Michael Franz, Author at Wine Review Online

Colline Teramane: Abruzzo’s Gem

by Michael Franz | August 4, 2021

Many American wine lovers are only vaguely familiar with the wines of Italy’s Abruzzo region, but that is sure to...

Aurelio Cabestrero: Importing Great Grapes from Spain

by Michael Franz | August 4, 2021

Very few consumers pay any attention to the small print on the back of a wine bottle. In most cases,...

Champagne for … Thursday?

by Michael Franz | July 16, 2021

The greatest achievement in the history of wine marketing and the biggest blunder may be one and the same: Casting...

Tribute: Paul Lukacs Ph.D., 1956-2021

by Michael Franz | June 25, 2021

On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 the wine world lost one of its most insightful writers, and we at Wine Review...

Appreciation: Paul Lukacs Ph.D., 1956-2021

by Michael Franz | June 17, 2021

On Tuesday, June 15, the wine world lost one of its most insightful writers, and we at Wine Review Online...

New Year’s Resolution: Improve Restaurant Wine Lists

by Michael Franz | May 31, 2021

In this initial stretch of 2019, with a fresh resolutions being pursued right and left, I have a proposal: Let’s...

Lighten Up: Appreciating Loire Valley Reds

by Michael Franz | May 31, 2021

The Loire Valley is one of the world’s greatest–but most under-appreciated–sources for fresh, versatile, un-fussy wines. There’s actually good news...

Optimizing Wine for Summertime

by Michael Franz | May 31, 2021

Temperature is a crucial factor in wine appreciation, yet it is a factor that is insufficiently appreciated by many consumers. ...

An Embarrassment of Riches: South Africa Vol. II

by Michael Franz | May 31, 2021

I returned from South Africa five weeks ago, where I spent more than seven days tasting very intensively across virtually...

Fighting the Post-Holiday Wine Austerity Blues

by Michael Franz | May 31, 2021

February can be pretty damned grim. The holidays are officially over, now that even Super Bowl parties are in the...

Northern Rhône Sweet Spot: Saint-Joseph

by Michael Franz | May 8, 2021

Fine Syrah from France’s Northern Rhône Valley is one of the world’s greatest wines, but the sad fact is that...

Sicily: Front and Center for 2020

by Michael Franz | May 8, 2021

My year ahead will include a major immersion in the wines of Sicily, which have improved so broadly and rapidly...