Hugh Sisson

This small Maryland winery dominated the 2018 Governor's Cup competition, winning 7 gold medals out of 8 entries, an unprecedented triumph. 

Click the links to purchase Cellar Notes recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Audio coming soon. 

What a long strange growing season it's been. Heat, rain, heat, rain all at the wrong time, it makes you wonder how are things going down on the Maryland farm? And as Chef Jerry Pellegrino points out, it's not hard to get answers if you shop at our local farmers markets. Early October is usually one of the richest market times of the year, but what about this year?

Audio coming soon. 

Rioja is Spain's most important red wine, but how did it get started?  Well, the Marques de Riscal had a lot to do with it. Click the links to purchase Cellar Notes recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Spanish reds are very popular these days. But what about the whites? Here's a review of some of the most popular blancos. Click the links to purchase Cellar Notes recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio, are they the same grapes? Yes, but they're not the same wines. Hugh explains the differences. Click the links to purchase Cellar Notes recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Spanish reds are very popular these days.  But what about the whites?  Here's a review of some of the most popular blancos. Click the links to purchase Cellar Notes recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Over-oaked Chardonnay is becoming a thing of the past. Here's a collection of tasty whites that never see a barrel. Click the links to purchase Cellar Notes recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Need a new cabernet sauvignon recommendation? Don't want to spend a fortune? Al and Hugh have you covered. Click the links to purchase their recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Al and Hugh offer suggestions for sparkling wines that are perfect for end-of-summer toasts. Click the links to purchase their recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Get Al and Hugh's picks for Austrian rosé. Click the links to purchase their recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Zinfandels go great with chunky barbequed meats. Al and Hugh tell us about some of their favorites. Click the links to purchase their recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

If you like zinfandels, you should try primitivo. Al and Hugh share some of the "treasures" they've found.  

Click the links to purchase their recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits. 

Get a taste of Portugal with these Cellar Notes selections. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits. 

The good news for people who want to support organic farming and buy organic wines is that there's lots of choices out there. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

One of the fleeting joys of summer is the soft shell crab. They seem to come and go in the marketplace, but when they're around, they're irresistible to a lot of Marylanders. To newcomers, the prospect of cleaning, cooking and eating these crustaceans is, frankly, quite daunting. But once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze...

They make white wines in the Rhone, and they are great. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

You don't have to spend a lot to get good pinot noir. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Audio coming soon.

Merlot's rep as a second class wine is totally undeserved. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

It's all about keeping an open mind when you look for value. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Al and Hugh offer some wine picks that show that New Zealand can do more than just sauvignon blancs. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

A pair of California labels over-deliver on classic wines. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Significant improvements for an old and troubled wine region. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Super values from one of Europe's hottest travel destinations.  Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

You don't have to shell out $80 or more to enjoy a good Piedmont wine. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Spain's great seafood wine is achieving a great audience around the world. Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Lower in alcohol, supple in body, packed with flavor and very food-friendly, light reds are perfect for this time of the year.

Click the links to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

Spring is finally starting to feel like spring, and we are starting to sport the first new harvests of the year.  This gives us a whole new set of options as we work out ways to celebrate this tender season. I told Chef Jerry Pellegrino of Schola Cooking School, that I wanted to see if I could find any recipes for those two stalwarts of the season: spring lamb and spring onions.

Although the best Riesling may grow in Germany, other regions are having great success with the ultra-classy varietal. Click the links below to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.

It's a perfect wine for the season and Al and Hugh have their recommendations for some delicious Pinot Noirs for under $25.00.  Click the links below to purchase Al and Hugh's recommendations at Kenilworth Wine & Spirits.