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Bubbles, Bubbles and Bubbles 2019
We recently visited Roederer and had the opportunity to taste the same wines in both formats and confirmed what I always believed that the larger format really makes a difference…
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A Fowl Report- ‘Now That’s a Piece of chicken”
“That’s a piece of chicken!” said a surprised tasting panel member. The truly Brioche bun holds a big, thick well-cooked solid piece of chicken with two big slices of pickle so you get pickle in every bite.
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Learning from Two Wine Legends
It was my good fortune to have recently attended a forum featuring five great Sonoma County winemaking pioneers and it was my pleasure to have had a few moments with two of the them, David Stare of Dry Creek Vineyards and David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars.
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Whose Bubbles are These?
It has come to my tasting attention over the last year or so that a number of wineries known for their big reds and luscious whites are now featuring a sparkling wine when in fact just months earlier there was none. Sparkling wine doesn’t just happen over the weekend and is a rather long-term and costly project…
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Whine Coming Soon
Better than 100 years of pioneering viticulture and wine making in Sonoma are represented in this photo of David Stare (L) founder of Dry Creek Vineyards and David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars. They spoke, along with three other heritage wine makers during a casual presentation well titled as “An Evening with Sonoma County Wine Legends” it was a most interesting evening. Dry Creek is best known for it’s Sauvigon Blancs and Zinfandel while Ramey is famous for his spot on Chardonnay’s. Please look for my interview with both wine makers in my next “Woody’s Whine” coming soon.
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How I learned to Love Wine from “Humid” and Hot Years
Her comments and thoughts made so much sense when I was actually able to taste the wines as she discussed the challenges of the particular vintages and what she was able to do with the grapes. It truly was quite a thrill and I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation.
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What if You Had Nine Brands but Nobody Knew Your Name?
Oak Ridge Winery patriarch Rudy Maggio (left) is the classic immigrant success story; family emigrated from Italy and eventually to Lodi; at age 11 he joined his father in the packaged fruit business; in 1980 began growing and selling wine grapes; some years later the story continued.
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What Does that Bottle Cost? Depends on Where You Live and Who Your Retailer Knows
I was quite taken after a lunch conversation with an associate who had been in both the beer and wine industry on the distributor side and whose insight confirmed what I had suspected all along; when it comes to pricing in the liquor, beer and wine industry the only hard and fast rules are – that there aren’t any hard and fast rules.
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Wine by Land and Water
This edition of the whine offers an interesting contrast of two noted local winemakers; one who uses the land in his approach to winemaking and one who I jokingly observe is making wine from water. A note on slow growth in the fast food industry and Costco beats Amazon, yes that and more.
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Raves From a Special Bordeaux Vintage and Two Valentines Recipes
It’s a slow time in the industry and not much to report with the 2018 harvest all safely in tanks and barrels, wine makers and their staffs are on vacations or at least on short weeks But there is wonderful news from the fine folks that grow and make wine in Bordeaux. That and more is the subject of my Whine.
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A Little Beer, Lots of Wine and A Tenderloin
Thought that would get your attention, yes we do beer talk here too but in this case it’s for business not taste. We also have news and notes from a wine industry expo regards supply and demand as well as another round of sparkling wine and Champagne lists, that and more is the subject of my Whine.
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Notes From a Bountiful Harvest
This month, Woody’s Whine brings us stories of the wine harvest this year, news about restaurant closures and other troubles in the Napa Valley, and three great-tasting recipes that you’ll want to try!
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News of the Crush, Costco Liquor, Big Mac Sliders and Lagunitas Layoffs
I’ve seen, heard and cooked a lot in the past few weeks and wanted to share with you what I’ve learned and eaten. We are surrounded by the grape harvest that is in full swing and in good shape, even with a little rain, egad! That and more, he said, is the subject of my Whine
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Woody's Whines // Woody's thoughts and opinions on a variety of subjects
Bubbles and Bubbles and Bubbles 2019
Writing from the edge of the Russian River in Sonoma There’s an old saying in Champagne: ‘A magnum is the perfect size for two people, especially when one of them isn’t drinking.’ In the wine world, it’s widely accepted that wine ages differently in magnum…
A Fowl Report – “Now That’s a Piece of Chicken”
Writing from the edge of the Russian River in Sonoma County If you were living in a cave on the top of a mountain you might have missed the dust up late this past summer when fast food restaurant Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen busted into the…
Wine Reviews // Tasty and reasonably priced reviews
Bordeaux You Could Actually Buy
Research tells me that the second label bottles of many Bordeaux wines – that’s what doesn’t fit in the first blend of major Chateaus, will be outstanding and probably at very good prices, a reflection of the old saw, “a rising tide lifts all boats”…..
A Whine of Wines
A Whine of Wines What follows is not truly a full Whine but it’s sort of a Whine and it’s about wine or should I say it’s information about wine that has come passed me recently and I as your faithful scribe am passing on…
Woody's Recipes // Great meals to go with great wines
Sriracha and Wasabi Deviled Eggs
The deviled eggs can be refrigerated overnight. Garnish with the snipped chives and Chinese five-spice powder just before serving.
Latest Podcasts // Audio from interviews with the industry greats
podcast post
Our most recent wine adventure was a week long visit to the Willamette Valley wine country of western Oregon, what a remarkable area and what spectacular wines. It was the first week of October and the weather was terrific, sunny, warm and windy – they…
Chef and Retailer Michael Chiarello
As I travel and taste I always have my recorder and camera with me and I share those interviews with you at What Goes With What. We met at a wine tasting event in Chicago and on a trip to Napa and Sonoma I had an opportunity…