Category: Bordeaux
Paso Robles Wine Country Continues to Grow in Numbers and Quality
This blog idea came up after reviewing the results of a recent blind tasting by the Carmel Valley Wine Club, its 348th monthly tasting, featuring one white and seven reds from Paso Robles using varieties and blends in...
Read MoreBest of the Best Global Wine Masters 2025
The Global Wine Masters Competitions began in 2013 as an offshoot of the Drinks Business, the world’s leading magazine for the wine and spirits trade. The goal was to use their collective industry expertise to promote the...
Read MoreFavorite Wines of 2025 – Bordeaux, California Cabernet, Italian, and Other Reds
As noted in the first posting of notes on my favorite wines from 2025, covering Burgundy and Pinot Noir, good values can be found from the top wine-producing regions of the world. The caveat: trust the best producers from each...
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Fine Wines on Display in Gaja Roadshow
Giovanni Gaja stopped by San Diego while on the road to leading markets in the U.S. to preview...
Read MoreGlobal Wine Masters Judges Find Gold in Pinot Noir
Patricia Stefanowicz, Master of Wine (MW), reported on findings from the recent Global Masters blind tasting in London. She said judges had high expectations for the Pinot Noir category and entrants from eight countries. “The...
Read MoreSauvignon Blanc Winners – Past and Present
Wine lovers worldwide have been showing an increased interest in Sauvignon Blanc, from legendary palate-pleasers from Sancerre to new issues from South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States. I’m pleased to report that...
Read MoreMaking the Case for Merlot; Quality Rising Worldwide
Merlot is a versatile and widely planted red wine grape that is popular worldwide, either on its own or as an essential component in blended wines. The rising quality is evident from the recent Global Master Merlot Awards. A...
Read MoreAging California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Show Style
The earliest documented planting of European grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, was around 1833 by Jean-Louis Vignes, a French immigrant who settled in Los Angeles. He imported vines from Bordeaux, France, and...
Read MoreEasy-Sipping Picnic, Party, and Patio Wines
This may be a new category, but we are always looking for good values in daily wines (vin ordinaire to the French) with a high quality-to-value ratio (QVR). This includes for easy-sipping with friends on a casual evening,...
Read MoreIs Terroir Just Marketing Hype or Real? Science and AI Answer
In 1990, Matt Kramer coined the term “somewhere-ness” in his magnum opus, Making Sense of Burgundy. For decades, other writers and scholars have explored the nuances and distinctions of wines that have senses of place, versus...
Read MoreBBQ, Burger and Beef Loving Red Wines, $12 to $38
As summer fades to fall, most wine drinkers are on the hunt for robust reds to fend off any chills (inner and outer) and as a match for heartier dishes. This can range from a grilled burger to Mediterranean-style flatbread,...
Read MoreGlobal Masters Judges Find Increased Quality, Values in Malbec
Malbec is gaining in global popularity as a lower-priced varietal that is a great match for a wide range of cuisine on its own or in blends with other Bordeaux varietals, or even racier grapes, such as Zinfandel, Syrah, and...
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