by Ray Johnson | Jan 13, 2009 | California, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma County, Fume Blanc 2007 In the nose there is sweet tropical fruit and minerality along with a bit of cut grass. In the mouth this wine has a softer, creamier feel than many Sauvignon, displaying richness rather than steeliness. The fruit for...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 11, 2009 | California
Geographic diversity was on display when the Sweeptakes round was finished on Friday. We had a sparkling from Long Island and a Cab Franc from New Mexico take the two of the biggest awards. This underscores the importance of blind tasting. Honestly, how many of you...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 11, 2009 | California, Sparkling Lightly Sweet, Sparkling sweet
This flight features a brand that specializes in under $10 sparkling. Currently the more widely available Brut and Extra Dry are on special at Beverages & more! for $6.99. These wines undergo their secondary fermentation in tank and the labels note this with the...
by Ray Johnson | Jan 10, 2009 | Interviews, Media
I’ve been on a hiatus but not a vacation. For almost 2 months we’ve been preparing for this past week, the judging of over 4,700 wines at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This morning Gene Burns will be discussing this year’s...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 22, 2008 | California, Merlot
Mirassou, California, Merlot 2006 The smells are of sweet, jammy black fruits. In the mouth this wine is quite supple and slightly sweet, melting a sense of vanilla into the black fruits. A bit of Zinfandel and Syrah augments the Merlot. V&B in Modesto, 13.95% $12...
