VINOGRAPHY®: a wine blog
Wine and food adventures in San Francisco and around the world
Vinography Images: Green Terraces
Green Terraces LOS OLIVOS, CA: The terraced Saarloos & Sons Windmill Ranch vineyard in Ballard Canyon shows a carpet of green before budbreak near Los Olivos, California. Because of its close proximity to Southern California and Los Angeles population centers, combined with a Mediterranean climate, the coastal regions of Santa Barbara have become a popular weekend wine getaway destination for millions of tourists each year. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can... continue reading 
- Posted by: Alder on September 13, 2019 9:32 PM
- Filed under: Vinography Images
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I'll Drink to That: Burgundy Winemaker Tomoko Kuriyama
Episode 473 of I'll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Tomoko Kuriyama, who with her husband Guillaume Bott runs Chanterêves in Burgundy. Chanterêves is a micro-négociant sourcing grapes in Burgundy, while also making the occasional Syrah or Riesling from grapes grown in other regions as well. Tomoko Kuriyama worked in German wineries for over a decade, before a harvest in Burgundy eventually led to a permanent move and a new adventure in Savigny-lès-Beaune. In 2010, she started the Chanterêves winery in Burgundy with her husband Guillaume Bott. Guillaume, who also works at Domaine Simon Bize in... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on September 13, 2019 9:27 PM
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Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 9/8/19
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Grape Genes May Explain Differences in Wine Taste Shocking, I know. But there's interesting findings here. Trump proposes 100% tariff that would double the cost of European wine, cheese and olive oil Just when you thought it was over. Turning the Tables on Erin James Another wine writer profiled. Jancis Robinson: Wine's... continue reading
Vinography Images: Higher Than Cool
Higher Than Cool SANTA YNEZ, CA: A mountainside Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sits above the morning fog at Dierberg's Star Lane Vineyard near Santa Ynez, California. After an extremely wet winter, warm temperatures are accelerating harvests everywhere. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops. To set the image as your desktop wallpaper, Mac users should follow... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on September 6, 2019 4:29 PM
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Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 9/1/19
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Pushing Limits in the Rhône Robert Camuto on an unusual partnership. Save the World, One Bottle of Wine at a Time Elin McCoy on activist wines. Heatwave Shrinks Champagne Harvest by Almost 20% Shrivel. From the Itata Valley in Southern Chile, Old-Vine Cinsault Oh yes. Buy it if you can find it.... continue reading
I'll Drink to That: Wine Writer and Consultant Anthony Hanson, MW
Episode 472 of I'll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Anthony Hanson MW. Anthony Hanson is the author of the book Burgundy, which was originally published in 1982 and then revised for a second edition in 1995. He is also today a consultant for Haynes Hanson & Clark, as well as The Fine Wine Experience in Hong Kong. We often think of Burgundy as a traditional wine region, composed of small growers in vaulted cellars who are doing today more or less what their families have done for generations. But after listening to Anthony Hanson describe... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on September 3, 2019 5:58 PM
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Vinography Unboxed: Week of 8/25/19
Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I'm pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week included another tranche of wines from the Andis project, a Sierra Foothills label that's sprung for the services of Napa superstar winemaker Philippe Melka. These two whites are both competent and offer some promise, but I wish they were snappier with more acidity and (in the case of the Sauvignon Blanc) a bit less ripeness. I'm especially excited to see what this... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 31, 2019 11:42 PM
- Filed under: Wine Reviews
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Vinography Images: A Hazy Shade of Autumn
A Hazy Shade of Autumn SANTA MARIA, CA: Dark afternoon smoke from the officially named Alamo Fire, burning in the nearby coastal mountains within view of the Pacific Ocean, creates an eerie, surreal scene near Santa Maria, California. The 30,000 acre blaze began near Twitchell Reservoir on Highway 166 and quickly spread toward the ranches and vineyards along the Tepusquet Bench. Fires around harvest time have been a serious problem for winegrowers for the past two years in California. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 30, 2019 8:51 AM
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Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 8/25/19
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. The Perfect Spanish Wine Road Trip On the road with Newsweek. Macron defuses French digital tax row, Trump coy on wine threat Surprise, surprise. Sweet Monbazillac Wines Can Rival Those From Sauternes When you get priced out of Sauternes. Wine experts now say that red wine should go in the fridge Some... continue reading
Vinography Unboxed: Week of 8/18/19
Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I'm pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week included a couple of really lovely white Burgundies from the Pernand-Vergelesses region of the Cote de Beaune, which is the southern, more white-wine-focused end of Burgundy's Cote d'Or. Pernand-Vergelesses sits near Serrigny, just to the north of the city of Beaune. These two wines come from the venerable Maison Champy, which has been producing the region's wines for a mere 400 years... continue reading
Vinography Images: Perfect Refuge
