Drinkhacker

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Vina Herminia is a Rioja-based wine brand that was named in honor of Herminia Casas, an entrepreneur and women’s education activist in the early 20th century. A female pioneer in the wine biz, these wines are designed to honor her memory. And apparently, she liked really huge reds. A- / $20 viñaherminia.es

Wine 79

Wine Bottling 79

Drinkhacker

AUGUST 10, 2024

A- / $22 2018 Castello di Gabbiano “Bellezza” Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG – Richer and considerably more tannic than the Chianti Classico Riserva, this minor bruiser pours on the cherry notes, here dusted in dark chocolate and tempered notes of vanilla. At this price, it’s an excellent value.

Bottling 97

Bottling Wine 97

Chilled Magazine

APRIL 11, 2024

Stephanie Rivin embarked on her journey into the world of wine in 2008 with her employment at a quaint, family-operated winery nestled in Anderson Valley, Northern California. In 2018 Stephanie, her husband, and their children relocated to France. Something easy to remember and it communicates the approachable and fun vibe to the wine.”

Wine 243

Wine Bar 243

Drinkhacker

DECEMBER 23, 2023

This wine, Ser Lapo, is aged for 12 months in small French oak barrels (50% new). The post Review: 2018 Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianto Classico DOCG appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider's Guide to Good Drinking. Established in 1435, the Mazzei family has long been considered one of the founding families of Chianti Classico.

Wine 77

Wine Bottling 77

Drinkhacker

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Montefalco is not a city commonly invoked when discussing red wine destinations. Umbria is not a region immediately surfacing to top of mind when thinking about Italian wines, and Sagrantino is certainly not a wine frequently discussed here in the United States. Far be it from me to quarrel with either suggestion.

Wine 90

Wine Club Bottling 90

Drinkhacker

DECEMBER 4, 2023

Like a masterclass performance from John Coltrane at the Village Vanguard or Keith Jarrett in Köln, this is a wine restrained in refined elegance and power, firing fully on all cylinders and disciplined in delivery. This is very much an exception to that rule, as the Thomas Collection stands atop an already impressive portfolio.

Bottling 96

Bottling Wine 96

VinePair

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Check out the best wines from previous years here ! As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on the standout wines we’ve tasted this year at VinePair HQ. Here are the top 50 wines of 2024, tasted and reviewed by VinePair’s tasting panel.

Wine 134

Wine Bottling 134

Imbibe Magazine

JUNE 24, 2024

. | Photos by Luca Savettiere In America, where we romanticize independence, and thus independent winemakers, we tend to belittle cooperatives, thinking of them as just bulk wine producers. But Italy’s cooperatives make more than half of the country’s wine, much of it offering quality and value. But our focus stays in Sicily.

Wine 197

Wine Beer 197

Drinkhacker

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

We always get a kick out of the unique wines coming out of Paso Robles-based Booker, and My Favorite Neighbor is invariably a worthwhile experience. This 2021 cabernet sauvignon is surprisingly light on its feet and ready to go, a stark contrast to the 2018 expression we previously reviewed.

Wine 91

Wine 91

Drinkhacker

OCTOBER 9, 2024

After another scorcher of a summer, I know I’m ready to tuck into some bigger, richer wines. Remember: Check Total Wine and Wine.com for the best deals on all of these picks! Remember: Check Total Wine and Wine.com for the best deals on all of these picks! Want to buy them?

Wine 82

Wine Bottling 82

Cheers

MARCH 22, 2024

We asked the our national wine panel to taste and rate Old World wines from this past year. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine’s retail price (which can vary from store to store and market to market). Four Stars (91-86): A very good wine and an excellent value.

Wine 85

Wine Bottling Alcohol 85

VinePair

JUNE 13, 2024

This legendary region produces some of the best wines in the world, with old-vine grapes that offer a signature intensity and structure that can’t be replicated anywhere else. What counts as a bang for your buck is subjective, of course, especially when it comes to the priciest wines on the shelf. Here’s what the pros said.

Sommelier 111

Sommelier Wine Bottling Bar 111

VinePair

OCTOBER 23, 2024

The Northern Rhône Valley has some of the most breathtaking vineyards in the world — and some of the most stunning wines. The Northern Rhône has a more continental climate, not as warm as that of the south, and the wines, especially the reds, can be a bit lighter (though not “light”), lower in alcohol, and offer more acidity.

