Wine Weekly

Chateau Calissanne Rose Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence 2006 It’s the season of pink wines, and here is an ideal introduction to the world of fine rose. This example comes from the southern region of France, in the storybook area of Provence. Surely you’d recognize the bright, rich colors associated with the area, or know by smell the [...]

Castello di Farnetella Chianti Colli Senesi 2004 This is one of those wines that likely gets killed in the sterile sanctum of a big wine magazine tasting room — tasted all alone, without food. Because in fact it is mediocre at best when imbibed solo. However, ten-dollar Chianti is not meant to be a wine [...]

Once in a while, you may see a label announce that the wine is “unfiltered”. This does not mean the winemaker was smoking a Camel cigarette when the wine was bottled, nor does it mean that you need to pour the wine through a coffee filter before drinking it. Basically, it’s an explanation for the [...]

Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Carneros 2005 Many people just getting into wine find their way to Robert Mondavi — particularly the under-$10 bottles tabbed “Private Selection” and the soda-pop formulas packaged under the Woodbridge label. As such, I’ve avoided everything “Mondavi” on the priniciple that if its made by a mass production giant, it can’t [...]

Wine: Cantina Rotaliana di Mezzolombardo Teroldego Rotaliano Ah, Teroldego … a bright and happy wine with a serious side. Teroldego is a fairly unknown grape outside of north Trentino, a region in northern Italy that is better known for a white wine called Pinot Grigio. Indeed, you’ll have a hard time finding Teroldego in the [...]

OK, you have four days left to get something for Father’s Day. If you don’t have the time to stop at the mall between now and Sunday, you still have 2 days to order something online That said, get moving now. Follow these links for wine-themed Father’s Day gifts: Wine Ties What else for Father’s [...]

Still trying to figure out a gift for dad for Father’s Day? How about dinner? Every dad likes to eat, and eat well, right? Well check this out: Restaurant.com is offering 50% off all dining certificates between now and Father’s Day — plus, you will get a free $15 Lobster Gram gift certificate with EVERY [...]

Generally speaking, the personalized service you get from a GOOD wine shop cannot be matched by an online retailer. There’s something to be said for face-to-face interaction with a human being who knows something about the wines on the shelf. Add in the touchy-feely enjoyment of picking up and handling bottles, and it’s next to [...]

With the label featuring a black and white photo of a sweet Labrador Retriever, how could one possibly leave this bottle on the shelf? I’m not clear on exactly who makes this wine — the label lists both Vinum Cellars and Wilson Vineyards, and states that the wine is from Clarksburg, California. I’m guessing that [...]

Could there be a better time of year? The weather is perfect, school is nearly out, baseball season’s in full swing, and the rose wines have arrived. If you’ve never been “tickled pink” by the youthful selections available in your local wine shop during the late spring, this year is as good a time as [...]