Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Bing Crosby ringing in your ears. Yuletide carols sung by a choir, folks dressed up like Eskimos—Christmas, season for loving nostalgia. Continue reading “Christmas mulled wine”
Category: Recent Columns
Decanting
To decant or not to decant. That is the question. Is it nobler of the vine to suffer the slings and arrows of tannic tightness, or to take up arms against it with a sea of aeration, and—by so opposing—soften them? Continue reading “Decanting”
Terroir
Which is more important: grape or place the grape grows? Depends on who you ask and how much argument you want. Continue reading “Terroir”
Thanksgiving
Thankfully, Thanksgiving is easiest of wine times. Continue reading “Thanksgiving”
France wine regions 3 of 3
French make more wine than anyone else, some so sublime it defines wine at its best, some absolutely terrible. To help find your way with French vin, third of three-part primer; today, niche regions. Continue reading “France wine regions 3 of 3”
France wine regions 2 of 3
French make more wine than anyone else, some so sublime it defines wine at its best, some so mundane French distill it into biofuel.
Continue reading “France wine regions 2 of 3”
France wine regions 1 of 3
French make more wine than anyone else, some so sublime it defines wine at its best, some so mundane French distill it into biofuel. Continue reading “France wine regions 1 of 3”
Halloween
Halloween tempts you into cloyingly kitsch novelty wine plays. Trouble: clever names and campy labels often are inversely related to wine quality. Continue reading “Halloween”
Elements of wine—fruitiness
Wine has five components that determine taste and quality: alcohol, acid, tannin, sweetness/dryness, fruitiness. This week, final component: fruitiness. Continue reading “Elements of wine—fruitiness”
Elements of wine—sweetness/dryness
Wine has five components that determine taste and quality: alcohol, acid, tannin, sweetness/dryness, fruitiness. Previously alcohol, acid, and tannin; this week sweetness/dryness. Continue reading “Elements of wine—sweetness/dryness”