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WINE REVIEWS: The Immortals
by Andrew Chalk When I have to drink wines like these so young (it is the current release) I am left with feelings of schadenfreude,...
andychalk
Aug 20, 20214 min read


WINE REVIEW: Graham’s “20 year” Tawny Port, Portugal ($65)
by Andrew Chalk The nutty, heartwarming style of tawny port intensifies with the age of the port. A week ago we reviewed a 10-year old...
andychalk
Aug 19, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Handley Cellars 2020 Pinot Noir Rosé, Anderson Valley, CA ($26)
by Andrew Chalk With a nose of cucumber and strawberry, flavors of watermelon, strawberry, and lime, and a vibrant mouthfeel and finish,...
andychalk
Aug 18, 20211 min read


TEXAS GRAPE HARVEST 2021: SOME TOUGH SPOTS FOR YIELD BUT HIGH QUALITY
by Andrew Chalk PR Agency Big Thirst Marketing has put together the perpective of their clients... 2021 has certainly had some crazy...
andychalk
Aug 17, 20215 min read


THE FEDS WANT TO MAKE THE WINE MARKET MORE COMPETITIVE
-- USE THE COMMERCE CLAUSE AGGRESSIVELY TO ABOLISH STATE MONOPOLIES by Andrew Chalk [Submitted as part of the public comment process...
andychalk
Aug 15, 20213 min read


NEW DOGS OF THE WEEK! Elway and Blueberry, Ron Yates Wines
by Andrew Chalk Ron Yates Wines between Johnson City and Hye is the home to two magnificent examples of the state dog of Texas - the Blue...
andychalk
Aug 13, 20211 min read


DEALCOHOLIZED WINE REVIEW: Starla Red Blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Non-Vintage, CA ($28)
by Andrew Chalk A $28 cooking wine I was intrigued when I read about Starla, a line of three dealcoholized wines that have just come on...
andychalk
Aug 13, 20212 min read


SMOKE, BABY, SMOKE
by Andrew Chalk SPACE IS LIMITED Get the classroom basics inside, then head out to the pits & perfect your skills. Crack a beer, have...
andychalk
Aug 11, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Dog Point 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($25)
by Andrew Chalk Dog Point wines are hand-crafted (and handpicked) from estate fruit grown on some of the oldest vines and best sites in...
andychalk
Aug 11, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Pellegrini Olivet Lane Vineyards 2016 Chardonnay, Estate Bottled, Russian River Valley
Sonoma County, CA ($50) by Andrew Chalk Grapes from the Olivet Lane Vineyard comprise this chardonnay. Two thirds of the grapes in the...
andychalk
Aug 10, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: CK Mondavi and Family Releases 75th Anniversary Wines ($6.99 each)
by Andrew Chalk CK Mondavi and Family released a family of wines for summer to celebrate their 75th anniversary -- in a fun kind of way....
andychalk
Aug 9, 20212 min read


CYRIL IS RIGHT, BUT DIDN’T GO FAR ENOUGH
by Andrew Chalk Cyril Penn, editor of Wine Business Monthly, and long-time industry scribe gave the opening keynote at this year’s Wine...
andychalk
Aug 7, 20214 min read


WINE REVIEW: Coen 2020 Malbec Classic, Uco Valley, Argentina ($25)
by Andrew Chalk We were really impressed with the 2019 Reserva a few months ago. This is the regular bottling (labelled ‘classic’) and...
andychalk
Aug 6, 20211 min read


Unfortunately, Hatch Chiles, Like Unicorns, Don’t Exist
by Andrew Chalk We are about to be beset by restaurants, promoters, and the more credulous sections of the media bombarding us with the...
andychalk
Aug 5, 20212 min read


WINE REVIEW: Corvo 2020 Grillo, Sicilia D.O.C., Italy ($12.99)
by Andrew Chalk Grillo is the signature white grape of Sicily. It produces zingy, straw-yellow wines with a nose of white flowers and...
andychalk
Aug 4, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Famiglia Pasqua 2019 Passione Sentimento Bianco, Veneto IGT, Italy ($16)
by Andrew Chalk From the winery… “The Passione Sentimento Bianco Veneto is made from native grapes selected and harvested well in...
andychalk
Aug 3, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Unshackled 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, CA ($27)
by Andrew Chalk From the company: “Unshackled officially launched in early 2020 and provides a well-priced option for wine drinkers...
andychalk
Aug 2, 20211 min read


NEW DOG OF THE WEEK! STELLA, MCPHERSON CELLARS
by Andrew Chalk Wine club members and regular visitors to McPherson Cellars in downtown Lubbock always look out for Stella. Thomas Turman...
andychalk
Jul 30, 20211 min read


What Is Happening In North Texas Wine Country?
by Andrew Chalk While the Texas High Plains is the main growing area (70% of all wine grapes) and the Texas Hill Country is the state's...
andychalk
Jul 29, 20211 min read


There Is an Amazing Wine Empire being Built In The Arizonian Part of Canada
by Andrew Chalk Where in North America can one find 100 degree days, wild cacti, rattlesnakes, and desert conditions. Arizona, you say?...
andychalk
Jul 28, 20213 min read


WINE REVIEW: Dutcher Crossing, 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Co. CA ($33)
by Andrew Chalk This family-owned winery just outside Healdsburg farms 75 estate vineyards plus vineyards in Napa, Mendocino, and...
andychalk
Jul 27, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato, Friuli DOC, Italy (SRP $20)
by Andrew Chalk Here it is, Pinot Grigio rosé. The producers from the Friuli area prefer to say that it is copper-colored. Summarized by...
andychalk
Jul 26, 20211 min read


New Dog of the Week! Max - Lost Oak Winery
by Andrew Chalk Max was just a pup when he stole the front cover of Texas Winery Dogs. Well we went back six months later and now Max is...
andychalk
Jul 24, 20211 min read


WINE REVIEW: The Prisoner 2018 ‘Eternally Silenced’, Pinot Noir, CA ($50)
by Andrew Chalk The crown in the ‘Prisoner’ line up, a brand created by Dave Phinney in 2000 and now owned by Constellation Brands. This...
andychalk
Jul 23, 20211 min read
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