The first evaluation system I encountered when I was starting out in wine was the 20-point system. Essentially various aspects of the wine were awarded a certain number of points out of 20. Color got… Continue reading
In the United States, the popularity of big, oaky California Chardonnays led, in the late 1990s, to a still-thriving counter-movement called ABC—Anything But Chardonnay. Today, scores of California winemakers hammer on about the importance of… Continue reading
One of the most exciting developments in wine over the last several years has been the emergence of a whole new class of California Sauvignon Blancs—wines that are bright, minerally, sophisticated, and complex, often with a ravishing… Continue reading
I should. Gamay can be a fantastic grape. And the best cru Beaujolais’ have lots of what I love in wine—precision, freshness, structure, aliveness, a core of addictively delicious fruit. But somehow I never seem… Continue reading
The biomolecular archeologist Patrick McGovern has said, “We are set up as biological creatures to drink alcohol. Biology, chemistry, genetics, ancient texts, art, ethnography, and archeology all support this.” Other animals in particular have… Continue reading
As winter settles in and evening descends early, I find myself looking around in my cellar for Cabernet. But not just Cabernet—mountain Cabernet. The kind with a nice grip of tannin. With a sense of… Continue reading
For this holiday season, we’ve compiled a list of books, gadgets, and gear to gift to the wine lovers in your life. Check our top picks for 2021 below: KLOVEO Professional Grade Champagne Stopper… Continue reading
Guest Blog by Steph Dutton I’ve always been very aware of the number of variables attached to any wine by the time it reaches the bottle. Sunshine hours, aspect, viticultural intervention, water supply, the natural… Continue reading
A Guest Blog By Terry Theise I had a report to file. I’d been tasting wines from my portfolio (which the growers had been kind enough to send me) and suddenly there was the first… Continue reading
SommelierBusiness.com: The author of the bestselling wine book talks about how one can champion writing with a much broader view of wine. As the author of The Wine Bible, which is now the bestselling wine… Continue reading
The 12 Days of Christmas have been celebrated in Europe since before the Middle Ages. They begin with Christmas Day and continue until the evening of January 5th, which marks the arrival of the Magi—the… Continue reading
I tasted a lot of great wine in 2020, despite it being one of the worst years imaginable for so many of us. And more than in past years, the pandemic meant I also raided… Continue reading
