Zinfandel Day is the third Wednesday each November, putting it as a close predecessor to the Thanksgiving holiday. Here are some great Zinfandel facts for a bit of conversation over the turkey (and wine) for your celebration: Zinfandel is considered California’s heritage grape, there are some vines in…
Celebrate National Zinfandel Day
International Tempranillo Day
Tempranillo is a Spanish red grape variety whose name alludes to its nature of ripening earlier than the other Vitis vinifera of Europe (temprano = early). Tempranillo has a very, very long history in the Iberian Peninsula, and is most likely as old as the discovery of wine…
It’s International Grenache Day!
Happy International Grenache Day! Grenache Day is celebrated on the 3rd Friday of September each year. It still surprises us how many folks will tell us they’ve never had a Grenache before. True story, happens all the time. But when we inquire if they’ve ever had Provençal Rosé,…
9 Cabernet Sauvignon Facts
It’s International Cabernet Day the Thursday prior to Labor Day each year (8/31 this year), and thus, we offer fun Cab facts for you! Cabernet Sauvignon is the child of Cabernet Franc crossed with Sauvignon Blanc. And it was most likely not intentional. It occured in the 17th…
It’s International Prosecco Day!
August 13th is National Prosecco Day. A day dedicated to the most famous bubbles of Italy! Did you know that the name Prosecco is highly guarded, possibly even more so than Champagne? That’s right. Technically only wines from Champagne, France can bear the name “Champagne” on their label,…
On the Hunt: Lagrein
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
Teroldego is an ancient Italian grape. 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…
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…