Wine Reviews, Recommedations & Ratings |
Need to find the right wine for the
right occasion? Vino! Wine Reviews will tell you what's good
to drink now and what will taste great many years from now,
courtesy
of our resident wine reviewer, Ronn
Wiegand. |
Perfect
Pinot Noirs for
Romantic Wine Lovers
Pinot Noir is considered as “the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic”. Pinot Noir distinctive aroma and flavor is irresistible. Its supple texture complements its complex and amazing character.
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reviews »
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Red
Wines for Winter from
South America
Nothing beats the cold winter blues than a bottle of red wine. In this month’s review, we will feature red wines that could warm your weary bones and gloomy moods. Ten wine recommendations are presented you to from Chile and Argentina. These wines are of varying styles and varietals. A number of them are also moderately priced, definitely of great value.
Note: The wines are listed in approximate order of their flavor and weight intensity- from lighter to fuller.
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Wines
for Gift-Giving, Holiday Entertaining
Holiday gift giving always poses a great challenge for people to buy the most appropriate present to give friends or business partners. Wines, during this festive season are always appreciated. Wine plays a significant part in gift-giving, as well as, entertaining. This month, we will feature more pricey and special wines. We have three excellent New Zealand Gewürztraminers, four California Merlots of 2004 vintage, and five Pinot Noirs from California. These Pinots are finer and richer than the 2004 vintages.
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Low-Oak
White Wines for the Holidays, Under $30
Aside from festivities and fun, holiday also spells expenses of various sorts. There is the gift-giving, banquets, decorations and entertaining. In this article, I will feature great-value wines of exemplary quality but of reasonable price. We have a whole gamut of refreshing white wines that perfectly accompany holiday meals. We have unoaked and modestly oaked wines of various grape varieties, mainly from California and Washington.
The wines are listed in increasing order- from the lighter to the fuller in weight and flavor.
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Dry
Rosé Wines Perfect for Autumn Holidays
Known as either blush, rosé, rosato or plain pink. Dry Rosé is midway between the red and white wine. This crossover wine as they coined it will be the focus of this month’s article. They are not your typical sweet rose. They possess distinct dry and crisp quality, even with residual sugar contained in them.
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Paul
Hobbs Chardonnay &
2004 California Cabernet
2004 marks exemplary quality and excellence for the California Cabernet Sauvignon vintages. The wines possess remarkable potentiality, tasteful color and texture, soft tannins, and balance. This month, I will feature the best 2004 vintages that are currently available in the market. We have three Paul Hobbs Chardonnays, as well as, a number of Cabernet from various vineyards and wineries in California.
Note: The wines are listed in approximate order of their flavor and weight intensity- from lighter to fuller
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Pinot
Noirs & Merlots Drinkable Now
Merlot is the most darling of the wine varietals. It is soft and moderately textured. Merlots are so easy to enjoy and drink. This month, I will feature an engaging selection of drinkable red wines which include top value California Merlots, and Pinot Noir from California and Oregon. Note: The wines are listed in approximate order of their flavor and weight intensity- from lighter to fuller |
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Excellent 2005 Vintage California Chardonnay
The weather is warm and vibrant. The surrounding is bursting in colors and life. This month, I will feature excellent 2005 California Chardonnay that matches the distinctive quality and beauty of July. The wines featured a broad range of selection spanning from various geographical regions of style, origin, price points and brands.
Note: The wines are listed in approximate order of their flavor and weight intensity- from lighter to fuller |
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Zinfandels for Barbecue Season
Zinfandel entices you with its bountiful flavors and styles. Sometimes sweet, soft, other times spicy and intense, Zinfandel is malleable and utterly versatile. As we approach yet another summer season, it is best that we examine wines that go marvelously well with our meals. This month, I will feature an exciting batch of 2004 Zinfandel California vintages.
2004’s weather condition allowed Zinfandel to ripen fully, thus the distinctive ripe blackberry, boysenberry, cherry, and plum character. Most of the Zinfandels featured below are quite full-bodied, full-flavored and warm.
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New
Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand is excelling in its wine-making industries. Their wines possess distinctive combination of fruity flavor, earthy undertones, crisp acidity, and vibrant tastes. The New Zealand wines possess intense varietal character and refreshing acidity. This month we will feature distinctive, high quality Sauvignon Blanc, three Pinot Gris, two Riesling, and a Chardonnay |
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Italian & German Whites, Red Bordeux Wine
This month, we will feature European white wines from Italy and Germany, including moderately priced Bordeaux. The 2005 vintages from Europe are of excellent quality. Equally amazing are the white and red variety. They are well-balanced and intensely flavored. In comparison to other wines, the 2005 European vintages are more open and finely textured. They possess an integrated and supple quality.
The 2003 vintages, on the other hand, are extremely magnetic, warm and rich. The Bordeaux, with its full-flavored quality also yielded positive results. |
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Top Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio & Pinot Noir
March is our official Pinot Noir month. We will features amazing value Pinot- red and white. Pinot Gris, the white variety of Pinot Noir is a product of a mutation that occurred centuries ago. It subsequently propagated an independent variety of its own. It popularity increased over the years, and many more exciting versions were developed in the far western countries.
