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Chasing history on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Earlier this month, as some 300 wine writers and industry folk convened in Corning, NY for the annual Wine Bloggers Conference, we were greeted by an overwhelmingly friendly, hometown, local wine culture of the Finger Lakes. The people of Corning, and the surrounding towns which

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Montefalco Sagrantino: Umbria’s Secret Sultry Sipper

Nello Olivio Wines in El Dorado County   The Sagrantino grape, considered the region’s most important indigenous variety, is often used in blends and it is believed to have been cultivated since at medieval times. Here in Italy, where the laws are strict, the yield

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Cabernet Franc

Focus on Finger Lakes: Cabernet Franc Five Ways

It’s no secret that the Finger Lakes region of New York has long been known for its Riesling and aromatic white wines, but do you know about the Cabernet Franc? While well known for aromatic whites and in particular, Riesling, the Finger Lakes also produces

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Wines of Alsace – beauty in diversity

When I think of the wines of Alsace, my mind immediately wanders to the sparkling Cremant d’Alsace, an amazingly affordable priced bubbly.  Then, I meander to the aromatic whites of Gewurztraminer and Riesling, before setting on the classic Pinot Gris.  With so much diversity in style, even

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Tilenus – Excellence in the lost art of Mencia

From one end of Spain to the other, the #OleWinos continuing adventures took us across the country – by trains, planes, and automobiles – to Bierzo, a small town in the wine region of Mencia.   Actually, there were no planes on this adventure, but

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Sierra Salinas

Bodegas Sierra Salinas – Discover the Magic of Monastrell!

Bodegas Sierra Salinas was founded in the year 2000, by the longtime viticultural family Castano.   Here, old vineyards were revitalized, in this corner of southern Spain tucked between Alicante and Murcia.   Sierra Salinas is committed to making artistically expressive Monastrell, the classic, dark grape

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On the origins of Claret – A primer on Bordeaux

If you’re a fan of the period piece Downtown Abbey as I am, you are no doubt experiencing withdrawal symptoms now that they are on hiatus for the rest of the year.  Yet, I am always enthralled at the ritual involved when the wine is selected

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