Gold Standard: Reviewing the New York Times’ Book of Wine
By Thomas Madrecki The joy of The New York Times’ newly released Book of Wine is not its comprehensive nature, or its potential to provide an educational overview of grape growing and wine making globally. Rather, this collection of short… Read more
Assessing the Great Starbucks Wine Experiment
By Bob Johnson Prosecco or Pike Place Roast? Pinot Grigio or Americano? Sauvignon Blanc or Salted Caramel Mocha? Chardonnay or Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappuccino? Brachetto Sparkling Rosé or Strawberry Smoothie? Pinot Noir or… Read more
Valley of the Moon Takes a ‘New World’ Approach to ‘Port’
By Bob Johnson Souzao (pronounced suh-zay-oh) is one of the grapes used in Portugal to make that country’s sweet Port wines. While flavorful, its primary contribution is color; it’s a dark red grape that can give Port a brilliant,… Read more
CSI in the Vineyard: Discovering the Heritage of Petite Sirah
By Glen Frederiksen To be Syrah, or Petite Sirah – that WAS the question. To understand the problem, we must look back to the last half of the nineteenth century. This was the time that, spurred by the 1850s Gold Rush, California suddenly… Read more
The Rioja Expert’s Rioja
By Thomas Madrecki After reading Ana Fabiano’s engrossing and succinct The Wine Region of Rioja in one sitting during a cross-country plane trip, a lingering question was what the book’s author – who has travelled all across the region and… Read more
A More Than Accessible ‘Rioja’
By Thomas Madrecki There are plenty of books for wine novices and plenty for wine aficionados. Much more rare is the book that satisfies both camps. The Wine Region of Rioja, by Ana Fabiano, is one of those books. It’s a… Read more
How to Read the New Book, ‘Uncorked: My Journey Through the Crazy World of Wine’
By Bob Johnson Marco Pasanella has a gift for storytelling, an assertion that can’t be denied after reading “Uncorked: My Journey Through the Crazy World of Wine.” “Uncorked” is Pasanella’s tale of opening and nurturing a wine… Read more
Yes, Dorothy, You CAN Go Home Again: A Tasting of 10 Classic Wines and New Releases
By Glen Frederiksen As we age (especially after we retire), our minds drift more and more toward remembrances. Sometimes those thoughts run through like newsreels, highlighting special moments in our lives. Other times, we look back on events… Read more
‘Chilled Out,’ the Euro Summer Fashion
By Thomas Madrecki Ah, May – a ripeness just past the verdant green of early Spring, full of bountiful farmer’s market strawberries and fair weather days. Long-awaited during the dreary months of January and February, it’s finally here,… Read more
Arrival of the ‘Warm Season’ Means It’s Time for Summer Sippers
By Glen Frederiksen The Warm Season has arrived here in Las Vegas. Those capital letters we placed on “Warm” and “Season” are no mistake. We take Warm Season seriously around here. For the next six months, through mid-October, daily… Read more
