Every Monday, discover new wines, regions, and ways to understand this fermenting sea.
-
Munching Vidal Blanc on Keuka Lake, New York
Author Archives: waywardwine
Tired of Malbec? Try Cabernet Franc from Argentina
Think of Argentinian wine. If Malbec comes to mind followed by a shrug or shudder, I feel your pain. Argentina has tumbled down this monovariety’s path, much like Australia did with Shiraz decades ago. Malbec became the recession’s answer to find a big red for less. But it is a race to the bottom that backfires. The grape, and Argentina by association, are now caged by their success. They exist in most minds as a cheap alternative. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Argentina, Cabernet Franc, drinks, Food, lifestyle, Mendoza, travel, wine
Leave a comment
Wine Review: Sparkling Aligote from Cave de Bissey
I need to bring something home. Even though I sell wine, my wife deserves something different from time to time. Champagne would be great. But I only have a $20. I start flipping the bottles at a store checking back labels for something new. Then, one read in small print at the top: Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Aligoté, BIssey, Burgundy, Cave, Champagne, drink, wine, wine review
Leave a comment
Family Matters: Winery Tour of Trefethen Family Vineyards Oak Knoll Napa Valley California
Go to Napa or read the back of a wine label: most wineries will insist that a family owns them. This selling tactic attempts to ground all the Disney-land glamour onto something parochial and familiar. But family ownership is not unique, roughly 80% of wineries in Napa are. Nor does family ownership ensure smallness or quality. Gallo is a family. So are mafias. Heck, corporations are people these days.
Thus, I visit Trefethen with trepidation. They too point to the Trefethen family’s ownership as a defining feature. But is it? Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged bats, beef, cabernet, chardonnay, drink, family, Food, grapes, heritage, Napa Valley, owls, travel, trefethen, wine
4 Comments
Summer Wine Review: Lone Madrone The Dodd Paso Robles 2011 Tannat Red Blend
It is hot. But we have steak, broccoli, and purple potatoes. That, and my mother-in-law has arrived with wines from Paso Robles: that warm, central coast Cali region that grows a wild diversity of grape varieties. Tonight’s offering, a red … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged California, drink, dry farmed, Grape, Lone Madrone, Paso Robles, rare, Tannat, travel, wine
1 Comment
WAYWARD WINE 