chardonnay

As the days start to be sunnier and the nights begin later and later every day, I start to long for the things that say 'spring' to me, like asparagus, apricots, and sandals.  And after months of craving nothing but Cabernet and Pinot Noir, I start to want something different: something light enough to remind me of the sun, and...

The Easter Bunny is hopping our way, bringing with him (or is it her?) eggs, chocolates, and of course, a big Easter feast. Whether you view Easter as a meaningful religious event, the day that frees you from your Lenten sacrifice, or simply as a time to get together with family and friends and celebrate springtime, Easter always involves a...

Summer's here and that means grilling season.  When the summer days mean it's too stifling to cook over a hot stove, I loveto take the kitchen prep outside and cook as much as I can over the open flame.  Not only does it keep the house cool, grilling outside lets me enjoy the warm summer evenings, and offers the delicious...

Some VERY old bottles. Let's hope they have what it takes to open up well! Aging a bottle of wine has a very distinct, qualitative effect on the contents. But it's a very unpredictable effect. This leaves wine aficionados in a rough place--you don't want to spend the time and the money aging a nice bottle of wine, only to open...

It's that time of year: the leaves are changing and we've traded t-shirts for sweaters and scarves.  Soon, we'll settle in for a long winter's nap.  But what to drink in the meantime? Sure, there are the rich, deep reds that warm you from the soul, like Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.  These are the quintessential wines of fall.  But...

There's nothing wrong with picking a wine or two that will please all your guests and complement your full buffet of Thanksgiving dishes.  In fact, if that's your style, we have two posts for you: one on great Thanksgiving wines, and one on Beaujolais Nouveau. But if you're more of the adventurous type when it comes to wine, you might...

I'm always on the hunt for a great Chardonnay.  And I have to admit that I'm especially drawn to creamy, buttery Chards.  You can't drink Cabernet Sauvignon all winter, and sometimes the smooth decadence of a good Chardonnay hits the spot perfectly.  And as always, when I drink a nice wine, the first thing I want to do is share...

2545 Cellars Chardonnay 2009 Although I don’t usually keep Chardonnay on hand in my home, I decided to try a bottle of 2545 Cellars Chardonnay 2009 this weekend.  Though not a frequent Chardonnay drinker, I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful wine.  In fact, this is one of the better Chards I’ve had in the past few years.  The nose is...

Wine and cheese platters are customarily a part of many people’s celebrations. But choosing the right cheese to accompany your wine of choice, or vice versa, is not always easy. And just as serving wine at an improper temperature can bring out its worst, serving a badly-paired cheese will also impair the taste of a wine. That said, here are...

We’re often told what wines go well with certain food items, but we rarely discuss which wines and foods don’t mix well.  Here's a few "don'ts" Though a Chardonnay pairs well with chicken, salmon, and creamy sauces, it fails to delight when sipped with hot, spicy foods!   Even a good bottle of Pinot Noir can become offensive when served...

Here’s a simple and delicious clam sauce recipe that's perfect for pasta, and perfect for the fall.  You’ll need: 2 Tbsp. Butter 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil (Extra Virgin is usually best) 1 1/2 Tsp. Fresh, Minced Garlic 1/2 Cup Chardonnay 1 Pinch Salt 1 Pinch Black Pepper 8 to 12 Fresh Clams in Shells (or a can of baby clams...

Dreaming Tree...  That's a song title, right?  Actually, it’s the product of Dave Matthews’ musical mind, along with winemaker Steve Reeder’s wine talents.  When Matthews was performing at Robert Mondavi Winery, Steve Reeder was there and conversing with representatives from Constellation wine brand.  Ideas centering around the perfect union of wine, food, and music were flowing, and someone asked...

Oakiness: you read about this quality on some wine bottles, along with acidity, tannins, and sweetness. How long a wine ferments in oak barrels does impact its taste, nose, and texture, but a lot of winemakers don’t like to discuss this part of the aging process.  In recent years, they've become afraid people will jump to conclusions that their wines...

With Christmas and other holidays fast approaching, stores are packed with last-minute shoppers.  If you are among them, consider giving a loved one something very special this season: a basket of assorted wines.  Unlike socks, ties, and bolder clothing items that can be gambles (and unlike gift cards which, according to recent statistics, are rarely used in full), wine...

We're the first to admit we love an interesting innovation in the wine world. Wine is full of tradition and history, and that's great! We love old-world styled wine cabinets and stone-trimmed cellars, but there's also a place for fun, modern things like sideways wine racks and this interesting new concept for packaging. Currently a California phenomenon, this curious, creative...

Easter is a time to celebrate with family and friends.  When meals are involved, the focus is often on a roasted ham or a nice leg of lamb.  But what wines go best with these dishes?  After all, hams are often prepared with a variety of glazes, aren't they?  Read on! No matter how sweet your ham’s glaze may be...

Photo credit: Le Grande Farmers' Market, Flickr. The hottest summer months are upon us. Rather than wishing for fall,why not embrace this time of year with the best produce of the season--and wines to match? Here are some top picks for summer wine pairings. Corn and Chardonnay Nothing says summer like sweet, tender ears of corn from the local farmstand...