This blog began as a record of taking the WSET Diploma, during which I studied and explored wines and spirits made all around the world. Having passed the Diploma and become a WSET Certified Educator, the blog has become much more: a continual outlet for my passion for the culture of wine, spirits, and beer.
I aim to educate in an informal, enlightening, and engaging manner. As well as maintaining this blog to track my latest enthusiasms, I provide educational tastings for restaurants and for private groups. Details can be found on the website, and collaborations are welcome.
Wine is my primary interest and area of expertise and this blog aims to immerse the reader in the history of wine, to understand why wine tastes like it does, and to explore all the latest news. At the same time, beer and spirits will never be ignored.
For the drinker, whether casual or professional, today is a good time to be alive.
All tagged california
Busting the stereotypes of California wine is hard when there are so many high alcohol, over-oaked wines that cost hundreds of dollars, but there are plenty of wines which are not like that at all. I just tasted some wines from very different producers, showing two sides to California. Yes, making a very good Cabernet Sauvingon with 12.5% ABV is possible: why can’t more producers do that…?
Paso Robles is one of my favourite California regions, producing Rhône-style wines as well as Petite Sirah and Zinfandel. A revisit to the area introduced me to some new producers, and confirmed the quality of the wines being made there.
California is famous for its old-vine Zinfandel, some vines dating back to the late 1800s. Those aren't the only old vines in the state though, with Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Syrah vines just as old. A trip to Ridge gave me the opportunity to explore these old vines.
Paso Robles is an up-and-coming region making a wide variety of styles of wine as well as beer and spirits.
The best wines of Paso Robles are those made from Rhône varieties such as Grenache and Mourvèdre due to the similar climate. It's a young region full of potential, as I found when I visited for the first time.
