Archive - The Wine Fairy

Merlot Thursday: Château Angélus Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A (2020)

October 15, 2026

Château Angélus, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, is famous for its natural amphitheater that captures the peals of nearby church bells. It’s equally known for its iconic, collectible Cabernet Franc-focused blends. And more recently, Angélus made wine-industry headlines for its exit from the Saint-Émilion classification system. Angélus attained the highest rank (Premier Grand Cru Classé A)…
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First Glass: How to Taste, Talk About, and Buy Wine Like a Master Sommelier by Tim Gaiser MS (Review)

October 14, 2026

Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser’s new book, First Glass: How to Taste, Talk About, and Buy Wine Like a Master Sommelier was released on October 20, 2026. It’s available in paperback and digital formats. I’ve been looking forward to reading it since Gaiser announced the title at the TEXSOM Conference back in August 2026. Here’s my…
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Tasting the 2026 Costco holiday wine calendar: Wines #13-18

October 13, 2026

We have made it to the third installment of our Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar tasting marathon. Twelve bottles down, twelve to go! On the tasting table this week are the next six bottles, contestants #13-18: Before we go any further: I am not a wine snob. Sure, I think and talk about wine more than…
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Merlot Thursday: Château Beau-Séjour Bécot Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé (2018)

October 8, 2026

My weekly Merlot is often found in ordinary places: I buy it from pizza joints and grocery stores, I quaff it at office parties and on barstools. It’s red, it’s fruity. I taste it earnestly and thirstily, no matter how humble the bottle. But occasionally, the Merlot encounter is quite extraordinary–glasses around a table with…
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Merlot Thursday: Duckhorn Vineyards 50th Anniversary Napa Valley Merlot (2023)

October 1, 2026

Duckhorn Vineyards is celebrating 50 years, and we are celebrating #MerlotThursday! Today, we’re drinking Merlot and raising a glass to founders Dan and Margaret Duckhorn. (Dan passed away earlier this year at the age of 87, just as this 50th anniversary edition was arriving in stores and restaurants. Margaret passed in 2022.) Carole Hicke interviewed…
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