Grenache – THE GRAPE BELT

Can I Get You Some Wine?

While the weather in many parts of the country is beyond horrible right now, in not too many weeks we will be staring summer square in the face. We’ll start spending more time on the patio, in the backyard, at the beach, or around the pool. And we’re going to want something to drink. So, […]

by Tom Riley

Let’s Go Shopping — A Griller’s Dozen

Everybody’s heard of a baker’s dozen, right? Well, with summer on its way, and many folks already working the backyard grill, here are some reds that will partner nicely with whatever it is you’ve got cooking. Think of them as a griller’s dozen. $19 2010 Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel (Sonoma County; abv 13.5%) A big […]

by Tom Riley

Let’s Go Shopping — Pacific Northwest Reds Under $20

Got your grill fired up yet? Write up your wine shopping list for the weekend? If you need some fresh ideas, here are some great value reds from the pages of several major wine publications. Happy hunting! $11 2009 Thorny Rose Red Blend (Columbia Valley; abv 14%) This bright red leads with scents of bitter […]

by Tom Riley

Time To Get To Work

On the last day of 2012 I wrote about a few things I would like to see disappear once the new year had settled down around us. Now, I’d like to focus some attention on improvements I’d like to see come to pass in 2013. First, I’d like to see the advocates (i.e., hipster trend […]

by Tom Riley

UPDATE Tasting Notes

This latest entry looks at three red wines from France, the United States, and Italy. All delicious, all great values. RED 11/16/12 2010 Christopher Buisson Bourgogne Saint-Romain Cote d’Or (12.5% abv., $25, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants): Brilliant, light ruby in the glass, this pinot noir offers ample aromas of strawberry and damp earth, with hints of […]

by Tom Riley

UPDATE Tasting Notes

Latest entries include offerings at various price points from the Finger Lakes, Napa Valley, Burgundy, the Southern Rhone, Washington State, and Corsica. Cheers! WHITE 9/26/12 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley (11% abv., $9, Safeway): Moderately off-dry with a residual sugar of 2.23 g/100ml, this simple riesling is a blend of grapes from throughout […]

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

In The Pink

Have you ever had that situation where you get together with two of your friends who have never met each other? You figure that because you get along with both of them, then they’ll get along with each other. But when they finally do meet, it’s clear that they just don’t match up. Last week […]

by Tom Riley

2004 Stage Left Cellars “The Day Job” Central Coast

RED 4/4/12 2004 Stage Left Cellars “The Day Job” Central Coast (15.2 abv., $20 (discounted), winery): This powerful and elegant wine is a blend of 67% grenache, 22% cabernet sauvignon, and 11% mourvedre. An opaque garnet color that is just beginning to soften at the rim, The Day Job gives up a nose filled with black […]

by Tom Riley

2008 Chateau de Montmirail Vacqueyras Cuvee des Deux Freres

RED 4/3/12 2008 Chateau de Montmirail Vacqueyras Cuvee des Deux Freres (14% abv., $19, Beaune Imports): Dark, opaque wine, deep garnet to almost black, offering muted, youthful aromas of earth, sweet spice, and black fruit. Mouth-watering acid and firm tannins surround a savory mid-palate and flavors of plum and black raspberry. Conclusion: This thing drinks […]