Essays

Of Bread & Wine

by  |  22-02-2024 ~ 2 Comments

Bread may be a meal, but wine is life and it’s little surprise that we’ve had both for more or less the same amount of human history. We shall never be allowed to forget that... more »

The “balsamics”

by  |  24-01-2024 ~ 8 Comments

So many tasting notes that accompany wines (especially on the back labels) are simply laughable. Somehow it’s believed that, “Fresh, but strong”, “Forward and yet reserved”, or “Very much beef, but not quite cow” actually... more »

The Early History of Bordeaux and Rioja

by  |  09-10-2023

There's a commonly-held belief that starting in the mid- to late-nineteenth century, Bordeaux had a “revolutionary” impact on Rioja wine production. In particular, in the 1860s, the winemaker of Bordeaux’s pioneering Chateau Lanessan, owned by... more »

A call to expel the Russian Sommelier Association from the ASI

by  |  13-09-2023 ~ 1 Comment

Eight Ukrainian champions petitioned The Association de la Sommellerie Internationale to expel the Russian Association for supporting the war. The transparency and anti-corruption issues they raise make their appeal important for the entire wine world.... more »

About that cork taint

by  |  14-08-2023 ~ 6 Comments

In a recent article by Sean P. Sullivan he made mention that the unfortunate chemical compound, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (AKA TCA or colloquially, 'cork taint') is in theory, on the outs. Sullivan stated that in his experience... more »

“British Sparkling Wine”, a name for all, a name for none?

by  |  10-05-2023 ~ 9 Comments

Given the recent Coronation, it only seemed fitting to take a look at one of the long-unresolved issues for the wines of Great Britain... In the last twenty years, British sparkling wine (or its longer,... more »

Moving on… from the Twitter

by  |  12-04-2023 ~ 2 Comments

"We're a generation of wine people raised by Twitter. I'm wondering if another Twitter is really the answer we need." --(Not) Fight Club As I've recounted but a few short weeks back, the social media... more »

Out in the weeds, back in the wine

by  |  22-03-2023 ~ 6 Comments

A few months ago, I received an email from a Canadian wine writer I'll call, N. "Mack" who was asking me to review her new memoir. I turned down the offer as it seemed her... more »

Why no fame for the wines of Spain?

by  |  18-01-2023 ~ 17 Comments

A few months ago, a wine educator in Texas wrote to me asking who is "influential" in Spanish wine along the lines of writers and educators. Liking a challenge, I started to write up a... more »

Wine Twitter is dead, long live Wine Twitter?

by  |  09-01-2023 ~ 4 Comments

The social media party train that left the station in 2006 has gone off the rails since Elon Musk bought it for $44 billion in November, 2022. As if 75% of the staff being laid... more »