Corks and Caftans

It’s raining. And it’s hot. I threw my backpack on and hastily pedaled the mile from work to home, fat raindrops soaking the skirt of my dress and gliding into my leather shoes. When I opened the door, I wasn’t greeted with the familiar, quiet darkness of foyer, or even Eli’s lithe slip out the [...]

I just got an e-mail from my favorite Zinfandel/miscellaneous Italian varietal producer in California indicating that they just released a revolutionary new product that brings the tasting room directly to your living room.: 6 of Seghesio’s strongest efforts in tasting-portion bottles—including their best single vineyard Zinfandels and the Sangiovese, a personal favorite of my wife. [...]

If I could instantaneously merge all the airless space I’ve created from vacuum-pumping wine bottles over the last few years, I could probably create a sweet, grape-smelling black hole. Despite a lingering suspicion in the back of my mind that this process of storing wine is worthless, I dutifully follow through anyway.

Apples and tobacco. Well, it’s really not that simple, but considering this wine hails from Virginia (vuh•gin•yah) I found it quite appropriate—and accurate, nonetheless. The 2005 Carter Mountain Harmony is the Prince Michel flagship red blend (no relation to Prince Michael Jackson), as well as one of their most popular wines. Carey and I received two [...]

I was introduced to a great wine at Purdy’s Friday evening wine tasting—actually there were a few great wines, all very different. I started with an affordable Washington State chardonnay from Barnard Griffin with great acid, minerals, and a shock of expressive fruit, moved to an apple, honey, and apricot-laden Vidal Ice dessert wine from [...]

In an attempt to marry my passion, wine, with my occupation in the construction industry, I began to develop some new concepts in wine storage and display with a focus on: ease of installation, space-conscious design, unique wine buying and stocking options, and a realistic, workable budget. The real breakthrough for this project came with an inexpensive custom [...]

3 weeks, 3 great wine stores, 3 different bottles from 2 different countries—all bad. After a string of bad bottles from some of the best wine stores I know, I thought it was time for a repost. Up until now, most of the turned bottles I’ve opened have come from auction sites and been relatively [...]

Back to Spain. For the amount of Spanish wine Carey and I drink, there are surprisingly few represented on the blog. For me, Spain is a source of great values, great complexity, and great fruit. From my favorite inexpensive everyday Garnacha (Las Rocas), to one of my all-time favorite Crianzas from Ribera Del Duero (Pagos [...]

Recommended asset allocation: 30% U.S. Stocks, 30% Foreign Stocks, 10% Inflation Adjusted Treasuries, 10% High-Yield Bonds, 10% High-Grade Bonds, 5% Precious Metals, and 5% Seghesio. I just finished entering my wine collection onto CellarTracker.com, the best online community of member only tasting notes, and cellar management tools I have come across. Here is a photographic [...]

Robby and I just polished off an entire bottle of 7 Deadly Zins. Ha ha ha… Evidence: I directly equate this slight misstep with two things: 1. I saw a baby today. I’m celebrating for Jen and Jim! I am an aunt! 2. I was researching joining the Saratoga Springs YMCA. Traumatic. Rob was pouring [...]

In an era of obtrusive government, the wizards of smart in Washington almost aborted a life-long, meaningful relationship between me, Carey, and Bonny Doon. A visit from our UPS man (who we know far better than our own neighbors), a mandatory I.D. check, and an excited signature were all that stood between me and my [...]

I am going to start this blog with an admission of my foolish preconceived notions regarding Australian wine. With so much great wine in this world and not nearly enough time—or money—to try them all, I have all but ignored Australia. Or at least, that was my excuse. In reality, I have been purposely avoiding [...]