It is a new year and there are sweeping changes in wine bottle sizes in America. Yep, wine makers and glass blowers have a whole new tool kit to entice you into experiencing whatever elixir they have conjured from grape juice and yeast and wood and whatever else the white-coated wine wizards have procured. Continue reading “Wine bottle sizes 2-19-2025”
Category: Recent Columns
Wine for Valentine 2-12-2025
Valentine’s Day cometh, time for expressing love and affection, although one can argue that should be on your to-do list every day. Continue reading “Wine for Valentine 2-12-2025”
Gripes and opinions 2-5-2025
Wine columnists are expected to have opinions, and I have many. Here are four to rile up readers. Continue reading “Gripes and opinions 2-5-2025”
Blending terms 1-29-2025
Wine labels and wine reviews may include various references to wine blending. Some are specific and informative. Others are distinctions without a difference. Let’s explore the most common blending terms. Continue reading “Blending terms 1-29-2025”
Types of blends 1-22-2025
Blending is essential to making some of the world’s most iconic wines. We explored the several ways to blend last week. This week, specific wines created by blending. Continue reading “Types of blends 1-22-2025”
Varietals and blends 1-15-2025
In general, wines can be divided into varietals and blends. This being wine, it is not so black-and-white simple. Let’s explore. Continue reading “Varietals and blends 1-15-2025”
Wine scores 1-8-2025
Wine scores. Oh, my. On one level, ridiculous. On another level, essential to wine’s success over the past half century. Some observations. Continue reading “Wine scores 1-8-2025”
Winter wine survival 1-1-2025
Happy New Year. We survived another sun circumnavigation. Sunlight grows slowly longer. Spring rebirth looms over the sere, cold-swept horizon. Endure these last temperature-challenging months, and we emerge into warm, bright shining mornings. Two wine types provide solace during this frost-dusted interlude: Porto and sherry. Continue reading “Winter wine survival 1-1-2025”
Christmas 12-25-2024
This column runs on Wednesdays in most markets—Christmas Day in 2024. If you have not secured your wine before now, no chance today. We can, however, look forward to New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Continue reading “Christmas 12-25-2024”
Holiday wine pairing insight 12-18-2024
With Christmas/holiday feasts coming soon, what is the ideal alcohol percentage for wine paired with food? The answer is 10-14%. Why? Continue reading “Holiday wine pairing insight 12-18-2024”