One of the 20th century’s most seminal moments occurred in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed, and communist rule ended across much of the Eastern Bloc. With the fall of communism, agricultural land seized and operated by the state was returned to its original owners. It was among the most significant seismic shifts in the […]
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At first glance, it may seem odd to apply the same textural assessment to wine as one would to a chocolate chip cookie. But if wine can be crunchy, it can be chewy too. “A chewy wine would be overtly structured or concentrated,” says Chris Fladwood, winemaker at Soter Vineyards in Carlton, Oregon. “I’m thinking […]
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Joy Spence is one of those rare people who has worked not only in the same industry but also at the same company for 40 years. She joined Appleton Estate as chief chemist in 1982 and has been the master blender since 1997. During her career, chronicled at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience, […]
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Maybe you rented a vacation house that isn’t fully stocked. Perhaps you’re camping or in the middle of moving and can’t find a single cardboard box labeled “kitchen.” No matter the reason, learning how to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew is guaranteed to come in handy at some point. Many corkscrews function similarly: You […]
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It’s common in relationships to not fully understand what your partner’s job entails. We’re all busy trying to perfect our own job skills. There isn’t much time left in the day to decipher your SO’s day-to-day job description—or even their formal title. My partner understands I write about wine, but they assumed my job was […]
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There will always be a place for old-school formal dining and phonebook-size wine lists that can tip the table. But if we’ve been reminded of anything over the past couple of years, it’s that our favorite restaurants foster a sense of connection, community, and discovery. These 50 establishments are doing things a little differently. They […]
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Tucked between the rugged ridges and redwood trees of Mendocino County, Anderson Valley has a well-deserved reputation for wine quality thanks to pioneering wineries like Navarro Vineyards & Winery, Husch Vineyards & Winery, Handley Cellars, and Roederer Estate. This 15-mile-long valley and its surrounding hills, just 2.5 hours north of San Francisco, are both a […]
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Juneteenth has always been special for Oakland chef Amina Robinson-Briscoe, also known as Chef Mimi. As a child, Chef Mimi and her family would attend Juneteenth festivals in the neighboring city of Berkeley every June 19. “Once I got older and realized what it was about in terms of the freedom and liberation of Black […]
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Every beer at every bar, restaurant, or backyard endures an arduous journey from brewery to customer. On this journey, bottled, canned, or kegged beer meets a series of touchpoints that, if mishandled, can alter its flavor from what the brewery intended. These are called beer faults. In most commercially brewed beers, chances are, the fault […]
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While our team loves to mix drinks—several of us are former bartenders, after all, and would never miss an opportunity to the point that out in conversation—there are times when only the best-canned cocktails will do. Backyard barbecues, beach days, picnics, and the like are great occasions to pop open a can of something tasty. We’re […]
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