Wine Reference

Article: Wine Quiz: Which Grape Originally Defined the Mokelumne River AVA in Lodi?

The Mokelumne River AVA was approved in 1992, along with the other six AVAs nested within the larger Lodi AVA. However, the Mokelumne River growing...

Article: Quiz: Which County Grows the Most Syrah?

There’s been a lot of focus on California Syrah for the last month or so. There was the Rhone Rangers’ San Francisco event.

Article: Good Wine: A Matter of Degrees?

Article: Spotlight on the Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA

The Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA became effective  on November 28, 2011. It is a 4,570-acre region, roughly two-thirds of which is in southern...

Article: Fort Ross-Seaview AVA Approved within Sonoma Coast

On December 14, 2011, the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

Article: Introducing the Coombsville AVA in Napa Valley

Yesterday, December 14, 2011, the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

Article: Join Me in Becoming a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist

In September, I

Article: How to Start a Wine Collection: Part 2 - Research, Plan, Buy

To make sure your wine cellaring results are as good as possible, plan your approach carefully. Here are the steps I would recommend taking when building a wine...

Article: Where Do Points Come From?

Joe Roberts, aka 1WineDude, asked a question today in his friendly “Hey, what about...

Article: Wines that Age Well - An Overview by Variety and Region

Whether you are stocking a wine cellar for bottle-aging wine or just shopping the “old and rare” section of your favorite wine shop, there are a few things you should...

Article: 2012 Vintners Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) announced seven new inductees to the Vintners Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at the...

Article: Wine Terms: What is Millerandage?

There is typically little variation in the size of grapes on a single bunch. Millerandage refers to a condition where there a numerous very small berries on bunch along with those...

Article: Photos - A Misty Morning Harvest at Gloria Ferrer Vineyards

Yesterday, I joined in on the last day of harvest 2011 at Gloria Ferrer Caves and...

Article: 3 Fun Ways to Learn Your Preferences in Aged Wine

There is prestige, even romance, associated with owning and tasting aged wine. But there’s no romance in drinking wine you paid for and lovingly stored but now despise. Every sommelier with...

Article: How to Start a Wine Collection: Part 1 - What Kind of Collector are You?

Most wine enthusiasts never start a “cellar” or collection. They prefer to buy a wine as they need it. Some people join a wine club or two and just drink the club shipments. There’s not much...

Article: Celebrate with Trefethen! A Napa Valley Landmark Turns 125

Before the Golden State was golden, or a state, its residents cultivated wine grapes. In 1782, Jesuit missionaries made sacramental wine at Mission San Juan Capistrano....

Article: Fun Facts about California Cabernet Sauvignon

As you’ve no doubt heard, Governor Jerry Brown has declared September, 2011 to be California Wine Month. It’s a well-deserved honor for the ind...

Article: U.S. Wine Consumption Increases for 17th Consecutive Year

According to the 2011 Wine Handbook, U.S. wine consumption continues to increase. Total consumption in 2010 was 303.1 million 9-liter (112 bottle) cases, up 2.1% over 2009. Total...

Article: Good News, Bad News about Alcohol in Wine

I spotted a couple of interesting articles recently about the alcohol in wine and how it does or does not affect our bodies.First the good news. Drinking too much...

Article: What is Rutherford Dust?

Rutherford dust is a phrase very closely linked with the wines of the