The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
23 results across all types
- news
Brassfield Eruption Red Blend: A Taste of High Valley AVA
Today we are sipping a bit closer to home. In our glass is a red blend from the volcanic soils of High Valley AVA in Lake County, Northern California. We will take a look at the region, the winery and the sustainability of cork closures. We received this wine as a tasting sample. Lake County’s AVAs Lake County is situated […] The post Brassfield Eruption Red Blend: A Taste of High Valley AVA appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Primitivo from Puglia: A Red Wine for Cooler Days
We’ve spent quite a lot of time in Italy recently — at least in terms of the wines we’re tasting. We’ve mostly been sipping northern Italy — a couple of versions of Schiavo (aka Vernatsch) from Alto Adige, and then a delightfully aromatic Turbiana from Lugana. All were perfect for warmer weather and lighter meals. With the change of seasons, […] The post Primitivo from Puglia: A Red Wine for Cooler Days appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Hans Rottensteiner Schiava—Chill it or Not
Trentino-Alto Adige is Italy’s most northern wine region, situated along Italy’s border with Austria, and Alto Adige is the northernmost part of Trentino-Alto Adige. Today we are tasting Schiava, a red grape variety, made in Alto Adige. We received this wine as a tasting sample. Alto Adige, which used to be part of Austria, is also known as Südtirol and […] The post Hans Rottensteiner Schiava—Chill it or Not appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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An Introduction to Lugana with a Glass of Turbiana
Lugana DOC is a small wine region situated along the southern shore of Lake Garda, in Northern Italy. And while the region lies between the provinces of Brescia and Verona, and sits astride two wine regions, Lombardy and Veneto, it is firmly committed to just one grape variety: Turbiana. If you are a curious wine drinker looking for a taste […] The post An Introduction to Lugana with a Glass of Turbiana appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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FitVine Free: Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternative
Every tasting sample we receive is an opportunity to learn about grape varieties, wine regions and winemaking techniques. In the case of FitVine Free we had the opportunity to taste and learn about “functional, non-alcoholic wine…infused with electrolytes, fresh fruit, and adaptogens…” I was just curious enough about the functional, non-alcoholic wine and adaptogens aspects to give them a taste, […] The post FitVine Free: Non-Alcoholic Wine Alternative appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Chill with a Glass of Rías Baixas Albariño
If the summer heat has yet to arrive where you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it will likely make an appearance soon. Our local forecast is predicting triple-digit temperatures by the end of the week. I’m not looking forward to it, but I do know how to keep my cool in the heat — with a glass of Rías Baixas […] The post Chill with a Glass of Rías Baixas Albariño appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Regenerative in the Glass: Robert Hall’s First ROC® Wines
The two wines we are tasting today are the first made by Robert Hall Winery to earn the Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC®) designation. Both wines are available exclusively at Whole Foods. We received these wines as tasting samples. Robert Hall Winery’s journey to Regenerative Organic Certification began in 2021 with a 48-acre block of vines surrounding the winery in […] The post Regenerative in the Glass: Robert Hall’s First ROC® Wines appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Villa Sandi Prosecco: Sparkling Wine for Everyday Enjoyment
There is much to like about Prosecco — it’s easy drinking, low in alcohol, affordable and it sparkles. Its affordability makes it practical for everyday occasions and you needn’t feel guilty using it to make a mimosa or other cocktail — that’s how it’s meant to be enjoyed. Today we’re tasting two examples made by Villa Sandi, provided as tasting […] The post Villa Sandi Prosecco: Sparkling Wine for Everyday Enjoyment appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet for a Special Birthday
On May 15, Stu and Charlie Smith, along with François Bugué, the Smiths’ associate winemaker, celebrated Smith-Madrone Vineyard & Winery’s 55th birthday. The celebration marked Stu’s signing of the paperwork in 1971 to acquire the Spring Mountain property that is home to Smith-Madrone’s vineyards and winery. Stu and Charlie started planting the vineyard the next year and their first vintage was […] The post 2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet for a Special Birthday appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Peter Zemmer Schiava: A Red Wine to Sip Chilled
We may not have quite reached the summer equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, but summer weather is definitely here. We’ve just returned from the Midwest where the temperatures were in the 70s and 80s with similar humidity. The landscape was beautiful and green, but that humidity was not very pleasant. We’re now back to the dry heat we are used […] The post Peter Zemmer Schiava: A Red Wine to Sip Chilled appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Black Odesa, Felix Hart’s Latest Adventure
Peter Stafford-Bow does it again in his latest book, Black Odesa! You would think that after all the harrowing adventures Stafford-Bow’s character, Felix Hart, has been through he would relax and take it easy for a while. Well, he tried, but circumstances had other ideas. He thought life was grand, and then unexpected visitors showed up. That’s when everything started […] The post Black Odesa, Felix Hart’s Latest Adventure appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Three French Wine Regions, Three Distinctive White Wines
