The Wine Report

Young Guns of Wine - Finalists & Winners Announced

Young Guns of Wine - Finalists & Winners Announced

The highly coveted prize of Young Gun of Wine was awarded on December 1st - guess who the winners are... READ MORE »
Jancis Robinson MW takes note of Le Ragnaie

Jancis Robinson MW takes note of Le Ragnaie

Vine Street's beloved Grosso Gentleman Riccardo Campinoti recently had his wines reviewed by the illustrious Jancis Robinson MW. She was quick to notice "elegance" and "purity" in the wines and we couldn't agree more.

Coming off of the rich and powerful 2007 vintage, 2008 was a welcome year for terroir-driven wines that show finesse rather than mass. That said, the yields were down a fair bit from 2007 and not as much wine to go around. READ MORE »
Departures Magazine Highlights BK Wines

Departures Magazine Highlights BK Wines

The luxury magazine, Departures, recently said "Australian Wine Finds It's Edge." "The Land Down Under has a reputation for producing wine that’s anything but subtle, but that’s not the full story," according to author Peter Weltman. READ MORE »
International Wine Writing Extraordinaire & Artist Creates the Label for 2012 Between 5 Bells 'H-Cote'

International Wine Writing Extraordinaire & Artist Creates the Label for 2012 Between 5 Bells 'H-Cote'

If you aren't familiar with Elaine Brown's insanely beautiful writing - please familiarize yourself now.

http://www.wakawakawinereviews.com

Elaine befriended B5B's David Fesq and David saw the real passion and gift that Elaine possesses. The collaborated on the newest release from Between 5 Bells: H-Cote, a blend of Nero d'Avola, Negroamaro, Riesling Skins and a splash of Shiraz!

In the history of VSI's awesome packaging...this certainly ranks among the best!

Great job Elaine! VISIT WEBSITE »
Auntsfield: More Than Just Sauvignon Blanc!!! - Wall Street Journal Top 10 Pinot Noirs

Auntsfield: More Than Just Sauvignon Blanc!!! - Wall Street Journal Top 10 Pinot Noirs

There appears to be a general mindset that Marlborough is a one trick pony when in fact it couldn't be further from the truth. Its far southerly neighbor, Central Otago has garnered all the attention for Pinot Noir, though the top producers in Marlborough more than hold their own.

For starters, Otago Pinot Noir tends to be deeper, fleshier and bigger fruit. The wines have more in common with Santa Barbara than Burgundy. The lighter soils of Marlborough (particularly the hills to the south known as the Southern Valleys) impart a feminine quality and higher acidity to the wines and there is a Willamette/Burgundy thing going on.

Recently Will Lyons, wine contributor to the Wall Street Journal, discussed the differences in Kiwi Pinot Noir and listed his 10 favorite wines. We are thrilled with his selection of 2010 Auntsfield 'Single Vineyard' Pinot Noir to this list. The Cowleys have more than earned this award and the wines continue to be a serious value in the realm of world-class Pinot Noir.

Furthermore Southern Hemisphere wine experts, Tyson Steltzer and Matthew Jukes, recently updated their 'Classification of New Zealand Pinot Noir Producers' and have promoted Auntsfield from 2-stars to 3! DOWNLOAD PDF »
READ MORE NEWS »

Vine Street Imports is dedicated to bringing the most exciting boutique and artisan wines from around the globe to the US market. Our wines garner critical acclaim from major wine reviewers and can be found in prestigious retail shops and restaurants around the country. In addition to our national portfolio, Vine Street Imports represents many of the world’s great wineries for exclusive distribution in Pennsylvania.

Like a truffle hunting dog, VSI founder Ronnie Sanders continues to scour the planet in search of booze that shows distinctiveness and a story. It all started with a relationship back in the latter part of the 20th century with a prominent Aussie winery. That association has developed and redeveloped over the years to metamorphose into what VSI represents today. While Australia is the feng shui of the portfolio, the evolution of our global selections continues.

Vine Street Imports represents many of the most talented winemakers and their craft from Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and Germany. Personality and open-mindedness are at the core of our mantra, this is expressed with the labels, styles and varietals that we work with. In the words of Italian Renaissance man Gabriele D’Anuzzio, “Memento Audere Semper” (Remember to Always Dare).



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FACTS

Fact One: 'Teinturier' refers to very uncommon grape varieties with red skin, flesh and juice.The most famous one is Alicante Bouschet.  Fact Two: Alicante Bouschet also is known by the moniker, Garnacha Tintorerra.  Fact Three: Cien y Pico (translation is 'hundred and something') produces high elevation, estate grown Garnacha Tintorerra from 100+ year old vines! Fact Four: Zar Brooks is the legend behind Cien y Pico and who doesn't love Zar? Fact Five: You need Cien y Pico.


48 different grape varieties are permitted for Port wine production. Justin Lane of Alpha Box & Dice has figured out how to incorporate 2 of them in 'Mistress.'  TOURIGA NACIONAL & TINTA NEGRA MOLLE


Did you know only 20 of the 400 species of oak is used to make oak barrels for aging wine, the average tree age being 170 years?


Parcels of Le Ragnaie's vineyard extend over the maximum 600 meters elevation placed by the DOCG of Rosso & Brunello di Montalcino therefore providing the fruit for the 'declassified' Chianti Colli Senesi (too high of altitude Rosso di Montalcino)!


The name Barossa means Hill of Roses. It was applied to the region by Col. William Light in the 1820’s after the site of a battle fought in the Peninsular War between England’s allies and Napoleon in 1811. (Col. Light participated in the battle.) Someone, misspelled the word and the valley ended up Barossa instead of the correct Barosa.


Piedmont was originally settled by the Celts. It was conquered by Hannibal and reconquered by the Ancient Romans. Piedmont was ruled by the French Savoy family for almost five hundred years. It was a center in the fight to unify Italy. Victor Emmanuel II, the king of Piedmont and Sardinia, became the first king of modern Italy in 1861.