California Wines

My first blind date was a huge success! I have to admit, expanding my palate through foreign grapes is actually a lot of fun. There's just something about the excitement of trying something different than your everyday goto grapes and discovering a new favorite that makes it all worthwhile. Hailing from the same birthplace as Riedel glassware and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, my first blind date was with the Austrian grape formally known as Zweigelt. Overall, it was a night I'll never forget. Not only did I learn a thing or two about Austrian red wine (like how to properly pronounce the names of ... Read Full Story

Few words in the wine world elicit as much emotion as the word Barefoot. Does that make sense? Here's why... I remember receiving a shipment of Barefoot wine earlier in the year. Not only did they send me a few bottles, they sent me an entire case! After that, they sent me another case. Considering the fact that these aren't $500 bottles of Lafite, this may not sound like a big deal, but then again, how many wineries take the time to send one bottle, let alone two cases? I never imagined how much I would learn from these shipments. Not only did I ... Read Full Story

QPR ALERT : At it’s recession busting price, today’s exceptional wine represents an incredible value SUPERIOR WINE ALERT : Today’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptional wine with exceptional character. If you are a fan of classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, then this wine belongs in your collection. SECRET SAVINGS ALERT : Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new members-only code that entitles you to have Ground Shipping included and, sometimes, an added discount! Mission Codename : Return to the Ridge Operative : Agent ... Read Full Story

The new ‘normal’ Regardless of how things go this winter, some say the Napa Valley wine industry may have changed forever. “I don’t think it can go back to normal,” Calistoga winery owner Laura Zahtila said. “I think we’ll have a new normal.” New Jersey wine merchant Gary Fisch agrees. “It will never be like it was,” he said, “and boy, did I like what it was.” Deborah Steinthal, founder of Napa-based Scion Advisors, predicts that $75 wines will move down permanently to $50, and Napa Valley wineries will be forced to reconsider their luxury-only portfolios. “I think we’ve got about three to five ... Read Full Story

WORLD EXCLUSIVE ALERT ! Today’s just-in-time-for-the-Holidays wine is usually a wine that is only available at the Mumm Winery! Through crafty strategic negotiation (we never said, ”bribery” ), we were able to secure a small allotment for our Operatives. SUPERIOR WINE ALERT ! Wine Spies founder, Agent Red, declares today’s wine to be his favorite Mumm bubbly to be featured here to date! This is high-praise, indeed, and it is recommended that you stock up for all of your holiday celebrations. SECRET SAVINGS ALERT ! Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day ... Read Full Story