People ask what was the most expensive wine I ever received for review. I think their question reflects curiosity about what wine I get to review and how does expensive wine taste. Continue reading “Expensive wine 6-25-2025”
Category: Recent Columns
Domaine Bousquet Ameri Malbec, Gualtallary Single Vineyard 2020
Deep ruby-purple color; black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, blueberry, raspberry, oak, sweet tobacco, smoke, graphite-minerality, violets on the nose and palate. Continue reading “Domaine Bousquet Ameri Malbec, Gualtallary Single Vineyard 2020”
Famiglia Cotarella Sodale Merlot Lazio 2020
Deep ruby color; plum, cherry, cranberry, black olive, vanilla, spice, pepper, violets, earth, minerality-crushed stone on the nose and palate. Continue reading “Famiglia Cotarella Sodale Merlot Lazio 2020”
What’s with Texas wine? 6-18-2025
Vintage and location are keys to understanding wine in Texas, which now produces the fifth most wine in the United States. Continue reading “What’s with Texas wine? 6-18-2025”
Wine time changes 6-11-2025
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. In June of 2025, such a time has come for my wine writing adventure. Continue reading “Wine time changes 6-11-2025”
Wine-mood pairings 6-4-2025
We know wine is magnificent paired with food, enhancing qualities of both. Wine and food also can be a welcomed pairing when dealing with the vicissitudes or triumphs of life. Examples: Continue reading “Wine-mood pairings 6-4-2025”
Warm weather wine 5-28-2025
As May flowers fade, the more stern months of summer saunter into our lives and our wine drinking regimen. Continue reading “Warm weather wine 5-28-2025”
Cava confusion 5-21-2025
Cava is Spanish sparkling wine made using the traditional method developed in Champagne, right? Continue reading “Cava confusion 5-21-2025”
Winery wars 5-14-2025
The wine industry faces the first headwinds it has faced in half a century. Inevitably things get snippy in the previously collegial competition among makers. Continue reading “Winery wars 5-14-2025”
Mother’s Day 5-7-2025
Mother’s Day easily can be promoted as “Buy Mom Some Wine Day.” There is the cliché joke: “buy mom wine because you are the reason she drinks.” But there is a less jejune reason to do the right thing—moms who enjoy alcohol drinks overwhelmingly prefer wine over spirits and beer. Continue reading “Mother’s Day 5-7-2025”