Volume XXVI – Issue 2

Nonvintage Plan Pégau par Laurence Feraud, Estate Bottled ($20): This quite rustic Rhône red wine, a blend of Granache, Syrah, and several other local varieties, is the product of a fine producer who rarely bottles it with a vintage date. Instead, t… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may … Continue reading “Wine of the Week”

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 2020 Babich Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($13 FULL SRP; see below)—This fine producer of excellent red and white wines is located in Hawkes Bay on New Zealand’s north island. Recently, when NZ Sauvignon Blanc was becoming very popular in the United… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Bargain of the Week”

By Dan Berger If the grape variety is the heart of a wine, then acid is its soul. From a historic viewpoint, balanced wines are considered to be the greatest achievements in the realm of enology — and we can ignore the last 30 years of “bigge… Want to read more? If you’re already a … Continue reading “Acid: The Soul of Wine”

When a newcomer tastes a wine that someone just gave 98 points to, often it is a wine that also likely sells for an outrageous sum of money. Invariably the wine (especially if it’s from California) is soft, plush,  succulent, and lower in acidity th… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading “More than One Kind of Acid”

A few weeks ago I tasted several wines that were being released by Bill Davies, the son of Jack and Jamie, who owned Napa’s Schramsberg, a superb sparkling wine house. And as he grew up as a child, and later on into his earlier years at the property… Want to read more? If you’re already … Continue reading “Acid Returns”

 Within the last two weeks, the world lost two of the most important figures in California’s wine history when Jim Clendenen and Dr. David Bruce both passed away.  Clendenen was 68, Bruce was 90. These two men were iconic figures in the w… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you … Continue reading “Two Huge Losses”

(The following article appeared in The Los Angeles Times in late 1992 and is reprinted here verbatim.) By Dan Berger Los Angeles Times Wine Columnist SANTA MARIA — The scientists at almost any major enology school would cringe if … Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t … Continue reading “A Look Back: 1992”

Most buyers of Italian wines who are prepared to spend a little bit more than the average modest $6 Pinot Grigio or $7 Chianti are more conversant with the better wines of Italy and are primarily love the red wines a lot more than the whites. How… Want to read more? If you’re already a … Continue reading “Italian Whites: Sales Soar”

Stock Up On NZ Wines New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc has been an exceptionally good go-to option for white wine sippers who love not only good value but refreshing, slightly sweet wines that can take a serious chilling. Now, however, it is time for … Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – … Continue reading “Tips”