Wine 100

Wine Alcohol Infusions Bottling 100

Drinkhacker

JULY 3, 2024

Today we are fortunate to cover a quintet of wines from the storied operation, including a white blend, three Chianti Classicos, and a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — offering a broad look at the various styles coming out of the winery. Let’s dive in. Let’s dive in. A classic Tuscan white at a solid price. Works either way.

Wine 80

Wine Bottling 80

Imbibe Magazine

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Non-vintage Champagne—a blend of reserve wines and the current harvest—is often considered the entry-level wine for a Champagne house. The inaugural bottling called Edition 18, named for the 2018 vintage, is meant to look at climate change through the lens of Chardonnay. Climate change is affecting all of us.

Wine 237

Wine Bar Bottling Beer 237

Spiritz

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Pau Roca, Director General of International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), passed away at the age of 65 on 7th December in Dijon, France, after a long illness. During his forty-year-old career, he garnered specific and in-depth knowledge of the global wine sector.

Wine 110

Wine 110

Drinkhacker

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Today we look at a trio of wines from Sonoma’s Rodney Strong — all part of its Reserve line. While notes of chocolate and hazelnut emerge late in the game, the wine remains tart and refreshing, never devolving into the overly savory, meaty experience that so many Russian River pinots seem to be experiencing these days.

Wine 98

Wine 98

Drink Me

AUGUST 14, 2023

Very long and enjoyable finish, as the glass warms up the wine opens up even more leading to a very elegant wine that is a joy to drink. Dense blackberries and dark plum fruit coat your palate with an impenetrable layer of plummy goodness. RATING: 95

Wine 52

Wine 52

VinePair

APRIL 10, 2024

Keeping in line with the theme, the menu featured two classic wines from northern Spain’s Rioja region including the Imperial Gran Reserva 2012 and Contino Blanco 2020 from the historic Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España winery, also known as C.V.N.E.

Wine 98

Wine Club Bottling 98

VinePair

AUGUST 27, 2024

Scanning a bottle shop or menu for something other than your tried-and-true wine can be intimidating. With so many choices, it’s easy to throw in the towel and stick to the wines you know best. Nicole Castro Garro, wine director, Lita , Aberdeen, N.J. Its higher acidity allows it to pair with many dishes.

Sommelier 124

Sommelier Wine Hospitality Bottling 124

VinePair

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Gifting red wine can be tough. That’s why we’ve broken some of our favorite reds down into several categories for every gifting scenario to help you navigate the wine shop this holiday season. Read on to discover the seven best red wines to gift this year. Old Vine Zinfandel 2022 Bedrock Wine Co.

Wine 105

Wine Bottling 105

Cheers

JANUARY 26, 2024

Why does the wine category struggle with Millennials and Gen Z? The wine industry had been on an upward trajectory since 1997, averaging growth levels over 2% through 2018, according to data from The Beverage Information Group , the data partner of Cheers magazine. But the rate of growth has decelerated since 2004.

Wine 81

Wine Alcohol Promoter Promotion 81

VinePair

AUGUST 8, 2024

Even a wine novice can wrap their head around the mystique of a game-changing moment in time or a deliciously Gallic middle finger to the freshly defeated Reich. But besides these rarities, we’ve been spoiled rotten over the past 20 years by a crate full of vintages trumpeted as legendary by the wine industry and media.

Wine 115

Wine Bottling 115

VinePair

JUNE 26, 2024

Understanding wine is often about comparisons: If you’re not familiar with a certain variety, what does it remind you of? The issue is tannins, the chewy, often “dusty” remnants of the grapes that coat the mouth, give red wines structure, and make them worthy of aging. Those young California Cabs are quite tannic. Plenty of time.

Wine 88

Wine Alcohol Bottling 88

VinePair

AUGUST 28, 2024

Not to be outdone, gold medalist and wine enthusiast LeBron James soaked in America’s riveting basketball win against France with bottles that even the world’s top collectors would covet. So, what does a gold medalist’s wine lineup look like? We wonder if Simone Biles has recovered yet.)

Wine 65

Wine Bottling 65

VinePair

JULY 10, 2024

There was a time when Valpolicella was a go-to wine at countless Italian-American restaurants adorned with those red and white checkered tablecloths, especially from a couple of big producers ( ciao , Bolla and Folonari). Fast forward to 2024, and Valpolicella is a lot more interesting, as I discovered tasting a broad sampling of the wines.

