Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon did not “invent” Champagne in the late 1600s. He did not exclaim “come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” Champagne’s story is older, more complicated, more interesting. Continue reading “Champagne origin myths”
Category: Recent Columns
E-commerce wine
Wine e-commerce trended upward for several years. Then COVID lit the rocket. When final data is in, led by wine, alcohol e-commerce may have grown by more than 40% worldwide in 2020. Continue reading “E-commerce wine”
Champagne bottles
If you enjoyed Champagne or sparkling wine last week while gleefully celebrating the demise of 2020, you may not have thought about the heavy bottle containing the bubbly. But there is a story there. Continue reading “Champagne bottles”
Wine don’ts
Suggested New Year’s resolutions to diminish instances of wine snobbery in 2021. Refrain from saying these things: Continue reading “Wine don’ts”
Wine industry in change
As people shelter in place and give family members holiday Zoom greetings rather than hugging in person, the world in general and members of the wine industry in particular can’t put 2020 in their rearview mirrors fast enough. Continue reading “Wine industry in change”
Variety and varietal
Wine terms: variety and varietal. What do they mean? Easy answer: variety is a noun. Varietal is an adjective. Continue reading “Variety and varietal”
Wine body
Wine body. What does “body” mean and how does it affect your appreciation of a wine? Continue reading “Wine body”
Neo-prohibitionists
No one doubts alcohol abuse is a bad thing. But, how do you define “abuse?” Continue reading “Neo-prohibitionists”
Brix
Wine grape growing is not nearly so simple as plant a vine and watch it grow. Continue reading “Brix”
Lamb for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving will be different this year. In that spirit, a meal different than turkey. Why not lamb? If that is too radical, lamb as second meat? Continue reading “Lamb for Thanksgiving”