aka Wine Steve
@caspernick.bsky.social
Pilot, Sommelier, Master Mariner, Wine Educator, Sailing and Powerboating Instructor
www.capitalboater.com
www.capitalboater.com
A stunning CDP that we paired with Fondue, in Zurich. 13.5% ABV, low for the style yet relatively full bodied and silky smooth. The dessert was something else.
December 11, 2025 at 9:01 AM
A stunning CDP that we paired with Fondue, in Zurich. 13.5% ABV, low for the style yet relatively full bodied and silky smooth. The dessert was something else.
German Pinot Noir, under the radar and called Spätburgunder. This one was chock full of barnyard, sour cherries, silky tannins and balancing acidity. Low in alcohol at 12.5%, it had a lovely freshness, despite the funk.
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
German Pinot Noir, under the radar and called Spätburgunder. This one was chock full of barnyard, sour cherries, silky tannins and balancing acidity. Low in alcohol at 12.5%, it had a lovely freshness, despite the funk.
Guess what I taught on the top deck of our river boat….
December 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Guess what I taught on the top deck of our river boat….
Currently cruising up the Rhine and Mosel- sipping the local wines. Even the beer is fantastic.
December 7, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Currently cruising up the Rhine and Mosel- sipping the local wines. Even the beer is fantastic.
Bought myself a treat wine on our river cruise. An aged Blaufrankish/Cabernet/Zweigelt with powdery tannins, loads of tertiary development and crunchy acidity. Sublime.
December 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Bought myself a treat wine on our river cruise. An aged Blaufrankish/Cabernet/Zweigelt with powdery tannins, loads of tertiary development and crunchy acidity. Sublime.
Famous for the sweet Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise, this small region in the Southern Rhone makes some pretty tasty Grenache/Syrah based reds as well. Under the radar in the US, I managed to find this beauty in a Paris wine shop. Meaty with cracked pepper and ripe blackberry. Good structure.
December 5, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Famous for the sweet Muscat Beaumes-de-Venise, this small region in the Southern Rhone makes some pretty tasty Grenache/Syrah based reds as well. Under the radar in the US, I managed to find this beauty in a Paris wine shop. Meaty with cracked pepper and ripe blackberry. Good structure.
Dinner at Chez Gabrielle- Paris. The Burgundy on offer was delicious, it paired beautifully with my wine braised beef.
December 3, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Dinner at Chez Gabrielle- Paris. The Burgundy on offer was delicious, it paired beautifully with my wine braised beef.
Fitou- from the south of France. A delicious Carignan based wine that won’t break the bank.
December 2, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Fitou- from the south of France. A delicious Carignan based wine that won’t break the bank.
Sipping Savigny in Paris, kicking off our much anticipated Christmas Market cruise. I love Pinot, especially from Burgundy.
December 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Sipping Savigny in Paris, kicking off our much anticipated Christmas Market cruise. I love Pinot, especially from Burgundy.
There is no legal definition for "Old Vine". This one happens to run a whopping 15.9% ABV. Seems about par for the course with Cali Zins. It's tasty and silky, but I can't see myself drinking this style too often.
November 30, 2025 at 11:06 AM
There is no legal definition for "Old Vine". This one happens to run a whopping 15.9% ABV. Seems about par for the course with Cali Zins. It's tasty and silky, but I can't see myself drinking this style too often.
A magnum of Gigondas was on tap- delicious but the 15% (minimum) ABV seriously hits.
November 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
A magnum of Gigondas was on tap- delicious but the 15% (minimum) ABV seriously hits.
Popped this Brit to kick off the feast. It was spectacular and only got better with some air. Bought it in the LHR Duty Free two years ago and glad I sat on it for a while.
$55 equivalent pricing.
$55 equivalent pricing.
November 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Popped this Brit to kick off the feast. It was spectacular and only got better with some air. Bought it in the LHR Duty Free two years ago and glad I sat on it for a while.
$55 equivalent pricing.
$55 equivalent pricing.
