No Joshin’ –there’s a Josh behind these wines

10468204_10152169319010924_8613646936386690334_nIn time for Father’s Day are some notes about three wines from Joseph Carr’s second label, Josh Cellars: 2012 Chardonnay, 2012 Pinot Noir, and the 2012 Legacy, a red blend.

This is no ordinary second label–the name “Josh” comes from his dad, and the wine shows substantial respect for this “legacy.” Joseph Carr created the label in honor of his dad, Josh with varietals to embody his spirit: “Bold and expressive, but unassuming and approachable – it’s funny how these characteristics remind me of someone I knew. It’s a wine I made for family, friends, and a man I called dad.” Continue reading →

#VerdejoDay Thursday June 12

verdejoday2014ver021What’s the most popular white wine in Spain?

Chardonnay? NO! Sauvignon Blanc? NO! Reisling? NO! Alabarino? NO!

Verdejo? SI!

According to Rueda.com, VERDEJO is Spain’s favorite white wine and yet it’s  one that most Americans don’t know,  may never have tasted, and don’t know how to pronounce.

And yes, the folks at Rueda are probably a bit prejudiced because Verdejo is the indigenous grape to that region of Spain.

Just in time for summer patio parties, Thursday June 12 is ideal for an introduction to this crisp, food friendly, minerally white wine from Spain because it is the first Verdejo Day.

I pride myself on having a little bit of everything in my cellar but I have to admit this while I have Portugal’s popular vinho verde in the house,  I will have to find a store that has some Verdejo in order to taste, toast and tweet about it.

Or I could attend one of these fun events–and one is even conveniently located about an hour away in LA! Here’s a link to a 40% coupon to attend #VerdejoDay in LA (no that’s not an affiliate link–not making a cent and not even been offered a ticket!)

What do you know Verdejo? What will you be drinking for #VerdejoDay on Thursday?

 

 

 

Mark Your Calendars: Ojai Wine Festival 6/8 and VC Wine Trail Celebration 6/19

734907_10152416989915582_1910459839_nIf you missed out on last weekend’s LA Wine Fest or Ventura County’s fundraiser for Casa Pacifica, no worries, there are plenty more wine festivals as well as concerts, BBQs and many other events to come this June and throughout the summer!

Plan now to attend Sunday’s  28th annual Ojai Wine Festival and mark your calendars for the 7th annual Ventura County Wine Trail Celebration Thursday, June 19 from 5:30-8pm. Better yet, get your tickets now because as I reported here last year, it sells out–and here’s why!

First, coming up this Sunday June 8th from noon-4pm is the 28th Annual Ojai Wine Festival. Located  on the shores of Lake Casitas  Continue reading →

LAWineFest 2014 Hits Hollywood May 31 and June 1

New LAWF logoIf you’re in the LA area, and you love wine and food, I bet I know where you will be this weekend! Continue reading →

#ChardonnayDay 2014: Th. May 22

So I was mistaken in my #SauvBlanc Day post in saying that Chardonnay Day–that day to celebrate wine made from Chardonnay grapes– is the last Thursday in May when in actuality it is the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend which this year is actually NOT the last Thursday but this Thursday May 22. Continue reading →

How To Celebrate #SauvBlanc Day Friday May 16, 2014

downloadHot on the heels of last month’s Malbec Day and with Chardonnay Day on the last Thursday in May breathing down its neck, in the year long parade of days set aside to celebrate particular wines, Sauvignon Blanc Day is coming up on Friday, May 16, 2013.
Want to participate? Using the hashtag of #SauvBlanc and with the possibility to stir up a lively debate about the different styles of #SauvBlanc or at least the consumption of them, it’s easy. All you need to do is:

Continue reading →

Red and White Wine With a #RiojaBuzz

When you think of wine from Rioja, Spain, you think red, right? and then maybe tempranillo?

But there is more to Rioja than red wine or tempranillo (even if tempranillo is over 75% of the region’s planted grapes!)

220px-DOCa_Rioja_location.svgIn fact, this wine growing region in northern Spain boasts white wines–and some tasty affordable white wines at that!

A few weeks ago,  Que Syrah Sue and I participated in #riojabuzz where we tasted a $15 white wine from Rioja,  the 2013 Cune Monopole and a $25 bottle of red wine from Rioja, a 2004 Tempranillo Gran Reserva. Both were delightful and a good value. Still in the Rioja mood, a few days later, I opened the 2010 Cune Rioja Crianza. Continue reading →