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Letters from Lodi

An insightful and objective look at viticulture and winemaking from the Lodi
Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.

Randy Caparoso
 
December 28, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Lodi wines compared to Texas wines, hats and cattle

Three of Lodi’s modern-day winegrowing pioneers: Borra Vineyards’ Steve Borra, Michael David’s Mike Phillips, and The Lucas Winery’s Dave Lucas

Three of Lodi’s modern-day winegrowing pioneers: Borra Vineyards’ Steve Borra, Michael David’s Mike Phillips, and The Lucas Winery’s Dave Lucas

Jeremy Wilson – a sommelier who writes the Texas Wine Lover site and lives in the officially recognized Texas Hill Country AVA (approved in 1991), where he works for Kuhlman Cellars – recently wrote to us, telling us that he believes the Lodi AVA has a lot in common with the Texas wine industry.

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Time Posted: Dec 28, 2014 at 8:00 AM Permalink to Lodi wines compared to Texas wines, hats and cattle Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
December 22, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Lodi wines in the news in 2014

December reds in Lodi vineyard

December reds in Lodi vineyard

As we come to the end of another year in Lodi wine country, let's look back at some of the highlights of 2014 gleaned through widely read wine publications and blog sites.

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Time Posted: Dec 22, 2014 at 11:50 AM Permalink to Lodi wines in the news in 2014 Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
December 17, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Estate Crush is Downtown Lodi’s one-stop for numerous finely crafted brands

Barrels during Estate Crush holiday party this week.

Barrels during Estate Crush holiday party this week.

Attention, last-minute Lodi wine shoppers: Caught in the usual pre-Christmas time crunch? Then we have the perfect one-stop, direct-from-the-source solution for you: Downtown Lodi's Estate Crush.

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Time Posted: Dec 17, 2014 at 11:42 AM Permalink to Estate Crush is Downtown Lodi’s one-stop for numerous finely crafted brands Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
December 15, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Match made for December: Twisted Roots Petite Sirah & rosemary lamb shanks

 

You can look at the increasingly short, dark, dreary days of December in two different ways: as a doggoned shame, or as the perfect excuse to enjoy the type of wines and foods that these days call for.

Mike Hodge, co-owner of Twisted Roots Vineyard & Winery, has the perfect prescription for those who choose the positive course: the 2011 Twisted Roots Lodi Petite Sirah ($25) with rosemary lamb shanks. (Twisted Roots multi-award winning wines are available locally at Downtown Lodi's Estate Crush).

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Time Posted: Dec 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM Permalink to Match made for December: Twisted Roots Petite Sirah & rosemary lamb shanks Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
December 11, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

A Lodi wine lover’s wish list: Lodi’s 12 most adventurous wines

Christmas in Lodi’s Wine & Roses Hotel

Christmas in Lodi’s Wine & Roses Hotel

Is there a wiser wine lover than a Lodi wine lover?

Lodi is just beginning to forge its reputation as a source of some America's finest, and most cutting-edge, wines. Many of the leading producers in this respect have been around for less than ten, fifteen years.

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Time Posted: Dec 11, 2014 at 12:08 PM Permalink to A Lodi wine lover’s wish list: Lodi’s 12 most adventurous wines Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
December 4, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Three things that matter (when getting the most out of wine)

Comparison of bowl shaped “Burgundy” glass (on left; ideal for Pinot Noirs) with traditional tulip shaped glass (ideal for white wines and reds wines such as Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon)

Comparison of bowl shaped “Burgundy” glass (on left; ideal for Pinot Noirs) with traditional tulip shaped glass (ideal for white wines and reds wines such as Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon)

GETTING SOME FUN OUT OF WINE

When most of us enjoy our wine, we don't like to think about it too much. We don't need to ooh and ah over the "bouquet," and we don't need to take tiny sips and roll the wine in our mouth for 60 seconds before pronouncing it good.

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Time Posted: Dec 4, 2014 at 12:26 PM Permalink to Three things that matter (when getting the most out of wine) Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
December 2, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

How to be your own judge of good wine

Wine journalist Deborah Parker Wong blind tasting Lodi Zinfandels

Wine journalist Deborah Parker Wong blind tasting Lodi Zinfandels

Burgundy, schmurgundy

I started out on Burgundy but soon hit the harder stuff. Not really. But that line from one of Bob Dylan's classic old songs (Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues) always sounded great.

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Time Posted: Dec 2, 2014 at 12:37 PM Permalink to How to be your own judge of good wine Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
November 21, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

A French style Thanksgiving in Lodi (with Provence style leg of lamb)

Wine journalist Deborah Parker Wong blind tasting Lodi Zinfandels

French born winemaker Franck Lambert in Lodi

How does a French winemaker named Franck Lambert, with his India-born wife Rekha, celebrate Thanksgiving here in Lodi?

Monsieur Lambert was born in Southern France and educated at University of Montpellier (where he attained a Master's degree in winemaking). He has been a quiet but influential part of the Lodi winemaking community over the past 12 years.

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Time Posted: Nov 21, 2014 at 1:05 PM Permalink to A French style Thanksgiving in Lodi (with Provence style leg of lamb) Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
November 16, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Three reasons why you should open a Lodi Zinfandel on National Zinfandel Day

Wine journalist Deborah Parker Wong blind tasting Lodi Zinfandels

Mighty Mohr-Fry Ranches-Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel; planted 1901

This coming Wednesday, November 19, 2014 is National Zinfandel Day.

We know, we know: there's a day for everything these days. But National Zinfandel Day holds significance in Lodi because:

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Time Posted: Nov 16, 2014 at 1:54 PM Permalink to Three reasons why you should open a Lodi Zinfandel on National Zinfandel Day Permalink
Randy Caparoso
 
November 14, 2014 | Randy Caparoso

Having a Lodi Thanksgiving

November colors at Jessie’s Grove Winery

November colors at Jessie’s Grove Winery

LET YOUR TURKEY BE YOUR THANKSGIVING WINE GUIDE

Is there anything more American than turkey for Thanksgiving, with all the extra delectable accoutrements?

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Time Posted: Nov 14, 2014 at 2:32 PM Permalink to Having a Lodi Thanksgiving Permalink
Contact

Lodi Wine Visitor Center
2545 West Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242
209.365.0621
Open: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm

Lodi Winegrape Commission
2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242
209.367.4727
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Have a question? Complete our contact form.