The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer Mt. Beautiful Winery – North Canterbury, New Zealand As a wine writer, It’s rare to desire every wine sampled in a tasting line-up. Yet each Mt. Beautiful Winery wine here elicits a hankering for more. Hats off to Mt. Beautiful winemaker Sam Weaver, a quiet leader in New Zealand’s […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: Mt. Beautiful Winery – North Canterbury, New Zealand"Washington Barrel Auction Raises $251,500 Largest total yet for trade-only barrel auction featuring unique wines from the state’s top wineries by L.M. Archer Woodinville, Wash.—The fourth annual Auction of Washington Wines private barrel auction raised more than $245,000 to benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Washington State University Viticulture and Enology Program, nearly exceeding the […]
Read more "My Latest in Wines & Vines: Washington Barrel Auction Raises $251,500"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer A few years ago I interviewed Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery for Foodable Network. The story showcased his unconventional success story, one that looks more like a cautionary tale than an entrepreneurial blueprint. But it works. In part because of his business savvy. In part because he knows […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: Mark Ryan Winery – Syrah Duo"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer The Champagne Edition № 1 “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.” – Mark Twain TASTING NOTES: Wine: Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne Vintage: N/V Alcohol: 12% Link to Producer Specs here. Suggested Retail: $60 Robe: Pale lemon hue. Pinpoint perling, profuse mousse. […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: The Champagne Edition №1"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer As we approach the dog days of summer, I’ve opted to share a slew of cool white wine samples worth sipping well past Labor Day. Enjoy! TASTING NOTES: Wine: Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko White Wine Vintage: 2016 Alcohol: 13% Link to Producer Specs here. Suggested Retail: $25 Robe: Clear golden […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: Summer White Wines Edition"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer If you think rosé is a wine for summer, you are mistaken. At best, rosés produced with thought and intention yields a wines of interest and complexity worthy of all seasons. At worst, they offer pretty, congenial iterations suitable for any sun-drenched situation. In all cases, rosé proves a […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: The Rosé Edition"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux Limited Edition Did you know that National Oyster Day is August 5, 2018? In celebration, what better wine to pair with the briny bivalve than a crisp, clean, mineral-driven Chablis? It’s a match mach in heaven for a very simple reason – they’re related. […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer The Willamette Valley Edition Some timely tasting notes on a few Willamette Valley wines. TASTING NOTES: Wine: Megan Anne Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Vintage: 2016 Alcohol: 14.3% Link to Producer Specs here. Suggested Retail: $40 Robe: Dark garnet robe. Nose: Heady aromas of spice, peat, juniper. Bouche: Dark red […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: Willamette Valley Wines"The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer Roederer Estate | Anderson Valley, CA. “Tête de Cuvée: A wine produced from the first pressing of the grapes, generally considered superior in quality.” – Oxford Dictionary Brilliance knows no bounds. In 1876, Louis Roederer produced Champagne’s first Cuvée de Prestige, an exclusive bottling for the Tsar of Russia christened Cristal. […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: Roederer Estate – L’Hermitage 2011 Brut"“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer The Hedonistic Taster by L.M. Archer William Heritage Vineyards | Outer Coastal Plain, NJ “Fiat vinum en vinea.” (‘Let the wine be made in the vineyard.’) – Outer Coastal Plain AVA motto In my endless […]
Read more "The Hedonistic Taster: William Heritage Vineyards 2014 Vintage Brut"