Category Archives: Red

Exploring Italy’s Alto Adige via Weingut Castelfeder

Posted on March 3, 2016 by

Notes from our 2013 trip to Alto Adige: We arrived in the Cortina village square at dusk after driving over the Brenner Pass in Austria and then down through the Alps, over Bozen (Bolzano). There was an old castle ruin … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Adige / Südtirol, Family-owned Estate, Grauvernatsch / Schiava Grigio, Kerner, Lagrein, Pinot Blanc / Bianco, Pinot Grigio | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Le Grand Sorbier’s dynamic Jean-Christophe Perraud

Posted on December 18, 2013 by

I discovered this guy’s wines last spring when I was in Europe buying wine & I love them. They are fresh, well-made wines at a price point hard to find in Burgundy. At 24, winemaker Jean-Christophe Perraud (pictured) produced his … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, Family-owned Estate, Pinot Noir | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weingut Prechtl in Austria’s Weinveirtel

Posted on September 22, 2013 by

I actually discovered Prechtl’s through word of mouth. I was at a big tasting in Germany in search of a Grüner Veltliner to import. Everything I tasted was delicious but expensive, so I kept asking other German winebuyers for tips … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Family-owned Estate, Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Wine, Weinviertel, Zweigelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pelassa 2012 Harvest

Posted on April 20, 2013 by

Enjoy these wonderful photos from the Pelassa family’s harvest this last fall in Piedmont: For more on the Pelassa family and their wines>

Posted in Arneis, Barbera, Family-owned Estate, Nebbiolo, Piedmont | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alpha Loire Domaines, an extensive line from France’s Loire Valley

Posted on November 11, 2012 by

I actually stumbled across this winery in Seattle at a Loire Valley tasting via a team of French sisters, who represent Alpha Loire in the international marketplace. The wines are just outstanding and even better for the price.  They have quite a large … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Loire Valley, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marqués de Montecierzo (Navarra, Spain)

Posted on November 11, 2012 by

I met this father/son team on my first wine buying trip to Europe in spring of 2011. We had some difficulty communicating as the father speaks no English and Joaquín, his son, has limited English (still better than my Spanish), … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Family-owned Estate, Navarra, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bodegas Tavera (Castilla La Mancha)

Posted on November 11, 2012 by

This wine is one of Julie’s favorites! With its medium body and earthy spiciness, this blend of Syrah & Tempranillo is an easy sipper, great with food or alone; just a wonderful little wine.  This winery is a family winery located in … Continue reading →

Posted in Castilla La Mancha, Family-owned Estate, Syrah, Tempranillo | Leave a comment