Category Archives: USA

The time is right for a Californian Coup

Yesterday, the first day in the VinExpo 2016 calendar, marked the Asian debut of Premiere Napa Valley in preparation for the November auction with Christies Auction House. Hosted by Meiburg Wine Media, members of the press and media were treated to a sampling of nine previously released Premier Napa Valley auction wines. The Premiere Napa ValleyContinue reading “The time is right for a Californian Coup”

Low and slow – that’s how it’s done stateside

The popularity of American style barbeque has grown at lightning speed across Australia with restaurants, food-trucks, bars and competitions increasing in number at a rapid pace. From a small competition during the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in 2013 to the more than 15 different competitions taking place throughout 2016, Australians have most definitely embraced this low andContinue reading “Low and slow – that’s how it’s done stateside”

The Drinks Business: Melbourne Barbecue Festival

Rewritten for The Drinks Business 18 February 2015 We’re in Melbourne Australia at the inaugural Melbourne Barbecue Festival and the first Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s February 1 and the competitors who have been up all through the cold and wet night are gearing up for the finalContinue reading “The Drinks Business: Melbourne Barbecue Festival”

Ferrari Carano: Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County

Wine Tasted: Ferrari Carano Wines, Sonoma County, Fumé Blanc, 2013 At a recent tasting with my WSET Diploma group the 2013 Ferrari Carano Fumé Blanc was one of the wines in our lineup. With pro-Sauvignon Blanc and I-would-rather-have-anything-else drinkers in our group it was very interesting to find that the unanimous assessment was very favourableContinue reading “Ferrari Carano: Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County”

Burgundian or Oregondian?

Wines Tasted Domaine Serene, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay 2011 Domaine Serene, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay 2012 Domaine Serene, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Yamhill Cuvée Pinot Noir 2010 Domaine Serene, Willamette Valley, Oregon, Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir 2011 A pinot noir being described as Burgundian is always a bit of a double-edged sword when the wineContinue reading “Burgundian or Oregondian?”

Etude – A Study in the Art of Winemaking

Wines Tasted Etude, Pinot Gris, Carneros, 2012 Etude, Pinot Blanc, Carneros, 2011 Etude, Rosé, Carneros, 2012 Etude, Lyric Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, 2011 Etude, Carneros Estate, Pinot Noir, 2010 Etude, Heirloom Pinot Noir, 2010 Etude, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2009 Etude, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, 2009 Etude, a French word meaning study and usually applied toContinue reading “Etude – A Study in the Art of Winemaking”

Rosé Tasting – Wines from California and South Australia

Photo courtesy of Wine Folly Wines Tasted Charles Melton Wines, Rose of Virginia, Barossa, South Australia, 2013 Eponymous Wines, Rosé, Sonoma Valley, California, 2011 Rockford Wines, Alicante Bouchet, Barossa, South Australia, 2012 “A rosé gives a nod to beautifully casual moments” [1] is how Andrea Frost, author of the delightful Through A Sparkling Glass: AnContinue reading “Rosé Tasting – Wines from California and South Australia”