Monthly Archives: June 2014

• Carmenère: Still the Best Red Wine Value

  Carmenère deserves more recognition that it gets.  Of all South American wines, Carmenère stands out to me as the most distinctive and enjoyable, especially in the first five years of life which is when the vast majority of all wines are consumed, and as an added bonus, well made Carmenère ages gracefully to perfection for Read More

  Posted in Interesting Wine Info, Wine Education, Wine Regions

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  • June 27, 2014
  • by Don Lahey

• Don’s June Collector Series Top Pick

  For me June’s Collector Series Top Pick is tougher than usual.  We are offering three distinctly different wines this month with little in common, except quality.  Variety is after all the spice of life and quality wines are exactly what most avid wine drinkers spend endless hours searching for as if shopping for wine were Read More

  Posted in Featured Selections, Notes from the Panel

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  • June 24, 2014
  • by Don Lahey

• Ahi Tuna & Edamame on Won Ton Crisps

  The spread and crisps can be made ahead, so this appetizer comes together fairly quickly just before serving. Baking the won tons skins instead of frying them minimizes the amount of oil and keeps the crisps from curling up. The meaty tuna – lightened by the puree – pairs well with brut rosé sparkling wine Read More

  Posted in Recipes and Pairings

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  • June 23, 2014
  • by Kristina Manning

• Don’s June Premier Series Top Pick

  For several reasons my Premier Series Top Pick this month belongs to Portugal’s 2012 Herdade de Gambia Peninsula de Setubal.  We have searched long and hard for wines from Portugal that offer true value, yet represent the heart and soul of Portugal.  In the sustainably made 2012 Herdade de Gambia we found the red wine Read More

  Posted in Featured Selections, Interesting Wine Info, Notes from the Panel

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  • by Don Lahey

• Sustainable Wine: What’s that?

  After decades of treating viticulture like a chemistry experiment, wine growers have been steadily moving away from chemical intervention in favor of more sustainable methods of viticulture.  And it’s about time.   Less is often more in the growing and making of wine, and healthier for the planet as well as the wine drinker.  That’s not Read More

  Posted in Interesting Wine Info, Notes from the Panel, Wine Education

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  • June 20, 2014
  • by Don Lahey

• Great Wines for Weddings and Other Big Events

  Most of us look forward to weddings and parties, even though the reality is that the wines served at most such functions aren’t always the greatest… and that would be putting it mildly.  So what can we do?  As I see it, we have several options. We can do nothing and continue to allow banquet Read More

  Posted in Interesting Wine Info, Notes from the Panel, Wine Education

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  • June 13, 2014
  • by Don Lahey

• Scott Ure’s Clams And Garlic

  This recipe is not only simple but is absolutely delicious! These clams are steamed open with wine and braise in their own juices making them perfect on their own with some crusty Italian bread or pour over pasta like linguine. Serves 4  Ingredients 50 small clams in shell, scrubbed 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 6 cloves garlic, Read More

  Posted in Recipes and Pairings

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  • June 9, 2014
  • by Kristina Manning

• What the California Drought Means for Wine

  Drought once again has become the subject of news releases, Twitter feeds and Wall Street speculation.  Specifically, what does this year’s drought in California mean for American agricultural production, domestic and international food prices, and of course wine?  Plenty, at least potentially. . .  but not everyone gets it.   Given that spring has barely sprung Read More

  Posted in In the News, Interesting Wine Info, Wine Education, Wine Regions

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  • June 6, 2014
  • by Don Lahey