A Pair of Kosher Wines for Passover

Searching for great tasting wines that are Kosher for Passover?  Look to one of the oldest New World wine producing countries — Israel. I recently tasted a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Gilgal, a new label from the Golan Heights Winery. The wine is named after Gilgal Refaim, a site in the Golan Heights region [...]

AG Pick Under $20: Van Duzer Estate Pinot Gris 2009

Nearly three years after launching The Amateur Gastronomer, I’m writing my first AG Pick article on a Pinot Gris. Why, when I’ve sought to write about a wide variety of grapes and wines, did I somehow manage to neglect this one?  It’s mostly because I don’t drink a lot of Pinot Gris, or its Italian [...]

AG Pick Under $15: Goose Ridge G3 2008

While tasting a variety of reds earlier this week at the San Clemente Wine Company in Orange County, California, it was not a California wine but a Washington state one that stood out. The wine: the 2008 Goose Ridge G³. Rich and elegant with intense dark fruit notes, the wine had me hooked from my [...]

AG Pick: Domaine de la Charmoise Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Finally, it seems spring is right around the corner.  The weather is starting to warm up, people are returning to the parks and outdoor cafes and soon the first crocuses will push through the soil. Just as food has wine pairings, I like to think that seasons have wine pairings — and the Domaine de [...]

AG Pick Under $15: 2007 Paso Creek Merlot

Paso Creek’s slogan is “bold character derived from stubborn patience.”  And boldness is what you’ll find in this big Merlot. The 2007 Paso Creek Merlot comes from Paso Robles.  This region, inland from the Santa Lucia coastal mountains in central California, is known for its optimal growing conditions and deeply concentrated wines.  If you complain [...]

AG Pick Under $20: 2007 Kokomo Zinfandel

When you want to get away from it all — or when you want a full-bodied red wine — open a bottle of the 2007 Kokomo Sonoma County Zinfandel. Though the name may conjure up images of a tropical island, it is totally unrelated to the Beach Boys song.  The California winery is named after [...]

AG Pick Under $15: Pares Balta Brut

Don’t wait until a special occasion to break out the bubbly.  Make any night of the week special with Parés Baltà Brut, a great deal at $11 a bottle. Parés Baltà Brut is a Cava, Spain’s version of sparkling wine.  Just like Champagne it is made using the traditional method, with the second fermentation taking [...]

AG Pick for $15: Galil Mountain Viognier 2008

Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah or are looking for a new and exciting wine, look to the oldest New World winemaking country — Israel. A great introduction is the 2008 Viognier from Galil Mountain Winery.  It is a flavorful dry white wine that will appeal to a variety of tastes, not just to those who keep [...]

AG Pick Under $20: 2008 Antigal Uno Malbec

As the weather gets cooler, stay warm by opening up a bottle of the 2008 Antigal Uno Malbec.  This big and earthy red from Mendoza, Argentina is a great treat for a fall evening. The Antigal Uno Malbec is easy to spot in any wine shop — just look for the big “1″ on the [...]

Great Value Summer Whites

Keep your summer going well into September with one of these great value white wines.  They’re perfect for an outdoor picnic, a day at the beach, as an aperitif or whenever it’s too hot to drink a red wine (or later on when you wish it was too hot for red). All of these whites [...]