wladelchileno

Rioja

Rioja is undoubtedly Spain‘s most famous wine region, and I recently visited two very different wineries. Tierra Winery in Rioja Alavesa was our first stop. Our host was José Manuel, who has family ties to the land, although he’s not a part owner. He grew up in the area, and characterizes the winery as aContinue reading “Rioja”

España

(I was originally going to title this post “Making of the case for Spain“, as if Spanish wines needed to have a case made for them. After realizing how ridiculous this was, I settled on this more neutral title). OK, it’s three months later and I am just now writing about Spain. What’s up withContinue reading “España”

Southern Tuscany

Cortona is a cute-as-a-button medieval hill town in southern Tuscany, near the border with Umbria. In this part of Italy, the dominant grape is Sangiovese, and just the name of the best wines made from it gets me excited: Chianti, Brunello (di Montalcino), Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Not only are the wines fantastic, they alsoContinue reading “Southern Tuscany”

Rethinking Sauternes

I can’t say that I’ve been a fan of sweet wines in the past. Oh sure, nice for a dessert or some thing to pair with foie gras, if you can get it. But it’s not the first thing I think of when having a meal or just as an aperitif or an afternoon afterContinue reading “Rethinking Sauternes”

España…capítulo uno

I’ve always loved Spanish wines, from the satisfying garnacha-forward rosés, to the thirst-quenching, food friendly (and always affordable) cavas, to the more serious reds from Rioja, Jumilla, Priorat and Ribera del Duero. Let’s start with a great meal at Moratin in Madrid (recommended by my exercise instructor). A crisp, refreshing glass of sparkling cava fromContinue reading “España…capítulo uno”

Two nights for one!

Ok so I’m lazy…I have established that…so tonight I’m posting two different dinners (and wines) that I’ve had over the past week. Fair enough (he said)… #1: Bel Glos 2018 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley. Omg. Voluptuous. Silky minerally intense blue red fruit, incense spices, rich on the palate, long silky sweet finish, sweet oakContinue reading “Two nights for one!”

RESTART

ctrl/alt/del time to get off my ass and start writing about what I’m drinking. I don’t pretend to be a writer, but my instinct is to put the rumblings in my head into written form and make them more tangible in some way. Let’s see if we’re successful. Writing (I’ve read) takes great discipline, whichContinue reading “RESTART”

Labor Day weekend drinking

A little of this a little of that… Going to try a mid-level, approachable and, according to my wine expert Ralph Sands from K&L (my all-time favorite wine temple), a beloved Bordeaux with locals in France. More hopefully soon with photos and thoughts on the wine

November 30, COVID-year

I REALLY hate winter. The short days, the fewer hours of sunlight, the feeling of hibernation, pounds being put on where they shouldn’t be put on; the gravitational pull on my body, mind and psyche. My most “optimistic” thought is that on the first day of winter, December 21, we’ve hit rock-bottom as far asContinue reading “November 30, COVID-year”