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Photo of two Sicilian white wine bottles and glasses of wine on a table with trees in the background

Sicilian White Wines for a Sip of Something Different

August 14,2024byNancy (CSW)0 comments

Sicily lies just off the toe of Italy’s boot. Having just enjoyed watching more than two weeks of Olympic sports,I can’t help but think of Sicily as the rugby ball (or misshapen soccer ball) at Italy’s toe. Sicily is more correctly described as the largest island in the Mediterranean and is home to a variety of indigenous white and[…]

Photo of Corvezzo Prosecco DOC Rosé and FIOL Prosecco DOC Rosé wine bottles on a table with trees in the background

Pink Prosecco:Yes,I’ll Have a Glass!

August 7,2024byNancy (CSW)0 comments

We are sipping pink wine again today. While I’m happy to sip rosé any time of year,summertime is when we most often enjoy rosé. If you add bubbles,and in one case organic certification,you have the perfect summer sip. We received both wines as tasting samples. Not wanting to miss out on the rosé craze,sparkling rosé has[…]

Photo of three Domaine Bousquet rosé wines on a table with garden in background

Organic Rosé for Summer Sipping:Sparkling or Still

July 31,2024byNancy (CSW)0 comments

Sipping a chilled rosé is a refreshing way to keep cool on a warm afternoon. Rosé is also appealing for its beautiful color and its lively,fresh flavor profile that pairs well with food. As a bonus,rosé is often relatively low in alcohol. All three of the wines in this tasting,which we received as tasting samples,have these[…]

The Book of Rosé:Reading About Rosé While Sipping Rosé

July 23,2024byNancy (CSW)2 comments

For someone who appreciates wine,time spent reading a beautiful book about rosé,while sipping rosé,makes for an enjoyable afternoon. The book now in my lap,published by Rizzoli New York,The Book of Rosé:The Provençal Vineyard That Revolutionized Rosé,is just such a book. The glossy pink cover is adorned with what looks like an ecru wine[…]

Photo of four Livermore Valley AVA wines on a table with trees in the background

Livermore Valley Wine:A Blend of History and Family Winemaking

June 26,2024byNancy (CSW)3 comments

California’s Livermore Valley AVA is situated about 35 miles east of San Francisco Bay. The valley has an unusual east-west orientation within the Coast Range that allows cool,maritime breezes to be funneled inland through the valley from the bay. The region is still quite warm with ample sunshine and cool nights. Valley floor and mountainside vineyard locations boast well-drained[…]

Featured photo 2019 Smith-Madrone wines,Riesling,Chardonnay,Cabernet Sauvignon,on a table with painting in the background

Smith-Madrone:Mountain Winemaking at its Best

June 7,2024byNancy (CSW)Comments are Disabled

I have a thing for mountainside vineyards. Growing vines on the side of a mountain is definitely not the easiest place to grow them,but some of the most interesting and complex wines I’ve tasted are grown there. Smith-Madrone wines are both. They are also elegant,unexpected and affordable. Affordable and Napa Valley are sometimes mutually exclusive with regard to[…]

A Return to Uruguay for a Taste of Tannat

May 31,2024byNancy (CSW)Comments are Disabled

Last spring we tasted a group of wines from Uruguay that included Sauvignon Blanc,Moscatel and Cabernet Franc in addition to the country’s flagship variety,Tannat. That tasting was accompanied by a webinar that provided a detailed introduction to the country,its wine regions and growing conditions. We were impressed by the quality and affordability of the wines we tasted.[…]

Featured photo Brilla! Prosecco Rosé and Valdo Marca Pro Prosecco bottles on a table with garden in background

Prosecco:Bubbly for Any Occasion or None at All

May 22,2024byNancy (CSW)2 comments

Prosecco has many appealing qualities beginning with those delightful bubbles that always feel celebratory — even if it’s just a mid-week meal at home. Their light,fruit flavors make them a good accompaniment to appetizers or a light meal especially in warmer weather. Then there’s Prosecco’s affordability,which means we can enjoy them without breaking the bank and use them[…]

Domaine Bousquet Varietal Series wines featured photo of four wines on table with trees in background

A Taste of Domaine Bousquet’s Varietal Series Wines

May 8,2024byNancy (CSW)Comments are Disabled

If you are looking for an introduction to organic wines,one or more of Domaine Bousquet’s Varietal Series wines will be a delicious introduction. These wines are fresh and balanced. If you are already acquainted with organic wines,you will also appreciate how reasonably priced these wines are. We recently tasted four wines from the current release,which we received[…]

Photo of two Esporão Reserva wines on table with trees in the background

New Esporão Reserva Wines:A Taste of History and Authenticity

May 1,2024byNancy (CSW)Comments are Disabled

For wine lovers who want a good backstory with their wine,look to Esporão. Herdade do Esporão is a historic estate in Portugal’s Alentejo wine region where traditional winemaking techniques are employed in modern winemaking facilities. And Esporão is fully committed to organic viticulture and sustainability. Today we are tasting two wines,which we received as tasting samples,that offer[…]