Wine writers freely admit that trying to describe how a wine tastes is the classic “like dancing about architecture” folly. But amid the thousands of wine choices, people still want guidance. Even if the guidance has flaws, it still beats the “even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes” method. Continue reading “Controversial wine review terms 9-16-2025”
Category: Facts About Wine
Perceived sweetness in wine 8-6-2025
What makes a wine sweet and what makes a wine taste sweet? As you might expect in the convoluted world of wine, the two are not the same. In the wine world, things are not always what they seem. Continue reading “Perceived sweetness in wine 8-6-2025”
Château Olivier Grand Cru Classé de Graves Blanc, Pessac-Léognan 2020
Medium yellow-straw color; green apple, lemon-lime, gooseberry, lemongrass, pineapple, honey, white peach, pastry, oak, white flowers, minerality on the nose and palate. Continue reading “Château Olivier Grand Cru Classé de Graves Blanc, Pessac-Léognan 2020”
A widow solves a Champagne riddle 7-30-2025
Revolution and evolution in wine in the 17th and 18th centuries set up the sparkling wine world we enjoy today. Christopher Merret’s experiments in secondary fermentation. Dom Pérignon’s vineyard and winemaking improvements. English breakthroughs in glass making. Continue reading “A widow solves a Champagne riddle 7-30-2025”
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Yellow Label Brut Champagne NV
Pale gold-yellow color; pear, lemon, white peach, grapefruit, crisp apple, brioche, vanilla, butter, almond, white flowers on the nose and palate. Continue reading “Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Yellow Label Brut Champagne NV”
Sparkling evolution-revolution 7-23-2025
Wine has been evolving for at least 8,000 years, and so it goes in the world of sparkling wine. Continue reading “Sparkling evolution-revolution 7-23-2025”
Days of thine and rosés 7-16-2025
Summmer-time, and sippin’ rosé is easy… fish are jumpin’… and the cotton is high. Continue reading “Days of thine and rosés 7-16-2025”
Boring wines 7-2-2025
As someone who loves writing and wine, it was a quick and easy call 17 years ago when the local newspaper publisher asked me to write about wine in his publication. Continue reading “Boring wines 7-2-2025”
Expensive wine 6-25-2025
People ask what was the most expensive wine I ever received for review. I think their question reflects curiosity about what wine I get to review and how does expensive wine taste. Continue reading “Expensive wine 6-25-2025”
What’s with Texas wine? 6-18-2025
Vintage and location are keys to understanding wine in Texas, which now produces the fifth most wine in the United States. Continue reading “What’s with Texas wine? 6-18-2025”