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Alpine Refreshment: Petite Arvine
La Crotta di Vegneron is a collective of about 120 growers with small scattered plots around Chambave, in the Vallée d'Aoste (due to the...

John Paul Kaminga
Jun 24, 20211 min read
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Drinking Windows: Goldtropfchen
Apparently there are hundreds of wine to go windows across Italy. They were incorporated into buildings in the Middle Ages, when the...

John Paul Kaminga
Jun 22, 20213 min read
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Surprise! More Clos de la Roilette 2019!
Clos de la Roilette is an iconic Beaujolais and it has a rabid following. It is one of the few wines of the region that is allocated. I...

John Paul Kaminga
May 25, 20211 min read
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Return of the Jedi: Claré J.C. 2020
... did I say jedi? I think I meant nebi... nebbiolo... Vajra's Claré J.C. does seem to have some mind tricks up its sleeve... is it red,...

John Paul Kaminga
May 19, 20212 min read
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Chambolle Vibes: Digioia-Royer Bourgogne 2019
For the past couple weeks, anybody who has found themselves browsing Pinot Noir at Craft and Cru has probably found Gabby and I pointing...

John Paul Kaminga
May 15, 20212 min read
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Pure EVOO: The Return of Montenidoli Olive Oil
Can you imagine my joy when I found out that we would be able to get the 2020 vintage of Montenidoli olive oil? I hope so. Can I imagine...

John Paul Kaminga
May 10, 20211 min read
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Wines without Makeup: Filipa Pato
One of the most recommended winemakers at Craft and Cru, Filipa Pato is a mom making some of the world's most brilliant wines. We are...

John Paul Kaminga
May 8, 20212 min read
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Grenache: A Low ABV Wonder from 100+ Year-old Vine
Did you check out the virtual vineyard tour we mentioned a couple weeks ago? If you did, you may have noticed that the panelists kept...

John Paul Kaminga
May 4, 20212 min read
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François Chidaine, a Name to Know
I'm not alone in my extremely high estimation of François Chidaine. He is a master of his craft, dedicated to intensive organic and...

John Paul Kaminga
Apr 30, 20212 min read
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Umami Bomb: El Pedrosal Reserva 2009
This wine is a no-brainer. It is an incredible deal. Most of the reserva-level wines from Perez Pascuas are released early and cost $60+....

John Paul Kaminga
Apr 27, 20212 min read
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Pink: Fondrèche Ventoux Rosé
The vineyards at Domaine de Fondrèche were certified organic since 2009 but as of 2016 they left umbrella of certification as they sought...

John Paul Kaminga
Apr 23, 20212 min read
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Paris at Craft and Cru: Syrah of Light
I'll sometimes talk about contrapposto or chiaroscuro, terms borrowed from the world of visual arts, to describe the balance of a wine....

John Paul Kaminga
Mar 30, 20212 min read
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Toscana Rosso: Castello la Leccia Vivaio del Cavaliere
Chianti has been famous for a long time. Officially recognized in the 14th century by the Florentine Republic, and legally delimited by...

John Paul Kaminga
Mar 26, 20212 min read
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CheninCheninChenin: Jasnieres Sec
Jasnieres is an old wine region on the Loir river, a tributary to the more famous Loire river. Domaine de la Roche Bleue is a young...

John Paul Kaminga
Mar 24, 20211 min read
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Lovable Weirdos: Wirz Sequel
The Wirz Vineyard is a true California gem. It is own-rooted and old-vine (planted in the 1960s) Riesling (with a bit of Silvaner for...

John Paul Kaminga
Mar 18, 20211 min read
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Deals, Steals, Feels
We pride ourselves on a diverse and interesting selection, but some of our favorite bottles can be kinda (or very) pricey. We take value...

John Paul Kaminga
Mar 13, 20213 min read
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A True Favorite: Le Piane
One of the great wine estates in Piemonte, Le Piane is notable for so many reasons: sustainable and organic farming, a hands-off...

John Paul Kaminga
Mar 3, 20213 min read
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The Greatest Italian Red You've Never Heard of: Schioppettino
Most of you have never heard of Schioppettino, but it is a grape well worth knowing. A bold and spicy red with great aging potential,...

John Paul Kaminga
Feb 19, 20212 min read
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Riesling Alert System !!!ACTIVATED!!!
We have a Riesling emergency here folks! We just tasted two wines from one of our favorite Austrian wine estates, Josef & Phillip...

John Paul Kaminga
Feb 12, 20211 min read
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The Boring Blend: Triennes 2017
OK OK, I know I should probably stop calling the Cab/Syrah blend "boring"... We featured a Q&A with Diana Snowden Seysses this summer (if...

John Paul Kaminga
Feb 11, 20212 min read
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