Oh, What Fun It Is to Try...
With so many dinners, parties and gatherings going on this time of year we seem to be sipping a lot of wine. Once in a while we'll stumble onto a knock-out bottle that we have to talk about. This year we've run into several so we're putting together our wine wishlist for 2010 (and beyond).
What We Love
• Orin Swift "The Prisoner" and "Abstract." Both blended reds from the St. Helena based winery. Amazing stuff.
• "Unruly Red" California table wine, a zippy, fruity, peppery. Bright tannins and a soft finish. Buy a case.
• d'Art 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. A lucious and complex cab that drinks like a $100.00 bottle.
• Macchia Winery "Mischievous" Zinfandel. Our favorite Lodi zin to date. Impress your friends with this one.
• Consilience 2006 Syrah Santa Barbara County. A nice surprise with a friendly price tag.
What our friends and readers are reccommending:
• Haraszarthy 2008 Old Vine Zin
• Gramercy Cellars 2007 Columbia Valley Cabernet
• Leal Carnaval Meritage
• White Oak Alexnder Valley Zinfandel
• Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling
We know that you've got a favorite wine of the moment so drop us your comments or tell us on Facebook.
| San Diego Bottle Shops Our Friends Frequent 3rd Corner - Ocean Beach Clem's Bottle House - Kensington Kensington Wine Market - Kensington Wine Steals - Downtown San Diego, Hillcrest, Point Loma Cucina Urbana - Midtown San Diego BevMo - Mission Valley, La Mesa, Point Loma, Carmel Mountain What's your favorite wine shop, anywhere in the world? Let us know! |
Wine Facts Wine Corkage Fees: A corkage fee is the price a restaurant charges for opening your bottle of wine, either that you brought or bought in their wine shop. On a no corkage fee night, that fee is waived. Corkage fees vary based on restaurant, city, and price of wine. Wine Pours: A proper wine pour is: 1/3 full for red wine 1/2 full for white wine 3/4 full for sparkling wine |
CAUTION: Everyone's tastes differ -- dry wines, sweet wines, robust bold wines -- so when asking for recommendations, be sure you match tastes first!
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An update to the winter wine list: Just back from a trip to Lodi and we brought home some great reds: A couple from Peirano Estates, a Plungerhead Zin and the very tasty 6th Sense Syrah from Michael David. Cheers!
Posted by: Gary Allard | January 04, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Orin Swift is related (by partnership) to Quintessa winery: http://www.quintessa.com/people/partnerships.cfm
Quintessa is pricey but seriously swoon-worthy and one of the best winery tasting experiences I've had both times I went. Its gorgeous for one - concrete and chunky old wood. You have to make an appointment which works out, because you actually sit at a table and are brought a tray of cheese, honeycomb and fig jam. We were brought three glasses (giant Riedel glasses), each of the same variety, age of vine etc. the only difference was the location of the wine and each tasted unique and wonderful, it was to show the difference soil and elevation make to flavor. And then they bring out the real deal and knock your socks off - They only do a meritage but you taste the components separately first to see what goes into it - its always educational- I believe the grapes are organic too - I love that place.
Posted by: Erin K. | April 21, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Wow. Wow. That sounds amazing, Erin! We have a friend who just adores Orin Swift -- we'll tell her about this.
Posted by: Shelly | April 21, 2011 at 01:58 PM