Another grape on the “one’s who got away” list from our last trip through Italy is a staff favorite, Lagrein. Those who have been with us the last few years may remember Lot 634, St. Helena Lagrein. It was a cult favorite, and as soon as it was…
On the Hunt: Teroldego
Well, as many of you know, we’ve been poking around quite a bit in Europe over the last few years in search of gems, can’t pass deals, rarities, and oddities. Many of you know we’ve spent quite a bit of time in Italy specifically, so it’s with a…
On the Hunt: Lemberger
Well, we’ve scored another oddity from the wine world that we’re very excited to share with you. We recently trekked through Washington looking for our usual run of Cabs, Syrahs, Blends, heck, maybe a Merlot or some interesting white wines, but we were fully surprised to see ourselves…
On the Hunt: Rebo
The gifts of Italy continue. We cannot stress how much scouring the globe (and our own backyards) for the finest examples of varieties and terroir expressions, to bring to your door, drives us everyday to keep our eyes, ears, and mouths open to all sorts of opportunities in…
On the Hunt: Pink Prosecco
Yeah, take a sec to let that article title settle in. Yup, pink Prosecco. Prosecco Rosé? Sparkling? Is this for real? Yes. Yes it is. And it’s really, really good! Our tour through Italy continues to give us bountiful gifts, as no one was expecting to get our…
July 2021 Industry News
Our Top Read: US wines take the win at the 18th annual Decanter World Wine Awards. Click here for more. In the News: Looks like they’ve proven terroir scientifically exists. Click here for more. South African wineries are hurting still from Covid-19, and an ongoing alcohol ban in the…
On the Hunt: Tannat
There’s something going on in Clarksburg… Roughly two or three years back (memory escapes us at this point for the exact timing), we stumbled on a producer in Clarksburg that has somehow miraculously become a bit of a showstopper for us. European oddities, in CA soil, just outside…
On the Hunt: Grand Noir
No, it’s not a premier bottling of Pinot Noir from some esoteric region. Nor is it a large black piano. It’s actually a relatively new (using the term “new” here very, very loosely) black-skinned grape variety from France, born from crossing Petit Bouschet with Aramon in 1855 that…
On Super Tuscan Wines, and the only Super Tuscan DOC (so far…)
Over the past year or so, and continuing onward, we’ve been on a run of exceptional Super Tuscan expressions we’ve acquired from Italy (Lots 717, 803, 804 – more to come!). While generally misrepresented as Bordeaux-style wines, due to the inclusion of Bordelaise grapes used in the blends…
A Guide to Pairing: Sangiovese
Sangiovese, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello, Super Tuscan… A bit about Sangiovese: Known as “The Blood of Jupiter” (Latin: sanguis Jovis). Full stop. Pretty epic. Much like Pinot or Nebbiolo, Sangiovese is a terroir star! Although plantings outside of Italy are practically non-existent at this stage, each region of…