Some of us are comfortable drinking Port all year long (with or without a slight chill), but many more of us find it most compelling after a full day at the office, followed by an evening rendezvous with Mr. Shovel…. No doubt, with snow finally falling in Boston, it’s hard not to think about (let alone enjoy) these noteworthy dessert wines!

There are myriad styles of Port on the market – from white Ports to Ruby’s, Tawny’s, Vintage Ports and everything in between! When most people think of Port they are most often thinking of Tawny’s. So today at  Wicked Local we delve into this highly sought and oh-so-enjoyable libation.

Which Port is your fan favorite this winter?

I’ve been reading and rereading the astoundingly delicious Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch for at least a year now. It is so well written and such a delightful trip through wine country – from seemingly “ages” ago. Lynch writes about tasting wines from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s – even the 1920s! It provides tremendous perspective, that’s for sure.

But what I find most compelling about the book as a whole is Lynch’s search for totally unadulterated juice. Today it is appreciated (or understood?) more, perhaps; yet this idea of using modern tools and approaches gets more play, I’d argue.

Today, pop over to this post by Eric Asmiov – and spend a few extra minutes reading BOTH articles he links to, particularly the one by Cory Cartwright. Personally, I would love to see more people more naturally through the course of things embrace “the diversity” in wine.

Do you find wines with a more “modern” flare more or less appealing?  Is this idea even something you consider when you are wine shopping?

Many folks get obsessed with whether a vintage is “good” one or not. At the end of the day what consumers may or may not recognize is how a particular wine from a particular vintage will evolve simply on the shelf, in its bottle, over the course of one year. Here we are in the middle of February, on the cusp of vintage changes; this is the time when many red wines are really ready to drink!

Learn more about the benefits of February wine shopping by heading over to Wicked Local today!

Are you compelled to purchase a case of vino this time of year, before new vintages are released? Or are you happy to just roll with the punches and see what the coming year has to bring?



A bit of business and a bit of fun this week in wine! Let’s get the business out of the way first:

It looks like the 2009 crop in California is going to keep the price ship rather righted moving forward! Gotta love the economic principle of supply and demand. Check out this article on what the Press Democrat (at least) thinks we can come to expect moving forward.

Next up… a Cork Report! There are a bunch of wine bottle stoppers on the market now, made from myriad materials. Traditionalists still appreciate finding real cork under the foil. Environmentalists and others in the wine trade promote other closures as the better way to go.  Read this Decanter article to find out what Portugal is doing by way of cork promotion these days.

And yes, we’ve saved the best for last! What with Valentine’s Day this weekend, I’m sure you’ve seen quite a bit about either chocolate or wine recommendations – or both! But are they a really a good match, or just a traditional pairing with no real rhyme or reason? Enjoy the debate as translated by Dr. Vino!

What’s your Valentine’s Day wine choice this year?

Whether you subscribe to the Valentine’s Day marketing machine or are just anxious for flowers to start popping up this spring, these February picks are sure to set your heart a’flutt’ah! But beware! Their versatility makes them great year round. Each of these is sure to transform your impression of what sparkling wines (and pink ones at that) are ALL about!

Pop over to Wicked Local to see what I’m so excited about…

Which wine get credit as your first “Ah-Ha” rose moment?