Brian

LATEST ARTICLES ( 92 )

• 2010 Big House Wines “The Birdman” Pinot Grigio

  

  Today’s wine is something a little different than what I usually drink. This is a Pinot Grigio from California. I’ve had very little Pinot Grigio in the past.... Read more

  Posted on 11 September 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• Sovereign Estate Winery

  

  My wife and I visited the Sovereign Estate Winery near Waconia, Minnesota. We were greeted by the winemaker, Thijs Verschuuren. Although he has a Dutch name,... Read more

  Posted on 08 September 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2009 Red Rock Winery Winemaker’s Blend

  

  I think wine blends are very interesting. I enjoy trying them, because I’m never sure what it will be like. If I get a Zinfandel or a Chardonnay or a Syrah, I... Read more

  Posted on 04 September 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2008 Lapostolle Casa Chardonnay

  

  Yes, it’s another wine from Chile. I know I’ve reviewed several Chilean wines recently, but I wanted to add another white wine to the list. I went with a... Read more

  Posted on 02 September 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2008 Oscar’s Estate Vineyard Shiraz

  

  I went into the wine store knowing that I wanted an Australian Shiraz, but it still took a while for me to pick one out. Australia produces a lot of Shiraz, so... Read more

  Posted on 02 September 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• July and August in Review

  This is a summary of the wines reviewed in July and August 2011, organized by country. Chile 2010 Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc - Very Good 2010 Siegel... Read more

  Posted on 31 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2010 Château Du Barail Reserve

  It’s time for another quick review of a wine. I had this wine almost 3 weeks ago, so I’m just relying on my notes. This is a Bordeaux white blend from Château d... Read more

  Posted on 31 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2008 Ventisquero Reserva Pinot Noir

  

  I love Chilean wine, and I love Pinot Noir, so this wine seems like a great choice for me. However, I’ve found that Pinot Noir wines can be very good or they ca... Read more

  Posted on 30 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2010 Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

  It’s time for another wine from Chile! This time, I’m trying a white. This is a Sauvignon Blanc from the Casablanca Valley, produced by Viña Santa Rita.... Read more

  Posted on 28 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• Glycemic Load Diet Progress

  I’ve been following the Glycemic Load Diet for about a week now. I’m prediabetic, so I monitor my blood glucose levels. Before I started this diet, I would... Read more

  Posted on 28 August 2011 FOOD & DRINK, HEALTH

• Cheese Pairings

  I found this cheese pairing tool at the Wisconsin Cheese website. In addition to pairing cheese with wine, it also has recommendations for pairing cheese with... Read more

  Posted on 28 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2007 Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza

  This wine comes from Spain. More specifically, it is from the Rioja region of Spain, which is a D.O.Ca. (Denominación de Origen Calificada) region. Read more

  Posted on 27 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2009 Castle Rock Barrel Fermented Central Coast Chardonnay

  

  In my last review of a Chardonnay, I said I might try something a little different next time. Well, I didn’t. I have another oaked California Chardonnay today.... Read more

  Posted on 27 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• What I’m Reading: The Glycemic-Load Diet

  I started reading The Glycemic-Load Diet by Rob Thompson, M.D. this weekend. Dr. Thompson recommends a low-carb diet in this book, but it is not as restrictive... Read more

  Posted on 22 August 2011 FOOD & DRINK, HEALTH

• 2003 Schmitt Söhne Riesling Kabinett

  This is a quick review of a German Riesling that I had earlier this month. I’ve discovered that I can sometimes find some older German Rieslings available at a... Read more

  Posted on 21 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2010 Siegel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

  I love wine from Chile. At least, I’ve really enjoyed the Chilean wines I’ve tasted so far. In addition to a Sauvignon Blanc that I tasted a while back at an... Read more

  Posted on 20 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• The Start of My Vineyard?

  

  A grapevine in my backyard No, I don’t have a vineyard. I just have one grapevine that I planted this spring. This isn’t a wine grape, either. It is a “Swenson... Read more

  Posted on 15 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2004 Norman Vineyards Reflection

  I previously reviewed the 2004 Norman Vineyards The Vocation. That wine was on sale at a local wine store, and another Norman Vineyards selection, Reflection,... Read more

  Posted on 11 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• 2004 Norman Vineyards The Vocation

  

  This wine, from Norman Vineyards, is a Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre (GSM) blend from Paso Robles, California. GSM wines are also popular in Australia as well as... Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK

• Can Red Wine Prevent Sunburns?

  A recent study shows that compounds in red wine (and grapes, if you prefer) may block chemical changes that cause skin damage. Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2011 DRINK, FOOD & DRINK