New year. No matter if you look back on 2022 with a sigh of satisfaction or you are grovelingly thankful to survive another solar circumnavigation, time for optimism. Continue reading “Optimism 1-4-2023”
Category: Recent Columns
Meteorological seasons 1-3-2024
It is early January. Barely into winter. Except it isn’t barely into winter if you reckon by the more rational system of “meteorological seasons.” By that measure, we are one-third-plus finished with winter. Huh? Continue reading “Meteorological seasons 1-3-2024”
Start the year with wine good news 12-28-2022
Let’s end this year and begin the next on a high note. A Japanese study found people over age 75 may benefit from a regular glass of wine. Continue reading “Start the year with wine good news 12-28-2022”
Christmas summer 12-21-2022
It is high summer in South America. Time to hit swimming pools and beaches while wishing everyone “Feliz Navidad!” Continue reading “Christmas summer 12-21-2022”
Five key winemaking decisions 12-14-2022
There are five terms you often will find in reports about wine. Understanding what they mean and how they affect wine can help you make choices. A quick review. Continue reading “Five key winemaking decisions 12-14-2022”
Napa agonistes 12-7-2022
Once upon a time Napa Valley was a place of pastoral legend. Blessed with the bucolic beauties of wooded knolls, forested slopes, springtime fields dappled with mustard flowers, summertime’s lush greenery, the valley aflame in reds and yellows come fall. The human presence was a smattering of vineyards and family-owned wineries, dairies, cattle ranches, walnut groves, plum-tree orchards. Continue reading “Napa agonistes 12-7-2022”
Wine world disruption 11-30-2022
The pandemic shook the wine world—as it did everything in the world. More to the point, it accelerated trends forever changing the wine landscape. Examples: Continue reading “Wine world disruption 11-30-2022”
Paso Robles 11-23-2022
When you think quality California wine, Napa and Sonoma leap to mind. Today, a sound argument can be made to include Paso Robles in the conversation. Continue reading “Paso Robles 11-23-2022”
Thanksgiving 2022 11-16-2022
Some people are intimidated by wine choices for the big Thanksgiving family feast. There is no reason for discombobulation. Continue reading “Thanksgiving 2022 11-16-2022”
Everyday, commodity wines 11-9-2022
November and December are the heaviest wine-buying months of the year. People not into wine—or even alcohol—indulge during the harvest feasts of Thanksgiving and Christmas and the bacchanalian excesses of New Year’s. Continue reading “Everyday, commodity wines 11-9-2022”