Allen Balik

Napa

Columnist at Napa Valley Register

Featured in: Favicon

napavalleyregister.com Favicon

huffpost.com Favicon

napawinetaste.com

Articles

The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Coombsville — exploring Cabernet Franc and beyond

1 week ago | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

A few weeks ago, I attended two events showcasing the Coombsville American Viticultural Area located in the Napa Valley’s southeastern hills just east of downtown Napa. Both were organized by the Coombsville Vintners and Growers under the oversight of its visionary president and grower Jim Urda of Immaculate Vineyard. Originally planted in the 19th century, Coombsville has blossomed over the last few decades.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Wine’s individual expression?

2 weeks ago | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

History, tradition, countless medical studies and its own cultural identity have all demonstrated wine’s ability to stand on its own merits and differentiates it from all other drinks. Its story is not just about a beverage, but also about how a glass of wine serves to connect the characteristics of the vintage, the origin of its grapes along with the people who grew and produced it. Today, the alcohol industry across its entire spectrum is under attack worldwide.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Wine’s individual expression?

3 weeks ago | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

History, tradition, countless medical studies and its own cultural identity have all demonstrated wine’s ability to stand on its own merits and differentiates it from all other drinks. Its story is not just about a beverage, but also about how a glass of wine serves to connect the characteristics of the vintage, the origin of its grapes along with the people who grew and produced it. Today, the alcohol industry across its entire spectrum is under attack worldwide.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: The captivating appeal of old vines

1 month ago | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

We often hear the expression "old vine" and see it printed primarily on Zinfandel labels. But has anyone officially defined what that means? Not really. In the U.S., there is no legal definition for old vine on the label as there is for many other statements of quality and heritage. Estate Bottled vs.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Is 'dry' a good thing when speaking about wine?

2 months ago | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

While enjoying a glass of Cabernet a few weeks ago with an old friend who is unfamiliar with wine jargon, I was caught off-guard when he asked, "How in the world can a liquid as delicious as this be described as dry?"A good question, because when speaking of wine the term "dry" can be interpreted in many different ways and pose several semantic challenges. It is one of the most used descriptors in the wine world, but all too often it’s done in the wrong context.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Stretching beyond our comfort zone

2 months ago | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

Often when talking about wine with friends who appreciate its pleasures, but are not really interested in the backstory or breadth of the subject, I hear comments about "comfort" levels relating to specific favored varieties or brands. Sadly though, it’s seldom I hear much about their desire to venture into something new. And that's really a shame. It takes just a bit of courage and exploration to discover many rewards that will grace the dinner table and add interest to a special occasion.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: 2022 Bordeaux – A vintage perspective

Feb 13, 2025 | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

The wines of Bordeaux are widely accepted as being among the world's finest, most popular and in some cases also the most expensive. Late last month I again attended the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) tasting in San Francisco where about 80 of Bordeaux's finest châteaux, representing all of the appellation's most prestigious growing areas, poured their treasured wines from the superb 2022 vintage to the trade and press.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Are all wines meant to age gracefully?

Feb 11, 2025 | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

When thinking of wine in its youthful stages two questions come to mind. First is this wine intended for enjoyment in its early years? Or, am I looking for the necessary components, balance and structure indicating its ability to mature with grace and offer a more multifaceted personality as it evolves over time? Not all wines are meant to age.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Tasting wine is an individual experience

Feb 7, 2025 | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

Any wine tasting experience is individual and ours alone just as it is with food. Therefore, the impressions one may encounter may be quite different from another even while enjoying the glass or dish together from the same bottle or chef. This is no different than what we may encounter as our individual experience when discussing a famous painting, the enjoyment of a stage play or when chatting about a recently published novel. Tasting wine can be easy and enjoyable.
The Napa Valley Wine Exchange: Andy Beckstoffer: To Kalon and beyond

Feb 7, 2025 | napavalleyregister.com | Allen Balik

When wine lovers hear the Beckstoffer name, they most likely associate it with Napa’s iconic Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard in Oakville. And rightly so. However, since 1970 Andy Beckstoffer has pioneered vineyards across the Napa Valley (1,000 acres) as well as Lake (1,800 acres) and Mendocino (1,200 acres) counties. I became familiar with the Beckstoffer designation many years ago as I launched my vinous journey and began to identify vineyard sources of various wines that caught my attention.