Beat the heat with wine 7-12-2023

If you live in the southern part of the USA, summer 2023 has been a horror. Record-breaking high temperatures, the sort of records no sane person wants to brag about. Continue reading “Beat the heat with wine 7-12-2023”

Wine and hot weather 7-5-2023

John Steinbeck, riffing from Shakespeare’s Richard III, wrote: “Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun…” Continue reading “Wine and hot weather 7-5-2023”

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”

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”

Wine and Halloween candy 10-26-2022

Every few years I recklessly throw caution and good judgment to the wind and confront pairing wine with Halloween candy. So here it goes. Continue reading “Wine and Halloween candy 10-26-2022”

Chilled red wines 7-6-2022

NEWS FLASH: We are in the “Dog Days of Summer,” or “High Summer” as it was called in the Old South. Whatever you call the scorching time between early July and mid-August, it is time to chill your wines. Continue reading “Chilled red wines 7-6-2022”

Father’s Day 6-15-2022

When this wine column began more than 14 years ago, Father’s Day was not a topic. Men drank beer, women drank wine. That was just the way it was. Continue reading “Father’s Day 6-15-2022”

Bubbly for the holidays 12-22-2021

’Tis the season to be bubbly. December is the hottest month for sparkling wine. Festive, fun, special. People who don’t drink wine, drink sparkling as we endure the darkest days of winter and toast the dawn of a new year. Continue reading “Bubbly for the holidays 12-22-2021”