When in California, do as the Californians do…and sip on this California-themed cocktail.… Read more

Another pick from Trader Joe’s.  This wine was purchased for $9.99, a steal for a Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley, which is near Santa Barbara California.  For those of you who remember, this region was part of the Sideways journey.  I am pretty picky about Pinot and this is one of the growing regions that I think produces some of the best Pinot Noir in California.  My fave is Russian River and the … Read more

On January 17, 1920, the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States made “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States…for beverage purposes….” illegal. But, two little words were missing from that list: ownership, and consumption.  It was those 2 words that made all the difference in the years ahead.   

The Volstead Act, the body of law responsible for … Read more

This week’s Wine Wednesday is the Liberty School 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Liberty School is one of several brands from Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, California. The Hope family has been making Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon since 1990. The current Liberty School line of wines includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and a cuvée blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. Liberty School wines generally represent a good value and typically sell in the range of $12.00 to … Read more

Enjoy our new feature, Wine Wednesday! Each week, on Wine Wednesday, the Drink of the Week team will feature a wine for $10 or under.

2008 Mark West Pinot Noir, California ($8.99 at Safeway)

As an avowed pinotphile, it’s only natural that I would debut a Pinot Noir for our inaugural Wednesday Wine of the Week. However, it’s difficult to find a good Pinot under $25 per bottle and almost impossible to find one for … Read more