When did you last drink a glass of Merlot wine? For most wine drinkers it was most likely some time ago, if at all. The popularity of Merlot wine started to fall off in the late 1990s into the mid 2000s. This decline took place as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir grew in popularity and surpassed Merlot. Sales of the wine drove to much lower levels than any other time in the history of the wine…
The Wines of Tuscany: An Overview

After exploring other Italian wine regions, Tapastrie co-owner and guest blogger Tom Welsh gives readers an overview of the many wines from Tuscany…
Brunello di Montalcino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Chianti, Colorino, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tuscany, Vino Nobile di MontepulcianoOur Favorite Wines: Part 2 – Merlot

In my October 20, 2016, blog I reported on a study completed by Sonoma State University and the Wine Business Institute on U.S. consumer wine preferences. I reported in that article that 50% of the survey respondents selected Chardonnay as their #1 wine choice. In Part 2 of my series on the survey’s consumer wine […]
favorite wines, Merlot90 Point Wines Under $20: The 2013 Markham Vineyards Merlot

Here is another wine in my quest to find wines rated at 90 points or above and sell for $20.00 or less. I’ll admit that I am not a big Merlot drinker. In fact, I don’t think there are any Merlots in my wine cellar. Not sure I can explain why that is. I guess I need to correct the situation and add some Merlots to my collection…
2013 Markham Vineyards, 90-point wines, MerlotNapa Valley’s Switchback Ridge

One of the other wineries I visited on my Napa trip that had donated wine to my grandson Adler’s benefit was Switchback Ridge. This was also my last winery visit of my March trip. As I have mentioned in a past blog article, I had the opportunity to meet Kelly Peterson-Holmes, co-founder, managing partner and driving force behind Switchback Ridge, on my 2015 Napa trip.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Kelly Peterson-Holmes, Merlot, Napa Valley, Petite Sirah, Phifer Pavitt, Robert Foley, Switchback Ridge, wine tasting