Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Dec 4, 2009, 4:35 pm
Find Provenance Sauvignon Blanc at WineZap. By way of background: Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, 2008, hails from estate and neighboring vineyards in Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. I a...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Dec 2, 2009, 8:33 pm
Find Chaz Point Cabernet Sauvignon on WineZap. Original Review, April, 2007: This Washington state cabernet shows a dark, muddy mahogany and brick color - almost opaque. The aroma is subdued. It wh...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Dec 1, 2009, 6:09 pm
Find Napa Valley Red Wine at WineZap. By way of background: Thunder Cuvee Napa Valley Red, 2004, is an offering from Terroir of Napa Valley and promoted directly by retailer Gary Vaynerchuk of WineL...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Dec 1, 2009, 5:38 pm
Find William Hill Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at WineZap. By way of background: William Hill Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005, is fermented with a small percentage of its berrie...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Dec 1, 2009, 5:25 pm
Find The Chook Shiraz Viognier at WineZap. By way of background: The Chook Shiraz Viognier blend, 2008, is a combination of 94% shiraz (red wine) and 6% viognier (white wine), both from South Austra...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 29, 2009, 7:36 pm
Find Verdi Spumante at WineZap. By way of background: Don't be confused... this is Verdi Spumante, NOT Verdi ASTI Spumante. "Asti" Spumante would imply a couple of things - first, that it was m...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 29, 2009, 7:16 pm
Find Martini & Rossi Asti at WineZap. By way of background: Martini & Rossi Asti (Spumante / Dolce) is a sweet sparkling wine from the Asti D.O.C.G. area of Italy, built of moscato bianco grapes. I...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 29, 2009, 6:59 pm
Find Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz at WineZap. By way of background: The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz is from South Eastern Australia, made by well-known winemaker Ben Riggs, and produced by also-wel...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 29, 2009, 6:03 pm
Find Piping Shrike Shiraz at WineZap. By way of background: Piping Shrike is a full-throttle shiraz produced by Charles Cimicky & Son Winemakers of South Australia, from grapes grown exclusively in ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 28, 2009, 7:02 pm
Find Norton Reserva Malbec at WineZap. By way of background: Bodega Norton Reserva Malbec hails from the Mendoza region of Argentina, definitely an area known and recognized for its world-class malb...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 28, 2009, 5:54 pm
Find Calvet-Thunevin Constance Cuvee at WineZap. By way of background: Calvet-Thunevin Cuvee Constance red wine is called a "Vin de Pays Des Cotes Catalanes", something entirely new in my book. It ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 28, 2009, 3:52 pm
A large number of diverse wine clubs have appeared in recent months and years, all - it turns out - under the direction and sponsorship of Tony Laithwaite of Laithwaites Wine in the UK. These include...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 27, 2009, 2:35 pm
This work-in-progress represents champagnes (and, to be accurate, sparkling wines from other regions) that I have tried and rated, starting in 2008. Individual varietals are listed below with ratings...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 27, 2009, 2:17 pm
Find Loios Wine at WineZap. By way of background: In the glass: Clear with a creamy, yellow cast. On the nose: Following a swirl, you notice a brilliant aroma of cut grass and stainless steel, ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 27, 2009, 1:56 pm
Find Loios Wine at WineZap. By way of background: Loios Vinho Tinto (Red Wine) is a bargain-priced red from the Alentejano (Alentejo) region of southern Portugal, known for its large production of c...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 26, 2009, 9:36 pm
Find Nando Asti at WineZap. By way of background: Like a Moscato d'Asti, Asti Spumante is a sparkling wine made from moscato bianco grapes in the area around Asti in northwestern Italy. Althoug...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 26, 2009, 9:35 pm
Original Review Nov, 2006: This is the Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon vintage with grapes reputedly declassified from Harlan. Let's see what we have here... Visually, deep brick red, moving to an...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 26, 2009, 9:10 pm
Find Braida Moscato d'Asti at WineZap. By way of background: Consistent with most versions of Moscato d'Asti, this Braida "Vigna Senza Nome" comes in at a modest 5.5% alcohol. Different fro...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 25, 2009, 4:28 pm
Find Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir at WineZap. By way of background: Terra Noble Pinot Noir Reserva is from the Chile region of Casablanca Valley. It is a rare example of a value-priced pinot noir w...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 25, 2009, 3:00 pm
Find Bianco Delle Venezie at WineZap. By way of background: Visionario is a white wine blend from a range of grapes acquired from throughout Friuli and Collio, Italy, called a "Venezie IGT". It hail...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 25, 2009, 2:38 pm
Find Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc at WineZap. By way of background: Line 39 is a second, modestly-priced line of wines from Cecchetti Wine Company, also maker of the wide-selling, bargain-priced Redtree...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 25, 2009, 2:18 pm
Find Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon at WineZap. By way of background: Line 39 is a second, modestly-priced line of wines from Cecchetti Wine Company, also maker of the wide-selling, bargain-priced Redtr...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 24, 2009, 9:54 pm
Find Two Vines Merlot Cabernet at WineZap. By way of background: Two Vines is the value-based label from Columbia Crest, wines made from grapes of the Washington State area. The Merlot-Cabernet ble...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 22, 2009, 5:39 pm
Find The Stump Jump at WineZap. By way of background: "Stump jump" is the name of a plow which was used in SOuth Australia to clear land and make its way over the gnarly Eucalyptus tree roots. Ches...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 22, 2009, 1:26 pm
Find Tortoise Creek Shiraz at WineZap. By way of background: Tortoise Creek Shiraz is built from grapes acquired from a number of vineyards near the village of St. Chinian in the southwest area of Fr...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 21, 2009, 6:57 pm
Find Covey Run Riesling at WineZap. By way of background: Covey Run Riesling is from the Columbia Valley area of Washington State, and is finished at 11.5% alcohol - a modest level fairly typical of...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 21, 2009, 5:39 pm
Find Slipstream Shiraz/Grenache at WineZap. Original Review, December, 2007: The Slipstream shiraz/grenache blend comes from the well-regarded McLaren Vale region of south Australia. This is a nego...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 20, 2009, 6:10 pm
Find Marlborough sauvignon blanc at WineZap. By way of background: Stonewall Sauvignon Blanc is from the Wairu River area of Marlborough, New Zealand, finished at 13% alcohol, without any oak aging....
