The Grape Pursuit

03/06/2026

We have a soft spot for Tavel rose as the saignee method really makes for a flavorful wine. (But also, who doesn't love a little Syrah in their rose, too?)

This one was pale ruby in color with medium aromas of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, watermelon (fruit and rind), orange marmalade, wet stone, cranberry, and peach skin.

On the palate, it was dry with medium(+) acidity, body, and flavor intensity, high alcohol, light tannin, and a long finish. We had notes of strawberry, watermelon, red cherry, wet stone, beeswax, and white blossom with a more rounded, waxy/mineral mouth feel.

Not bad at all!

27/05/2026

One of my favorite things about having a wine cellar is that we can easily forget about bottles for, well, a decade or more.

We bought this Heron Hill Reserve Merlot on, we think, our very first Finger Lakes Trip (which was 3 or 4 trips ago, with another coming up) and promptly forgot about it in all the best ways. Almost 10 years later, we finally cracked it open.

After resting in a very good sleep, this Merlot was pale ruby in color with medium aromas of dried red cherry, vanilla, caramel, clove, red raspberry, cacao, to***co, dried herbs, mint, cassis, and violet.

On the palate, it was dry with medium acidity, smooth tannin, alcohol, body, and flavor intensity plus a medium(+) finish. We had notes of dried red cherry, dried cranberry, raspberry, cedar, wet stone, wet leaves, caramel, clove, forest floor, and perhaps a hint of mushroom.

Although this one probably could age a bit longer, the acidity, tannins, and flavors were developing nicely that we wouldn't have wanted to age this much longer.

Now to buy another bottle on our next trip coming up to forget for another decade!

20/05/2026

One of our favorite wineries in Sonoma, Arista, announced they were closing after their 2024 vintage and we were, naturally, quite upset at the news.

But the good news at least is that we still are getting a few final wine drops through 2026.

Cue stocking panic mode while also casually cracking into a bottle here or there for good measure. 🍷

19/05/2026

If you're visiting Madeira for wine tasting, you're in luck- most all of the wineries are located within about 30 minutes or so of each other on the southern coast of the island.

But, despite that, we have some thoughts on where you may want to stay!

https://thegrapepursuit.com/where-to-stay-in-madeira/

13/05/2026

Ramisco is a rare grape from the Colares region of Portugal, and for those who like intense reds, this one is a must try.

Ramisco is a rare red grape only grown in the Portuguese region of Colares. If you like big, bold Cabs, do not overlook trying this delicious grape!

10/05/2026

Everyone we talk to who is seriously into wine has an origin bottle. You know, the one that whapped you across the face and made you realize just how amazing wine could be.

Chateau Musar's Rouge was that for us. But not only that, it was the 1998 vintage in particular that we tried in a Coravin pour at Wine Bar George at Disney.

We have had many more vintages of Musar over the years, and hold several in our cellar. But this week we cracked open the origin bottle and were reminded why we got into all this one more time.

Shame I'm out of the 98s now. But damn, what a memory.

Do you have an origin wine? Tell us about it in the comments!

06/05/2026

We've been lucky to have visited Porto a few times now, and we have checked out many of the Port houses in Vila Nova di Gaia.

Check out some of our favorites at: https://thegrapepursuit.com/port-wine-houses/

05/05/2026

Coming back from a vacation is always bittersweet, but it means we can pop back into our cellar for a good bottle of wine all the same.

This time, we went straight for our shopping haul from Portugal, if only because this Alvarinho bottle couldn't fit in our cellar racks.

Oh darn, we had to drink a delicious bottle!

This one was medium gold with medium aromas of pear, yellow apple, lemon, pineapple, grapefruit, wet stone, peach ring candy, and beeswax.

On the palate, it was dry with medium(+) acidity and finish plus medium alcohol, body, and flavor intensity. We had notes a lot like the nose of lemon, pear, yellow apple, wet stone, beeswax, pineapple, and grapefruit.

This one definitely shows how Alvarinho can be much more complex than the immensely drinkable green wines, and if you haven't had more premium bottles, do yourself a favor and seek them out!

30/04/2026

We were fortunate enough to visit fine Madeira producers during our stay on the island, and we share some thoughts about each in this one!

https://thegrapepursuit.com/madeira-wineries/

28/04/2026

My favorite part about visiting Blandy's in Funchal is that you could really make it a 2-in-1 visit by trying their Madeira plus others under the Cossart Gordon label.

Cossart Gordon is one of my favorite brands in Madeira, and since we both turned 40 this year, well, where else better to try a stunning 1986 Terrantez?

A rare grape from our birth year? Sign us up!

Shame the bottle was out of our price range though. It was naturally quite incredible and showcases why Terrantez is one of my favorite grapes from Madeira.