I’m a fan of sangria, that’s no secret, and for my picnic birthday this year, I wanted to make a whole lot of it for my friends to enjoy as we played bocce ball and croquet. The sangria made me very bad at croquet, by the way. Yes, I’m blaming it on the sangria! For…
Tag: red wine
California, Pinot Noir, Review, Under $20
Review: 2012 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Pinot Noir
by wineforthewin •
We drink so much wine, that our landlord finally noticed. After my other half did him a favor using his technical ninja skills, our landlord gifted us a bottle of a 2012 Francis Coppola Pinot Noir. The Diamond Collection wine has a fruity, long-lasting flavor— think raspberry! raspberry! It’s a bit dry, but does the…
Merlot, Non-California, South America
This Chilean Wine has a Chinese Label
by wineforthewin •
Let me tell you a story from my annual Oscar Party (I know, I know, the Oscars were weeks ago! Forgive me.): My friend brought over two reds from Chile, but the labels were in Chinese! Well, maybe Chinese, maybe Korean, but for sure Asian characters, and my money’s on Chinese. She bought the wine,…
California, edna valley, Syrah
Review: 2012 Wolff Vineyards Syrah
by wineforthewin •
So good. I mean it’s so good. That’s all my fiancé and I kept saying as we finished a bottle of 2012 Wolff Vineyards Syrah, which we picked up on a recent trip to San Luis Obispo. Funnily enough, when we tasted the Syrah on the vineyard’s patio, which is super cute and worth a…
Cabernet Sauvignon, Non-California, South Africa, Under $10
Review: 2013 Douglas Green Cabernet Sauvignon
by wineforthewin •
It’s warm, it’s fruity, it’s spicy–everything you want in a cheap cab. The 2013 Douglas Green Cabernet Sauvignon has lingering flavors of what is that, raisin? I was pleased with the smoothness of the wine, which I sipped at a pre-concert picnic with some friends. For the price, I’d buy it again. Nuts & Bolts: Winery: Douglas…
Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Under $10
Review: 2012 Pacific Redwood Organic Cabernet Sauvignon
by wineforthewin •
When I left my old job recently to start a new adventure, a wine-loving friend gave me a bottle of the 2012 Pacific Redwood Organic Cabernet Sauvignon with this premise: It was the best organic wine that he’s ever had. I was a little skeptical of organic wine, admittedly, and was also skeptical of wine…
Shiraz, Under $10
Review: 2012 Benefactor Cellars Shiraz
by wineforthewin •
Summer in LA is my favorite time of the year. Not only for the weather, but also because of the bounty of events going on. You can see free concerts on the pier, take free dance lessons in downtown and even watch a movie in a cemetery. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery–where Dee Dee Ramone, you…
Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, Review, Under $20
Review: 2012 Stateland Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
by wineforthewin •
When you drink this berrylicious Cabernet Sauvignon, your mouth will water. The blackberry aroma and soft tannins of this easy-to-drink Cab can be quite persuasive. However, this Central Coast red can be a bit leathery at times, lying heavy on the tongue, coating it as if it were leaving behind a prime layer of paint. It…
Review, Zinfandel
Review: 2011 Challis Lane Old Vine Zinfandel
by wineforthewin •
This Old Vine Zinfandel won’t blow your socks off, but it’s a smooth, very gulp-able wine with just a bit of zest at the end. This fruity wine smells like berries and tastes like them, too. This plum-purple drink will make your teeth just as mauve, so be careful not to pose for any pictures…
Interesting Fact
The rise of Cabernet Franc?
by wineforthewin •
Will Cabernet Franc be in a few years what Malbec was in 2010? Australian winemaking consultant Brian Croser thinks so. Last week at a wine workshop in London he said the varietal is “going to explode,” according to the Drinks Business. Right now the grape is not even a top 10 grower, falling far beyond…