Category Archives: writers

Toasting Independence Day with Madeira

Posted on July 4, 2018 by

With the heat and humidity of July here in the Mid-Atlantic, it may seem counterintuitive to suggest a fortified wine to toast Independence Day. But the Founding Fathers, up there in “foul, fetid, fuming, foggy, filthy Philadelphia,” as John Adams … Continue reading →

Posted in Madeira, Port, Portugal, Washington Post, Wine, Wine Trivia, writers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

In Vino Veritas

Posted on June 4, 2018 by

In vino veritas, the Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote. In wine is truth. It’s an old Latin phrase making fun of people who speak their minds under the influence of alcohol. The quote is buried in a rather hilarious … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Food and Drink, Rants, Religion, Wine, writers | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Thanksgiving wine conundrum …

Posted on November 6, 2017 by

Every November, wine columnists warn us about the difficulty of pairing wine with the traditional turkey & trimmings we feast on at Thanksgiving. It’s all silly, and most writers hate the theme. I know I do. I’m not looking forward … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine, Wine Humor, writers | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

It’s not about the #wine.

Posted on October 14, 2017 by

This is a slightly revised version of my column published October 12 on washingtonpost.com. As I write this, fires continue to spread across Northern California’s wine country for a sixth day, and it is still impossible to estimate the full … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Wine, writers | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Vintage perspective from Hugh Johnson

Posted on September 4, 2017 by

One of my favorite books to pick up whenever I have a few free moments (seldom) or need inspiration for my wine writing (often) is Hugh Johnson on Wine: Good Bits from 55 Years of Scribbling, published last year by Mitchell Beazley. … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine, Wine Humor, writers | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The End of Wine Blah Blahgs

Posted on April 1, 2014 by

April 1 – DATELINE: ONLINE – The wine blahgosphere fell eerily silent today when William Zinsser emerged from the heavens and told wine blahggers that the world isn’t all about them and they can only write about wine from now … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Rants, Weblogs, Wine, Wine Humor, writers | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Bordeaux: Too little, too late? It Depends(c).

Posted on January 28, 2014 by

My Washington Post column last week, which I posted here yesterday, generated considerable comment on the web and in emails back to me. Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast’s California reviewer, took issue on his blog with the thought that Bordeaux could ever appeal to U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, California, France, Rants, Uncategorized, Washington Post, Weblogs, Wine, writers | Tagged , | 10 Comments

A Failed Tea Party with Hugh Johnson

Posted on November 21, 2013 by

When I first fell in love with wine, Hugh Johnson’s Vintage series ran on PBS stations here in the United States. I was enthralled by his presentation of wine’s history, its place in Western civilization and culture, and its romanticism. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Rants, Uncategorized, Wine, writers | Tagged , | 17 Comments

The World Atlas of Wine: Essential Reading for Wine Lovers

Posted on November 20, 2013 by

This article appeared in The Washington Post in slightly different form on November 6, 2013. Coming next: My full interview with Hugh Johnson. There are books that teach you how to taste wine and books that describe how to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, China, Jancis, Terroir, Virginia, Wine, writers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

DLW13 wrapup – We trended over Tiger Woods!

Posted on April 14, 2013 by

DLW 13 is now history. This is a cliché, but I have to say it: This year’s conference was the best ever. Not only did we shine a light on Maryland wine at a conference with about 150 people, but … Continue reading →

Posted in DrinkLocalWine.com, Local Wine, Maryland, Uncategorized, Weblogs, Wine, writers | Tagged , , | 3 Comments