Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
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    • About Patricia Decker
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Misha's Vineyard, Central Otego, Courtesy of New Zealand Wine
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Courtesy of New Zealand Wine
When you think of New Zealand wine, Sauvignon Blanc mostly likely comes to mind.  But Kiwi winemakers are branching out, expanding the types of wines they make while exploring their vineyard possibilities.  Renowned for their intensely pure and vibrant wines, New Zealand’s cooler temperatures allow for flavor development and fresh acidity, producing wines that resonate in the glass.
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Giesen Vineyards in Marlborough, Courtesy of New Zealand Wine
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Wither Hills Vineyards, Marlborough, Courtesy of New Zealand Wine
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Supernatural Vineyards in Hawkes Bay, Courtesy of New Zealand Wines
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Yealands Estate fruit, Marlborough, Courtesy of New Zealand Wine
New Zealand is made up of two islands.  The South Island, the more famous one, with its cooler climate and combination of soils, is the perfect cradle for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.  The North Island, warmer and with more sunshine, is perfectly positioned for red wines, such as Syrah and Malbec, but excels with Bordeaux blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
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“New Zealand in a Glass”, sponsored by New Zealand Wine, brought twelve wineries from five regions to Los Angeles last October, a chance to taste this expansion of wine styles and varietals.  Sparkling, rosé, and Pinot Gris wines are delightful newcomers to the world of Sauvignon Blanc, while Sauvignon wines are being re-invented with more texture and oak aging.  Here are a few of my favorites.
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Kevin Judd of Greywacke Wines
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Greywacke blew me away with a lineup of fantastic wines, some of which pushed the envelope to a delicious level, and provide quite the bang for the buck.  Kevin Judd is one of the most respected winemakers in New Zealand.  He developed Greywacke over a decade ago in the Marlborough region, after an illustrious career as one of the founders of the iconic Cloudy Bay label.  Free to experiment, Judd has embraced a layered, savory approach through wild yeast fermentation, time on the lees and oak barrel aging, which gives texture to the wines.  The most fascinating example of this is the Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough wine (SRP $29), opulent and complex in its lush bouquet and full-flavored palate, highlighted with herbal notes.  It’s hard to imagine a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that is so different from the laser precise style that they are known for, but the rich, creamy yet chalky texture and long savory finish are hauntingly beautiful.  The regular Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $23) is vivid and mineral, but balanced with a stone fruit character that concentrates the aromas and provides a juiciness to the alternatively crisp flinty finish.  This wild yeast, barrel-fermented thread is carried through the Greywacke Chardonnay (SRP $39), Pinot Gris (SRP$25), and Pinot Noir (SRP $39), smoky, savory, layered wines that are true to their varietal flavors but so much more in their balance and structure.  Greywacke wines are exciting, small production, artisanal wines made with lower yielding wine grape clones, truly something special in Judd’s new signature style and very affordable for their quality.
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(L-R) Chandler Parker and Kateland Carr of Mahana Estates
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Mahana is focused on the “pursuit of texture”, wine that is part of the fabric of life, yet distinctive of its terroir.  To this end, their wines are made from organically grown vineyards, dry-farmed, all crafted with skin contact, wild ferment and oak barrel aging, which imparts a natural structure without intervention.  Quite a mouthful but something that owners Glenn Schaeffer and Chandler Parker are passionate about, building a state-of-the-art winery and wine destination in the Nelson region of New Zealand’s South Island.   An unique touch, carbonic maceration, is done with the Mahana Davey’s Lease Sauvignon Blanc Nelson 2015 and Mahana Carbonique Pinot Noir Rosé Nelson 2016 (both SRP $42), and gives a perfumed character to the wine, and interesting mouthfeel.  The Mahana Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $30) is textured and balanced, a beautiful food wine that is round and approachable on its own.  The Cornelia’s Nine and Wooly’s Corner Pinot Noir Nelson 2014 (SRP $65) exhibited power and structure, a reflection of three distinctive blocks within a single vineyard and 60% whole cluster fermentation, adding that carbonic touch to the wine.  A decadent, earthy, velvety wine, rich with cherry and mocha, this is a standout.
