The fox is in the hen house on wine reviews
In days long gone, a handful of powerful publications were the gatekeepers of wine reviews. They passed out scores, and wineries either benefitted from them or not. In today’s world, these magazines are no longer Read more...
Buy cheaper red wine to solve red wine headaches. Really?
Is this really the solution to red wine headaches? The Washington Post recently published an article titled “Does red wine give you headaches? Buy a cheaper bottle, scientists say.” Really? The story goes Read more...
New York Times ‘The World in a Wineglass’ review shows why no one likes critics
Jean Sibelius famously said “No statue has ever been put up to a critic.” Photographer Daniel Nyblin, Finnish Heritage Agency. One could be forgiven for not making it far along in The New Read more...
The Case for Washington Sémillon (Wine Reviews November 20th 2023)
Sémillon at Seven Hills Vineyard. Copyright Richard Duval. 55+ wines reviewed below, including the latest from Amavi, Gård, Holesinsky, Koenig, Massalto, Planet Oregon, Rocks of Bawn, Sleight of Hand, Soter, Split Rail, SuNu, Read more...
Why haven’t more Washington appellations distinguished themselves?
This is part 2 of a series of articles about appellations. Read part 1. In my series “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of Washington wine, I wrote that too few appellations in the Read more...
Five things appellations need to be successful
Relative importance not drawn to scale. This is the first in a series of articles discussing appellations. In my series “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of Washington wine, I noted that Read more...
An ode to Washington’s educational and research efforts
In the first of my recent articles on “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of Washington wine, I outlined 10 things the Washington wine industry has done well. One embarrassing omission, which a number Read more...
Washington wine: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Part III
This is the third in a three-part series on Washington wine. Read part I. Read part II. There has been a great deal of handwringing and soul searching in the Washington wine industry since Ste. Read more...
Washington wine: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Part II
This is the second in a three-part series on Washington wine. Read part I. Read Part III. There has been a great deal of handwringing and soul searching in the Washington wine industry since Ste. Read more...
Washington wine: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Part I
This is the first in a three-part series on Washington wine. Read part II. Read Part III. There has been a great deal of handwringing and soul searching in the Washington wine industry since Ste. Read more...
Will the wine industry go sideways?
Will the wine industry be on the inside looking out or the outside looking in? Twenty years ago, Merlot was a star in the wine world. The variety was practically synonymous with a Read more...
Why can’t Hollywood hold a wine glass?
Hollywood actors are famous for their intense levels of preparation. Many actors think such steps are imperative to bring authenticity to a role, though some take it to extremes. For example, leading up to her Read more...