Wine 90

Wine 90

Drinkhacker

JANUARY 9, 2024

Gianni Masciarelli was an icon in Italy’s Abruzzo region, and after his passing, his wife Marina Cvetic and their daughter Miriam Lee have continued to work to ensure this southern Italian region is a source of high-quality wines spanning the spectrum of styles. A great rose for a more “serious” occasion.

Wine 98

Wine Bottling 98

Drinkhacker

JANUARY 14, 2024

Salta isn’t a region most folks immediately associate with wine from Argentina. Cuyo seems to dominate the conversation, especially Mendoza, but the humble territory from the north quietly turns out wines just as engaging that present the country’s versatile terroir. A delightful curveball after enjoying the malbecs.

Wine 99

Wine Bottling 99

VinePair

JANUARY 10, 2024

It’s a new year and we’re eager to dive into the world of red wine — trying new bottles and revisiting some old favorites from the last year of tastings. Here at VinePair we try mountains of red wine every year and encounter so many different styles from juicy and chillable Gamay to tannic and earthy Bordeaux blends. It’s incredible.

Wine 131

Wine Bottling Alcohol 131

VinePair

APRIL 10, 2024

With a terroir similar to that of its more famous neighbor to the west, France’s tiny Jura region lives in the shadow of Burgundy, but offers memorable white wines that deserve consideration in their own right. I prefer the latter, which is the way we drink most white wines, and there are some truly exciting examples in the list below.

Wine 93

Wine Infusions Alcohol 93

Drinkhacker

FEBRUARY 4, 2024

The wines selected were carefully chosen, taking into consideration such factors as altitude, grape selection, sustainability initiatives, and regional popularity. Thoughts on all wines tasted follow. Before adjourning for the holiday recess, we were invited to a tasting session curated by Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein.

Wine 96

Wine Sommelier 96

VinePair

NOVEMBER 29, 2023

If you haven’t noticed, there’s a growing trend toward leaner red wines that are less dominated by oak and high levels of alcohol. With that in mind, the red wines of Austria should be near the top of your list. Indeed, Austrian Blaufränkisch, while familiar to serious wine enthusiasts, deserves much broader recognition.

Wine 71

Wine Alcohol Bottling 71

Chilled Magazine

JUNE 24, 2024

Photo by Annie Llew Sparkling Wine , Vermouth Pink Guava Aperol Spritz by Annie Llew - Lead Virtual Mixologist/@anniellew Ingredients 1 oz. Aperol Aperitivo (optional) Sparkling wine or Prosecco, to taste 1 oz. Red Wine Lychee Wine Slushy by Mix with Marie / @mixwithmarie Ingredients 1 cup GEN 7 Wines Noir de Noir Red Wine 4 oz.

Mixologist 179

Mixologist Club Bartending Bartender 179

VinePair

DECEMBER 14, 2023

But affordable and high quality don’t always go hand-in-hand — unless you’re The Prisoner Wine Company. Nestled in Napa Valley, The Prisoner Wine Company’s first bottle, The Prisoner, was released 20 years ago, and the label has since grown to produce some of the region’s most popular and intriguing red blends.

Wine 105

Wine Bar Spoon Mixologist Club 105

VinePair

MAY 16, 2024

Anyone keeping up with the wine world is probably familiar with the consistent drum of negative data and hyperbolic headlines suggesting the industry is on death’s door. The report sounded alarm bells for many in the business, driving home that consumer demand for wine is dwindling in favor of RTDs, spirits, and cannabis.

Wine 96

Wine Club Alcohol Bottling 96

Imbibe Magazine

JULY 1, 2024

On his and the other organic vineyards from which he sources, he hand-harvests separate lots, then micro-ferments them with native yeast to create the palette of wines he blends for Cava in the off-grid cellar he built into the bones of a 19th-century winery on his estate. Still others labeled their wines D.O. In response, the D.O.

Wine 253

Wine Sommelier Bottling Bitters 253

Drinkhacker

JANUARY 28, 2024

Dutton Estate recently dropped two collections of wines, and we’re combining them all into this one mega-review that spans 11 bottlings — plus the latest release of Dutton’s canned apple cider. A slight pistachio note on the finish gives the wine a nutty edge, but only just so. Let’s jump right in to the lineup!

Wine 107

Wine Bottling 107