The first time I had an A to Z wine, my husband and I were in Vegas. We were hungry, walking through Ceasar’s Palace and stopped at a restaurant that would take us right away. We weren’t in the mood to spend a lot, but wanted wine, so picked a Pinot Gris. It was from…
Category: Under $15
Non-California, Review, spain, Under $15
Review: 2009 Marques De Riscal Proximo Tempranillo Rioja
by wineforthewin •
On a scuba trip to Catalina Island, my other half and I attempted to hit up a wine bar on the main drag. But by the time we got inside, we were kicked out because turns out, the wine bar was actually part of a hotel and only open for guests. Boo. We asked the…
California, Pinot Gris, Review, Uncategorized, Under $15
Review: 2013 Cline Pinot Gris
by wineforthewin •
It’s the end of September and the temps are still topping 90 degrees here, so a fresh Pinot Gris is in order. The 2013 Cline Pinot Gris smells like pears and apples and tastes like them, too. It’s spritzy and hits every corner of your mouth on the swig. According to the winemaker, the minerality…
Blends, Interesting Fact, Under $15
Marisa Sergi: the 20-year-old vintner
by wineforthewin •
When I first came across Marisa Sergi on Twitter (@MarisaSergi), I was shocked to see that at 20, she had already bottled her own wine! I had to get to know this girl! Marisa is a third-generation winemaker. Her grandfather, who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy when he was 24, brought the family tradition…
California, Pinot Noir, Review, Under $15
Review: 2012 Estancia Pinot Noir
by wineforthewin •
I don’t think I’ve been able to use coffee and cigarettes as a descriptor yet on the blog, but now’s my chance. Plus, there’s a special treat at the end: cheese! The 2012 Estancia Pinot Noir smells like berries and cloves and when you take a swig of the ruby colored wine it’s supple body…
Review, Under $15, Zinfandel
Review: 2010 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel
by wineforthewin •
Crowded around a six-person table at one of our favorite Italian joints in Santa Monica last week, the Zinfandel kept pouring. Partially because that favorite Italian joint, Fritto Misto, only charges $2 a person for corkage, and partially because a friend who loves Zinfandel and brought several bottles to dinner, is also a generous pour. He’s…
Money Saver, Non-California, Under $15, White Blend
Review: 2012 Herdade de Gambia White Wine Blend
by wineforthewin •
I’m telling you, I’m on a Portugal kick. But this white wine blend from Herdade de Gambia was even better than the cryptically-labeled red blend I talked about a few days ago. Cloudy yellow, this wine smells like peach and oranges (yum!) and it has a smooth, drinkable je ne sais quoi quality about it.…
Non-California, Portugal, Red Blend, Review, Under $15
Review: Casa Agricola HMR Varal Tinto
by wineforthewin •
Portugal is known for port, duh, but it’s also got blended table wines going on. I picked up a delicious red blend from Vintage Berkeley when I was visiting a friend. It’s from Casa Agricola, a winery in Alentejano, which is in the southeast area of Portugal. This wine tasted like plums, strawberry and cinnamon and…
Review, Under $15, Under $20, Zinfandel
Review: Peachy Canyon Zinfandel
by wineforthewin •
When Peachy Canyon Winery gave me a hat tip on Twitter for my handle, which is the same as my blog name, I knew we’d get along. Then when they told me they they made luscious reds, I really knew we’d get along. I picked up a bottle of their 2008 “Incredible Red” Zinfandel recently…