Monthly Archives: December 2023

You don’t want to be around us when we have a wine we consider exciting. We mean it. Over our half century together, we’ve tasted tens of thousands of wines. We still sample, or consume, many hundreds each year and we find something to like about many of them. But exciting? That’s different. That’s a wine we talk about with each sip in a way that no one else could understand, not just because we have our own language of wine but we have our own history. 

Human-generated carbon dioxide is the primary contributor to global warming, and its impact will only intensify if ongoing greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced. In response, people from diverse sectors are taking action. Farmers, in particular,...

Nestled in the picturesque hills of Urbino in the heart of the Le Marche region, Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo stands as a testament to centuries of history, tradition, and viticulture. This charming estate, with its sprawling vineyards and rustic charm, has played a pivotal role in promoting the winemaking heritage of the region.

We reached out to Randall Grahm the other day because we thought of him when we had a charming Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare at a seafood restaurant in East Williamsburg. Though Grahm in 2020 sold his Bonny Doon Vineyard, which helped put Rhône varietals, fine wines with screwcaps and labels listing ingredients in Americans’ wine glasses, we had not tried his latest creations, wines from his experimental Popelouchum Estate in San Juan Bautista, Calif.  

If we play a game of word association, it’s very likely the word “Ice wine” leads us to think “Canada”, and for good reason. But the reality is that Canada’s wine industry goes all the way back to the 1800s, and it has been quietly evolving into a comprehensive high quality producer of wines of different styles. 

Georgian wine culture, among the world's oldest, predates many ancient civilizations. However, due to the country's tumultuous history, it has faced numerous challenges that have affected its development and recognition.

Currently, Georgia's wine industry is undergoing a renaissance characterized by enhanced quality, intensified marketing efforts, and a consequent surge in global interest. The recent airing of a double-length segment on 60 Minutes about Georgian wine, titled “Ancient Vines,” attests to the growing buzz surrounding the country’s wine history, traditions, and native grape varieties.

Today, there are approximately 2,000 wineries in Georgia, ranging from large-scale to me...

We understand how difficult it is to choose a gift for your wine-loving friend or relative who already seems to have everything and likely knows and cares much more about wine than you do. That’s probably why catalogues, stores and online marketplaces are filled with, say, a 16-ounce insulated tumbler made to look like a prescription bottle for Pinot Grigio.

Here are some ideas that should not leave your giftees rolling their eyes, many based on our own wine moments this year. In most cases, we start with something specific, but each is meant to be a starting point for your search. Some of these will require a bit of work, and possibly shipping, but that’s often true of great presents.