Born from the vision of winemaking legends—Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi—Opus One is Napa’s answer to old-world excellence. The newly released 2021 vintage reflects that legacy with a depth and richness honed by an uncommonly dry year, which intensified concentration and flavor. This vintage opens with a dark …

Opening the bottle, a super-fine frothy mousse pours into the glass. Earthy, bakery and a touch of cassis blossom in the aromas. The wine is surprisingly taught on the palate, with whisps of dark red berries, and a texture with both creaminess and steely acidity. This continues into the longish, …

I’m fascinated with this wine not only because Megan Hughes has nicely crafted a “chardonnay in the raw” but also because it gives us a glimpse into what sparkling wines were like centuries ago. Then, grapes were just pressed, left to ferment, and bottled. Very few steps. The result is …

Everyone who has tried this Champagne at my house has been charmed. As I was. And thrilled, having hurriedly grabbed the bottle from the shelf of a local wine shop. After selecting it, on the label I saw the stamp of approval from exporter Becky Wasserman & Co, so I …

Casa Dragones Barrel Blend, 100% Blue Agave Añejo tequila, achieves its distinctive character from being matured in two different wood barrels, new French Oak and new American Oak, each selected for their individual flavor and characteristics. At the end of the aging process, both barrel styles are blended together to …

Have you ever loved your dog so much you wanted to shout it out? Master Distiller Ben Green did just that when he created Mr. Pickles Gin, to honor his rescue pup. And Mr. Pickles has now become part of the team at the distinctive, independently-owned Wolf Spirit distillery in …

When I first tasted this spirit I was confused because it seemed like a cross between a Japanese whiskey and an American bourbon. Which turned out to be true. But the story of this whiskey is much larger. Opening with aromas of herbs and meadow grass, this whiskey becomes nicely …

Crisp and flavorful, the wild Amarena cherries in this jar are already infused with alcohol, fitting seamlessly into a cocktail – or any other dish that needs a spirited hint of sweetness and crunch. This treat is from Tempus Fugit, the California-based company that specializes in rare, historically-inspired spirits, bitters, …

A wine glass has to look elegant, feel good in the hand, and deliver an optimal aromatic and taste experience. So of course I was drawn the new Glasvin company with their slogan “hand-made wine glasses that were blown to impress, and priced to break.” Choosing wine glasses is tough. …

What’s a foil cutter? It’s the gadget that allows you to cleanly remove the covering on a wine cork: the first step in opening the bottle. An inexpensive foil cutter is one of the best investments to make it easy to open wine bottles. Though at an under $10 price, …

You may be surprised to hear that Chardonnay is now proving to be healthier than red wine. Sustainably so, too. And you don’t have to drink it, you can eat it. In chocolate, which is most people’s preferred way of consuming…anything. Vine to Bar chocolates incorporate the organic material that …

A style first made popular by brewers from California and the Pacific Northwest, American amber ale is a descendant of English pale ale or strong bitter. American amber ale had its start in breweries that used American grains and hop varieties, but other than that the beer has a fairly …

Wine: Deutz Champagne Variety: Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Vintage: N.V. Country: Champagne, France ABV: 12% Score: 95 Showcasing an equal share of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, this quintessential gem showcases the utmost elegance and grace. A substantial amount of Grand Cru and 1er Cru grapes go into …