Holidays can be prime time for vino blunders. Be your better self. This is a time for joy and bonhomie, so pass on these unwholesome wine gaffes: Continue reading “Wine no-no’s 12-8-2021”
Category: Recent Columns
Dramatic drop in wine production 12-1-2021
At its heart, winemaking is farming. And, at its heart, farming is an inconstant, ever-challenging enterprise. The year 2021 is a case in point. Continue reading “Dramatic drop in wine production 12-1-2021”
Decanting guidelines 11-24-2021
Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. At this late date, it is likely your wine for the great American harvest feast is set. Some notes about serving it. Continue reading “Decanting guidelines 11-24-2021”
Weighty wine bottles 11-17-2021
Wine bottle weight is a weighty issue in the wine world. On one hand, there is the expense, waste, and carbon footprint of heavy bottles. On the other hand, bodacious bottles have a clear marketing and psychological impact. Continue reading “Weighty wine bottles 11-17-2021”
Paradox of choice 11-10-2021
You face a wine store’s walls of wines. You need to pick some for upcoming Thanksgiving. There are too many choices. Your head hurts. Continue reading “Paradox of choice 11-10-2021”
Minerality. Myth or real thing? 11-3-2021
Minerality is an imprecise, controversial wine descriptor. Does it mean anything? Does it mean whatever someone wants it to mean? Continue reading “Minerality. Myth or real thing? 11-3-2021”
Halloween 10-27-2021
Halloween can be a frightful challenge for a wine writer. Continue reading “Halloween 10-27-2021”
Wine containers and closures
Before you can appreciate a wine you have to open it. In times past, that meant pulling a cork from a glass bottle. Not so much today. Continue reading “Wine containers and closures”
Wine and shipping containers
COVID has disrupted our lives for almost two years. Wine did not dodge that viral bullet. Continue reading “Wine and shipping containers”
Wine critic scores
Finding words to describe wine overflows with challenges and trouble. To steal from Martin Mull, writing about wine is like dancing about architecture. Continue reading “Wine critic scores”