2006 Ashwood Grove Shiraz

     We had family over on a particularly mild evening so my husband was grilling ribeyes and marinated veggies for dinner and I had made a pan of scalloped potatoes to accompany it. We had this magnum bottle of Australian 2006 Ashwood Grove Shiraz. It had been a gift and I didn't know much about it but the giver had felt it was a good value wine and I knew this group would be game to give it a go.
     It turned out to be a pretty easy-drinker and, of course, paired well with the grilled food. In the glass, it was a deep, dark ruby right up to the rim. It had intense ripe fruit aromas and flavors of plum and raspberry. Though not particularly complex, it was well-balanced, medium+bodied, with medium+tanins and acidity and had 14% abv. It had a medium length, pleasant, peppery finish. Everyone enjoyed it and the bottle was quickly emptied.
     Looking for it on-line, I could not find a winery link but did see that the current 2008 release sells for about $17 for this size bottle and is available locally at Spec's. I would definitely give it another try, it was a good value wine and it would work particularly well for a large gathering.

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An Immersive Introduction into the World of Asolo Prosecco

Dinner Views at Osteria Alla Baracca. I was very excited to visit the Asolo DOCG Prosecco region at the end of May on a press trip as it is an Italian area that I have not previously traveled through. Asolo is located in the Province of Treviso at the foot of Monte Grappa in the high hills to the west of the Piave River with views of the Dolomites. The grapes are grown in 17 communes surrounding the town of Asolo. The days were very warm while I was there but I needed a sweater or light jacket on most evenings due to the diurnal swing that makes it a great area for grape growing. Wines from the Master Class Tasting. Asolo was elevated to the DOCG level in 2009. The majority of the Prosecco that I have found in Houston is Prosecco DOC which is mostly from very large producers. Asolo was separated from this category and the region was given this higher status because there are terroir elements that make it distinctive in the world of Prosecco. The Sant'Anna Vineyard. Many of the vin

Lunch at Cépage paired with Paso Robles Sparkling Wine

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Tasting Tin City - Paso Robles

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