Content about Syrah

April 7, 2013

Defining a trophy wine is no laughing matter.

So what is a ‘trophy red?’ Nearly every member of our panel of distinguished sommeliers asked that question when we asked them if they would like to contribute their favorites for this article. Our facile and somewhat macabre answer was “a wine to die for, or perhaps even to kill for.”

March 24, 2013

The Charm of Chene Bleu

Wine is okay with food, but it goes better with good conversation.

It is only because I am a fanatic about staying on schedule that I force myself to button up my raincoat and take the elevator downstairs and out onto the windy March streets of Manhattan after spending an hour talking with Nicole Rolet and drinking her Chêne Bleu wines.

November 18, 2012

Choapa Valley

The Choapa Valley, though small, with only 96 hectares under vine, is a wine region that’s gaining in notoriety.

The Choapa Valley, though small with only 96 hectares under vine, is a wine region that’s gaining in notoriety.

This northern area is in the narrowest part of Chile where the Andes meet the coastal range. The valley itself is further divided into two areas: Illapel and Salamanca which are known for their rocky soils with a base of clay, silt, and chalk.

August 19, 2012

Halter Ranch Steps into the Spotlight

After a decade of quiet growth, this Paso Robles winery is ready to show its rich estate astride Tablas Creek to the world.

Keep your eye on Halter Ranch.

In the past couple of years, this quiet winery along Adelaida Road on the hilly west side of Paso Robles has built a new winery with hillside caves, hired Skylar Stuck from Hope Family Wines to be general manager and landed Kevin Sass – who made very highly rated wines at Justin – as its winemaker.

August 2, 2012

Elqui & Limari Valleys

Reaching far to the north of Chile are the Limari and Elqui Valleys whose climate, despite being so close to the equator, are classified as cool climate growing areas.

July 24, 2012

Profoundly Paso

Paso Robles is a curious blend of rugged roots and refinement. The region’s unique combination of authenticity and elegance extends beyond its culture.

Paso Robles is a curious blend of rugged roots and refinement. It’s not unusual for diesel pickups to rumble through town with Mozart on the radio or for their drivers to stomp mud off their boots as they discuss the nuances of Chave Hermitage. But the region’s unique combination of authenticity and elegance extends beyond its culture. The earth seems to exude it in liquid form.

July 5, 2012

A View from the Rhone

A conversation with Vidal-Fleury's Guy Sarton du Jonchay.

Guy Sarton du Jonchay, managing director of the Rhone’s Vidal-Fleury wine concern, was in United States recently, and, although schedule conflicts prevented me from tasting wines with him, we were able to speak by phone.

March 22, 2012

Why this whole "balance" issue is a crock

Why this whole "balance" issue is a crock: At first, when word started getting around about a year or two ago, it was easy to dismiss: the notion that wines over 14% alcohol, or else picked “overripe,” are somehow inferior...

March 3, 2012

Look at old-world wines through new-world eyes.

Today’s emerging wine consumers do not follow yesterday’s guidelines or taste preferences.

Recently I was moderating a wine-and-food seminar when the topic turned to how many wine drinkers are bucking well-established trends of buying “old-world” wines and embracing extremely low-cost “new-world” wines.

February 9, 2012

Tasting the Terroir at Chateau Beaucastel

What part does the winemaker play in the total terroir of a wine? Journey to the southern France's Chateau Beaucastel, I find some answers.

What makes the wines of Chateau Beaucastel so wonderful? I’d tasted these wines occasionally in the U.S. and always came away impressed by their unusual combination of power, elegance, and intoxicating spiciness. While teaching a travel writing class for The Writer’s Workshop in Vaison la Romaine, France I finally got a chance to visit the storied property.

January 16, 2012

Hospice du Rhone, Wines of Chile Participation

Wines of Chile is set to participate in the Hospice du Rhone event held annually in Paso Robles, CA.

January 7, 2011

Rhônes on the Rise in South Africa

The wind is just the beginning of the similarities between France’s Rhône Valley and some of South Africa's winegrowing regions.