Westside Red, The Troublemaker
Cost: $22
What: Westside Red, The Troublemaker, Paso Robles, California
The Troublemaker is a new blended wine just introduced by the fun people at Hope Family Wines. It’s a classic Rhone-style blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache that offers a rich, full taste.
It is a beautiful deep red color in the glass. Aromas [...]

What: WOW (Women Only Wine) discovered several good wines at an Italian wine tasting Wednesday night.
They laughed and joked their way through seven different wines, six of which were from Italy and one of which was made in California using an Italian grape.
The food followed an Italian theme as well, highlighted by a wonderful seafood [...]

What:
This is a big, beautiful, bold wine that pairs well with food, as do all the Hope Family wines.
I have just returned from a trip to Paso Robles to visit Hope Family, which produces Liberty School, Candor, Treana, Austin Hope and Westside Red wines. Liberty School is their lower end offering in price, [...]

What: Wine often is used to celebrate special events. This weekend 24 people gathered at the home of Scott and Maribeth Burns to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Augusta Preparatory Day School. It was one of seven community dinners for the Prep community that kicked off the 50th anniversary celebration. Each dinner had a different [...]

Esca Zinfandel, 2005, Sonoma County, California
Cost: $15-17

What: This is a rich, full Zinfandel, with a velvety feel in the mouth. It helps to open the wine for at least 30 minutes before you drink it, and you might want to consider decanting it because there is some sediment at the bottom of the [...]

Benziger Family Sauvignon Blanc, 2009, California
Cost: $12-15
What: This is a beautiful, complex Sauvignon Blanc, full of citrus fruit and minerality, but the flavors are subtle in the European style. They don’t smack you in the face like some New World Sauvignon Blancs.
The wine is well-rounded, but not soft. It delivers on the promise of [...]

J Cuvee 20 Brut NV, California
Cost: $21-23
What: This delightful, refreshing sparkling wine is a party in a bottle. You pop off the cork, pour, and the dinner party immediately perks up. I have long been a believer that we Americans don’t drink nearly enough sparkling wine. It’s as if we are intimidated by it [...]

Event: It’s First Friday again. As usual a great selection of 6 wines were presented. Many people enjoyed some great wines that didn’t cost very much. All the wines were wonderful for sipping in the hot weather we’ll have for the next two months.
Where: Wine World, 133 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC
803-279-9522
When: Friday, [...]

Brancott B Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2008
Cost: $25-27
What: This is a special wine, released only in years when the grapes are just right. It’s a dramatic. elegant, complex wine that is perfect for a special dinner.
Since New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc burst onto the wine scene 30 years ago wine drinkers have raved about the unique [...]