Sonoma v. Napa Part 1

There is no doubt that California wines are lauded worldwide and has put US winemaking on the map, but who is responsible?   There are two regions that have contributed immensely; Sonoma and Napa.  The latter has received most of the recognition; however its westerly neighbor clearly produces extremely high-quality wine that rivals Napa. Sonoma has burst onto the fine wine scene within recent years and her wines are gaining their rightful recognition. Both regions produce spectacular products worthy of much praise from wine aficionados and critiques alike.  Both boast producers and growing areas that are known worldwide, but will Sonoma ever surpass her neighbor?   Could Napa ever become runner-up with Sonoma being crowned the monarch of California wines? Continue reading Sonoma v. Napa Part 1

What makes a wine great?

What makes a wine great? Is that the fact that Robert Parker gave it his stamp of approval with ratings of 95 points or above? Or maybe it depends on the score that Wine Spectator, Stephen Tanzer, or the Gambero Rosso gave it? Maybe it’s because a wine expert or wine trade person, like myself, recommended it to you. But what if you don’t like our recommendations? It could be that it has to cost over a certain amount of money or that it must be a Grand or Premier Cru wine from a well-respected producer. What if you just don’t like it?

The fact of the matter is that wine is highly personal. I am a firm believer in this. All tastes are different. There are some who like dairy, like myself, and some who can’t stand it, like my mom and brother (crazy family!), but they most certainly enjoy foods that I cannot stand to ingest. So stop & think for a moment…What are you looking for? What do YOU like?