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By: Robert Whitley - 8/25/2010 |
This week I recommend two wines that both thrilled me, and gave me pause. They are a Syrah and Merlot from Nickel & Nickel, the Napa Valley winery that is the epitome in impeccable winemaking.
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Tags: icplaces, Robert Whitley, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 8/11/2010 |
Perhaps, you are new to wine and wondering what’s up with this war for the Brunello. It is, after all, merely wine. That is so true, and at the same time so wrong. The battle lines have been drawn through the very soul of one of Italy’s most important wine regions — Montalcino, birthplace of the Brunello di Montalcino nearly 150 years ago. Once upon a time, it was an impenetrable fortress against marauders, who would have sacked the village and burned it to the ground if not for the staunch resistance of its residents.
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Tags: icplaces, Robert Whitley, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 8/2/2010 |
As I pulled together my tasting notes for this week’s column, it occurred to me that value was very much on my mind. My definition of value might appear to be quirky to some because it doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. So, I recently ran across several bottles of 1998 Gaja Sperss marked at $250 per bottle. I discovered the wine merchant was willing to negotiate and got the price down to $150. I took all four bottles that were left and considered it a steal, given the going rate for Gaja wines and the fact that they are among the most desirable of all wine collectibles.
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Tags: icplaces, Robert Whitley, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 6/20/2010 |
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Readers often ask what a bottle of wine is worth. It’s usually an older vintage that has been uncovered while cleaning the garage or attic, and my standard response urges quick disposition of the bottle in question. In other words, pull the cork and enjoy, providing the wine has anything left to give.
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Tags: icplaces, Robert Whitley, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 5/25/2010 |
At first blush, the idea of drinking wine from a box seems so 1960s. That’s about the time a certain generation came to enjoy wine, and most of it was from a jug. The purveyors of the era were Almaden, Gallo and a few labels that have been long forgotten. Those were fine starter and everyday wines, but no one confused them with the "good" stuff.
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Tags: icplaces, Robert Whitley, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 5/18/2010 |
It is being widely reported that consumer confidence is on the rise and more Americans than we’ve seen in the past few years are planning trips this summer to exotic locales. This is good news for the wine industry, which has taken its lumps through the great recession. It’s no secret that wine enthusiasts have a thirst for travel, too.
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By: Robert Whitley - 5/8/2010 |
Although Chardonnay remains the No. 1 white wine choice for most U.S. wine buyers, the myth persists that good Chardonnay exists only at the upper echelon and the rest is mainly plonk. I say nay. The price of Chardonnay grapes has sagged along with the economy, so there’s no reason enterprising vintners can’t source excellent grapes for the purpose of producing classy Chardonnay.
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By: Steven Samblis - 3/18/2010 |
Fleming’s pairing of Filet Mignon and Australian Lobster Tail for Two returns for a limited time as part of its Memorable Meal series. Now through March 31 guests can dine on two 6-ounce Filets, two Australian Lobster Tails, two servings of Lobster Bisque, French Green Beans, and Warm Pear and Blueberry Tart for $99.
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Tags: icplaces, Steven Samblis, Dining
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By: Steven Samblis - 3/18/2010 |
Bravo announced the official third annual kick-off for its highly anticipated and widely successful "Top Chef: The Tour," a 21-city tour, that for the first time ever expands to the Pacific Northwest with stops in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon.
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Tags: icplaces, Steven Samblis, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 3/9/2010 |
After 17 years as director of the venerable Monterey Wine Competition, I’ve come to expect the unexpected. So, surprised I wasn’t when the hands went up en masse as we polled the judges on the one Vignoles in the showdown for Best of Show white wine this year.
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By: Steven Samblis - 3/3/2010 |
Outback Steakhouse, a longtime supporter of U.S. military troops, today announced its commitment to donate $1 million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides emergency and morale support for active troops, veterans and their families.
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Tags: icplaces, Steven Samblis, Dining
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By: Robert Whitley - 3/2/2010 |
We’ve had this discussion before about Cabernet Franc. I’m in the camp that holds Franc as untapped potential to produce seriously good wine from the Napa Valley. I would even go so far as to predict it could be the next big thing from Napa. So far there is precious little evidence that I am right.
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By: Robert Whitley - 2/23/2010 |
The question was perfectly reasonable. "Aren’t we now supposed to drink the wines we like and not pay attention to what the critics say? Isn’t all of that swirling and sniffing, and those descriptive terms, just a little too snooty?" Talk about being directly in the sights as you stare down the barrel of a gun.
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By: Robert Whitley - 1/26/2010 |
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The inaugural Winemaker Challenge, conducted Jan. 23-24 in San Diego, brought together 18 notable winemakers to evaluate 800 wines from around the globe in the first international wine competition of its kind. Gloria Ferrer’s 2002 Royal Cuvee Brut ($35) advanced to the finals and was the unanimous pick of the judges as Wine of the Year.
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By: Robert Whitley - 1/19/2010 |
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Going forward in 2010, it is clear price considerations rule and consumers will continue the quest for value wines. That hardly means the wine enthusiasts among us have given up on flavor and character in their vino. Trading down on the price ladder doesn’t have to mean giving up on quality. As I am prone to do from time to time, I’ve taken stock of the wineries that have crossed my path over the past year and compiled a selection of what I consider true value wineries.
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By: Robert Whitley - 1/12/2010 |
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The readers always write. A few have responded to my recent column on 10 things I would like to see in 2010. Stephen D. McKimmey is right there with me in the lament that prices for classified-growth Bordeaux are beyond ridiculous.
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By: Robert Whitley - 1/5/2010 |
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Another year, another several thousand wines to taste. Not bad work if you can get it, but there are a few things I would change if I were king of the wine world -- ten, to be precise.
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By: Robert Whitley - 12/22/2009 |
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As I look back over the winescape of 2009, a crazy thought crosses my mind. Chardonnay may very well be cool again. I think I’m ahead of the curve on this because the experts, who evaluate wines at the major wine competitions I follow, seemed to have not read the memo.
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By: Robert Whitley - 12/15/2009 |
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Amid the economic gloom and doom that is the current wine industry, I’ve had an epiphany. The sky is not falling. Consider California Pinot Noir. Once upon a time thought to be a lost cause, it has emerged as one of the great success stories of the past two decades. Amazing Pinots abound. Black Kite. Freestone. Sojourn. Goldeneye.
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By: Robert Whitley - 12/8/2009 |
All I want for Christmas is not wine. Not wine because I already have wine. Not wine because there are plenty of wine accoutrements that are not only useful, but also sometimes necessary.
So, this year my plea is for wine-related gadgets that enhance the wine-tasting experience. In other words, not wine.
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