argentina – THE GRAPE BELT

South American Reds — QPR You Can Trust

Too often I’m reminded of just how circumscribed my wine drinking habits can become at times. Circumscribed? Maybe narrow is a better word. When I find myself enjoying a bargain Bordeaux or something interesting from South Africa, I ask myself, “why am I not drinking more wines like these?” Well, it happened again recently when I […]

by Tom Riley

Look Both Ways Before Crossing

The past year was filled with so many wonderful moments and even more delicious wines that it is impossible to count them all. Before uncorking 2015, I thought it would be worthwhile to mention some things that stood out in 2014, and offer a few modest, obtainable goals for the new year. The visit my […]

by Tom Riley

Five Red Wines Under $10

I’ve spent a lot of time and energy these past few months drinking, er, researching, rosé and white wines. Most of that effort comes from the fact that I’m an optimist (read: wildly delusional); even if the weather around the East Bay has been telling me, loudly, that it’s not really summer, I’m going to […]

by Tom Riley

Geek Of The Week — Tannat

In conversations with friends and family about what wines they plan to serve with holiday meals in the next few weeks, all the usual suspects show up: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a pile of vague Chardonnay, and the occasional Riesling. I was surprised that a few folks broke ranks with the possibility of Amarone, Brunello […]