Author name: Linda Whipple, CSW

Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). WSET 3 Advanced with merit. Grateful for the grape and all things growing.

California Dreamin’ for #MerlotMe Month, Part I (#winePW)

Big, bold California Merlot – is that the kind of wine you’re dreaming of? I regard myself as an equal-opportunity wine fan. To each wine, there is a season or a reason. That’s why, during #MerlotMe Month in October, I’m delighted to be California Dreamin’ of Merlot that punches up the fruit, acidity and flavor. […]

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Four estates plus four varieties add up to delicious #Cava

In 1980, four Catalonian friends whose families had forged links in the past decided to bring their four estates together under one roof. They chose Can Llopart de les Alzines, an estate dating back to 1499, as the location for the new winery. Thus was born Vins El Cep. While longstanding agricultural tradition and a

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Can’t travel to Tuscany? Open a Brunello instead

Psst, here’s a secret: Italy is open to visitors, with some restrictions. Pass it on. That’s good news, but for those choosing to “sit this one out,” Italian fine wine awaits you. Let your noses and taste buds do the walking. For the last three months of 2021, the Italian Food, Wine and Travel (#Italian

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Road trip to Yakima, Part II: Four vineyards to know

Washington state is home to small wineries and big, big vineyards. Sure, there are exceptions. By and large, though, farming belongs to the semi-arid land east of the Cascade Mountains. That’s where the spouse and I headed. In the Yakima Valley, conditions are nearly perfect for growing a variety of grape varieties. Warm summer days

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A Washington red meets Mediterranean-style cuisine

Like a person or a cherished pet, a wine has a personality of its own. Some are slow to open up. They’re intense, complex and take a long to get to know. Others are forward and direct, or they may be hearty and easygoing. To me, the L’Ecole No. 41 Frenchtown Red, Columbia Valley AVA,

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