Blended
Clayhouse Vineyard Adobe Red2006Current price: about $12 We seem to be experiencing a blending moment. The Ridge we had the other night billed itself as…
My First Zinfandel
Ridge California Sonoma County Three Valleys Zinfandel2007Current price: about $21 Okay, it's not my first Zinfandel. But it's the first one I've really liked. It's…
Old World, Old Vines, Young Price
Celler de Capçanes Mas Donís Barrica Old Vines2007Current price: about $10 A bright, juicy rose-purple, the wine gives up a subtle but still earthy…
A Bagatelle
Acacia Vineyard A2007Current price: about $12 A sweet little wine, juicy and vibrant. Bright pink-purple, with a nose like the wild roses that grow in…
An Italian and Two Frenchmen Walk Into a Bar…
Bonny DoonSuper Tuscan2008Price: about $15 This wine is a blend of 52% Sangiovese, 33% Syrah, and 15% Cinsault. So that means it's: bright, fruity,…
A Trip to the Rhône
Seven years ago on our honeymoon, my husband and I spent a long weekend in the Northern Rhône. We thought of it as a…
Ringing It In
Louis RoedererCristal Champagne Brut1996Current price: about $350 Last night, to ring in the New Year, we pulled the cork on this elegant bottle of…
Two Elegant French Dinner Companions
Guy LarmandierCramant Grand Cru Blanc de BlancsNVCurrent price: about $55 Château de BeaucastelChâteauneuf-du-Pape1993Current price: about $60 Last night we hosted an intimate dinner party…
A Dark Spaniard
Buil and GinéToro DO2004Price: $24 The Toro Denominación de Origen is located along Spain's Duero river valley, where the stony soils and relatively high…
Rustic Onion Tart
It never wins prizes for its looks, but this rustic pastry with caramelized onions, Gruyere, and bacon always wins hearts. When I serve it…
Roasted Delicata Squash
Tonight I roasted delicata with garlic and oil, an easy fall staple. Roasting brings out squash's sweetness and mellows the garlic, and delicata's…
Deirdre Heekin’s Bitter Alchemy
“I am une garagiste, a woman who makes wine in her garage, and I am maître liquoriste. I am the would-be parfumeur. I am…