They say never judge a book by its cover, and whoever “they” are, they’re right. Fancy bottle aside, “Another !@#% Merlot” proved its own point. I thought the wine was unremarkable. It was about as exciting as a kiss from your great aunt. That said, the red table wine wasn’t the worst that we’ve tasted, but was average […]

Continue reading “Looks Can be Deceiving” »

Wandering through the local market’s robust wine section, my eyes darted from label to label. What looks like a good complement to a nice fat filet? After about 60 seconds, being your traditional guy, I’m getting antsy and ready to complete my mission. I shop in fast-forward mode.
Just then, I spot an oddity: a gimicky bottle […]

Continue reading “The Allure of the Bottle” »

Lisa (loving wife and fellow wine afficianado) and I recently shared a bottle of “Presidential” pinot crafted by Pfeiffer Vineyards. Pfeiffer is a wonderful little winery located well off of the beaten path in Junction City, Oregon (www.pfeiffervineyards.com). It is well worth the back-country drive.
Wine lover and friend Carl Shawber led us to Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer’s […]

Continue reading “A Presidential Tasting” »

The lengths that some people will go to for a taste of wine. Sometimes it’s even worth it. Such was the case when I finally reached Tahoe Ridge Winery on a blazing hot summer afternoon.
Tahoe Ridge is anamoly, a wine oasis backed into a crease in the Sierra Nevada Mountains by high desert country. After a […]

Continue reading “Nevada’s Breakthrough Winery: Tahoe Ridge” »

Why the dearth of posts? My wife Lisa and I gave up wine for Lent (a 40-day period of penitence and fasting). I imagine that when Easter comes along, there will be a big celebration at our house. We may literally “Roll Out the Barrel”.
I wonder if this is a unmatched feat in the world […]

Continue reading “40 Days and 40 Nights” »

Australian wines are as hot as the country’s blistering Outback, at least if you believe the media. Everywhere I turn (when it comes to wine press), someone is touting products from the Land Down Under.
So it figures that if so many people are falling for Aussie reds and whites, they must be on to something. Well, I recently set […]

Continue reading “From Down Under to Top of My List: Trail of a [yellow tail]” »

If you ever find your tummy rumbling as you approach Albany, Oregon, a medium-sized mill town in the Willamette Valley, make a beeline for exit 233 on I-5. Follow your nose to Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant. Better yet, plan ahead. At www.mapquest.com, plug in your starting point, then enter 2306 Heritage Way SE, Albany, OR 97321 into the destination field. […]

Continue reading “Hungarian Bull’s Blood” »

After a few months’ hiatus and a web site makeover, I’m happy to relaunch to WineMemoirs.com. My friends Matt and John at the Creative Center in Wilsonville, Oregon (www.creativecenter.com) put a fresh new face on this blog, one that we’ll continue to enhance with new bells and whistles; however, since the site is now built using more sophisticated […]

Continue reading “WineMemoirs.com Gets a Makeover with More in Store” »

As a journalist, you’re always hunting for interesting topics to write about. If it interests you, then there is a reasonably good chance it will appeal to at least a segment of your readers.
It’s amazing to me that fermented grape juice generates so much interest, but I’m caught up in it too. There is some kind of mystique about wine that […]

Continue reading “On the Horizon at WineMemoirs.com” »

Whether you’re headed to the computer, the store, or out to dinner tonight, there are plenty of options available to help you find the right wine for practically any occasion. My “lucky seven” sources, listed below, are just a few of the many resources available to help guide your selection.1. Knowledgeable family, friends, and acquaintances. […]

Continue reading “Find Wine? Where to Turn for a Good Recommendation” »