Category: Ramblings and Rants
The (Brief) New Era of Unbelievable Wine Deals
For anyone looking for discount pricing on their favorite luxury California wines, we have just entered perhaps the best time
Sommelier Richard Betts Throws Away His Pin
Today, Master Sommelier Richard Betts told the world that he no longer wants to be a Master Sommelier. He is
Want To Taste Wine? Sign This Waiver
As Wine Country re-opens throughout California and visitors return to tasting rooms once again, beyond mask-wearing employees and lots of
Wine Country Reopens, Cautiously
I should probably come clean at the start. I broke the law to write this story. Here in northern California,
The Skeptic’s Guide to Biodynamic Wine
With the correct audience in the room, I like to joke that I’m the ultimate biodynamic wine critic. You see,
Will the Wine Industry Learn the Lessons of the Pandemic?
As humans, we’re evolutionarily engineered to fear change. And for good reason. It often presages hardship in some form, whether
The Improbable Link Between Hard Seltzer and Wine
Imagine a story that goes something like this: a young man begins his career and struggles to make it as
What Wine Tasting Rooms Will Be Like For the Foreseeable Future
No one knows for certain when Wine Country will open back up in California. As wine tourism represents more than
I’ll Drink to That: Wine Educator and Sommelier Kevin Zraly
Episode 480 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Kevin Zraly. Kevin is the former Cellar
The Wine World is Prejudiced Against Higher Alcohols
I must begin by saying quite clearly that I am not, myself, free from prejudice. Let me give you an
The First Day of the Rest of My Life
“So when are you going to quit your day job and focus on wine?” Everyone from close friends to well-meaning
I’ll Drink to That: Winemaker Christopher Howell
Episode 479 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Christopher Howell. Howell is the winemaker and
Debating Terry Theise on Wine and Food Pairing
Terry Theise wrote a response to my slightly provocative piece on the the fact that food and wine pairing is
Terry Theise Takes Up My Wine & Food Pairing Gauntlet
The other day I penned a bit of a screed, on a topic that I continually encounter in two forms:
Sommeliers in Self-Isolation
Estimates vary, but according to some sources, restaurants employed 13.5 million Americans last year. That means that at least 8%
The Five Virtues of a Wine Lover
When I speak to many wine drinkers, they often express a similar sentiment. They tell me that they really enjoy
Food and Wine Pairing is Junk Science
Like the endless stream of lousy paintings sold at garage sales, or the ceaseless arguments for why climate change isn’t
Ending the Aesthetic Fallacy of Heavy Bottles
Wine producers the world over invest in unusually thick, heavy wine bottles for the sake of impressive brand aesthetics. But
#KeepWineAlive: Deals From Wineries in Trying Times
This article could be about any number of sectors of the economy. But around here we’re focused on wine. So
How to Buy Wine While Self-Isolating
We’re all going to be stuck at home for a while. That means we will need wine. And lots of
How the Government (and You) Can Save the Wine Industry From Coronavirus
Those that have been paying attention know by now that the American wine and food industries are facing an existential
Too Many Grapes in CA and WA
America’s two most important winegrowing states are suffering serious over-supply while demand slackens. One of the most hotly anticipated press
I’ll Drink to That: Winemaker Jason Lett
Episode 478 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Jason Lett of The Eyrie Vineyards in
Threat of 100% Wine Tariff Lifted – For Now
The US wine industry just received a bittersweet Valentine. On 14 February, the Office of the United States Trade Representative
I’m Calling Bullshit on Drone Wine Delivery
Most of us have been watching the Coronavirus disaster unfold like a slow moving train wreck around the world. It’s
Sorry, But Wine Tariffs Are Still a HUGE Problem
A couple of weeks ago, I penned my usual monthly column for Jancis Robinson, focusing on the dire threat to
I’ll Drink to That: Author and Master of Wine, Mary Ewing-Mulligan
Episode 477 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Mary Ewing-Mulligan, President of International Wine Center
Inside the US Wine Tariffs Hearing
So what happened last week when the American wine trade met US government officials to argue against a 100% tariff
Your Duty as a Wine-Loving Citizen: Oppose the Proposed Wine Tariffs
Dear United States Trade Representative, My name is Alder Yarrow, and I am a wine consumer living in Piedmont, California.
I’ll Drink to That: Burgundy Vigneron Christophe Roumier
Episode 476 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Christophe Roumier of Domaine Georges Roumier, the
Tariffs Curb US-China Bottle Swap
The US-China trade war has had far-reaching effects on the California wine industry, not least in its choice of bottles.
The 2019 Vinography Gift Guide for Wine Lovers
Giving gifts to wine lovers during the holidays can be anxiety inducing. Especially if your recipient tends to have many
So Much to Be Thankful For
We’re in a grateful mood here in California in general. The winter rains have finally begun to fall, mercifully marking
Flames, Fermentation, Fear and Recovery in Sonoma
On 23 October, the Kincade Fire exploded to life on the hillsides above Geyserville in California’s Sonoma County, and quickly
I’ll Drink to That: Barolo Legend Giacomo Oddero
Episode 475 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Giacomo Oddero of what is today Poderi
Kincade Fire Menaces Sonoma County
At 6.30 pm yesterday Saturday 26 October local time, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, along with local
Powerless to Pause Harvest In California
Last week on 8 October California marked a rather sad anniversary: two years since a series of fires devastated Sonoma
I’ll Drink to That: Winemaker Rod Berglund
Episode 474 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Rod Berglund, who is both the owner
US Retailing: Cracks in the Foundations
A recent US Supreme Court ruling striking down an obscure Tennessee law has had the American wine industry abuzz for
I’ll Drink to That: Burgundy Winemaker Tomoko Kuriyama
Episode 473 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Tomoko Kuriyama, who with her husband Guillaume
I’ll Drink to That: Wine Writer and Consultant Anthony Hanson, MW
Episode 472 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it features Anthony Hanson MW. Anthony Hanson is the
