
You probably have noticed by now that we have a lot of new faces regularly posting on the Mutineer blog. We recently recruited [read: brainwashed] some young, fresh and talented fine beverage revolutionaries to “Join The Mutiny.” And instead of letting these wild kids hide behind their tiny avatars, we decided to put them in the spotlight.
Meet Yashar Shayan, Sommelier and Mutineer’s foremost resource on all things vino in the state of Washington. Continue Reading »


The mission of Mutineer Monday is to advocate and promote the fine beverage industry by challenging the masses to “Join The Mutiny” and raise a glass (whether it be alcohol or non) to igniting and inspiring a fine beverage revolution!
Each week, we reach out to our readers, our Twitter followers, our Facebook fans, our contributors, our favorite bloggers and writers, and even our own team — asking everyone to share how they will be partaking in Mutineer Monday. To participate, all one needs to do is indulge in a delicious fine beverage (or two or three) and leave a comment on our blog, on our Facebook wall, or give a shout-out on Twitter using the hashtag #MutineerMonday (and #JoinTheMutiny if you have enough characters). And if are feeling particularly ambitious, feel free to do all three!
Each Monday, Mutineer salutes some of our fellow fine beverage revolutionaries who have joined the mutiny. Raise a glass (and a fist) in the air and toast them with us! Viva La Fine Beverage! Continue Reading »

Recently, I was exposed to impressive and inspiring views, almost to the point of being overwhelmingly expansive and picturesque. At 2300 Napa Road, Sonoma, I just showed up, atop the hill, and felt embarrassed when I found the tastings were done by reservation. I was hemorrhaging apologies, but Kieran (the property manager and that day’s host) was accommodating and hospitable. It took him no time to put a glass in front of me.
One of the two gentlemen I met that day from Essex, England called the pinot noir “bollocks.” I wasn’t sure I knew what that meant, but after finding out, I agreed. The flavor profile is distinguished and diligent, with each one of its notes. Another thing I think the Pinot’s flavor arrangement had going for it was universality — not too light, not too earthy, not at all gutless. The finish just flutters and hovers unlike any pinot I’ve encountered before. Continue Reading »

Everyone has days where they should put a cork in it. Other times, most of us shrug away our first impressions, instincts or judgments and just say ‘screw it.’ Determined to be the winning angel on your shoulder, 100% Cork and Wine Guerrilla have each started their own movements to influence the thing that’s stopping you. Or, rather, the thing that’s sealing your wine. Continue Reading »

The Languedoc AOC* of Southern France has a new classification system designating wines as “Grands Crus du Languedoc” and “Grands Vins du Languedoc”, utilizing already established regions. It was recently confirmed by the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL). Continue Reading »

Each week, wine lovers all over the Internet unite to celebrate “Wine Wednesday.” The concept is more viral than an official, sanctioned event. And it is definitely most prevalent on Twitter. The roots of the official #winewednesday hashtag trace back to the Twitter handle @TweSommelier, and has been going strong for at least a year now. Every #winewednesday, hundreds (if not thousands) of people virtually drink together, exchanging tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Some people and wineries even go as far as to organize official tastings.
As a way to contribute and support this fine beverage Internet craze, Mutineer Magazine will be spotlighting some of our favorite wine blog posts from the past week on, you guessed it, Wine Wednesday.
Here are the latest wine blog posts that caught our attention this past week: Continue Reading »

No plans for Labor Day? Well, for those who are lucky enough to live close to the Bay Area or have the ability to travel there, the folks over at Wente Vineyards are planning a killer music festival worth looking into. Here are the official details:
Continue Reading »

What is it with me, Zinfandel, and awesome food lately? Anyway…
“Event Recap: “An Affair With Zinfandel”
- Date: August 14, 2010
- Location: Passalacqua Winery — Healdsburg, CA
Step one: Out to the estate vineyard to meet up with winemaker Margaret Davenport. On a beauteous early evening, in my most cherished of valleys, we took a gander (or three) at the fruit. I witnessed how behind schedule they are, only now in verasion (when the grape starts to ripen and develop its color). Already I was having a blast, taking pic after pic with my camera (okay, I confess — cameras. I love veraison!). Syncing back to task, we tried two ’09 Zins, one in French Oak, one American. I overheard some say before the pour, “Do you think we’ll be able to tell the difference?” Their dismissive dialogue soon dove into humble interest and arousal with lines like, “Oh wow, look at that!” And believe me, the difference, although both were delicious, was that starkly pronounced. Continue Reading »