Author Archives: lcwineguy1997

Old World Players Region/Country: Western Cape/South AfricaGrape Varietal: Chenin Blanc Pineapple, pear, melon, honeysuckle, peach – this Chenin Blanc from South Africa has it all. Chenin Blanc may be a cousin to the more popular (at least in my experience) Sauvignon Blanc, but I always found Chenin Blanc to be more expressive and complex, and South Africa doesContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 16”

Azzimato Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (DOC) Region/Country: Abruzzo DOC/ItalyVintage: 2021 Day 15th’s offering is Azzimato, a Montepulciano from the Abruzzo region of Italy, practically the capital of the Montepulciano grape. Costco refers to this as an “Everyday Red”, which may sound mundane to some, however it’s anything but. This wine is a complex, fruity red that showcases the essence ofContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 15”

Céu Do Norte Country: Portugal Portugal is celebrated for its wine. A class of fortified wines (Port) bears its namesake, and red wine is this nation’s trademark.  That said, Portugal is also home to several white grape varieties, including Chardonnay and this wine, Céu do Norte ( or “Northern Sky” in Portuguese), is a classic example ofContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 14”

Right Hook Region/Country: Thracian Lowlands (PGI)/BulgariaGrape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon For Day 13 we cover some familiar territory. Right Hook from the Thracian Lowlands of Bulgaria was the first wine featured in Costco’s 2022 Wine Advent Calendar. The flavors of this year’s vintage very much similar – strong flavors of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry accompanied by an tannin structureContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 13”

Palloncini Rosé Region/Country: Rubicone/ItalyGrape Varietals: Sangiovese (51%), Merlot (49%) Our first rosé of the advent, Palloncini is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot grapes from the Rubicone. This Northern Italian rosé has the trappings of a great wine of its type: Tart and succulent fresh flavors of cherry and strawberry, vibrant acidity, a tannin structureContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 12”

A Seaworthy Tale Country: HungaryGrape Varietal: Blaufränkisch The wine for Day 11 is “A Seaworthy Tale”, a cool title, and quite ironic too, considering that the country which produces this wine – Hungary – is landlocked. But there is no irony when I say this is a tasty wine. It’s a wonderfully complex blend ofContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure Day 11:”

Trim Vine Country: ItalyGrape Varietal: Merlot Much like Day 3, Day 9’s featured wine, Trim Vine, is a Merlot. Yet the similarities end there as like it says on the bottle, Trim Vine’s an Italian Merlot, not a French one. As such the opening palate trades body for fruit with fresh flavors of tart cherryContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure Day 9:”

Who’s Who Region/Country: Western Cape/South AfricaVarietal: Pinotage For Day 8’s offering we go to South Africa, in the Western Cape region. The hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, known as “Pinotage” is perhaps the most celebrated grape varietal in South Africa, and would certainly wind up on the “Who’s Who” list of grapes, if thereContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 8”

Stacks & Stones (IGT) Region/Country: Rubicone (IGT)/ItalyVarietal: Famoso For Day 7 of the Advent we return to familiar territory, Rubicone in central Italy. However the grape varietal featured in this bottle of Stacks & Stones is a far less familiar grape, at least in my experience, Called “Famoso”, or “famous” in Italian, this grape varietalContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure Day 7:”