Spring has previously struggled to start in the East but with temperatures slowly inching upwards, the afternoons are warmer and the sun teases of sun tans and summer gardening. Even though most of us are still a few weeks away from all of the wonderful things that summer can offer, there are still ways to […]

What exactly is a “proprietary blend” wine?   It certainly sounds fancy and depending on the marketing, it could be intimidating.  The wine means simply what the word implies:  this is a winemaker’s own special blend of either red or white grapes to make a wine that he or she believes unique enough to have marketable […]

Spring brings crisp cool temperatures in Napa Valley and throughout much of the United States.  Senses continue to liven as floral scents drift past the nose from camellias, daffodils, nemesia and other spring flowers.   The palate shakes off the slumber of winter, heavy dishes and tannic red wines to search for something brighter, cleaner and […]

Stop scratching your head.   Stop wrinkling your nose.   Good aged white wine?  Could it be possible? Visit countless wineries and you will hear the same advice repeatedly:   “Drink your white wines young, maybe one or two years post release.”    And generally, this advice is true.  However, there are some white wines which can be aged […]