 1996. This vertical spans every vintage of the Quarry Road back to the inaugural 2006.
The 2016 Rosé Roundup: Parts 1, 2 & 3
featured, Rest of the World
, Jun 2016
Rosé wines have always been emblematic of summer and, as even a casual glance at retailers’ shelves and restaurant wine lists reveal, their popularity has never been stronger. Many of these wines are as compellingly delicious as ever, but careful buying is more essential than ever before as too many rosés that have emerged in the last few years are, frankly, pretty boring.
Remembering Sam Beall
featured, Rest of the World
, Mar 2016
It has been a few weeks since Sam Beall passed away in a skiing accident at just 39. I was at the top of Ann Colgin and Joe Wender’s IX Estate vineyard in Napa Valley when the news arrived. I was devastated. Frankly, I am still shocked. Sam left behind a young wife, Marie Celeste, five children, and a rich legacy that I am sure his family will continue to honor.
Jura: What About The Future?
featured, Rest of the World
, Jun 2015
Many see Chardonnay as the future of the Jura, as local authorities pay producers to rip out old vineyards planted with Poulsard and Trousseau and replace them with Burgundian clones. Could this decision mark an upturn in, or the downfall of, the region's winemaking future?
Germain-Robin: French Origin, American Twist
United States: California, Rest of the World
, Jun 2015
Isolated within the wilds of Mendocino County lies Germain-Robin, America’s most prestigious brandy producer. Established in 1982, Germain-Robin has been a leader in the domestic craft spirits movement for over three decades, and has set a standard of excellence that is often emulated but rarely matched.
The Rosé Roundup of 2015 – Parts 1-5
featured, Rest of the World
, Apr 2015
International demand for pink wines shows no sign of abating; if anything, it’s now a year-round thirst. Long-time Rosé aficionados know that these wines aren’t just for warm-weather drinking, given their flexibility at the table and their deliciousness on their own.
China: In the Dragon’s Throat
featured, Rest of the World
, Apr 2015
Presumably even Confucius drank wine, but it was actually only about a hundred years ago that fermented grape juice gained a foothold in China. Since the end of the Cultural Revolution, the erstwhile slow growth has gained momentum. While all that glitters is not gold, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.