Blog Archives

Which wine is better suited for cold weather: red wine or white wine?

I’ve been answering wine queries on the question and answer site Quora. I’ll share some of the most interesting questions I’ve been asked and, of course, my answers. I limit myself to spending a couple minutes on each response, not doing any research or “cheating.” I rely on my experience and opinion, which is probably not [More]

Posted in wine education | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Hess Collection Chardonnay, Oak, and Texture

Anyone who knows me is aware I am a fan of oaky white wines. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that at a recent lunch I was invited to I fell hard for the Hess Collection Chardonnay (2016). Hess Collection Chardonnay 2016 Joining a small group of scribes at this meal was Nicole Carter, the [More]

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Defend Oaky White Wines and Hug a Barrel

Permit me to rattle my saber a bit and come out and say I am tired of all the criticism of oaky white wines. I love ’em. Especially this time of year, when they are like a warm hug. And you want something that pairs exceptionally well with rich seafood dishes, creamy soups, and even [More]

Posted in white wines | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Spy vs. Spy: Comparing Two New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs from Spy Valley

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is something I used to find irresistible. Then I got traumatized by countless examples reminiscent of canned green beans. Most unpleasant. So I turned my back on it. It got to the point where, as a wine buyer, one of my sales reps was hesitant to present NZ Sauv Blanc. And, [More]

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The Ultimate Picnic Table, Piles of Pork, and Love for Oaked White Wines

I’m a fan of picnic table design that unobtrusively accommodates ice and white wine. Therefore, I certainly appreciate these clay inserts (pictured) to keep your wine well-chilled. And while visiting  Herdade do Esporão on a press trip, and experiencing some degree of the searing heat of the Alentejo region of Portugal (near the town of [More]

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