Category Archives: writers

Conversations with Terry Theise – Part 2: Stemware

Several weeks ago when Terry Theise asked me to do a blog exchange (sometimes called a “ramble”) in which we’d ask each other questions in a sort of rambling email interview, I noticed that on his blog he would sometimes … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Cheap Wine, Germany, Jancis, Sparkling Wine, Weblogs, Wine, writers | Tagged , | 6 Comments

The End Times for wine?

The wine community has been abuzz lately about its difficulty attracting young consumers. It’s a bit like drug pushers hanging around the school yard wondering where the kids are. Okay, that’s unfair. Every consumer industry wants to attract new consumers … Continue reading

Posted in Books, California, Current Affairs, Navel Gazing, Wine, writers | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Toasting Independence Day with Madeira

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

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 , | 2 Comments

The Thanksgiving wine conundrum …

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.

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

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

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).

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

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