Bolla e’ Rinato

May 1, 2013

While “reborn” is an accurate translation for rinato, using it to describe the current wines of Italian producer Bolla might be a slight embellishment. This is not your mother & fathers Bolla, but closer to your grandmother & grandfathers, with some modern help.

Bolla is an entrepreneurial success story by any standard. In 1883 Abele Bolla, a Veneto innkeeper made his own Soave, a local wine, to give to his guests. Word got out about this Soave & eventually he labeled & sold it, becoming so popular it became known as “Soave Bolla”, one of the few Italian wines people knew by name.

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BIG CITY WINE = BIG CITY FUN!

April 24, 2013

The 2013 Philadelphia Wine & Food Festival is just around the corner! So to all you suburban & urban wine lovers, how does 1000 plus wines grab you, or tasty cuisine from four of Philly’s finest restaurants? For tickets & more info.

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Derek’s Ode to Montelena

March 27, 2013

An off-hand comment from Philly chef Derek Davis to Dead Guy Wine Society founder Scot “Zippy” Ziskind about the passing of Chateau Montelena founder & “Judgment of Paris ” winner Jim Barrett started a flurry of e-mails that ended with a last minute tribute to a man that help put the United States, California & the pioneering spirit that makes this country great into the spotlight.

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Vaulted Burgundy

March 12, 2013

Two turns left clockwise to 75, one turn right to 66, no seriously, the right combination of Maison Nicolas Potel’s exquisite Burgundies , Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse’s decadent cuisine & the vault of the first private bank in the United States make for a AAA rated event!

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Gott Wine?

February 7, 2013

Spending a Monday night drinking wine & noshing on tasty appetizers is always fun. Add to that hanging out with Joel Gott, winemaker at Joel Gott Wines and the evening becomes a real treat! One winery is not enough for Joel , he is also the owner of the Gott’s Roadside establishments, one of the Three Thieves, & one half of Shatter, a collaboration from the little known region of Maury, France.

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Chateau Zippy 2012

October 22, 2012

Another October means it’s BORDEAUX night for the Dead Guys Wine Society(DGWS). This year had some changes. While the lineup for 2011 had some 50+ wines with Cheval Blanc & d’ Yquem as highlights, 2012′s night was for DGWS members only, with a more manageable 20 wines. I had the enviable (?) position again this year to free pour 750ML of wine into twenty some different sized glasses without running out of wine for the poor last soul in line.

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2012 Philly Whisk(e)y Fest

October 16, 2012

Whisky/Whiskey fans it’s that time of year again. An opportunity to try pretty much any Red, White, Blue or my favorite, Brown spirit of your choice. $15-$500, the distributors hold nothing back in what they will pour. Sponsored by Philadelphia Magazine and the PA Fine Wine & Spirits stores. Get to the website by Wednesday [...]

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Va La Visitare di Nuovo

July 16, 2012

Time to re-visit one of my favorite Keystone State places, Va La vineyards, a winery in Avondale Pa. that specializes in mostly Italian based varietals. For a more in depth article go to WineLog’s archives & peruse The Best Wine(s) in Pennsylvania?

Now, supposedly the vineyards are maintained & overseen by owner Anthony Vetri. I’m going out on a limb & say that is a lie!

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Wild Ass Riesling!

June 28, 2012

Hope I did not offend anyone with the title, but in trying to encapsulate in as few words as possible the stunning Rieslings I recently tasted, the above seemed appropriate. With summer upon us, this seems the time of year for a multitude of articles on the virtues of Germany’s national grape.

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Vinodelphia 2012

May 12, 2012


While the Philadelphia Eagles Stadium would not bring to most the thought of wine (beer, soft pretzels Cheesesteaks, or tailgating perhaps?), Lincoln Financial Field was in fact this year’s venue for the 11th annual Philadelphia Wine Festival 2012. Sponsored by Philadelphia Magazine , PA Wine & Spirits Stores & Lexus. As always, proceeds benefit the Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia (CHOP).

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