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The Diploma decision: Why I took the WSET Level 4 plunge
“Are you going to do the Diploma?” my wine teacher asked me, only minutes after I handed in my Level 3 exam. “I dunno,” I remember saying. “It’s a lot of time and a lot of money.” Even as I spoke those words, though, there was a quieter voice in my head whispering: Yeah…probably. Today,…
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Merlot Thursday: PlumpJack Napa Valley Merlot (2022)
PlumpJack’s Merlot is plump, for sure–an exuberantly fruity, spice-packed treat. Full of unapologetic, born-this-way Merlot moxie, it divided the room between those who love Merlot and those who remain unconvinced. But, as you might have guessed from this #MerlotThursday series (now in its 53rd installment!) we are not hesitant sippers. We’re fully on board the…
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A year of Merlot Thursday: What I learned from tasting 52 different Merlots
Looking back at The Wine Fairy archive this week, I realized something neat: July is my one-year anniversary of Merlot Thursday participation. I first learned about #MerlotThursday while scrolling wine-related posts on Reddit. The premise is simple enough: On Thursday, you drink a Merlot and review it, in hopes of raising the profile of an…
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Merlot Thursday: Chateau Belle-Vue “La Renaissance” (2013)
Welcome to a special Merlot-versary edition of #MerlotThursday! That’s right…it’s my 52nd weekly Merlot review for The Wine Fairy. Coming next week: A separate article reflecting on all the gallons of Merlot I drank last year, from ten different countries and representing nearly every level of price and quality. Sometimes, it’s hard to separate the…
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Texas Wine News Roundup: Summer 2026
Big news from the Decanter Awards, a new grape variety, and a new place to sip sparkling wine in the Hill Country! In our quarterly news roundup, we share some of the top Texas wine news stories that have hit the presses in 2026. Story #1: Texas wines make a huge splash at the 2026…
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Review: Tiraki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (2025)
We love to crush a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in The Wine Fairy household. (Just call us the Marlborough women–we adore those zesty tropical flavors.) Today, I’m recommending a breakout example of the genre: The 2025 Tiraki. Tiraki’s Sauvignon Blanc is a single-vineyard bottling from a family winery in Nelson, at the “Top of the…
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Merlot Thursday: DuCard Vineyards Virginia Merlot (2021)
A bright, berry-filled mountain Merlot is on the tasting table! It’s the latest bottle we’ve enjoyed from the “if you know, then you know” (don’t call it “emerging”) wine region of Virginia. Tucked away in the Shenandoah Mountains of Madison County, DuCard Vineyards is a local destination for live music and boutique wine-tasting experiences. Their…
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DFW Wine Events: July 2026
Dallas friends, are you ready for some fine wine and good times? From Paso Robles to Pinot Grigio, this month’s lineup includes themed tastings and classes you won’t want to miss! As always at The Wine Fairy, we’ve done our best to make this info current and correct. Still, we always recommend that you double-check the…
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Review: Château Le Devoy Martine “Via Secreta” Lirac (2019)
It’s the best evening combo I could hope for: A favorite bistro, a couple of hours to kill, and a bottle of Rhône. Rhône reds (sadly) aren’t common in restaurants in my town. They’re usually crowded out by blockbuster Cabs and Paso Robles blends. In the best of cases, they’re relegated to one or two…
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Slow night, blind flight! Wine-tasting practice from behind the bar
I’m constantly working on improving my tasting skills. It’s partly to become a better wine writer/critic, and partly to get more enjoyment from the wines I pour for myself and others. And because, as I’ve talked about on the blog recently, I’m thiiiiiiiss close to embarking on my WSET Level 4 Diploma journey. Blind-tasting competence…
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Merlot Thursday: Château Armens Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (2020)
A World Cup match lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes. I’m not really into sports…but coincidentally, 90 minutes is about how long I like to linger over a tasty glass of red wine. And so, we are at the bar, my wife is watching footie on the telly–and I am kicking off the evening with…
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Review: Kirkland Signature Vacqueyras (2023)
There are two types of people who buy the Kirkland Signature wines from Costco: Those who care about wine tasting, and those who (mostly) don’t. Among the latter group, Kirkland wines are convenient, cheap grocery items and house-party standbys. Grabbing a case of Prosecco or a jug of Chianti saves you money and a trip…