Wine Blog

Whenever I sip Champagne from a fluted glass  I think of Karen MacNeil, wine educator and author of The Wine Bible. Years ago, Karen joined me as a guide in producing a tour of Bordeaux for American Express Platinum cardholders. During the opening night celebration she addressed the group, raised a glass of Champagne and said, "Offer someone a flute of Champagne and watch their body language change. Regardless of the occasion, everyone sits a little straighter with a Champagne flute in [...]

Deciding what wines to bring to your family Thanksgiving Day dinner is an interesting task. From a culinary perspective, you have spices, flavors and textures that vary more than anyother meal of the year. Take Aunt Betty's sweet yam casserole with marshmellows plopped on top. Makes me think of a German Spatlese Riesling. Serve the yams along side a slice of Tom Turkey smothered in spiced cranberry sauce and I reach for a bottle of fruity Dolcetto or a Pinot [...]

It's October and the pumpkins are starting to roll out in mass. I must admit that this is my favorite month of the year. The leaves are turning, the weather is crisp and the food moves from lightly grilled to savory and slow cooked. In terms of wine, that mean beefier examples such a Zins, Syrah, Bordeaux, Rhone, Shiraz for reds and blended whites or concentrated varieties such as Pinot Gris from Alsace and Spatlese Riesling from Germany that have the extra body required [...]

I tasted a white wine today that realigned my analytical approach to whites. Medium in body with crisp acidity and just enough oak influence to give it curves on the palate, the wine was far from being varietally correct - and with good reason. It was a blend. Having tasted tons of high acid Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, refreshing Roses from around the world and quaffing-worthy Pinot Grigio this summer, I was pleasantly at ease with the balance of the blend [...]

One of the best ways to learn about a region is to focus all your vinous energy on a small region or set of regions. Take Italy for example. With so many different native grapes, Italy is a bear of a country to get your arms around. As such, every so often I break it down and focus my efforts. Right now, it is the north east regions of Veneto, Trentino and Friuli. I start by printing a map off the internet - the importer [...]

Labor Day is over and the Cleveland Browns are ready to rumble. While the entire issue of dogs and lifestyle choices (a.k.a Vick) are at the top of everyone's mind - in terms of wine, dogs are generally honored and revered. Spend a few minutes at a winery and soon you will hear the rustling of a wonderful vineyard dog chasing a bug just a few rows over. Vineyard dogs are so prized that a great book, Vineyard Dogs, has been published on the subject.  [...]