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 20, 2009, 5:46 pm
This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your o...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 20, 2009, 4:59 pm
Find Monterey Chardonnay at WineZap. By way of background: Le Petit Pauvre Chardonnay is built from grapes collected from a number of Monterey County, CA, vineyards, south of San Francisco. It was ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 20, 2009, 4:52 pm
Find Argentina Chardonnay Cuyo at WineZap. By way of background: Hailing from the western Argentina region of Cuyo, this is a blend of 70% chardonnay and 30% viognier. Finished in oak, Santa Ana sh...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 20, 2009, 4:26 pm
Wine Spectator has posted its Top 100 Wines of 2009. Here are the top 10 wines with links to availability on WineZap: 1 - Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reserve 2005, 95 points, $...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 20, 2009, 12:42 pm
To find our independent reviews on individual wines that make up the introductory Zagat Wine Club package, (zagatwine) click on this search. Check out Wine Deals at Amazon.
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 19, 2009, 5:55 pm
This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your o...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 19, 2009, 4:44 pm
Find Montepulciano d'Abruzzo at WineZap. By way of background: Villa Farnia di Farnese is made of the montepulciano grape from the southeastern Italy region of Abruzzo. Winemaker Filippo Baccala...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 18, 2009, 6:03 pm
This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your o...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 17, 2009, 6:48 pm
This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 16, 2009, 6:07 pm
This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 15, 2009, 5:59 pm
This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 15, 2009, 2:04 pm
Find Puig-Parahy Georges at WineZap. By way of background: This is a new experience for me... a Cotes du Roussillon from France. In this case, Domaine Puig-Parahy Georges is a combination of carign...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 15, 2009, 12:55 pm
Find Chateau La Rose Tour Blanche at WineZap. By way of background: CAUTION: This is NOT a rose wine (despite the word "Rose" in its name); and it is NOT a white wine (despite the word "Blanche" in i...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 15, 2009, 11:43 am
Find Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir at WineZap. By way of background: Gran Tarapaca Pinot Noir Reservado from the Casablanca Valley area of Chile was acquired as part of the introductory Zagat Wine Clu...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 14, 2009, 3:48 pm
Find Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon at WineZap. By way of background: This Forbes Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from the Lake County region of California is part of an introductory Zagat Wine Club select...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 13, 2009, 4:59 pm
Find Felline Primitivo di Manduria at WineZap. By way of background: From Manduria in the Apulia area of Italy, this Felline represents the 10th year of production of this label, and comes in at a f...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 7, 2009, 5:20 pm
Find Les Abeilles at WineZap. By way of background: Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Cotes du Rhone Blanc, 2008, is from the Cornas-based winemaker and negociant, Jean-Luc Colombo. He is known for pro...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 7, 2009, 3:48 pm
In a previous article, I discussed the strategy that we use at Spirit of Wine to identify great wine values. In this article, I want to give you a technique to find great wine values in wines you...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 7, 2009, 12:56 pm
Find Casa Castillo Monastrell at WineZap. By way of background: Casa Castillo Monastrell, from the Jumilla area of southern Spain, is a pure varietal of the monastrell grape - also called mourvedre ...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 6, 2009, 5:29 pm
Find Ave Malbec at WineZap. By way of background: Ave Malbec hails from the well-regarded area of Mendoza, Argentina, popularly-speaking the malbec capital of the world. It has been developed by Al...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 5, 2009, 5:54 pm
By way of background: Walnut Crest Merlot is part of the value-priced Walnut Crest line of wines from the producer Vinedos Emiliana of Chile. The grapes are from the Emiliana Vineyards in the Valle Ra...
Comment - Like

Jorray posted an article on Spirit of Wine - Nov 3, 2009, 5:31 pm
By way of background: Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Cotes du Rhone, 2007, is from the increasingly-well-known Cornas-based winemaker and negociant, Jean-Luc Colombo. He is known for producing tradi...
Comment - Like