Wine
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The Truth About Expensive Wine
Price can reflect scarce land, labor, aging, reputation, and demand, but it never guarantees personal enjoyment.Know the Cost DriversHand harvesting, low yields, barrels, storage, and distribution all add real expense.Separate Quality From PreferenceA technically excellent wine can still…
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How to Read a Wine Label Without Feeling Judged
Labels communicate producer, origin, grape, vintage, and alcohol—but different countries prioritize different clues.Start With OriginOld World bottles often lead with place; New World bottles commonly lead with grape variety.Check the VintageVintage tells you the harvest year, not the…
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The Best Wine for People Who Think They Hate Wine
Many self-described wine haters have only encountered styles that were too bitter, hot, sweet, or oaky for them.Identify the ComplaintAsk whether the problem is dryness, acidity, bitterness, alcohol, or flavor.Try Fresh StylesVinho Verde, Moscato d’Asti, dry rosé, and…
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Why Champagne Works With Almost Everything
Bubbles, acidity, moderate alcohol, and savory aging notes make traditional-method sparkling wine unusually flexible.Salt Loves BubblesChips, fries, popcorn, and fried food become legitimate pairings.Acid Handles RichnessCream, butter, and cheese feel lighter after each sip.Choose Sweetness CarefullyBrut works broadly,…
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Wine Fridge or Kitchen Fridge? What Actually Matters
Stable cool temperature, darkness, and low vibration matter more than owning a luxury appliance.Avoid HeatLong exposure above normal cellar temperature accelerates aging and can flatten aroma.Think Short TermA kitchen refrigerator is fine for short storage, though it is…
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Gourmet Desserts: Elevating Sweets to Art
Gourmet desserts represent the pinnacle of culinary artistry, transforming simple ingredients into stunning, flavorful creations. Elevating your dessert game involves mastering techniques, understanding flavor combinations, and focusing on presentation. Here’s how to create desserts that impress both visually and taste-wise. The Foundations of Gourmet Desserts Creating gourmet desserts starts with a solid foundation of basic…
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Help Rebuild a Beloved Wine Professional’s Life After His U-Haul is Stolen!
In a somber turn of events, our esteemed colleague, Rich Ross, a well-respected wine professional and mentor, recently encountered a heartbreaking incident during his relocation from St. Louis to Colorado. Having invested numerous years in cultivating the St. Louis wine scene, Rich embarked on a new chapter in Colorado. However, what should have been an…
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Think You Know Sauvignon Blanc? Try Aging It
The idea of aging Sauvignon Blanc, especially in the United States, may sound unusual to wine drinkers who love the varietal for its light, fresh flavors and crisp acidity. In France’s Loire Valley or Bordeaux region, however, serious Sauvignon Blanc fans know that this white wine has profound aging potential—as little as one year and…
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Get to Know Petite Arvine, the ‘Diva’ of Swiss Grapes
“Petite Arvine is a noble and unique white wine variety. We call it the ‘Diva’ of Swiss grapes because it is capricious and can be challenging to grow,” says Laurence Schlatter, Swiss-native winegrower and co-owner of Merryvale Vineyards in Napa, California. “In Switzerland, you can find three different styles,” he explains. “Dry, racy, fresh and…
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Move Over, Osetra: US Caviar Is on the Rise!
“European caviar is Champagne, and U.S. caviar is sparkling wine,” explains Ali Bolourchi, president of caviar producer Tsar Nicolai, located in Wilton, California, near Sacramento.It’s an apt comparison: As demand for buttery, briny caviar soars, many Americans are looking to domestic producers of fish roe, seeking local and sustainable options. Caviar—made from one of 27…
