Blog Index

James Laube

Rising Waters in California Wine Country

Posted: 02:35 PM ET, 01/04/08

Much needed rain arrived in Northern California last night and as much as I enjoy the wet weather, and the greenery and fast-running rivers and streams that come with it, I’ve come to learn that a little can go a long way fast.

Already there are reports of minor road flooding in the North Coast and those who live in areas where rivers can overflow are keenly aware of that possibility. Read more

James Molesworth

A South African Wine Bar, Finally

Posted: 10:38 AM ET, 01/04/08

If you search our on-line database of wine friendly restaurants for those with a South African emphasis on their wine list, you get a whopping three results within the U.S.

With the quality of South African wines improving rapidly and South African wine imports to this country up steadily for the last several years, I’m surprised more people haven’t jumped on the opportunity to put a solid focus on the wines either via a restaurant or wine bar. Read more

James Laube

An Excellent Napa Cabernet for $20

Posted: 04:15 PM ET, 01/03/08

Napa Valley’s 2005 bumper grape crop has created plenty of opportunities. Producers can select their finest wines for their top labels and discard wines that don’t fit into those blends. There’s often lots of good wine that doesn’t fit in those cuvées, which is where the opportunities lie. Read more

James Suckling

New Year's Eve Service From the Heart

Posted: 03:23 PM ET, 01/03/08

It was a full circle on December 31. Just like 2006, I spent my New Year’s Eve at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Rancho Mirage, Calif., with my 13-year-old son, Jack, and my 9-year-old daughter, Isabel, and my mother and stepfather. Read more

Maynard Keenan

Counting Blessings: Spanish Wine, Starry Nights, a Cohiba and a Colheita

Posted: 07:24 PM ET, 01/02/08

I'm writing this having just returned from the Recovery Room Restaurant and Verde Valley Wine Co. in Cottonwood, Arizona. Paula and I were working our way through some Spanish wines. Because we can. Also because we're wine geeks and can't help ourselves. Read more

Harvey Steiman

First Look at First Drop

Posted: 06:14 PM ET, 01/02/08

I first met Matt Gant when he was making wine at St. Hallett, one of Barossa Valley's venerable wineries. I had only a vague impression of him because chief winemaker Stuart Blackwell more or less monopolized the conversation. Gant's newest efforts from his own wine label, First Drop, made me regret I didn't direct more questions at him. Read more

James Laube

Back to Work and Expanding California Wine Coverage

Posted: 01:11 PM ET, 01/02/08

Today is a work reentry day for many of us. It’s also the start of a new tasting year, a year in which we’re hoping to significantly increase the number of reviews of California wine.

Getting back to work is welcomed for me. I’ve had about 10 days off since my last tasting and one of the things I’ve noticed over the years is that I’m a better taster if I taste every day, rather than if I only taste periodically, as in once a week. Read more

Richard Betts

More Slings and Arrows: Ranking Wine Service Around the World

Posted: 11:54 AM ET, 01/02/08

In last week’s post, if you missed it, I let some arrows fly at Italy and its wine service. Today, I’m aiming closer to home. Let’s begin with France.

Ah France! A country I love like no other. Nowhere do we see more of the most-beloved grapes reach their apogee than in this country. Read more

James Suckling

It Can All Begin in a Garage

Posted: 06:21 PM ET, 12/28/07

I went to the Apple Store yesterday at the Grove in Los Angeles with my children – Jack, 13, and Isabel, 9. They just arrived from England for their annual holiday visit with their grandparents and great-grandmother. My daughter’s i-book had a sticky keyboard, so it needed replacing. Read more

James Molesworth

Checking Out How Other Regions Fashion Their Rhône Varieties

Posted: 03:12 PM ET, 12/28/07

I took a rare day off yesterday, using up the last of my vacation time during this slow holiday week. I used the opportunity to spend some time with Nancy, dining out for lunch and dinner with a movie sandwiched in between.

I also used the opportunity to try some new wines, namely, Rhône varieties from other regions. Read more

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