Blog Archives

Alexander Valley’s Ascent to Wine World Star Status

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Robert Johnson

In 1841, Cyrus Alexander arrived in an untamed valley to manage the Sotoyome Rancho, a Mexican land grant owned by a San Diego sea captain, Henry Delano Fitch, and his wife, Josefa Carrillo. As payment for his services, Alexander received…

Tagged with: Alexander Valley, Caliofrnia, Cyrus ALexander, Gold Rush, Henry Fitch, history, Josefa Carrillo, Russian River Valley, San Diego, Sonoma County, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel
Posted in Wine Region Profiles

The History of Sangria… and a Sparkling Suggestion

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Robert Johnson

In yesterday’s blog, I told you about breaking my personal 35-year ban on Sangria while having dinner at a tapas bar in Barcelona. Intrepid reporter that I am, at one point during that meal I asked one of our servers,…

Tagged with: Barcelona, California Zinfandel, history, Madrid, Merlot, New York, recipe, Sangiovese, sangria, Spain, Summer
Posted in Editor's Journal, Food and Wine Pairings/Recipes

The Vinous Secrets of Napa’s Mount Veeder

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Robert Johnson

Mount Veeder was named for the German Presbyterian pastor, Peter Veeder, who lived in Napa, Calif., during the Civil War Era and enjoyed hiking on the mountain, where the Douglas Firs and Bristlecone Pines reminded him of the forests of…

Tagged with: California, Captain Stelham Wing, Hess Collection Winery, history, Mont La Salle Winery, Mount Veeder, Napa, Peter Veeder, Theodore Geir, wine history, winemaking
Posted in Wine Region Profiles

French Wines: A Long History of Excellence

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Robert Johnson

Terroir is important when talking about the wines of France, and so are vintages. Perhaps more than in any other winemaking country, vintages matter in France because an important part of terroir — the climate — can vary widely from…

Tagged with: France, Gaul, history, Languedoc, Rome, Stephane Maune, terroir, winemaking
Posted in Wine in the Glass