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Jordan Vineyard & Winery
by Andrew Chalk In the 1960s Tom and Sally Jordan loved to visit gourmet restaurants in the U.S. and Europe and invariably ordered French...
andychalk
Mar 12, 20201 min read
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HOW MUCH IS AN AVA WORTH? HOW ABOUT A 25% PRICE INCREASE ON EVERY BOTTLE OF WINE
by Andrew Chalk That is what Harry Peterson-Nedry estimates. He is the founder of Ribbon Ridge Winery and Ridgecrest Vineyards in the...
andychalk
Mar 6, 20203 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2018 Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, CA ($24)
by Andrew Chalk Thank God for Bill Foley, who shows here how a monied patron can be a force for good by providing the resources for the...
andychalk
Mar 5, 20201 min read
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THREE FINE VINTAGES OF FOPPIANO PETITE SIRAH
by Andrew Chalk All of these wines are estate grown on the 140 acre vineyard adjacent to the Russian River. The vineyard has a low...
andychalk
Mar 4, 20201 min read
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A BOUNTY FROM THE LOIRE
by Andrew Chalk France’s Loire Valley is the breadbasket of French agriculture and one of its premier wine producing regions. The...
andychalk
Mar 3, 20202 min read
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A FINNISH STAPLE, LONG DRINK, COMES TO CANS
by Andrew Chalk In Finland, in a bar, you are just as likely to order a long drink (lonkero) as a beer. It is a combination of gin and...
andychalk
Feb 28, 20201 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2017 Pratello ‘Mille 1’, Garda Rosso DOC, Italy ($16)
by Andrew Chalk An unusual blend of 40% rebo, 40% merlot, 20% corvina, rebo being a cross between merlot and teroldogo. The merlot...
andychalk
Feb 24, 20201 min read
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DON MELCHOR: COMPANY CHANGES AND A NEW VINTAGE
by Andrew Chalk News from the winery…. SANTIAGO, Chile -- Don Melchor has launched an independent winery, Viña Don Melchor, which will...
andychalk
Feb 21, 20203 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2016 Château Malescasse, Haut-Medoc AOP, Cru Bourgeois, France ($22)
by Andrew Chalk UPDATE: Château Malescasse was just awarded the level of Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, the highest level of Cru Bourgeois...
andychalk
Feb 20, 20201 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2019 Greywacke, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($18)
by Andrew Chalk Appearance: Clear with a light green tinge; Nose: Grassy, lemon, white peach, ripe apple; Palate: Medium plus acid,...
andychalk
Feb 20, 20201 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2016 Ovis Cabernet Sauvignon, High Valley, Lake County, CA ($64)
by Andrew Chalk Appearance: Ruby almost opaque core with rim turning garnet; Nose: Raspberry and blackberry fruit., Earthy, forest floor...
andychalk
Feb 19, 20203 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2016 Chateau Bu-De, '1660 Red Blend', Pennsylvania
by Andrew Chalk Appearance: Garnet color red, translucent core; Nose: Raspberry Palate: Chewy tannins. Medium acid. Raspberry, mint,...
andychalk
Feb 17, 20201 min read
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WHEN IS A NOT A BAROLO, A BAROLO?
by Andrew Chalk When it is made by Enrico Serafino. The winery made Barolo before the DOCG boundaries were established and was...
andychalk
Feb 13, 20202 min read
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LAPHROAIG INTRODUCES A 30-YEAR OLD MASTERPIECE
by Andrew Chalk Consistency may be the highest-rated value in Scotch whisky. Connoisseurs expect their tipple of choice to remain itself,...
andychalk
Feb 12, 20201 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2018 Sosie Wines ‘Bare Necessity’ Sparkling Rosé, Sonoma County ($30)
by Andrew Chalk Appearance: Color of sunset orange. Tiny bubbles; Nose: Rose petals, strawberry, medium intensity; Palate: Forward fruit...
andychalk
Feb 11, 20201 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2017 Zolo Cabernet Franc Reserve, Mendoza, Argentina ($19)
by Andrew Chalk THE WINERY Zolo was founded in 2003 by Patricia Ortiz. It produces several ranges of wines, distinguished by their price...
andychalk
Feb 5, 20202 min read
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WINE REVIEW: Two Interesting Tuscan Sangiovese Wines
by Andrew Chalk 2016 Basile, ‘Cartacanta’, Montecucco Sangiovese, DOCG, Tuscany, Italy ($18) 2015 Peteglia Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva,...
andychalk
Feb 4, 20202 min read
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IT’S A RUM DO
by Andrew Chalk Ever tasted white rum? It is unusual, but it may be about to experience a popularity boom. Diplomático Planas (SRP:...
andychalk
Feb 3, 20201 min read
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Pour Me a Slice of Bourbon-Infused Cheese
by Andrew Chalk Basil Hayden’s has partnered with Utah-based creamery, Beehive Cheese, to create a one-of-a-kind Basil Hayden’s...
andychalk
Jan 31, 20201 min read
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WINE REVIEW: 2016 Adobe Road ‘Shift’ Red Wine, Sonoma Co., CA ($65)
by Andrew Chalk Appearance: Dark ruby with opaque core and rim; Nose: Briary, dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry), cedar, black pepper;...
andychalk
Jan 22, 20201 min read
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Texas Wineries Start To Love New French Oak
by Andrew Chalk I am at the Texas Hill Country Wineries (THCW) Symposium in the Texas resort town of Marble Falls for the next two days....
andychalk
Jan 21, 20202 min read
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EMPRESS 1908 GIN. A GIN FOR ALL SEASONS (ESPECIALLY THIS ONE)
by Andrew Chalk Gin is hot, or cold, depending how you like it. In this case Empress 1908 sent us some recipes to make cocktails with...
andychalk
Jan 21, 20201 min read
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Your New Sparkling Wine From Italy? Trentodoc!
by Andrew Chalk This is the location for the article.
andychalk
Jan 15, 20201 min read
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Flat Top Hills -- 4th Generation Wine
by Andrew Chalk Big news of a new line from one of the most famous wine families in America... Fourth Generation Mondavis Drive Vision...
andychalk
Jan 15, 20202 min read
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