Continuing our investigation of wine descriptors. Last week we noted wine shares the same molecules as familiar, pleasant tastes and smells. But what about all those weird descriptors? Continue reading “Wine descriptors Part Two 4-10-2024”
Category: Recent Columns
Wine descriptors Part One 4-3-2024
Using words to describe wine is fraught with peril and leaves wine writers exposed to ridicule. Adapting a line from Martin Mull: writing about wine is like dancing about architecture. And we do it anyway. Continue reading “Wine descriptors Part One 4-3-2024”
Grape growing USA 3-27-2024
Grapes remain the highest value fruit crop in the U.S.—estimated at $7 billion. There are a million acres of grape-bearing land in the U.S.—wine grapes, table grapes, and raisin grapes. Continue reading “Grape growing USA 3-27-2024”
Wine and Holy Week 3-20-2024
For Christians, the coming days are a transition from the promise of Christmas to the time of fulfillment of Easter. Continue reading “Wine and Holy Week 3-20-2024”
Wine challenges 3-13-2024
While wine has been an integral part of civilization for at least 8,000 years, it also is subject to the waxes and wanes of fashion. What is rad and fav today can be tomorrow’s meh. Think merlot. Think white zinfandel. Think Milli Vanilli. Continue reading “Wine challenges 3-13-2024”
Porto 3-6-2024
Porto (port wine) often is mistaken to be a depth-of-winter libation sipped while gazing at a roaring fire, the finale to a robust meal. Porto certainly works in that scenario, but you miss out if you so limit your porto possibilities. Continue reading “Porto 3-6-2024”
Wine facts and trivia, Part Two 2-28-2024
More interesting facts and trivia about wine: Continue reading “Wine facts and trivia, Part Two 2-28-2024”
Wine facts and trivia, Part One 2-21-2023
Some interesting facts and trivia about wine: Continue reading “Wine facts and trivia, Part One 2-21-2023”
Wine glut 2-14-2024
Wine has enjoyed quite a run. Consumption up for decades. Quality up—the best in the 8,000 year history of wine. Availability up, thanks in no small part to elimination of antediluvian restrictions on direct-to-consumer wine sales. Continue reading “Wine glut 2-14-2024”
Valentine’s Day 2-7-2023
Valentine’s Day, the inspired capitalist fabrication of greeting card makers, florists, and chocolatiers, happens next Wednesday. Here are some notions about wine to titillate your cherished someone. Continue reading “Valentine’s Day 2-7-2023”