Author Archives: RJ

About RJ

Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He writes about food and wine, his travels and the business of wine. He makes his home in Sonoma County, California.

White Wines of Lake County

Shannon Ridge, Lake County, Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Citrus is the theme throughout the nose and on the palate, crisp and refreshing. Fermented in stainless and bottled under a screwcap closure. Vinted and bottled in Geyserville 13.5% and available for $26 … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Lake County, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Napa Cellars Dyer Vineyard Syrah 2009

Napa Cellars, Carneros, Dyer Vineyard, Syrah 2009 This is a sweet smelling Syrah, forecasting ripe fruit on the palate. That comes through without a doubt, with loads of berries and a very supple texture. A bonus to the experience is … Continue reading

Posted in California, Carneros, Syrah | Tagged | Leave a comment

St. Rose Pinot Noir 2099

St. Rose, Russian River Valley, Nunes Vineyard, Ten Block, Pinot Noir 2009 The nose features cherries and raspberries – ebulliently fruity and graced with a touch a vanilla. In the mouth the theme of fresh Pinot fruit continues on a … Continue reading

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley | Tagged | Leave a comment

Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc 2010

Bonterra, 58% Lake County, 42% Mendocino County, Sauvignon Blanc 2010 The nose is a full-on experience of citrus, as in a slice fresh grapefruit and a wedge of lemon. The flavors follow suit in the mouth with the zippiness that … Continue reading

Posted in California, Lake County, Mendocino County, Sauvignon Blanc | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace

Pierre Sparr, Cremant d’Alsace, Brut, Reserve The nose features sweet flowers, a perfumed character, with pears and apples.  In the mouth there is a soft impression, fruity with moderate acidity – nicely crafted as an aperitif. The grapes behind this … Continue reading

Posted in Alsace, France, Pinot Blanc, Sparkling Dry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Glenugie Gamay Noir 2005

We recently enjoyed a mature wine from Beaujolais so I thought it a good idea that we try a wine from the cellar made from the same grape in the New World. Some years ago we enjoyed a week’s holiday … Continue reading

Posted in British Columbia, Canada, Gamay, Okanagan Valley | Tagged | Leave a comment

d’Arenberg Custodian 2009

d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, The Custodian, Grenache 2009 The nose features sweet, lolly-like berry notes that follow through in the mouth. The flavor profile is driven by the fruit, emphasizing the grapes in the vineyard while the texture is quite silky … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pellegrino Marsala

During my visit to Pellegrino I had the opportunity to learn first-hand about one of Europe’s most famous fortified wines, Marsala. While the market has faded and consumer interest in these wines has waned, a few producers soldier on making … Continue reading

Posted in Grillo, Italy, Marsala, Sicilia | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Wines of Donnafugata

During our recent trip to Sicily I had the opportunity to visit with the team at Donnafugata both on the main island in Marsala and on the small and windswept island of Pantelleria. The wines run the spectrum from fresh, … Continue reading

Posted in Ansonica, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catarratto, Italy, Moscato di Pantelleria, Muscat, Nero d'Avola, Pantelleria, Sicilia | Tagged | Leave a comment

Wine Business Management Online

Greetings everyone, We had a great sensory seminar over the weekend with Pat Henderson of Kenwood and David Sandri of Wine Secrets.  Next up is an online tour of wine business management with Tim Hanni.  The application deadline is quickly … Continue reading

Posted in class | Tagged , | Leave a comment