Monthly Archives: March 2013

Wines of the Week: March 25-31

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: How much do I like the 2012 Navarro Mendocino Pinot Blanc ($15)? Well, after two sips at the winery’s tasting room, I ordered a case of it, which I have done exactly zero times. Pure honeydew and bright lemon-lime flavors almost explode … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Down Under Wines | Leave a comment

Linkin’ logs: 3-27-13

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Bill Ward

Back from judging the latter part of Pigs & Pinot (and consuming a lot of both). The attendees were quite classy, even the lady at our dinner table whom I dubbed June Cleavage, thanks to dangling necklace baubles that screamed … Continue reading →

Posted in Actual News, Funny(ish) stuff | 2 Comments

Wines of the Week: March 18-24

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: With some wine regions, it’s often difficult to know how much the improved product is a result of advances in growing and winemaking techniques, or the fact that the “good stuff” that never had been exported is finally reaching these … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Wines, South African Wines | Leave a comment

A Commie’s approach to wine

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Bill Ward

There’s been a good bit of talk about Communists of late, mostly buffoonish folderol from slimeball politicians. But still … it got me to thinking about the way my way better half and I often casually refer to ourselves as Commies. … Continue reading →

Posted in Issues (and maybe some answers) | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: March 11-17

Posted on March 16, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Sometimes a man (or a woman, at least in the case of my way better half) needs a wine with some dirt and smoke on the nose and palate. A wine like the 2010 Lo Nuevo Sorbo a Sorbo Catalyud Old Vines Garnacha ($12). This … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Spanish Wines | 3 Comments

Vintage Burgundy, offbeat zins, wine on tap and more

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Bill Ward

A few discoveries from recent vinous gatherings: • Washington vintners are taking California’s “state grape” to some interesting places. I thoroughly enjoyed two fascinating zinfandels from the Evergreen State: the “Howling Wolfe” from Thurston Wolfe and the new Two Vintners Stone Tree … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Oregon Wines, Rhone, Vintages, Washington Wines, Wine People | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: March 4-10

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: The 2010 Tudal Family Napa Sauvignon Blanc ($18) easily could qualify as an “occasion” wine, and not just because its price tag pushes up against my $20 line of demarcation. This baby provides a mouthful of deliciousness, with a pretty floral nose followed … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Washington Wines | Leave a comment

A great read: Karp and Lynch’s ‘The Wine Snob’s Dictionary’

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Bill Ward

I love it when a book reveals a lot about itself on the title page. Actually, this might be the first time that ever happened, there, right under the actual name of the book: “wine snob: reference term for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Funny(ish) stuff, Wine Reading and Viewing | Leave a comment

Art for whatever’s sake

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Bill Ward

Crazy times here, more posts coming soon, but wanted to quickly share an interesting note and some swell art. A new article from Food & Wine on the year’s best sommeliers included this factoid: “Seven of these 10 sommeliers prefer … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubbles, Funny(ish) stuff | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Feb. 25-March 3

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Portugal doesn’t seem to export any plonk; it’s rare on these shores to come across a Portuguese wine that disappoints. But few provide the whoa-Nelly value of the 2010 Montes Claros Alentejo Reserva ($11), which tastes like it could … Continue reading →

Posted in Portuguese Wines, South African Wines | Leave a comment