Tag Archives: Pinot Noir

Austrian Wine: More Diverse Than You Think

Posted on December 29, 2012 by

Mention Austrian wine and  you might spark a discussion about Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt. These are the best known white and red grapes of Austria, respectively, and the country can legitimately claim them as “native” grapes. I’ve probably helped this … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, Travel, Wine, Zweigelt | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Touring Sonoma vineyards with Greg La Follette

Posted on April 23, 2012 by

During my visit to Sonoma County last month, I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon and evening with Greg La Follette, producer of acclaimed pinot noir and chardonnay from Sonoma and Mendocino counties. We trundled around the lower Sonoma … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Terroir, Washington Post, Wine | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Let Red Car take you for a ride along the Sonoma Coast

Posted on April 2, 2012 by

When I hear winemakers and others in the trade speak favorably of a winery, I’ve learned to take notice. So when in the first hours of my visit to Sonoma County last month, I heard several people mention Red Car … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Wine | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Hirsch Vineyards: Pinot Noir along the extreme Sonoma Coast

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

In Europe, winemakers are geologists, while in America they’re chemists. This generalization is as dangerous as any other, but it reflects an important difference in point of view between Old and New World winemaking. The distinction may be blurring, but … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Wine | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Bien Nacido – An Iconic American Vineyard

Posted on July 28, 2010 by

California does not have storied vineyards such as Clos de Vougeot or Romanee-Conti in Burgundy, Clos Ste. Hune in Alsace and Clos du Mesnil in Champagne. Certain vineyards, however, have performed superbly enough – if over decades rather than centuries … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, Biodynamic, California, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Terroir, Washington Post, Wine | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Two Voices of Pinot Noir

Posted on February 15, 2010 by

I suffered cognitive dissonance a few weeks ago over pinot noir. I lunched on Monday with Richard Sanford at his Alma Rosa Winery in Santa Barbara County over beef stew and his 2006 and 2007 La Encantada Vineyard pinot. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, California, Food and Drink, France, Organic, Pinot Noir, Terroir, Wine | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Whitcraft: Wickedly Good Pinot

Posted on August 26, 2009 by

Note to retailers and distributors in the DC area: If Alyssa Whitcraft phones, take the call.  Whitcraft is a graduate researcher and lecturer at the University of Maryland in College Park, specializing in satellite imagery and geography. In what little … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Noir | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Oregon Pinot Noir – Sustainably Good

Posted on August 12, 2009 by

Oregon pinot noir offers an ideal opportunity to explore the effects of terroir, as the state€™s main wine region, the Willamette (rhymes with €˜dammit€™) Valley features two main soil types, each with its own expression in the wine. I explore … Continue reading →

Posted in Bargain Wines, Biodynamic, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Sustainable, Terroir, Washington Post | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oregon Pinot at a Good Price

Posted on August 6, 2009 by

Oregon wineries are beginnng to feel the pinch of the recession. “Oregon has placed its sweet price point at about $35 to $45 a bottle,” according to Sam Tannahill, co-owner of Rex Hill Vineyard and co-creator of the popular A … Continue reading →

Posted in California, France, Pinot Noir | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

IPNC: Land or Hand?

Posted on July 30, 2009 by

Terroir predetermines the greatness of a wine. Or does it? Terroir is a romantic concept that appeals to wine lovers when the edges of the world get just a little blurry €“ right around that second glass of wine. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Pinot Noir, Terroir | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments