Rethink Rosé: A Taste of Rosé Wines from Provence

By Maxine Howard The Provence Tasting Tour rolled into San Francisco in April to showcase rosé wines from the beautiful south of France. Nineteen wineries arrayed their offerings around the bar at the Bluestem Brasserie, demonstrating a range of hues from pale pink to deep salmon. As I made my way around the wines I [...]

Wine Trends for 2012

Broaden your wine horizons and stay ahead of the curve in 2012. The Amateur Gastronomer predicts what wine trends will be big in the new year. The Return of Merlot The much-maligned Merlot will be making its comeback in 2012! The grape and wine took a hit after the 2004 release of the movie “Sideways,” [...]

AG Pick: Domaine La Lorentine 2005

Châteauneuf-du-Pape may be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine produced in the south of France, yet it is just one of more than ten appellations in the Southern Rhône wine region.  Domaine la Lorentine comes from Lirac, the appellation that shares its eastern border with Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Though close proximity [...]

Discover Temecula: Thornton, Wiens & Leonesse Wineries

Continued from Discover Temecula: Briar Rose Winery After my introduction to California’s Temecula Valley at Briar Rose Winery it was time for lunch at Café Champagne.  The restaurant located at Thornton Winery serves contemporary fusion cuisine in a cozy French country setting overlooking the vineyards.  The best part is you don’t have to choose between [...]

AG Pick: 2007 Juan Gil Monastrell

For Spanish red wine drinkers, Monastrell may not be as popular as Tempranillo but it definitely makes a delicious wine. If you enjoy red wine from France’s Côtes du Rhône region there is a good chance you’ve tasted Monastrell. There (and in the United States) this varietal is called Mourvèdre, and it is often blended [...]

AG Pick: Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles 2007

When you try this red wine from Jean-Luc Colombo you’ll be buzzing about it too! Meaning “the bees,” Les Abeilles comes from France’s Southern Rhone Valley. It is a Grenache-based blend that is velvety smooth and easy to drink. Balancing out the flavor and texture of the Grenache are Syrah and Mourvèdre which provide structure, [...]

Highlights from the Grand Tasting

If you’re looking for more wines, beers, spirits and small bites than you could ever hope to taste in one afternoon you’ll find it at the New York City Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting. This year’s event featured an impressive selection of familiar labels and brands as well as new or less well-known ones.  [...]

Organic Wines for Less than $20

Organic wines can be confusing.  Some are labeled organic while others are not, and the definition of what makes a wine organic can vary among winemaking countries. In general, organic wines are made from grapes that are free of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers, and they don’t have added sulfites.  Most wines have a small [...]

Wine Tasting in Paso Robles

My next full day of wine tasting took me north and inland to the rolling hills and winding country roads of Paso Robles. Only spending one day in this area does not do it justice.  Paso Robles is California’s third largest wine region, home to 138 wineries that produce more than 40 different varietals. My [...]

AG Pick Under $10: Pierre Rougon Cotes du Rhone 2007

Yes, it is possible to find a nice Côtes du Rhône for less than $10.  I recently discovered the 2007 Pierre Rougon Côtes du Rhône, an upbeat red blend that’s bursting with ripe red fruit flavors. If you like the light and fruit forward red wines of Beaujolais you will enjoy the Pierre Rougon Côtes [...]