The red Pinot Noir established itself as one of the noblest varietals. It faired extremely well with in California and Oregon. In this month’s review, we have a number of Pinot Noirs recommended from the 2004 vintages. |
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Flavorful,
Romantic Wines for St. Valentine's Day
With all the spending and celebrations you would probably be doing this Month of Love. I will be recommending wines that are easy on the palate and your budget. This February, the wines we will be featuring are quite intense in aromas and flavors. We have two Rieslings, two Roses and nine Zinfandels. To get the most of your wine enjoyment, I recommend that you drink the following wines side –by-side for comparisons |
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Domestic Budget
Wines that Won't Break the Bank
Your savings have depleted with all the shindigs you have hosted in holiday season. But alas, there are many more celebrations on your list. This month, I will feature quality wines not over $20 per bottle. There are numerous top value wines available out there; it only takes a clever eye and adequate knowledge on vintages to spot the excellent ones.
This month, we will feature excellent wines from the United States. We have four Pinot Gris/Grigios, 3 Sauvignon Blanc and 4 Merlots. |
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A Range of Red Wines for Holiday Occasions
Before I begin, I just want to greet you all first a “Happy Holiday!” In this special season marked by adamant snowfall and gift-giving, I will feature wines of fuller body and distinctive intensity. Below are some of the red wines you might want to enjoy along with your scrumptious winter meals. For your convenience, I have provided wines of varying price, style and producers that would definitely match your discriminating tastes.
We feature 2001 vintages which are firm and structured; 2002 with its softer and fruity quality; and 2003 vintages of leaner and excellent kind. |
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High-Caliber Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Wine
The holiday season calls for wine of higher caliber. Thus, this month we will focus on some truly outstanding wines that are somewhat pricier than my usual recommendations. For most of us, they are special occasion wines that help the occasion be much more festive.
To get the most of the wine tasting recommendations, I suggest that we compare two wines from the same varietal at the same time. You might like to compare: |
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Variety of Red Wines for Autumn
Autumn is the best season to drink red wines. Thus in this month’s article we will feature wide variety of reds from several regions, wine types and prices. To get the most of your wine enjoyment experience, you might want to try these wines side-by-side. Examine too the more complex depth and flavor of Andeluna Merlot. |
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Excellent
Chardonnays Under $30
Chardonnay Galore! This month, we will feature some of the best Chardonnay vailable on the market. I have already tasted some of them, and would proudly recommend some 2004 vintages. All of the wines are of exemplary quality and excellent value. To make the most of your drinking experience, I recommend you drink the following wines side–by-side for comparisons.
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2004
Vintage California Chardonnays
2004 marks the year for great California Chardonnays. The vintages are exceptionally excellent, fruity and well-balanced. The 2004 Chardonnays also are somewhat more appealing than the 2003 wines. It is then such a great opportunity for us to buy 2004 vintages, because their texture, aroma and flavor have just fleshed out. To get the most of your wine drinking experience, taste and compare two examples of the wines below. Be observant of their distinguishing characteristics and texture. |
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White
Wines from Italy & California
Italian wines have indeed improved substantially over the recent years. They now possess such distinguishing depth and character, without being too heavy or rich. This month, I will feature wines of exemplary quality, price range, varietals and styles. Also included are Unites States Sauvignon Blancs.
This wine varietal is characterized by its zesty, pungent style of New Zealand origin. It contains slightly higher acidity and more aromatic intensity accentuated with a distinctive citrus and earthy overtones.
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Summertime
New Zealand Whites
“Summertime New Zealand whites” is the theme this June. I have long enjoyed the numerous varietals of New Zealand wines- from racy Sauvignon Blancs, excellent Chardonnays, satisfying Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminers, etc. Sales of New Zealand wines also faired higher than its United States counterpart.
This is partly because of the introduction of moderately priced version of The Jibe and Monkey Bay. Their undeniable presence helped in establishing the awareness of New Zealand wines. |
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Italian
Whites & the "Thunder Down Under"
May spells pleasant sunshine, gentle wind and refreshing Northern Italian wines. This beautiful month of May, I will feature exciting 2004 Italian vintage wines that will be absolutely perfect in these warm days. Australian Shirazs of various price ranges are also included in this article. Shirazs are coined as “the thunder from Down Under” because of its unique trait of being the wine that drinkers mostly identify with Australia. |
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Sideways Movie-Inspired Pinot Noir
Sideways altered the course of wine history. It brought about a phenomenal change in the situation of the industry. After the airing of the movie, there has been a significant rise in the sale of Pinot Noir in United States, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Merlot’s sale also dropped by 2% in relation to Pinot Noir. Such statistical observation does not denote that Pinot Noir was not already renowned to various wine drinkers. It only showed that through the positive reactions and comments expressed by the main character to this particular wine varietals, potential new customers started seeing Pinot Noir in a different light. |
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Thrifty
Red Wines from California, Washington
The tax season is upon us. It is once again time to account our savings and expenses; and pay-off our due. This month I will be featuring a broad range of good value wines from California and Washington. All these wines can be purchased for $18 or under per bottle. We have four Merlots, four Pinot Noir and four Zinfandels.
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Good
Values in California Chardonnay
I am continuously impressed by the quality of California Chardonnay. They feature distinctive texture and suppleness that is equally appealing and exciting. This month, I will introduce you a broad range of 2004 that possess impressive character and well-balanced structure. |
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Pinot
Noirs from California & Oregon
Nothing equals Pinot Noir in bringing the festive feel in this cold month. I predict that 2006 will be a great year for wine-drinkers and lovers. Each year, new and better wines are being released in the market. Consumers then can choose between the wide array of wines of differing flavor and varietals. This January, I will feature 2003 Pinot Noirs from California and Oregon. These wines belong to a range of styles and prices. |
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