Perfect Refuge SANTA YNEZ, CA: The irrigation pond at Refugio Ranch reflects its neighboring vines in the cool light of a spring morning in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA in Santa Barbara County. Water for irrigation is quickly becoming a major issue for many wine regions around California. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops.... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 24, 2019 2:49 PM
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The Phenomenal Rise of Canned Wine
I distinctly remember the first time I saw wine in a can. I was visiting the Francis Ford Coppola winery, probably around 2004. At the time, the wine-loving film director had been producing his sweetish Sofia sparkling wine for a few years, and after searching for a way to sell single servings of the wine, eventually settled on 187 ml cans. I remember seeing these cans, collected neatly in a pink hexagonal box of four, with straws included, and thinking to myself, 'That's pretty neat. I wonder if it will ever catch on?' It took about 15 years, but... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 21, 2019 7:12 PM
- Filed under: Ramblings and Rants
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Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 8/18/19
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Steps Napa Wineries Can Take to Address Climate Change Dan Petroski continues his thinking. Meet Brenae Royal, the young, black female farmer behind one of Sonoma's most important vineyards The technical term is bada**, I believe. The White Wine Emoji Will Need to Continue to Age Disappointing sighs all around. Turning the... continue reading
Vinography Unboxed: Week of 8/11/19
Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I'm pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week was a second installment of all Pinot and Cab all the time, with a second tranche of vineyard designated wines from reliable producer Dutton Goldfield. My favorite of the group was probably the Emerald Ridge Vineyard, which is always one of my favorites in their lineup for its great acidity and bright fruit. There was also a new (to me) addition to... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 17, 2019 11:00 PM
- Filed under: Wine Reviews
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Vinography Images: Down the Line
Down the Line SANTA YNEZ, CA: Long rows of Cabernet Sauvignon catch the light at Happy Canyon Vineyard near Santa Ynez, California. As periods of heat continue to hit California, harvest projections continue to accelerate. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops. To set the image as your desktop wallpaper, Mac users should follow these... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 17, 2019 7:05 PM
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Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 8/11/19
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Man just out of German jail allegedly steals sparkling wine Rumor has it you get pretty desperate for sekt in jail. The Future of Washington Wine Quotes from people who might know. The Winemaker Championing America's 'Foxy' Grapes Back to the beginning of American wine. Solera rebels Sherry rising. Growing pains for... continue reading
Vinography Unboxed: Week of 8/4/19
Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I'm pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week was Pinot and Cab week, it seems. For starters, I was very happy to taste a couple of bottles from Waits-Mast Cellars, a tiny husband-and-wife operation in San Francisco who have been making North Coast Pinot Noir for some time. These two bottles were both delicious, though I preferred the Wentzel Vineyard for its brightness and freshness. It seemed a bit more... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 10, 2019 9:53 PM
- Filed under: Wine Reviews
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Vinography Images: Line of Contrast
Line of Contrast SANTA YNEZ, CA: A Cabernet vineyard at Dierberg Star Lane Vineyards stands starkly against the golden hills behind it at sunrise near Santa Ynez, California. The unique micro climates of the Santa Ynez valley allow for both Burgundian and Bordeaux grape varieties to thrive. INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops. To... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 10, 2019 9:08 PM
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I'll Drink to That: Wine Distributor Jeff Kellogg
Episode 471 of I'll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Jeff Kellogg, who returns to the show, this time as the co-founder of the North Carolina wine distributor Kellogg Selections. Jeff, a former sommelier, was previously a guest in episode 230 of I'll Drink to That! Changing demographics are rewriting population maps all across the United States, and some mid-size cities - like San Antonio, Phoenix, and Charlotte - are experiencing rapid growth. What does that mean for the wine market in those places? Jeff Kellogg is betting that the population gains in Charlotte (which added... continue reading
- Posted by: Alder on August 7, 2019 9:05 PM
- Filed under: I'll Drink to That
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Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 8/4/19
Welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren't Flipboard inclined, here's everything I've strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. Silicon Valley's Rhys Vineyards to pay $3.7M to settle regulatory action on Mendocino County irrigation ponds Uh oh. This looks quite bad. Why Napa Valley Needs to Start Talking About Climate Change Dan Petroski knows of what he speaks. Predicting the Future of Rosé Wine Spoiler: up and up and up. Chardonnay... continue reading
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Most Recent Entries
Vinography Images: Green Terraces I'll Drink to That: Burgundy Winemaker Tomoko Kuriyama Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 9/8/19 Vinography Images: Higher Than Cool Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 9/1/19 I'll Drink to That: Wine Writer and Consultant Anthony Hanson, MW Vinography Unboxed: Week of 8/25/19 Vinography Images: A Hazy Shade of Autumn Wine News: What I'm Reading the Week of 8/25/19 Vinography Unboxed: Week of 8/18/19
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