There is a lot of information on a wine label. Some of it germane: producer, grape variety or type of wine, vintage. Continue reading “Alcohol by volume”
Category: Recent Columns
Bordeaux responds to climate change
Wine makers recognized climate change years ago. Many vine growers have meticulous records dating back a hundred years. For them, global warming is not speculation, it is real and their livelihoods depend on responding to it. Continue reading “Bordeaux responds to climate change”
Vineyard in winter
We are in the last weeks of winter and soon vineyards will begin their warm weather cycle. They have not been idle the past cold months. Continue reading “Vineyard in winter”
Elements of wine judging
On one level “judging wine” is distasteful. A lodestone of my approach to wine is drink what you enjoy and ignore supercilious pronunciamentos from wine snobs. Continue reading “Elements of wine judging”
Vintage variables
“Plant a radish. Get a radish. Never any doubt. That’s why I love vegetables; you know what you’re about,” goes the opening in a song from The Fantasticks. Continue reading “Vintage variables”
Valentine’s
Survival alert to male readers: Sunday is Valentine’s Day. Continue reading “Valentine’s”
Bottles of wine from a vine
How many bottles of wine can be made from a single grapevine? Interesting question. This being wine, no simple answer. Continue reading “Bottles of wine from a vine”
Cheap vs. expensive wine
Wine pricing—guaranteed to vex vino votaries. Continue reading “Cheap vs. expensive wine”
Champagne origin myths
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”
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”