Tag Archives: drink

Give Australia a Second Chance

Posted on October 27, 2017 by waywardwine

Ignore the echo chamber. Australia makes amazing wine. Yet more than a decade has passed since “critter wines” tanked Australia’s image and sales internationally. And still customers cling to herd mentality and scoff at them. Restaurant and shop owners share blame too, claiming they cannot sell them.

The key: take a break from buying $10 wine and expecting it to change your world. Disappointment usually follows. Spend what you would on any great bottle. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Australia, Barossa Valley, Bellas Garden, decanter, drink, Shiraz, Two Hands, wine | Leave a comment

An Amarone for October: Le Ragose 2007

Posted on October 9, 2017 by waywardwine

Cold fixes in this side of the hemisphere. Leaves catch fire. Grey and rain dampen the ether. It is not Port season yet. But it is Fall. And I have the perfect wine.

Fly to Valpolicella, valley of many cellars. In the hills overlooking fair Verona grow swaths of vines. The Galli family tend 70 terraced acres near 1,200 feet above sea level: the highest in the region. They bought the abandoned vineyard in 1969. Here, it is dry, above the fog line, cool yet sunny: perfect for appassimento, aka grape-drying. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Amarone, Corvina, drink, Galli, grapes, italy, Oak, travel, Valpollicella, verona, wine | Leave a comment

Fall Calls For Dessert Wine: Kracher Beerenauslese 2011 Austria

Posted on September 25, 2017 by waywardwine

Finally, Fall comes to the Northwest. With it, like leaves on a tree, I shed my need for crisp, light, whites and reds. It is not cold yet for Port mind you. But a small glass of something sweet and complex to slowly sip away the cool evenings is in order. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Austria, Beerenauslese, chardonnay, drink, Fall, Kracher, pinot girs, Welschriesling, wine | Leave a comment

A Wild Fall White Wine: Nino Negri, Ca’Brione, Valtellina, Italy 2015

Posted on September 18, 2017 by waywardwine

For all intents and purposes, it is basically Fall. Actually Halloween as my wife started decorating in August. But with temperatures dropping and rain falling, I want a white wine with some meat on its bones. Tired of the same old Chardonnay? Then you have come to the right post.

Let us fly to the crown of Italy, 30 minutes from Switzerland, where the valley of Valtellina slices open a couple Alps. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ca'Brione, chardonnay, drink, Food, Incrocio Mazione, italy, Sauvignon blanc, travel, valtellina, White wine | Leave a comment

Wine Review: Sparkling Aligote from Cave de Bissey

Posted on August 21, 2017 by waywardwine

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 →