In long, intense summer heat, busy adults need something stronger than Gatorade to relax their weary bods: a good, cool buzz. When stress strikes and the urge to quaff adult-style takes hold, white wines are the perfect relaxing prescription. Not unlike Valium, whites are a misunderstood, under-appreciated ... Read More »
Wine Education
Big Jugs, Part II
Sometimes a little dab just won’t do ya. If you’ve got a thirsty mass of people to serve, less-than-ample 750ml bottles can give any good host/hostess a wrist cramp. And sometimes you just want a better value. If you drink one regular bottle a day, then why not buy the
... Read More »Support the Little Wine Guy: Why independent wine stores deserve your business
Everyday, we hear about small, local businesses dying beneath the dagger of behemoth chains. Called the “category killers,” these chains offer lower prices for similar merchandise found at local stores.
Does this dilemma pass over into the wine realm? Definitely yes.
Connoisseur Confessions
News flash: Wine snobs lurk everywhere (as if you didn’t know). And once in a blue moon they live a story worth making fun of. With that in mind, I polled every wino I know to discover their most embarrassing or amusing wine moments. So the next time you’re feelin’
... Read More »Diving in Down Under: Australian wines
A long time ago, jolly ol’ England shipped off their convicted felons to a large South Pacific island called Australia. Left to their own devices — and with a little help from the Brits — they began making wine and got pretty damn good at it. Centuries later, their per
... Read More »Southern Hemisphere Gems
If we were all millionaires, we could guzzle great wine every day. But since most of us fall outside those elusive parameters, we evolve into bargain hunters. To uncover the amazing deals, though, you have to stretch your boundaries and explore unfamiliar territory — like Chile, Argentina and ... Read More »
French, Italian and German wines: How to read and understand the labels
In a perfect world, wines would be labeled “Good, Cheap Red Wine” and “Great, Expensive White Wine.” But we live in America, where marketing reigns and often lures people to the dark side. But with a little label savvy, buying great wine can be an experience that exercises ... Read More »
What wines pair with junk food?
Port of entry: Explaining the sweet, strong world of port wine
I have a confession; I’m a portaholic. Deliciously thick, sweet, sultry port wine is really quite addicting. Those who don’t understand might turn up their noses and suck down more cabernet, but port deserves some attention. It’s a wine for all seasons and occasions — winter ... Read More »
Deciphering French wines: How to read a French wine label
Location, location, location. It applies to land deals and French wine alike. In the 1930s, a prescient French government organization called Appellation d’Origine Contrôllee (“area of controlled origin”) proclaimed certain areas better to grow grapes worthy of praise. Only 15 percent ... Read More »
Basic wine knowledge starts here
We’ve seen them holding court in restaurants: the proud, self-proclaimed wine connoisseurs who appear to know everything about wine and even manage to pronounce “Pouilly Fuisse” correctly (pu-EE-FWEE-say). They slowly peruse the wine list and duly impress everyone. But here’s ... Read More »