Wine Sediments

My experiences with sparkling wines have been limited, admittedly. There was the one from my youth of a bottle of pink bubbly that tasted like fizzy koolaid that made my eyes water and my teeth hurt.
It did nothing to quench my thirst, instead it gave me a wary and unnecessary adversion to ever wanting to […]

I hate the term “pink Champagne,” because pink is a fluffy, fun color and to me, Champagne — for all its festive overtones — represents serious sipping.
“Champagne rosé“  sounds much more sophisticated and is, of course, the only true form of  “pink champagne.”  Accept no imitations.
Yet there are, unfortunately, other ways to make champagne pink. One that […]

Really, it is! Rosé wines, a time underdog, now very cool, are living a period of transition: they are reaching more wine lovers and, overall, wine lovers like them. For example, American wine lovers are showing more and more interest for this kind of wine: and sales go up ( 40%). In particular the ones of […]

Welcome to Great Grape Tuesday! Summer is officially here so ice up the coolers, fire up the grill and get outside and have some fun! And there is no other refreshing wine during the heat of the day than a nicely chilled Rosé! Believe me, this wine is always at the top of my list […]

A slight change from the ‘norm’ for this edition of Great Grape Day - rather than a specific grape variety we are taking a look at that great spring time treat - Rosé wine.
The intention is not to provide comprehensive coverage of all things rosé, but rather for our happy band of writers to provide […]

Tonight’s wine tasting gives new meaning to the word “contrast”. On the table are two wines from Down Under: a Parri Estate and a Noble One Botrytis Semillon from De Bortoli. Both wines are 2004 vintages, both are 100% Semillon, and that’s about where the similarity ends.
First up is the Parri Estate (shown right harversting […]

I’ve never really liked Semillon.
I’m afraid I associate it, probably unfairly, with white Bordeaux blends which I just don’t appreciate. I’ll drink anything but presented with a white Bordeaux I’ll usually say “no thanks”.
I bought a decent one from a reputable wine merchant recently to rid myself of my bias but nothing has changed since […]

On first glance your high school science knowledge, coupled with a mistaken quick read, would make you think that Semillon is shorthand for half a million, just like I did. But no! In fact, it’s pronounced Semi-Yawn.
Which, frankly, when it comes to most white wines is what I start doing!
But I do happen to have […]

When the message came across from Andrew, informing us that this month’s “Great Grape” was going to be Semillon, my first thought was “Wha’?” Semi-yawn? What? I asked someone at my wine store, and they said, “Yes, it’s the main grape in Sauternes“. Sow turns? I admit — I still have a lot to learn.

Honestly, […]

When our editor Andrew informs us of the grape for Great Grape Day, I often shield my eyes. As the resident wine rookie, odds are I will have no idea what it is and usually won’t know if it’s red or white (a testament to Andrew’s ability to pick interesting and uncommon grapes). […]