Category Archives: California

2016 Simi Chardonnay, Sonoma County. 13.5% ABV, $9

Posted on January 3, 2019 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Sonoma County, adjacent to Napa Valley, is well known for its excellent wines. Simi Chardonnay is no exception; it’s a tremendous wine, particularly at its price point, just $9. We enjoyed its terrific flavors of apple, pear, light oak, vanilla, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay | Leave a comment

God with Skin On

Posted on October 11, 2017 by The Frugal Wine Snob

You Just Never Know. Like the rest of the country, I’ve been watching the news in horror as fires consume parts of California wine country and thousands of people’s homes. And all this after the summer wildfires hit Oregon/Washington/Montana, Hurricane … Continue reading →

Avalon 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, California. 13.8% ABV, $12

Posted on February 25, 2015 by The Frugal Wine Snob

I haven’t blogged in a while. Yesterday, Tim Edison at WineTurtle.com sent me a link to his blog post about the 103 Best Wine Blogs. We’re on it. Smart guy—that’s a good lesson on how to get 103 top bloggers … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Music | 3 Comments

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 | 3 Comments

Summer sippers: Easy-to-find white blends

Posted on July 12, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Earlier this week, I published a blog post about some outstanding white wines from Lodi. While they’re extraordinary, they aren’t easy to find, and most people will need to order them directly from the winemakers. This post will cover some … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Moscato/Muscat, Muscat Alexandria, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier | 2 Comments

Five Outstanding White Wines from Lodi

Posted on July 7, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Lodi, pronounced “LOW-dye,” has become a winemaker’s paradise, with 750 winegrowers farming nearly 100,000 acres of wine grapes. In 1998 Lodi had only 10 wineries, and today the number has increased to 77. With about the same number of different … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberino, California, Garnacha Blanca, Gewurztraminer, Moscato/Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musquee, Uncategorized, Viognier | 1 Comment

RECOMMENDED: More from Casey Flat Ranch.

Posted on May 17, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

2013 Viognier, 14.1% ABV, $20 SRP. This lovely light-straw-colored wine started out with canteloupe, a hint of citrus, and a delicate candy (circus peanuts!) flavor, which always delights the heck out of me on the rare occasions I encounter it … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah/Shiraz, Viognier | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Casey Flat Ranch “CFR” 2010 Estate Red Wine, Capay Valley, 14.8% ABV, $35 SRP.

Posted on May 14, 2014 by The Frugal Wine Snob

WOW. This opaque, nearly-black wine was smooth yet charismatic from the get-go. Flavors of cassis and blackberries played nice with the pleasant but not-overbearing wood overlay of faint cedar. This was an extraordinarily rich potion that was balanced, impressive, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Mourvedre, Red Blend, Syrah/Shiraz | Leave a comment

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

RECOMMENDED: Primal Roots 2011 White Blend, California. 13% ABV, around $10.

Posted on July 15, 2013 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Primal Roots has made a tasty white blend consisting of 50% Viognier, 20% French Colombard, 15% Riesling, and 15% Gewürztraminer. We enjoyed the contrast of its Sauvignon Blanc-like acidity, and its somewhat sweet, Moscato-like floral notes. A hint of cinnamon … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Colombard, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Viognier | 2 Comments