Category: Ramblings and Rants
Americanization or Improvement? Tailoring Wine for Export
I spend a good deal of time traveling to wine regions around the world, tasting and talking. My interests in
Pix—The Inside Story
American wine isn’t keeping up with the digital technology revolution, and it hasn’t been for a long while. I’m not
Inflation Looms for CA Wine
In last month’s column, I covered the rise in California’s grape prices in the wake of disastrous fires and two light vintages,
Volatile Times for CA Wine
In late summer of 2020, Steve Sangiacomo was excited. The vintage was shaping up to be an exceptional one. But
Sean Thackrey Has Left The Cellar
Known for ironically wearing a vest emblazoned with the phrase ‘famous winemaker’, the iconoclastic California winemaker Sean Thackrey passed away
I’ll Drink to That: Winemaker Patrick Campbell
There’s a new episode of I’ll Drink to That! available. Episode 490 features a conversation with Patrick Campbell, the former
How Flashy is American Wine?
A slowly growing number of American winemakers are relying on the winemaking equivalent of a secret weapon. It doesn’t feature
PURE Lies: Winemaker Adam Lee Puts a ‘Clean Wine’ to the Test
Today I’m publishing an article written by winemaker Adam Lee, founder of Siduri Wines and owner of the Clarice Wine
Napa – Small Scale, Big Change
For more than 80 years, the journey up Highway 29 into Napa Valley has begun with the same view. To
The TTB Weighs in on ‘Clean Wine’
Call it an early Easter basket surprise for those of us who aren’t fans of denigration marketing. In its newsletter
Reminder: Todd White and Dry Farm Wines are Lying to Your Face
Like most of you, I’d expect, I get a lot of wine ads in my social media feeds. Most of
Direct to America
Wine producers the world over have long coveted America’s growing consumer base of wine drinkers. But wanting access to the
Patagonia, Inc. Might Have Champagne Problems
I’ve got Patagonia on my mind. Next week I’m actually headed to Patagonia to go fly fishing. But last week
It’s Time for an American Wine Marketing Board
Those of us who drink and love wine take it for granted. We don’t give much thought to the fact
America’s Wine Decline
Numbers, they say, do not lie. But the numbers to which you pay attention matter greatly. Much ado has been
I’ll Drink to That: Sylvain Pataille and the New Old Style
A new episode of I’ll Drink to That! has just been released. Episode 489 features a conversation with Sylvain Pataille,
An American in London
Every time I find myself strolling the streets of London, as I did for a few days in early December
I’ll Drink to That: Erin and the Volcano
Episode 488 of I’ll Drink to That! features a tour of Pico Island, a part of the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic
Pix Wasn’t the Only Wine Tech Failure I’ve Seen Up-Close
If you’re lucky, you’ve been blissfully unaware of the hullabaloo (mostly on Twitter) surrounding my recent column for Jancis Robinson