Today we’re sipping wines made in three French wine regions. All are white wines with relatively low alcohol but very different flavor profiles. And, as you might expect from French wines, all are made to enjoy with food. Our tasting begins in Champagne before moving to the South West France and ends in the Loire Valley. Champagne everyone will recognize, […] The post Three French Wine Regions, Three Distinctive White Wines appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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There’s No Better Time Than Now for Pink Wine
Rosé is welcome in my glass regardless of the season, but, in springtime a gorgeous rosé reflects the color and vibrance of the season especially well. And just as I have an equal appreciation for both vibrant and delicate colors in our garden, I appreciate rosés of every shade. Today we are sipping a Languedoc rosé that is as perfumed […] The post There’s No Better Time Than Now for Pink Wine appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Campo Viejo Tempranillo for Sipping and Socializing
We’re returning to Spain’s Rioja wine region again for another sip of Tempranillo. This time the wine is 100% Tempranillo, once again made by Campo Viejo. In anticipation of warming weather this tasting comes with two cocktail recipes using Tempranillo that are commonly enjoyed in Spain. Both are easier to make than sangria, not as boozy and perfect for a […] The post Campo Viejo Tempranillo for Sipping and Socializing appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Robert Hall Winery’s Regenerative Organic Trial: A Summary and Wine Tasting
In 2021 Robert Hall Winery started an exciting vineyard trial intended to prove whether regenerative organic farming practices would succeed in the winery’s estate vineyard. Regenerative organic practices require organic farming as a baseline — requiring certified organic inputs and prohibiting the use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides. Additionally, it uses ground cover along with no-till in the vineyard and […] The post Robert Hall Winery’s Regenerative Organic Trial: A Summary and Wine Tasting appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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The New Cafe Beaujolais Cookbook: A Cookbook that Might Also Inspire a Trip to Mendocino
The New Cafe Beaujolais Cookbook is more than recipes. It also takes a nostalgic look back the history of Cafe Beaujolais, a restaurant that has been serving meals in the quaint village of Mendocino on California’s north coast since 1968. As you might expect, Cafe Beaujolais has had several owners over the years, but none did more to establish the […] The post The New Cafe Beaujolais Cookbook: A Cookbook that Might Also Inspire a Trip to Mendocino appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Affordable Tempranillo: Discovering 2018 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva
One of the many things I learned during weekly wine tastings at a local wine shop years ago is the pleasure of discovering a delicious wine for not very much money. It has become increasingly enjoyable as I have watched the price of some wine reach a crazy expensive level. The Tempranillo blend we’re tasting today definitely fits the delicious-wine-for-not-very-much-money […] The post Affordable Tempranillo: Discovering 2018 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Champagne Mandois Grande Réserve Rosé Brut Is the Celebration
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse for a glass of bubbly, assuming you need one to enjoy a glass of bubbles. What I enjoy most about traditional method sparkling wines is their freshness and acidity, relatively low ABV and of course those energetic bubbles. They are beautiful in your glass and pair with almost any kind of food from appetizers […] The post Champagne Mandois Grande Réserve Rosé Brut Is the Celebration appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Exploring Brancott’s Low ABV Sauvignon Blanc
We have posted two wine reviews during January this year, so clearly we did not participate in Dry January. We do have an appreciation for wines with lower alcohol, however, and it factors significantly in the wines we choose to drink. Some critics will say balance is more important than ABV and don’t list ABV in their reviews, but both […] The post Exploring Brancott’s Low ABV Sauvignon Blanc appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Late Release 2015: Artistry on the Label and in the Bottle
Our wine year is beginning in a delicious way with the tasting of a late release Sangiovese. Not just any Sangiovese, but a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano crafted responsibly by a winery that takes its social commitments as seriously as its commitment to biodiversity and healthy soils. And the Avignonesi Nobile di Montepulciano Late Release 2015 wine bottle label, and […] The post Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Late Release 2015: Artistry on the Label and in the Bottle appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Line 39 Wines: Sustainable Wines from O’Neill Vintners & Distillers
Today we’re tasting two wines made by O’Neill Vintners & Distillers. Line 39 is a value range of wines, both wines in our tasting today retail for $11, that carry the California appellation. We received both wines as tasting samples. The world’s major winemaking regions lie between 30° and 50° latitude north and south of the equator. This is where […] The post Line 39 Wines: Sustainable Wines from O’Neill Vintners & Distillers appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Discovering Stikky Wine: A Fun Guide to Wine Basics
It was my curiosity about the meaning of the book’s title, Stikky Wine, that led me to accept a copy for review. What did the title mean? Was it a book about sweet wines — stikky being a playful spelling of stickies, the Australian slang for sweet dessert wines? I doubted that. So what is Stikky Wine all about exactly? […] The post Discovering Stikky Wine: A Fun Guide to Wine Basics appeared first on Pull That Cork .
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Refresh Your Palate With a Glass of Smith-Madrone Riesling
During the crush of holidays that begin at Halloween and rush toward a celebration of the New Year, it can be a challenge to find time slow down and enjoy the season. A simple meal with a refreshing glass of wine on a quiet evening at home can be the perfect antidote to all that rushing around. Not that we […] The post Refresh Your Palate With a Glass of Smith-Madrone Riesling appeared first on Pull That Cork .