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”

Scientific proof of terroir 1-31-2024

Terroir is that baffling French term you often encounter with wine. There is another French term that sums up the meaning of terroir—je ne sais quoi [something that cannot be fully described or expressed]. Continue reading “Scientific proof of terroir 1-31-2024”

Old Vines 1-24-2024

You likely have seen the description “old vine” on a wine label. What exactly does that mean and is it important? Continue reading “Old Vines 1-24-2024”

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2022

Pale straw color; lemon-lime, peach—stone fruits, passion fruit, white flowers, mowed grass, minerality on the nose and palate. Continue reading “Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand 2022”

Qvevri 11-29-2023

It seems inevitable. Whatever is “in” eventually will be “out.” Whatever is out eventually will be the next big thing. In the wine world, orange/amber wine and qvevri are examples. Continue reading “Qvevri 11-29-2023”

Wine is history 10-18-2023

Every bottle of wine is a history. Usually a wine is an expression of a single year. It tells the story of that year’s climate, the people working the vineyard, the people making the wine. Plus, there is the backstory of the grapes, the vineyard, the winery, the people. Continue reading “Wine is history 10-18-2023”

Texas wine AVAs episode #2 10-11-2023

Texas wine facts: Texas is the fifth-largest winemaking state, behind California, Washington, New York, and Oregon. And Texas wine is No. 3 in economic impact, just behind California and New York. Both rankings according to the National Association of American Wineries. Continue reading “Texas wine AVAs episode #2 10-11-2023”

Texas wine AVAs episode #1 10-4-2023

Texas wine once was an amusing blip on the wine world radar. There was interesting activity around Lubbock, an ambitious project in the Big Bend, dreamers in the Hill Country, and—of course—ardent over-achievers around College Station. Continue reading “Texas wine AVAs episode #1 10-4-2023”