Tag archives: Merlot

A lot has happened in New Jersey since I last featured the state (read more here). Effective May 1, 2012, Governor Christie signed winery direct shipping into law, which allows direct shipping of wine to New Jersey residents. Although not without its shortcomings, direct shipping is a major milestone nonetheless, and…

It’s not often I see a winery offer free shipping, especially one from the other 46 states. In the rare chance I do, I take full advantage. I understand the costs involved, thus the reason I promised earlier this year to publish such offers on the site. My goal from…

When it comes to Virginia wine, the two varieties most mentioned are Viognier (the state’s official wine grape variety) and Cabernet Franc. Both are deserving of the discussion. And just for the record, I’m a fan of both. But for those new to Virginia wine, you would be remiss if…

I was never swayed by the “Sideways Effect” on Merlot, which now seems a distant memory. I’ve continued to enjoy Merlot regularly, albeit with a twist. I now prefer local Merlots over any others. From Long Island, New York to Dahlonega, Georgia, I’ll pour a local Merlot over Napa Valley any day. In…

‘Tis the season for great wine and no free time. With Christmas fast approaching and not to mention the dreaded “year end” in the business world, free time is a commodity these days. That said I’ve managed to escape to North Georgia for some winery visits and have had the…

At an elevation of 951 feet, Bluemont Vineyard offers visitors a spectacular, panoramic view that stretches from Loudoun County, Virginia to Washington DC. I finally had the opportunity to take in the views firsthand while visiting during the DrinkLocalWine.com conference in April. After making my way up the long and…

The Idaho wine industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade, increasing from 11 wineries in 2002 to just over 40 in 2010. With the recent designation of the Snake River Valley AVA, Idaho’s wine industry is well-positioned for continued success and growth. Over the past year, I’ve had…