Category Archives: Tastings

The Lodi Native™ Project—Great Idea, Great Wine

Posted on September 9, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Some of the best ideas happen when kindred spirits gather together to enjoy wine. Lodi Native™ is one of them. The project was born two and a half years ago when Randy Caparoso, sommelier and blogger for the Lodi Winegrape Commission … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Tastings, Zinfandel | 2 Comments

Catalan cuisine: Cooking with “Chef Isma,” Ismael Prados Soto

Posted on June 8, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

What better way to learn about Catalan wines and cuisine than to experience a cooking class? As part of my tour of Cataluña, I did just that. Our guide and chef was the talented “Chef Isma,” Ismael Prados Soto. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberino, Cava, Food, Spain, Tastings, Tempranillo, Travel | 4 Comments

TASTING: Wente Vineyards, Wine and Music

Posted on August 4, 2013 by The Frugal Wine Snob

On Thursday, August 1st, Karl Wente hosted an interesting Wine and Music tasting, with his friend Shannon Koehler. Besides being a fifth-generation winemaker, Karl is an avid musician. Karl started on saxophone, gravitated to electric guitar, and plays acoustic guitar … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Music, California, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Tastings | 1 Comment

Winemakers’ Dinner, Columbia Gorge

Posted on September 24, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

One of the traditions of the Wine Bloggers Conference is the “mystery bus” jaunt. Bloggers bravely board buses, blindfolded. (Not really, just had to get in that alliteration.) All we know is that we are headed to a winery, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbera, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Gruner Veltliner, Ice Wine, Oregon, Pinot Noir, Tastings, Tempranillo, Travel, Uncategorized, Viognier, Visits to Vineyards/Winemakers, Zinfandel | 17 Comments

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Klinker Brick 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi. 15.8%, $13.95 and up.

Posted on September 20, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

My favorite way to try new wines is to go to a wine bar. Generally these are boutique yet friendly establishments that have wines on pour-it-yourself systems (you buy a card and dispense your own samples), as well as a … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Restaurants, Tastings, Tips, Zinfandel | 7 Comments

Montinore Estate, Willamette Valley, 8/16/12

Posted on September 8, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

The view from the driveway to Montinore Estate’s winery and tasting room. The Marchesi family’s lovely home. Looks like it’s the Old South, not Oregon! A composite photo of the winery’s entrance. The view from the tasting room. We started … Continue reading →

Posted in Gewurztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Oregon, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Tastings, Technical Stuff, Travel | Leave a comment

Seven-course winemakers dinner, 1910 Main, Forest Grove, Willamette Valley, OR.

Posted on September 3, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

“It’s Willamette, dammit!” I don’t think I’ll ever mispronounce “Willamette” again; ditto for “Meritage.” (“Meritage” rhymes with “heritage.”) But I digress … Stop Three of this wonderful excursion, hosted by the Washington County Visitors Association, was dinner: a seven-course Winemakers … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Restaurants, Tastings, Travel | 1 Comment

A Tour of SakéOne, Forest Grove, Oregon, August 15, 2012

Posted on August 25, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

I was in Portland, Oregon August 14-21 for the Wine Bloggers Conference. On August 15, some of us visited the SakéOne company in nearby Forest Grove. BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW: Saké is gluten-free and sulfite-free. It is treated as a beer … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Saké, Tastings, Technical Stuff, Travel | 2 Comments

Saturday overview

Posted on August 19, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

The morning began with breakout sessions. I attended “How Bloggers Influence the Wine World,” and “The Winery View of Wine Bloggers.” After a quick lunch, I went to a private tasting of William Allen’s new label, Two Shepherds. He is … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Tastings, Travel | Leave a comment

Saturday’s Speed Tasting: Reds