As we learned this afternoon, Napa wineries are technically prohibited from allowing the general public to picnic on their grounds.  We say technically, because at one of the big-name wineries we visited today — which featured a seemingly ideal picnic table set just off the steps leading up to the tasting room – our pourer revealed […]

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This week’s Weekend Wine comes from Barbera d’Asti, which is located in the northwestern corner of Italy in Piedmont. 
In our glasses, we found in the Icardi Barbera d’Asti Tabaren 2005 a mixture of dark cherry and chocolate aromas and a beautiful ruby color.  Though the wine was very light on acidity, it had just enough tannin to sustain good structure. 
We liked, in particular, the mellowed and filling mouthfeel, […]

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Below are the events that we recommend for this weekend and beyond.  Click on an event’s title for more information.

California

Calaveras County (Sierra Foothills)

12th Annual Passport Weekend: June 20-22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; $40 for one day, $60 for all three.  Calaveras is apparently home to some seriously excellent, yet nicely priced, wines.  This event would be a perfect compliment […]

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We’re huge fans of Syrah these days.  Recently, we drank a privately produced bottle of an Israeli version, and it was off-the-charts delicious.  That prompted us to seek out more of the varietal for today’s posting, this time from France. 
Why France, you ask? Well, we’ve found that Syrah from warmer climates in the $10-$20 price range have a tendency to be a […]

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