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Maria Bonavita of Villa Maria
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Villa Maria is perhaps the best known New Zealand winery, in business for over 50 years and winning awards, all the while concentrating on quality not quantity.  Sir George Fistonich is committed to organic and sustainable wine growing, which seems to translate into the many wonderful wines that I tasted.  The Villa Maria Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2017 (SRP $15) is fresh and vibrant, lightly sparkling similar to frizzante in Italian wines, with lime and grapefruit aromas, perfect for an aperitif or seafood.  The Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (SRP $18) is an excellent value, a juicy pure expression of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, aromatic with passionfruit, lime, and gooseberry, made more textured and powerful by spending time on the lees.  The Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Chardonnay (SRP $45) is elegant, with a delicate nose of citrus, mineral and smoke, and a complex, layered palate.  A fantastic Merlot rosé, the Villa Maria Private Bin Hawkes Bay Rosé 2016 (SRP $14) is fragrant with strawberry, guava, and rose petals, intensely flavorful and rich, yet dry.  The Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 (SRP $18) is very good for the price, fruit-driven yet elegant, with red fruit and spice notes, a very savory wine in total.
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Trinity Hill is a great producer from the North Island, renowned for their red wines but also an excellent producer of Sauvignon Blanc.  Elegant style and intensity of flavor are what Trinity Hill wines are all about.  Balanced, precise, and imminently drinkable, their wines distinguish themselves as a reflection of their superior vineyard sites in Hawkes Bay.  Very good wine for great value can be found in the entry level Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, both SRP $18.  The Trinity Hill Sauvignon Blanc Hawkes Bay 2015 is graceful, with citrus, lemongrass, and stonefruit notes, balanced with fresh acidity,  minerality and texture that frames the finish.  The Trinity Hill Pinot Noir Hawkes Bay 2015 is fresh red fruit and spice, with a hint of earth and forest floor, superb for this price point.  Their Trinity Hill “The Gimblett” Gimblett Gravels 2014 (SRP $28), a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, is complex and dense, with blackberry and red fruit, floral notes, and dried herbs.  And the Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah (SRP $28) is savory, with raspberry and blueberry fruit, pepper spice and vanilla bean, a powerful and balanced wine.
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Tohu Winery, Courtesy of Tohu Wines
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KAPA HAKA, a special Maori presentation that is traditionally done before going into battle, accompanied the New Zealand in a Glass wine tasting at the Wine House
Tohu is the first Mãori-owned wine company in the world.  The label reflects their heritage, the Koru spiral symbol stands for growth, life and the natural world, and in this vein, Tohu is in winemaking for the long term, with sustainable winegrowing, respect for the land, and a look to the future being primary objectives.  The carved typeface of the Tohu name is a tribute to the Mãori tradition of carving.  Their winemaking philosophy is centered on capturing a place and time, as each vintage and vineyard is different.  Producing wines for twenty years, Tohu is just beginning to discover the potential of their Marlborough Awatere Valley vineyards.  Cooler and drier with a longer growing season than the rest of Marlborough, their fruit is more intense in the glass, with the single vineyard wines very good for the price, the Tohu Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (SRP $15) and Tohu Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Marlborough (SRP $23).  Tohu also sources grapes from other regions to make a diverse collection of wine, from Riesling to Syrah.
Other highlights:
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Under the Vinultra umbrella, which includes Little Beauty and Pounamu, Little Beauty is the upper tier.
Little Beauty Pinot Gris Southern Valleys Marlborough (SRP $23)
​Little Beauty Pinot Noir Southern Valleys Marlborough (SRP $3


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Loveblock Pinot Gris Marlborough 2014 (SRP $22)
Mud House Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2016 (SRP $13)
​Mud House Pinot Noir Central Otego 2015 (SRP $15)
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Kevin Joyce of Toi Toi Wines
Toi Toi Sauvignon Blanc Reserve Marlborough 2017 (SRP $19)
​Toi Toi Pinot Noir Clutha Central Otego 2014 (SRP $23)
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Yealands Estate Vineyards, Marlborough, Courtesy of New Zealand Wine
Innovative, committed to quality, and value-oriented, New Zealand wines are exploring new wine frontiers, adding a different dimension to their wine portfolios.  Surging beyond Sauvignon Blanc, producers are riding the wave of New Zealand wines breaking upon our shores.