Bars & Clubs - Sept. 19, 2009
Uncorked: Where in the world is... Bierzo?
Historically, the Bodegas (wineries) in Bierzo produced largely weak and unmemorable wines. But the last two decades have seen superstar winemakers focus on hillside plantings for better exposure and drainage. Some have said that the vineyards are some of the most beautiful in all of Spain with plantings arranged on steep slopes and terraces.
Tags: bierzo, wine, thief wine, vino, Mencia, Castilla y leon, Cabernet, Bodegas

Marketplace - Aug. 26, 2009
Garden Wine & Spirits toasts new store with tastings
To celebrate 250 glorious years of Guinness, Garden Wine and Spirits, 1010 W. Layton Ave., hosts a beer tasting on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. The mighty Guinness, including the limited edition anniversary bottle, is the guest of honor, but don't leave without also sampling its partner in black and tan crime, Harp.
Tags: garden wine and spirits, liquor store, wine, fine vineyard, garden district, craft beer

Bars & Clubs - Aug. 7, 2009
Uncorked: Peak time for backyard chillin' and grillin'
Sitting out on the patio with friends, enjoying some tasty brats, hamburgers, ribs and corn on the cob is a pastime that Wisconsinites have mastered as we have a considerably shorter time span in which to practice it. So what better libation to match up with your classic grill fair than ... wine, of course.
Tags: wine, grilling, barbecue, backyard, wine pairing

Bars & Clubs - July 30, 2009
Uncorked: Are restaurants ripping customers off?
How often have you walked into a restaurant, opened the wine list and stared wide-eyed at the seemingly ridiculous prices? You scan down the list, looking for one or two of your most recent favorites, find them and can't believe that the restaurant wants $125 for the bottle you paid $35 for last week. Uncorked explores the meaning of this markup, explains the rationale and talks about a world with reasonably-priced wines.
Tags: wine, wine lists, wine prices, wine ripoffs, overpriced wine

Bars & Clubs - July 7, 2009
Javino becomes Kafevino
The Third Ward's soon-to-be-open bar, wine shop and café Javino is re-branding itself as Kafevino.
Tags: javino, kafevino, third ward, wine bar, wine, cafe

Bars & Clubs - June 13, 2009
Uncorked: To decant, or not to decant?
Decanters have been around for centuries. Interestingly enough, the reasons for using a decanter haven't changed much at all since their invention during the Roman Empire. Some shapes are more conducive to oxygenation, others more practical for serving. Whatever style you choose or prefer, the reasons for pouring wine from a bottle into a decanter remain pretty straightforward.
Tags: uncorked, nathaniel bauer, wine, decanters, decanting

Music - June 2, 2009
Trying to clear the air regarding alcohol carry ins at Jazz in the Park
So, can you carry in alcohol to Jazz in the Park? Let me attempt to clear the air regarding carry in policies, parks and festivals.
Tags: Jazz in the Park, wine, carry in, alcohol policy, beverage laws, Leon Young, byob

Bars & Clubs - May 29, 2009
Uncorked: The "Mythbuster" episode about sulfites
One of the more common misconceptions about the wine world has to do with sulfites and sulfite allergies. Lots of people claim to be allergic to red wine and blame sulfites as the cause, but there are other factors at work. In this week's "Uncorked" column, OnMilwaukee.com wine expert Nathaniel Bauer explores the myths and mystery of sulfites in wine and offers some hints for people who want to enjoy a glass of red without the headache.
Tags: wine, red wine, sulfites, sulfite allergies

Marketplace - May 28, 2009
Tool frontman Keenan visits Milwaukee as a vintner
Maynard James Keenan, perhaps best known in some circles as the front man for Tool, is headed to Milwaukee in June, but sorry prog rockers, it's not for a repeat of his 2007 Summerfest performance.
Tags: tool, maynard james keenan, whole foods market, arizona stringhold vineyard, wine, eric glomski

Bars & Clubs - May 13, 2009
Uncorked: How long should I age this wine?
The question pops up all the time in wine seminars and classes, between friends and colleagues. Someone mentions a dusty bottle of wine in the basement they saved from their wedding night. Or perhaps someone else bought a bottle to commemorate the birth of their child, who turns 21 next week and wants to know if they should even bother opening it. Are they still good?
Tags: uncorked, wine, aging

Travel & Visitors Guide - May 6, 2009
Wollersheim cultivates award-winning libations
The Wollersheim Winery, nestled on the bank of the Wisconsin River in Sauk City, near Prairie du Sac, is a family-owned and operated historic site that produces 1 million bottles of wine every year, including the popular Prairie Fumé. Tours of the beautiful building and vineyards are offered almost every day of the year and include a wine tasting.
Tags: wollersheim winery, cedar creek winery, prairie du sac, prairie fume, wisconsin dells, wine

Dining - May 6, 2009
Reserve a spot at our finger-lickin' chicken and wine supper
That's right, we're holding our first "Finger-lickin' Chicken and Mighty Fine Wine Supper" on Tuesday, May 12 at Balzac, 1716 N. Arlington Pl.
Tags: Chicken, Balzac, finger lickin', fried chicken dinner, wine supper, wine, waffles

Bars & Clubs - April 23, 2009
Uncorked: A new column about wine and spirits
OnMilwaukee.com is proud to introduce Nathaniel Bauer to our readers. Bauer, the marketing director for a local software company, spent most of the last 10 years as a wine buyer for some of Milwaukee's finest restaurants and is eager to share his knowledge with readers in an engaging, interactive weekly column about wine that promises to be informative, but not intimidating. As Nate says, "If you can't relax and enjoy wine, why bother?"
Tags: nathaniel bauer, uncorked, wine, spirits, ceretto bricco asili barbaresco, sommelier

Bars & Clubs - March 28, 2009
Wine of the week: Estate Benessere sangiovese
This week's wine of the week, a 2005 Estate Benessere Sangiovese, comes on the recommendation of Dean Cannestra, proprietor of Libiamo, 221 W. Galena St., and is from the family owned Benessere Napa Valley vineyard. This sangiovese is available by the bottle at Libiamo.
Tags: wine, wine of the week, estate benessere sangiovese, libiamo, napa valley

Bars & Clubs - Feb. 22, 2009
Do you make your own wine?
I brewed beer at home for about a year, but I have not yet made my own wine. I visited The Purple Foot, so I know where to go when the time comes to make my own vino, but my backyard grapes have not been fruitful enough to warrant winemaking.
Tags: wine, wine making, purple foot