Arturo Ciompi

Back in the 1980s and ’90s, I sold hundreds of cases of Domaine Du Tariquet Côtes de Gascogne white. Made from the Ugni Blanc grape, the grape of Cognac, it was (and still is) a delicious little bargain white. Importer Robert (Bobby) Kacher now brings a higher end white from this same estate, and it […]

I’m not usually a fan of wines with a “theme” attached. You know the kind: “Ooh, La, La,” “Slapshot Syrah” or “Cleavage Creek” — (yes, it really does exist)! Cute doesn’t cut it for me. But a new red, made by Vietnam vet and “veteran” winemaker Ray Coursen, is all seriousness in a bottle. Enologist

Gavi, one of northern Italy’s most bracing white wines, is usually a hand sell. One of Piemonte’s most distinctive whites, it has achieved limited popularity with those who really like a dry wine. The grape is called Cortese and refers to the village of Gavi around which many of the vineyards lie. Gavi is never

The term “American Viticultural Area” (AVA) speaks volumes in wine circles. Our very own Yadkin Valley is a recognized AVA. In Washington, one AVA that stands very tall indeed is Horse Heaven Hills. This arid, southeastern region in the state has been producing stellar grapes for decades. One of the small, boutique estates that overlooks

The Languedoc region in South-Central France skirts the Mediterranean Sea. This used to be considered the “wine lake” of France, with oceans of cheap wine and quantity outweighing quality. But years of turning excess grapes into cheap brandy has created more thoughtful winemaking – and wine makers. Paul Mas leads the way in producing inexpensive,

Bodega Septima is always on my radar for quality Argentine bottlings. Their Gran Reserva is one of this country’s best Malbec-based blends. Their “Obra” line is also a reserve, but made up of 100% pure varietals; today’s wine is Malbec. From the Luján de Cuyo district, in the upper reaches (4,000 feet!) of Mendoza province,

My wife and I don’t go to Four Square nearly enough. It has nothing to do with the pricing. At $9 to $14 for appetizers and $23 to $34 for entrees, Four Square may not be your every-night destination, but neither is it in the stratospheric echelon many people improperly think. And do you ever

Some Bordeaux reds are as fresh as springtime and well-suited for drinking in warmer weather. One such wine is Chateau Rollan De By, a very popular bottle in the American market. It is a Medoc “Cru Bourgeois,” actually a very strict appellation, despite its plebeian name – wines that are continuously monitored by professional tasters

Sometimes the pleasure of buying a wine, cellaring it and waiting for that most special occasion to open it is a true joy. I don’t usually have the money to buy first growth Bordeaux — the release prices for these wines climbs ever higher. But I sensed that the 2002 vintage was being overlooked, and

The Rodney Strong “brand” is often seen as ubiquitous, as if that’s a bad thing. The many varied releases from this Sonoma estate range from very good, everyday offerings to single-vineyard bottlings of incredible depth. This estate remains one of the fairest priced in the region, despite their continual raising of the bar on quality.