I got his hotel corkscrew in the early 2000's, the Crowne Plaza in Dubai. I've opened hundreds of bottles in many years of travels. It still works even though it's pretty beat up and the logo has long disappeared. Make of plastic, it never triggers the x-ray machines.
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I got his hotel corkscrew in the early 2000's, the Crowne Plaza in Dubai. I've opened hundreds of bottles in many years of travels. It still works even though it's pretty beat up and the logo has long disappeared. Make of plastic, it never triggers the x-ray machines.
Decided to open an old Ribera for Sunday roast. It started out bitter, with an acerbic bite. With air and time it turned soft and layered with some lovely tertiary development. A somewhat compromised cork was overcome.
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Decided to open an old Ribera for Sunday roast. It started out bitter, with an acerbic bite. With air and time it turned soft and layered with some lovely tertiary development. A somewhat compromised cork was overcome.
The delicious little brother of the Grand Vin from Lebanon. Just yummmmm.
November 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The delicious little brother of the Grand Vin from Lebanon. Just yummmmm.
That gorgeous color of Amontillado- can you smell the juxtaposition of Flor and Oxidative aging?
November 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM
That gorgeous color of Amontillado- can you smell the juxtaposition of Flor and Oxidative aging?
I paid $20 for this $60 Pinot. It was very tasty, but not for the list price. It's my style alright, just a bit one-dimensional.
November 19, 2025 at 1:05 PM
I paid $20 for this $60 Pinot. It was very tasty, but not for the list price. It's my style alright, just a bit one-dimensional.
Sunday morning Bloodies, watching my team get slaughtered in Madrid.
November 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Sunday morning Bloodies, watching my team get slaughtered in Madrid.
Wine's are generally well made these days, but every so often I taste one that I don't care for. Green, hard tannins take over this Gamay and really dominate the whole affair. It got high scores but for me it's a pass.
November 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Wine's are generally well made these days, but every so often I taste one that I don't care for. Green, hard tannins take over this Gamay and really dominate the whole affair. It got high scores but for me it's a pass.
Napa Cab with Lamb chops. Oh my. 93 points on sale for $15 at Costco, getting a few more methinks.
November 16, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Napa Cab with Lamb chops. Oh my. 93 points on sale for $15 at Costco, getting a few more methinks.
It started out with some astringent tannins, but has since softened and is very drinkable. Smooth, with loads of dark fruit, a pleasing mouthfeel and a medium length finish, all for $15. Who doesn't love Malbec?
November 14, 2025 at 11:36 PM
It started out with some astringent tannins, but has since softened and is very drinkable. Smooth, with loads of dark fruit, a pleasing mouthfeel and a medium length finish, all for $15. Who doesn't love Malbec?
One of my favorite Oregon Pinot brands- always delicious and the style is right up my alley for New World. Delicious and worthy of 92 points.
November 12, 2025 at 10:57 PM
One of my favorite Oregon Pinot brands- always delicious and the style is right up my alley for New World. Delicious and worthy of 92 points.
Paired a Carménère with Goulash last night. Pretty good together I gotta say. I paid $9 for the bottle at Costco, it was on sale from $13. Might get some more, like a few cases....
November 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Paired a Carménère with Goulash last night. Pretty good together I gotta say. I paid $9 for the bottle at Costco, it was on sale from $13. Might get some more, like a few cases....
Cabernet Franc is Virginia's flagship red grape. King Family Vineyards is where we celebrated my daughter's 21st, so I picked up a few bottles for the cellar. Lovely stuff that runs $30 ex-chateau.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Cabernet Franc is Virginia's flagship red grape. King Family Vineyards is where we celebrated my daughter's 21st, so I picked up a few bottles for the cellar. Lovely stuff that runs $30 ex-chateau.
Mencia for a Saturday night dinner. A yummy grape found predominantly in the Iberian Peninsula. This one ran me $25 ish and gets north of 91 points.
November 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Mencia for a Saturday night dinner. A yummy grape found predominantly in the Iberian Peninsula. This one ran me $25 ish and gets north of 91 points.