Monthly Archives: April 2012

• How to Setup Your Own Blind Tasting

  Blind tastings should be simple – those tasting should not know the identity of the wines being tasted.  When it comes down to it, there’s 8 basic rules to always remember: 6-12 people is the best for wine tasting. This way you only need one bottle per wine. Arrange the wine tasting so they are Read More

  Posted in Wine Education, Wine Events

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  • April 26, 2012
  • by Kristina Manning

• Don’s April Collector’s Series Top Picks

  I confess to having a penchant recently for polished, complex Tuscan reds such as Morazzano’s 2005 Re.  And what a wine Re is.  Born on the hills of Montescudaio close to Sassicaia and some of Tuscany’s other illustrious names, Re outperforms most Brunello di Montalcino in my book and a host of lesser “Super Tuscans,” Read More

  Posted in Featured Selections, Notes from the Panel

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  • April 22, 2012
  • by Don Lahey

• So What Do I Drink …Off the Job – Part II?

  When beef, lamb, and game appear on the menu, red Bordeaux, California Cabernet Sauvignon (preferably with some bottle age), Châteauneuf-du-Pape, full throttle Spanish Tempranillos from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, or elsewhere, Super Tuscans, and thick rich Syrah based wines from Australia, California, or South Africa are likely to be my wines of choice.  I like Read More

  Posted in Interesting Wine Info, Recipes and Pairings

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  • April 19, 2012
  • by Don Lahey

• Don’s April Premier Series Top Picks

  Shiraz is one of the world’s great red grape varietals. Yet, there are many over cropped, underperforming examples of Australian Shiraz in the market.  With that said, I am proud to say that this month’s Primary Red, Berton’s The Black Shiraz, is not one of the underperforming slackers.  Although still quite young, Berton’s The Black Read More

  Posted in Featured Selections, Notes from the Panel

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  • April 12, 2012
  • by Don Lahey

• Easter Brunch; Wine for Breakfast

  Brunch is my favorite meal, because there are so many choices in foods and wines. We always think of Champagne to pair with our Easter Brunch meal. So the question is; Rose Champagne, Brut Champagne or Sparkling Wine? Rose Champagne and sparkling wine is one of the number one wines to pair with breakfast foods, Read More

  Posted in Recipes and Pairings, Wine Events

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  • April 5, 2012
  • by Kristina Manning

• So What Do I Drink …Off the Job?

  I have a pretty eclectic palate, which leads me to search out all kinds of wines to match the food I’m eating, the weather outside, or the mood I’m in on any given day.  I truly love to eat and I enjoy almost all kinds of foods and types of cuisines, so there isn’t going Read More

  Posted in Interesting Wine Info, Recipes and Pairings

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  • April 3, 2012
  • by Don Lahey