What's the most expensive bottle of wine you ever bought? Was it worth it?I am sure most people have me beat on this one, but my most expensive bottle would have to be a 2003 Opus One (~$170). Honestly, I was a bit dissapointed. Perhaps this is a bottle of wine that is better enjoyed with more age. Don't get me wrong, it was complex, rich, and enjoyable... but aside from the experience of getting to taste the hype, I just don't think it was worth the pricetag. Has anyone else found that ... Read Full Story

This week you chose a wine that helped me conquer the stereotypes behind a typical California Chardonnay. Watch this episode of TWWTV to find out what makes this Chard so different:Keller Estate Sonoma Coast Oro De Plata Chardonnay 2007 (~$26)Harvest Date Sep 29th – Oct 24th, 2007Clones Clone 4, Old WenteBottling Date Feb 26th – 29th, 2008Production 2425 casesAlcohol by Vol. 14.20%Total Acidity 0.61g/LpH 3.52Make sure to vote for your favorite bottle to be featured in next week's episode of ... Read Full Story

I won't ramble on or try to turn what should be an otherwise respectful holiday into a spectacle... I'd like to take a moment to make a toast to everyone who has given even a small part of their lives for this country so that we can be here today to share a laugh, drink, and everything else that is good in this world.Thank you and Cheers!(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore) Read Full Story

While I may be able to sear a kick ass hunk of beef, I am by far not a chef. Someone once made fun of my cooking skills by laughing at me and proclaiming that I "only knew how to heat things up". Come to think about it, they were right. Despite the hours of Food Network watching, Rachel Ray gawking, and half baked attempts in the kitchen, I am waiving the white flag... I may be in love with food, but I am NOT a cook. The internet is a great place for people like me because it offers ways ... Read Full Story

Should a good bottle of wine taste good before it "breathes"?(This message brought to you by The Wine Whore) Read Full Story

Let's face it... if you are like most people, you work all day, come home exhausted, and don't have time to sleep more than 6 hours before having to do it all again. Not only do you NOT have time to come home and prepare that lavish six course meal you've been dreaming about, but you're just lucky to have time to eat anything at all.I am no exception to this rule. Last night I came home hungry, tired, and ready to take a nap. Luckily, my wife came to the rescue. While hardly a six course ... Read Full Story

After facing heavy criticism for spraying pesticides, Napa has turned to a new method for destroying pests. Get ready for this... In an effort to eliminate or reduce the impact of the apple moth, they are actually releasing MORE MOTHS. Before you throw your arms up, let me explain. These moths have one characteristic that differentiates them from their destructive counterparts: sterility. Their inability to reproduce not only renders them unable to inflict damage upon vineyards but also h... Read Full Story

I am ashamed to share what I have done. Never before have I taken part of an online wine tasting event that made even myself, the self proclaimed "Wine Whore" blush. Before I get into the gory details, let me just state for the record that I would not be doing my job if I didn't tell people about these types of happenings. I will leave out names so as not to implicate others and will only mention facts so you may get as unbiased of a description as possible. While I am afraid that there ... Read Full Story

While traveling in France, one name came up repeatedly: Robert Parker. I haven't figured out if the French love him for bringing fame and fortune to their world of wine, or hate him for causing French wine to be crafted to fit his palate. One thing is for sure, Parker is the root cause behind too much wood in wine. By that, I mean that Parker's desire for new oak fueled the "overoaked" wine craze in Bordeaux as well as around the world. Oddly enough, one of the criteria around the quality... Read Full Story

Through my affairs with the grape, I get to taste wine from around the world. This section of the site is devoted to organizing and sharing the intimate details about my affairs for you to enjoy. Click the map above to explore of all of the wineries that I have "visited" through my affairs. This info is useful for planning trips, finding winery reviews, or just searching for your house. Choose the middle image for an up to date listing of my affairs and how well they scored. (Before chec... Read Full Story