Category: Ramblings and Rants
Harvest of Fear
Writing a column about the state of harvest on America’s west coast in the face of historic wildfires seems to
Donate to the 2020 Wine Country Fire Relief Fund
Donate Now Wine country, and the people that live there are hurting. Badly. Covid-19 was a sucker punch to the
The Unsung Urban Wine Hero
His name doesn’t appear on wine bottles. He is not a winery employee. He doesn’t even make his living in
Hungarian Wine Authorities Don’t Seem to Know Anything About Wine
The people in charge of Hungarian wine seem to believe that orange wine, pétillant naturel, natural wines, low-sulfur wines, and
Channeling Bob Ross to Bring You “The Joy of Wine Tasting”
It’s been months since I’ve had a haircut, and not one to miss an opportunity, I thought I might as
Drinking While Eating is Not Food and Wine Pairing
A couple of months ago, I wrote a piece entitled “Food and Wine Pairing is Junk Science” in which I
‘Clean Wine’ is a Commercial Scam
Much ado is being made of the latest entry in a long line of celebrity wine brands. Actor Cameron Diaz
No Regrets From US Ex MSs
The killing of George Floyd changed so many things, so quickly, and shifted conversations in almost every facet of life.
The Doyenne of California Sparkling Wine Steps Down
After 42 vintages, 30 of which were as the founding winemaker and CEO of Domaine Carneros, Eileen Crane (seen above
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
