Viognier | San Diego Wine Guru

Red, White, and Rosé Wine Values for Picnics, Parties, BBQ

by Tom Gable | Jun 30, 2023 | Argentina, California, Chile, Discoveries, Oregon, Values, Washington | 0

From the big box stores to the national chains to your neighborhood grocery store, you can find excellent selections for those occasions when easy sipping and value are the order of the day, rather than delving into the nuances...

So Many Wines, So Little Time

by Tom Gable | Nov 30, 2022 | Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Chile, Classics, Discoveries, France, Germany, Italy, Rhone, South Africa, Spain, Values | 0

Readers often ask where I get my wines, particularly after posting tasting notes on some great values from around the world. Start with the big box stores (e.g., Costco) and local wine merchants. For expanding my horizons and to...

Enjoying an Old Favorite, New Discoveries in Paso Robles

by Tom Gable | Oct 31, 2022 | California, Discoveries, Values | 0

Good friends had rented a house in Carmel for three weeks and invited us to spend a few days there and enjoy the town and golf at local courses. We thought we would turn it into our first road trip and tasting adventure since...

Fun summer sipping with Rosés and white Rhone varietals

by Tom Gable | Aug 31, 2022 | California, Discoveries, France, Oregon, Rhone, Values | 0

After tasting through an ever-broadening array of Rosé wines over the past two months, we were pleased to find several excellent values, including some with depth and style. Our favorites were mostly from Cotes de Provence and...

Adventures in Viognier

by Tom Gable | Jan 31, 2022 | Australia, California, France, New Zealand, Rhone, South Africa, Washington | 0

Enjoyed a recent blind tasting of Viognier with the Carmel Valley Wine Club, San Diego, tasting No. 306 over 32 years. Previously done in person, now on Zoom, which has reduced the banter and camaraderie but improved tallying...

Easy Sipping Spring and Summer White Wines

by Tom Gable | Mar 31, 2021 | Burgundy, California, Champagne, Discoveries, France, New Zealand, Spain, Values | 0

With warmer weather in the offing and restrictions easing on getting together in crowds of more than four and spaced at two-meter intervals, it’s time to explore lower-cost, tasty wines to have handy for any group gathering or...

Summer Whites: Easy Sipping Party Wines, Plus a Few Complex Classics

by Tom Gable | Aug 31, 2020 | Australia, Baja California, Burgundy, California, Classics, Discoveries, France, Germany, New Zealand, Oregon, Spain, Washington | 0

The following white wines rose to the top of our tasting leaderboard the past three months, scoring for overall quality of the wines and values delivered. Most are widely available, except for classics from the cellar and...