NV Right Now Alpine Stream White, USA, California, Wine Review

This is from a Can. Unfortunately, while other wines from this producer can be recommended, this was was not. Of course, wine is subjective, so your mileage may vary. Light yellow gold in color. The nose has an asparagus note to it. With air, it gains a slight lemony quality. On the palate, it is dry and innocuous. There is a bit of acidity. This actually improved with air, but given that it is in a can, it is unclear how many drinkers would decant it or even pour it into a glass. It retails for $6 for a 375ml can.

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C+

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50 California Central Coast Wines You Should Be Drinking Right Now

The California Central Coast, identified as Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo (and its main wine region Paso Robles) and Monterey is California the way it used to be, or at the very least, California the way people want it to be: small towns, charming architecture, varied history of Missions and Indians, and coastlines for miles; a slow pace, clean air and a belief that no one real really works very hard. But the area has been home to grape growing since the Spanish brought vine cuttings from Spain via Mexico in the late 1700s and winemakers and vineyard managers have been working hard ever since. To celebrate this beautiful region IntoWine.com offers these 50 wines that represent the diversity of the California Central Coast.

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Top 75 California Wines to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In my last article, I listed the Top 75 French Wines to Try Before You Quit Drinking . In this article I look at the “non-dump bucket” list for wines from California. This proved to be a different task. First, very few wineries have a long track record of making great wine. Secondly, while California is diverse, it does not have the diversity of climates and terroir and grape varietals of France. Still, it does produce some of the best wines in the world and any wine lover should make it a point to try as many of them as they can. Here is my list: 1. Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon – It’s hard to pick the first wine. This one is a great wine in every vintage and has been for a long time. Expensive but still possible to afford and made in large enough quantities to be found in grocery stores. Every lover of Cabernet should try this once.

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Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In putting together a list of the top California Cabernets, there is sure to be some disagreement. I tried to include those wines that have a track record, the wineries still making great wines, those that seemed to have the commitment for the future and some personal favorites. I am sure I left some out. 1. Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select – It’s always hard to name the number one wine. But this has a track record that’s very long. Even in less than stellar vintages, it is an outstanding wine. They just don’t seem to make a dud. My only complaint is the price at over $200 a bottle. But, in comparison to other Napa Cabs or elsewhere in the world, this is a fair price.

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Q&A with Bernard Portet, Winemaker at Heritance

Mentored by his father, a technical director at Château Lafite, Bernard Portet grew up tasting each wine vintage. Born in Cognac, his family has owned vineyard property in France since the late 1600s. A firm believer that making wine is all about a specific place, Portet’s journey led him to the United States, Australia, Morocco, South Africa and South America. Due to the similarities of several of his favorite wine regions in France, it was California’s Napa Valley that inspired him. With a clear vision of the potential of the Napa Valley, in 1971 he co-founded Clos du Val. He pioneered several Napa Valley regions and developed a keen focus upon the Stags Leap region. Portet remained at Clos du Val for more than 35 years. His latest wine label, Heritance launched in 2011.

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NV Right Now Shimmer, USA, California

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Grade:

This is a can of sparkling wine (12 oz). It is rose. It is lightly carbonated and the bubbles dissipate in the glass leaving a pretty orange/ruby wine. Clear and bright. The nose is nice with strawberries, slight raspberries and some rhubarb. On the palate, this is lightly sweet. Refreshing. Decent acidity. It is probably best on its own or at a party (rather than a formal dinner). It retails for $6 a can which is about the same as $12 per bottles. That is a fair price. Once one gets past the gimmick, this is a wine that many people will like. Certainly fun.

NV Right Now Alpine Stream White, USA, California, Wine Review

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50 California Central Coast Wines You Should Be Drinking Right Now

Top 75 California Wines to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

Q&A with Bernard Portet, Winemaker at Heritance

NV Right Now Shimmer, USA, California