Monthly Archives: December 2012

Wines of the Week: Dec. 24-30

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Sparkling wine just keeps getting better in many corners of the world, not least of them Spain. The wines of Cava are generally delightful and often superb; a fabulous intro is the Mont-Marcal Cava Brut Reserve 2009 ($15), lovely … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubbles, French Wines, Spanish Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Dec. 17-23

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Back in my Navy days in Italy, I kept on reading about this wine called Lacrima Christi (“Tears of Christ”). Unfortunately, the ones I found back in the late ’70s made me go “Jayzus, that sucks.” Not anymore. The De Angelis … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, French Wines, Italian Wines | Leave a comment

Terry Theise, fizzin’ out and makin’ sense

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Bill Ward

How far behind am I on this venue? I’m here today to tell you about a tasting from two months ago. Good thing Terry Theise, not to mention the grower Champagnes he imports, are timeless. And there was no doubting … Continue reading →

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My kind o’ chart

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Bill Ward

Just added to my Xmas list (darlin’, you can buy it here):     

Posted in Bubbles, California Wines, Dessert Wines, European Wines, South American Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Dec. 10-16

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Hello, old friend. One of my first merlot discoveries came from Benziger, but as I explored the ever-widening world of wine, I kind of forgot about it. A recent sample of the 2008 Benziger Sonoma County Merlot ($16) showed me what I had … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Dec. 3-9

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Joseph Bastianich has long been among America’s foremost experts on Italian (although I’d put the Twin Cities’ Marc Mackondy right up there with him). And clearly Bastianich also knows a lot about making Italian wine, at least if the Bastianich Friulano ($16) is any indication. … Continue reading →

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Season’s bleatings

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Bill Ward

Oh Christmas tree …                             Oh Christmas tree …      

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Under the threshold

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Bill Ward

Reader John Glas commented on a recent post that he wanted sometime soon to find and try a Charles Smith Royal City Syrah. As well he should, even though it’s quite spendy. I recently saw one in Nashville going – or … Continue reading →

Posted in Experiences, Rhone, Wine People | 1 Comment