There’s so much more to French sparkling wine than just Champagne. Sparkling wine is produced all over France using the same traditional method (and often same grapes) as Champagne. Called Crémant, the sparkling wine can be of the same high quality as Champagne, though typically costing much less. Click here for Champagne facts and figures […]
AG Picks
AG Pick: Jaillance Cuvee de l’Abbaye Cremant de Bordeaux
If you love French sparkling wine but are turned off by the high price of Champagne, make Crémant your celebratory bubbly. Crémant is the name for the sparkling wine produced in France outside of the Champagne region. Made in the same method as Champagne but typically costing much less, Crémant is the perfect blend of […]
A Trio of Ravenswood Zinfandel — Great Pairing for Your Holiday Meal
Zinfandel makes a great pairing with holiday meals. Flavors that range from bright and fruity to dark and spicy make Zinfandel an extremely food-friendly red wine, whether you’re serving turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables or beyond. If your holiday get together also includes a variety of tastes when it comes to wine, Ravenswood has […]
AG Pick: Craggy Range Chardonnay 2010
With all the attention paid to New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc it may be easy to overlook the country’s Chardonnay. While Craggy Range Vineyards produces lovely Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay should not be missed. Refreshing acidity, pleasing minerality and just the slightest touch of oak make the 2010 Craggy Range Chardonnay reminiscent of its French counterpart. […]
AG Pick: Filus Torrontes 2010
Taking a sniff of Torrontes can be like sticking your nose in a bouquet of flowers. The grape produces white wine that is fresh, floral and aromatic. Just as Malbec is the red wine grape of Argentina, think of Torrontes as the white wine grape of the South American country. If you need a touch […]
AG Pick: Quivira Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2009
It may seem odd that a winery would use its foe as label art, but Quivira has done just that. The animal pictured is one of the Dry Creek Valley’s wild pigs, a cross of the Russian boars and Italian pigs that were brought to the United States in the 1800s. Though seemingly cute and […]
AG Pick: Dark Lady Pinotage 2010
Pinotage, whether it deserves it or not, is one of the most notorious New World grapes. Those who have tasted this South African red wine either love it or hate it, with many American wine drinkers falling into the latter category. South Africa’s signature varietal, Pinotage was created in the 1920s by crossing Pinot Noir […]
AG Pick: Waterstone Study in Blue 2007
When trying to describe the fruit flavors in a red wine it may help to start with identifying the color that best matches the taste. You might think of a lighter bodied wine like Pinot Noir as being “red,” and from there say it has red fruit flavors of cherries, strawberries or raspberries. A medium […]
AG Pick: HB Picpoul de Pinet 2010
As the summer nears its end (at least according to the calendar), the lingering hot temperatures call for white wine. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing white to enjoy outdoors or want something to drink with lobster or other shellfish, the HB (Hugues Beaulieu) Picpoul de Pinet 2010 from La Cave de Pomerols is the […]
AG Pick: Antica Napa Valley 2009 Estate Chardonnay
The finesse of Italian tradition and the high quality of Napa Valley come together in the elegant Antica Napa Valley 2009 Estate Chardonnay. The name is a combination of Antinori and California, the former being one of the most well-known wine families and companies in Italy. The Antinori family has a history of winemaking that […]