-
Wine Paris 2026: A trip to remember
“Mind-blowing.” “Insane.” That’s how Wine Paris was described to me before I went–and now that I’m back home, I’ve got to say that I agree. As a new-to-the-industry person, I’ve wasted no time jumping straight into the deep end. (If not now, then when?) The opportunity came to go to Paris. So I cashed in…
-
Champagne Road Trip (Part Two): Épernay and Vallée de la Marne
This is Part Two (of Two) of a dream-worthy jaunt to France’s Champagne region. Check out Part One here. Champagne may be a relatively small wine region, but it’s a huge business: A whopping 35% of France’s total wine exports by value. The world’s love for Champagne extends to wine tourism, with an estimated 3.5…
-
Merlot Thursday: Cantina Il Cavaliere “Ottavo” Bianco di Merlot Ticino (2023)
Bonjour from France! I’m at Wine Paris, the world’s leading wine and spirits event. Over three days, more than 6,000 exhibitors from 60 countries fill the Porte de Versailles convention center with a truly mind-boggling amount of wine. How many different Merlots are waiting for me in this sprawling plaza of exhibition halls? Considering that…
-
Champagne Road Trip (Part One): Cathedral and cellars of Reims
Just over an hour from Paris is a city of wonders both sacred and profane. Above ground: The extraordinary Reims Cathedral, its Gothic spires piercing the sky. Below ground: Over 150 miles of chalk tunnels lined with an estimated 200 million bottles of Champagne. To walk among the dusty bottles is a wine lover’s dream.…
-
Merlot Thursday: Martin Ray “Courtney’s Cuvée” Merlot (2021)–and the trouble with wine on tap
The quest to bring back Merlot got a boost this week from a delightful “Sideways Effect” piece by Willa Paskin for Slate: “For years, many believed that one tiny movie brainwashed American wine drinkers forever. The truth is weirder.” All the biggest questions and juiciest details are in that article: Is it true that one…
-
Under $12 Review: 14 Hands “Stampede” Bold Red Blend (2022)
Critter label? Check. Screw cap? Check. All signs say that a casual, fruity wine is on the table tonight. And here we are: The “Stampede” Bold Red Blend from 14 Hands. 14 Hands is owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and is Washington’s second largest winery (after Ste. Michelle itself). Ste. Michelle created the 14…
-
A celebratory bottle: Pommery “Cuvée Louise” Brut Champagne Millésime (2005)
A snazzy Champagne to commemorate a much hoped-for outcome: Passing my WSET Level 3 course with Distinction! We snuck into the bar in the early afternoon to savor the sweet, sweet taste of success. Vibrant medium lemon in the glass with amazing clarity and many slow, finely distributed bubbles. Aromas of fresh and candied lemon,…
-
Certified and bonafide! WSET Level 3 results are in.
My WSET Level 3 results just arrived by email! I’m excited (and more than a little relieved) to share that I passed both Tasting and Theory with Distinction. What does this green piece of paper mean? I’m now qualified to share wine opinions on the Internet, I guess! I can’t wait to start doing that.…
-
Merlot Thursday: Dubourdieu “Liaison” Graves Red Bordeaux Merlot (2022)
As Winter Storm Fern wraps up her national tour, I’m stuck inside for a couple more days. (I love you, Dallas–but your roads don’t function with snow and sleet.) On the plus side, there is plenty of wine at home. In fact, it’s about time I got around to tasting some of these bottles from…
-
Review: Malbado Luján de Cuyo Malbec (2019)
“Malbado” means “the bad one,” but this Mendoza Malbec actually wasn’t so bad. I pulled it from my strategic wine reserve (that is, the rack full of old Total Wine bottles) to uncork in the middle of a winter storm. Yes, this is a Total Wine private label wine with all the tell-tale signs: Big…
-
Review: “Ex Post Facto” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (2024)
Five bottles were on the table at the Brewer-Clifton tasting on Tuesday. Winemaker Greg Brewer was pouring. On the way to his next event, he graciously stopped by my table, accused me of hiding in the corner, and chatted for a few moments about these acclaimed craft wines from Santa Barbara County. I do hide…
-
Review: Thierry Delaunay “Le Grand Ballon” Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc (2023)
Now that Taylor Swift has gone and ruined Sancerre for everyone, ordinary wine drinkers like moi have to look for alternatives to the popular but scarce Loire Valley label. Just kidding, Swifties. Sancerre shortages have been a recurring wine-biz story for at least 2-3 years now, due to harvest challenges and other supply-demand mismatch issues.…