Cellar Notes on WYPR

Piedmont may be the home of Barolo and Barbaresco, but it’s also home to a number of super tasty whites. Hugh conducts a survey course of these tantalizing wines.

Carrying on last week’s theme of lighter reds, Hugh talks about the King of them all, the super popular Valpolicello Ripassos from the Veneto.

With the winter-time in the rear-view mirror, we can be forgiven for wanting to lighten up our red wine selections. Al looks at a group of light reds from Italy.

It’s never the wrong season for rosé wine, as its year-round popularity attests. Al takes a look at three superb examples produced in different styles.

Once terribly obscure, Albariño has become a staple in our white wine arsenal. This Spanish Superstar has found a dedicated following here in the States.

If you can’t manage a Mediterranean cruise, you probably can manage to pick up a bottle or two of white wine from Mediterranean shores. Al looks at three winners.

With Passover just around the corner, we thought it would be a good idea to see what kind of Kosher wines are available these days. As Hugh points out, quality has gotten quite high.

Say Australia and people automatically think “Shiraz”, but as Al points out, there are lots of other red wines worthy of consideration.

One of the most popular wines from Italy is the famous Chianti Classico, a legendary red that comes from the heart of Tuscany. Hugh reviews three wines.

Everyone knows about Malbec from Argentina, but it’s not the only red made there. Al takes a look at Cabernet Franc from the land of the gauchos.

Martin Ray Winery in the Russian River Valley is a pioneer in Sonoma County. In recent years they have been producing an outstanding line of wines under the Angeline label.

Wines from Portugal are no longer an oddity, but a frequent guest on Cellar Notes. Al takes a look at three reds from Alentejo, a wine region we’ve become quite familiar with.

It’s that time again when we look at one of our favorite themes: strange wines from strange places! And Hugh has just what we’re looking for.

We’re always on the lookout for new wines from new places, and recently Sardinia has popped up on our radar screen. Al samples some of the best from a leading Sardinian winery.

The lively and flavorful wines of the Cotes du Rhone are often a bargain hunter’s paradise. Hugh takes a look at a few CDR’s that are worthy of your attention.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most revered red wines… and don’t they know it. Prices frequently reach three figures, but Al has found three excellent Pinots that are affordable.

At a time of the year when every dollar counts, it’s good to get some advice on bargain wines. Al takes a look at a collection of whites that won’t strain your budget.

After the expenses of the holidays, it’s good to have some very reasonably priced wine options. Fortunately, Hugh has done some searching and has come up with some good bets.

Often overlooked in favor of cabernet sauvignon, merlot is actually its quality peer and a great choice for holiday dinners. Al focuses on three likely candidates.

It’s the time of year when we all love a cup or two of bubbly, and with that in mind, Hugh has put together a convenient shopping list to guide you through the world of sparkling wine.

Al has put together a convenient shopping list for your assistance this holiday season. He has recommendations for inexpensive party wines, mid-range dinner wines and special occasion wines.

Each year at this time beer makers around the world trot out some of their very best brews to celebrate the holiday season. Hugh reviews some of his favorites.

Italian wines have become big favorites on Cellar Notes, and Hugh has a bunch of new favorites to discuss.

Although Bordeaux wines can be among the most pricey in the world, there are plenty that offer not only good flavor but good value as well. Al takes a look.

The Thanksgiving table is a maze of flavors and sensations, and picking a good red wine is a bit of a puzzle. Hugh offers some suggestions that will surely satisfy.

Available in a wide range of styles, Sherry deserves a place at your table during this season of celebration. Al looks at one of the best Sherry makers.

If affordable wines made from high quality grapes from first class California vineyards appeal to you, then listen up as Hugh showcases selections from an operation called “The Paring”

Like it or hate it, there’s no denying that chardonnay is the world’s most important white grape. While some can break the bank price-wise, others are remarkable affordable.

It’s one of those transitional times of the year, and the white grape viognier makes a perfect wine for the season. Here’s three to contemplate.

One of Sonoma’s older wineries, Marietta has been putting great wine in bottles at a very fair price for decades now. Hugh looks at some recent offerings.

Once a source of cheap jug wine, Lodi is now gaining respect for the quality of its zinfandels, a long-time favorite of Al.

Beaujolais the classic easy going, easy drinking wine, and quite easy to understand.

There are times when big heavy reds just don’t seem quite right, so that’s when you turn to lighter red wines for refreshment and pleasure. Al takes a look at several.

Oregon continues to make solid strides in wine quality as it sends more and more labels into the market. This week we take a look at Pinot Gris, that very popular white wine that offers a great alternative to Chardonnay.

It’s one of the Loire Valley’s most attractive whites. Vouvray is something of a chameleon, changing its character and flavor profiles easily. Hugh looks at this alluring wine and has some recommendations.

Last week it was strange reds, this week it’s strange whites. Al takes a deep dive into some overlooked wine regions and their treasures.

It’s a big wine world out there, and nothing is more fun than exploring new places and new bottles. Al starts off with a few reds that should pique your curiosity.

It’s time for those lovely pink wines to take center stage. Summer evenings and rosé wine seem to be made for each other, and Hugh has a few first rate suggestions.

Most of Italy’s most famous reds have a “second wine” associated with them that comes close to the senior bottling in flavor, but not at all in price. Al takes a look.

Since summer is prime steak grilling season, Hugh went searching for some suitable big red wines to go with your T-bones.

Cabernet Franc is almost always grown as a blending partner for Bordeaux style wines. But outside of Maryland, very few wineries make it to stand alone. Al takes a look.

Ribero del Duero, one of Spain’s Big Three red wine regions is the home to some of the most expensive wines produced in that country. Luckily, Hugh has found some much more reasonably priced bottles that deserve your attention.

For some reason Pinot Blanc hasn’t caught on as well as cousin Pinot Gris. No matter…it’s still one of the most versatile and likeable easy-going whites out there.

Chenin Blanc is the premier white grape of the Loire, and its inherent quality is starting to tempt grape growers around the world. Hugh looks at some of California’s efforts.

Once regarded as lightweight “wannabes” Chilean Cab Sauv has matured into a very useful and budget friendly wine.

If the word hasn’t gotten around yet, our little state of Maryland is producing some incredible white wines, and right now is the perfect time to enjoy them.

One of Hugh’s favorite properties in Sonoma is Alexander Valley Vineyards, whose wine he has been following for a very long time. He fills us in on the current offerings.

If the roses are in bloom, then it must be time for rosé wine. Al has a trio of widely different winners for you to try.

Red Bordeaux is a world-wide favorite, but it’s sibling White Bordeaux is often overlooked. Here are a few that you should pay attention to.

First he played Frontier Heroes, then he worked at becoming a California winemaker. The late Fess Parker did all right for himself, as Hugh explains.