Oh Sonoma, you fiesty girl!

Let’s start with the name. Vanderpump. Or as my eyes kept reading it after the second glass: Vanderpimp. Seriously, the font on this label looks like it was designed by a […]

Viva La France!

Ah, Côtes du Rhône—the underrated workhorse of the wine world. I was first introduced to these delightful bottles by a Scandinavian seaman (yes, really), and I’ve never looked back. Fast forward to today, […]

1/2  (Extra half glass for the label)

Ah, Pinot Noir. The delicate, smooth, easy-drinking red… except when it’s not. Enter Clos du Napa 2020 Pinot Noir, a wine that took one look at traditional Pinot […]

(2 Glasses for the price AND for being drinkable)

I had high hopes for this one. A Malbec Reserva from Mendoza? Sounds fancy. $7.99 instead of the usual $20? Sounds like a steal. But […]

(One glass for the $6.99 price, one glass because I admire its determination)

When I saw 2017 on the label, my first thought was, “Oh no, I’ve made a terrible mistake.” Seven years is a […]

1/2 (Extra glass for not tasting like a raisin graveyard)

Uh oh, another 2017 on the label…I had immediate concerns. Eight years old? That’s practically ancient in grocery store wine years. And $9.99? A bit steep […]

+ 1/4 (Because 3 just wasn’t enough!)

Okay, I’ll admit it — the words “Old Vine” scare me a little. Like, how old are we talking? Jurassic grapes? Fossilized vines?  Do they complain about “kids these […]

(Two glasses for the wine, one glass for the brisket)

Ah, Livermore Valley — the Napa of people who don’t want to spend Napa money. I snagged this 2021 Post House Road Cabernet Sauvignon for a […]

1/2 (Because I’m feeling generous, and also a little tipsy)

Let’s start with the obvious: It’s red. $7.99?? From $29?? This is the kind of price drop that makes you check the label twice, like, “Wait… […]