Riesling 2006 – Riesling to Live

Although Randall Grahm and I have met many times over the years, we had never sat down one on one and had a lengthy conversation. The occasion was to chat over dinner at Le Cigare Volant, Grahm’s newly named restaurant which used to be called Cellar Door, and to talk about wine (what else!).

Chardonnay 2010 - Gold Medal Winner at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 

One of the best-known wineries in Santa Cruz County is Storrs. Their wines are easy to find in most local supermarkets and liquor stores, and you will see them on many a restaurant’s wine list. And the reason is – they make excellent wine that is reasonably priced for the quality product you get.

Chardonnay 2010

And a Life on the Ocean Wave By Josie Cowden Sailing out to sea on the Chardonnay II with a glass of Chardonnay in hand is wine-tasting at its best. The two Chardonnays go together like bunches of grapes ripening on a vine.

Pinot Noir 2008—A Lovely Libation

There are Pinots and then there are Pinots. When John Schumacher, winemaker and owner of Hallcrest Vineyards, makes a Pinot Noir, the result is usually a knock-your-socks-off wine. And the 2008 Pinot ($48) most certainly falls into that category.

Rosé of Petite Sirah 2011

The opening weekend of Odonata’s new tasting room at the beginning of May was a huge success. With an abundance of delicious food catered by Nonno’s Restaurant in Redwood Estates, and a packed house of customers trying Denis Hoey’s fabulous wines, it’s on the cards that this is going to be a hot new spot.

Brut Sparkling Wine ... a drop of celebratory bubbly  

On June 2, all of Great Britain was rejoicing for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. I sincerely wish that I could have been there at that time—in the country of my birth —celebrating Her Majesty’s reign of 60 years.

Riesling is a much-loved wine in many parts of the world, especially in Germany and France’s Alsace region where many of the best Rieslings come from.