Tag Archives: California

New Year’s Day 2026

Posted on January 4, 2026 by thewineraconteur

I realize that my holiday narrative has been a bit down, as we didn’t partake of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or a New Year’s Eve dinner, though I have still other nights of wine to relay, prior to my surgery. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged California, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, San Saba Vineyard, Swan/828, Wrath Estate Winery | 2 Comments

Christmas 2025

Posted on December 29, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Normally at this time of the year, I write about the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners that we attend, and we usually just take a turkey or her famous Caesar Salad, and of course bottles of wine. Everything was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged American Champagne, Brut, California, California Champagne, Chardonnay, Charmat Method, Domaine Gilles Noblet, E&J Gallo, France, La Collonge, Maconnaise, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Pouilly-Fuisse, William Wycliff Winery | 3 Comments

My Bride’s Birthday 2025

Posted on December 8, 2025 by thewineraconteur

I must admit that it was a great celebration and unfortunately this time of the year always gets hectic, and I have articles that pile up on each other, especially when I have multiple part stories. I know that she … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cain Five, Cain Vineyard and Winery, California, Chardonnay, Cremant du Jura, Domaine Jean Bourdy, France, Malbec, Merlot, Methode Traditionelle, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot, Port, Roberts + Rogers Winery | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving 2025

Posted on December 5, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Thanksgiving is a holiday that makes us (my Bride) totally organized and totally impressive to all that hear her accomplishments. This year, two days earlier, she had gone to the post office to mail the out-of-town gifts and the Christmas … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Wine | Tagged Blue Curacao, Blumond Blue, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Charmat Method, Chateau Haut Marbuzet, Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Exceptional, Cru Grand Bourgeois Exceptionnels, France, Fratelli Saraceni, Glera, Italy, Merlot, Napa Valley, Petit Verdot, Roberts + Rogers Winery, Saint-Estephe, Saraceni Wines | 2 Comments

Fine Wine Source Club – November 2025

Posted on November 26, 2025 by thewineraconteur

We joined the wine club at The Fine Wine Source many years ago, basically two wines every month for just under thirty dollars, which is a bargain. The other bargains is that every wine I purchase is at case discount, … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Beaujolais, Brand, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chenas, Chenas En Remont, Domaine Pascal Aufranc, France, Gamay, Napa Valley, No. 95, Pinot Noir, Pritchard Hill, Seance | Leave a comment

Blue Rock Winery – Part Three

Posted on November 23, 2025 by thewineraconteur

We were getting close to the end of the wine tasting at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan with a tasting of wines from Blue Rock Winery led by Carla Jeffries. Carla Jeffries was fascinating to talk to and … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Alexander Valley, Best Barrels, Black Label, Blue Rock Vineyard, Blue Rock Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Blue Rock Winery – Part Two

Posted on November 20, 2025 by thewineraconteur

The second part of a wine tasting at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan and the tasting was conducted by Carla Jeffries who handles liaison work with the trade and media. The name Blue Rock originates from the local … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Alexander Valley, Baby Blue Red Blend, Best Barrels, Black Label, Blue Rock Winery, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Gapstone Vineyard, Malbec, Merlot, Petaluma Gap, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Syrah | Leave a comment

Blue Rock Winery – Part One

Posted on November 17, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Another wine tasting at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan and it is always fun to encounter a new winery, at least to me, it was a new winery and the tasting was overseen by Carla Jeffries, who handles … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Alexander Valley, Baby Blue Blanc, Blue Rock Winery, California, Chardonnay, Gapstone Vineyard, Petaluma Gap, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sonoma County, Viognier | Leave a comment

Taking Coals to Newcastle

Posted on November 11, 2025 by thewineraconteur

Now most people realize that the title of this article is a useless endeavor, but I will get to that story soon enough. As I had to make a trip to my favorite wine shop The Fine Source in Livonia, … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Ardore, Bodegas Alvear, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Celani Family Wines, Insignia, Joseph Phelps, Merlot, Montilla-Moriles, Napa Valley, Pedro Ximenez, Solera 1927 | 4 Comments

Three Enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc Wines

Posted on October 27, 2025 by thewineraconteur

After having a delightful wine tasting of French red wines at The Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan we walked into the original part of the shop and we had a chance to try three special Sauvignon Blanc wines. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged Bordeaux, California, Chateau d'Yquem, Chateau d"Yquem "Y", Domaine de Chavalier, France, L'Esprit de Chavalier, Napa Valley, Oakville, Pessac-Leognan, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Stewart Cellars | Leave a comment