Category: Delicious

'For whatever reason, the search for real wine made in the USA at $12 remains an arduous, though not impossible, task. Those among us determined to drink American, even locally, this Fourth of July holiday would do well to flag down one of the following.'

'Sauvignon blanc is like summer in a bottle with its racy freshness, citrus and herbal notes, and the best of them are rounded out with a nice layer of fruit that makes them easy to drink and takes the edge off the grape’s more aggressive qualities.'

'We have come to relish chilled red wines in summer. There was a time when we drank only whites and rosés in hot weather. It seemed like the right thing to do and they were refreshing. But as the years have gone on, we have found some reds more refreshing, in their own way.'

'Have you ever had a half-bottle of wine you wanted to save for another time, and wondered what would be the best way to hold the wine for several days? If you are not going to drink the left-over wine, there are a number of choices that will enable you to enjoy the wine on another day:… '

'First impressions: If the juicy, pitch-perfect 2007s were not to be missed across the board, 2008s will be one of those more complicated years. The emerging line is that it is a return to form for German Riesling — sugar levels more in line with traditional norms (after the elevated levels of the past several vintages, even ''07) and vibrant amounts of the acidity that is Riesling's top selling point.'

'Rosso del Palazzone NV Vino da Tavola is in effect a baby Brunello di Montalcino at a fraction of the price of the real thing.'

'Buying American sauvignon blanc is still a hit-or-miss affair, but the good news is that an attractive style has emerged in the past several years that's delicious, food-friendly and generally not expensive.'

'To paraphrase Dr. Strangelove, the Australians need to start worrying and learn not to love the (fruit) bomb that is all too often Aussie shiraz. Their world wine domination plan has presumably been significantly revised (since American palates soured on some styles of shiraz) and will hopefully involve bringing more of Australia's diverse wine flavors to foreign shores. We can all raise a glass of Riesling or cabernet to that.'

'Good verdejo is very fresh, aromatic and somewhat similar to sauvignon blanc, but with more fleshy stone-fruit and pear notes.'

'Think globally here. You know France, you know California, you know Tuscany. But areas once thought to be incapabale of producing decent wines are now showing outstanding results.'