Wine Blog

Spanish Wine: A Pocket Guide
Here is a quick, fun and easy guide to the world of Spanish Wine. Written by an author who has immersed himself in Spanish culture and its wine over the past fifteen years, this book will give anyone interested in the subject an enjoyable introduction to this fascinating member of the wine world. Important features include: Brief history. Easy-to-follow rundown on Spanish Wine. Basics on understanding Spanish Wine. Wine regions listed by wine types (reds, whites, sparkling wine, sherry). Fun descriptive introduction to each region. Map of each region. Overview of all major wine regions (D.O.) and many minor ones (V.T.). Up-to-date rating of D.O. vintages. Winery-by-winery listings: includes wines, price range, personal recommendations and website addresses. Local gastronomy – insights into the foods of each region. Local anecdotes – fun and interesting facts about this wonderful country and its wine. Glossary of terms. Alphabetical listing of all wines mentioned.

Customer Review: Spanish wine
I have been to Spain a couple of times and this book is pretty informative and accurate from my experience.

Customer Review: A Spanish Wine Travelogue
It appears the author published this guide himself, which might have been necessary due to the folksy conversdational style in which it was written. An uninformed reader would likely lack confidence in the superficial evaluations of the recognized wine regions and the numerous producers. However, Murdock’s solidly positive comments on those wines I have actually sampled so far match my own opinions, which leads me to believe his evaluations are really quite sound. The book is easy to use and should allow me to discover additional wines I might enjoy, which is the main reason why one buys this kind of guide. There can be no doubt that Spanish wines represent great value and provide interesting taste and style variances from the better publicized California, French, Italian, and Australian varietals. On the whole, this guide is a very goof value.

Know thy bubbly – champagne vs. sparkling wine for your wedding – The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com

The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com

Know thy bubbly – champagne vs. sparkling wine for your wedding The Express Times – LehighValleyLive.com But choosing to serve or gift wine at your wedding requires some advance planning. “We are the source. When we run out, there's no more,” Skrip says, adding that the vineyard grows most of what they sell. But don't buy too early. …

A Tale of Two Valleys: Wine, Wealth and the Battle for the Good Life in Napa and Sonoma

It’s Napa versus Sonoma, and the antics are rampant!

When acclaimed Vanity Fair journalist Alan Deutschman came to the California wine country as the lucky house guest of very rich friends, he was surprised to find a civil war being fought between Napa Valley, which epitomized prestige and wealthy excess, and neighboring Sonoma Valley, a ragtag bohemian enclave so stubbornly backward that rambunctious chickens wandered freely through town. In A Tale of Two Valleys, Deutschman wittily captures these stranger-than-fiction locales and uncorks the hilarious absurdities of life among the wine world’s glitterati. The cast of characters brims with eccentrics, egomaniacs, and a mysterious man in black who crashed the elegant Napa Valley Wine Auction before proceeding to pay a half-million dollars for a single bottle. What develops is nothing less than the struggle for the soul of one of America’s last bits of paradise.

A San Francisco Chronicle bestseller

Customer Review: Feels like a run-on magazine article
Echoing what others have written, this is an extremely light account of the Sonoma and Napa wine regions. Unclear plot line (is there one?) and very little depth on any of the subjects that could have made it interesting (how about at least letting us know how the Screaming Eagle tasted?). If you are looking for a short, light hearted read with some reasonably interesting tidbits on Sonoma and Napa, this is an ok read. If you’re looking for an ejoyable read with depth and history, this isn’t it – your time would be much better spent reading House of Mondavi.

Customer Review: Sour Grapes
Chock full of interesting characters and insightful observations, A Tale of Two Valleys is an entertaining read that ultimately disappoints for lack of a plot or central character. Deutschman stumbled on the subject matter to produce a West Coast version of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, but he seems to lack the creative instincts. He tells us too much and too little about himself, as if he can’t decide how much of a presence he should have in his story. That said, his tidbits on the French Laundry (“an excerise in literary and aesthetic showmanship”), the Russian River Valley (“summer camp for the Castro District”), Lake Tahoe’s Incline Village as a tax haven (“Incline Village is to Californians what Monaco is to Europeans”) and where to hang out if you want to meet Sonoma’s locals (the Irish pub and the Farmer’s Market) are some of the many little gems that make the book worthwhile. Deutschman has a good eye and a good ear. I hope the next time he asks himself WWTWD – What Would Tom Wolfe Do? – and does it.

SUPERMARKET SOMMELIER: A look at some new releases in the wine world
I had the privilege to taste a pre-release bottle this past August and have to rate it A+! Crimson and Clover upholds Concannon describes the wine, “as having the aroma of currants, cloves and vanilla, the fruit flavors of black berry

Eating Italian: Artichoke Hearts and Pancetta cooked with white wine
With joblessness and homelessness at such high rates hunger is up as well Cook as directed and a buttery wine flavor appetizer to serve on crackers is made. In a skillet warm olive oil on low heat, add wine and cook off alcohol for about 3 minutes

The Food Lover’s Companion to the Napa Valley: Where to Eat, Cook, and Shop in the Wine Country Plus 50 Irresistible Recipes
This is the first of its kind: an insider’s food guide to that gourmand’s paradise, the Napa Valley. Author and longtime resident Lori Lyn Narlock goes behind the scenes to discover where chefs shop, the best places to take a cooking class, or where to get a grapeseed oil massage. With complete details on the where, when, how, and how much, plus dozens of artful black-and-white photographs, this indispensible guide for food lovers even includes 50 recipes honoring the region’s local specialties. It’s a mouthwatering roster of the best that Napa has to offer.

Customer Review: Don’t go to Napa without this book!
Have been to Napa many times – but was unaware of the many gems this book uncovers – an incredible and fun resource for the food and wine lover! I will be seeking out these finds in the future! Highly recommended.

Customer Review: Great overview of Napa
This book covers all the areas I was interested in learning about before our trip to Napa Valley. The reviews seem unbiased and thoughtful. We had visited Napa 18 years ago and while we already had a few ideas, reservations, etc., this guide gave us even more places to consider. I’ve “earmarked” so many pages and even took this guide with us. It also includes maps, addresses and phone numbers and/or websites. Some good recipes are in the back. A good companion guide.