... bumper crop of California wine grapes, combined with large harvests this year, have producers paying less than the growing cost to buy grapes from the growers. In some areas all the grapes will be harvested, but depending upon the type of grapes, we will see thousands of tons left unharvested to rot ... . So far this seems to be just with lesser varieties of grapes that aren't used by many wine producers...

Steve DeLong and his wife Deborah have given us a gift in their passion for wine. By creating the Wine Grape Varietal table we have a resource that didn't exsist before and now that it does it helps others to fall in love with wine as they move through it's ...

2005 Tobia Rioja Alma de Tobia - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (10/4/2006)50% Malvasia, 40% Viura, 10% other grapes - Fermented in French oak barrels, stirred on it’s lees for 4 months. Sample bottle sent to me from the Bodega.Not sure how to describe this one. Very clear as you pour it into the glass, almost [...] More info at www.catavino.net...

2005 Sumoll Rosat, Pardas - Spain, Catalunya (9/1/2006)100% Sumoll - 13% alcohol Deep reddish color though very light at the rim. The nose is very restrained with a mineral and cherry pit aroma that hits you after some agitation in the glass. This slowly gives way to some light vanilla, ...

N.V. Cellar Cal Menescal Tarragona Vermouth - Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona (10/5/2006)Pours a deep brownish red with a medium intensity. The nose is intense and intoxicating inviting you to inhale deeply it reminds me of some bitter Italian after dinner treats that I’ve had in the past. Light wood notes come ...

Filed under: Wine , Organic When the first organic wines came out, there was something of a hippie stigma attached to them. The method of growing the grapes was more important than the finished product and, as a result, the wines really couldn't compare to the more traditionally produced vintages. But everyday consumers and connoisseurs alike are no longer turning up their noses at organic...

2004 Quinta do Feital Vinho Regional Minho Auratus - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Regional Minho (9/8/2006)Alvarinho/Trajadura blendDeep daisey yellow in color. The nose took a bit to open up but when it did it showed white flowers, some rich citrus and a lot of cantelope! Completely dry in the mouth the ...

1996 Mestres Cava Brut Nature Millessimé - Spain, Cava (9/18/2006)Great wine, deeper in color than most showing golden(rich) and with super fine bubbles. The nose was pure lemon confit to me with hints of green peach, vanilla and light caramel. Might have been a bit oxidized. In the mouth it ...

2002 Alvear Montilla-Moriles PX Fino “En Rama” - Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles (8/28/2006)Light yellow gold in color. The nose show’s subtle wood notes, and light almond hints. Delicate melon and light citrus come in towards the end as it opens. Soft in the mouth with a gentle creaminess and rich nutty ...

1998 Companhia Agricola do Sanguinhal Óbidos Quinta das Cerejeiras Reserva - Portugal, Estremadura, Óbidos (10/26/2006)Pours light red with a faint brickishness at the rim. Dark honey notes on the nose with toast and hazelnuts. With time some violet notes creep in. Light in the mouth with light acidity and fully ...