Category Archives: France

Great Values of 2017

This is a new feature I’ll probably do annually for The Washington Post, highlighting my favorite wines of the past year that I gave the “Great Value” designation. I’m deleting the store listings here, so it won’t be such a … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, Bargain Wines, California, Cheap Wine, France, Germany, Portugal, Rhône, Riesling, Spain, Wine, Zweigelt | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wednesday wine recommendations 12/13/2017

The holiday season is here, the month in which Americans buy the vast majority of sparkling wine sold in the United States. So throughout December, I will recommend a variety of bubblies from around the world, from good inexpensive fizz … Continue reading

Posted in Biodynamic, Champagne, France, Holidays, Italy, Natural Wine, Sparkling Wine, Washington Post | 1 Comment

Champagne Pannier Rosé Brut

Berries and roses, not whiskers on kittens; bubbles up noses, not warm woolen mittens. These are a few of my favorite things — in my glass! Champagne Pannier Brut Rosé NV, 12% abv, $48.

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Wednesday wine recommendations, 12/6/2017

This week’s recommendations include two delicious wines made from Semillon, a grape too often ignored by producers and consumers. Plus, we have an exotic white wine from Italy, an intriguing “natural” wine made of grenache from southern France, and an … Continue reading

Posted in Bargain Wines, Biodynamic, Champagne, France, Natural Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wednesday wine recommendations, 8/23/2017

Riesling can be one of the most thrilling wines. This week’s selections include a scintillating example from Alsace, made from organic grapes, plus a lovely Rhone red and an electric white from Sicily. For novelty, how about a tasty kosher … Continue reading

Posted in Alsace, France, Italy, Rhône, Riesling, Sparkling Wine, Washington Post, Wine | Tagged | Leave a comment

The resilience of Burgundy

Yesterday’s post on two wines from the Drouhin family reminded me of this article I wrote last year for The Washington Post, after visiting Frédéric Drouhin at the family caves in Beaune. I’ve never posted it here before, so ICYMI. Drouhin … Continue reading

Posted in Burgundy, France, Washington Post, Wine | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Wednesday wine recommendations, 8/2/2017

Here are some more wines for summer: An enjoyable sparkler to get the party started, two rosés to help set the patio mood, and a substantial red to wash down those hefty meats off your grill.   Le Clos des … Continue reading

Posted in Bargain Wines, France, Italy, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged | 1 Comment

Wednesday wine recommendations, 7/26/2017

Okay, so it’s actually Thursday, and deadlines and baseball intervened. But here are some wine recommendations to help you slake your summer thirst. Rosé of course, including a top-notch Sancerre and a fun one from Italy, plus three delicious whites – … Continue reading

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Almaviva: Chile’s grand opus turns 20

Almaviva is now 20 years old. This is the joint venture between Viña Concha y Toro, one of Chile’s largest wine companies, and Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, the parent company of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in Bordeaux. Almaviva was launched in … Continue reading

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Philippe Sereys de Rothschild Brings Business Savvy and Impish Humor to a Wine Empire

Bordeaux is transforming itself. Change was widely on display during Vinexpo, the biennial trade fair held this month at the city’s Parc des Expositions with satellite parties at chateaux throughout the Left and Right Banks. The visible changes were magnificent … Continue reading

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