In 1999, Michael Mondavi, his wife Isabel, and their two adult children, Rob and Dina, purchased Animo Vineyard in the Atlas...
Wine Review Online | Columns
Alsace: Home to a Great Riesling Producer
Alsace, located in northeastern France adjacent to the Rhine River and Germany, has spent the last several hundred years as part...
Bubbling Up From the Chalk: Exploring the Geologic Heritage of Champagne
Times are good for Champagne lovers. There is more good Champagne available in the US market than ever before. The...
Napa Valley Boot Camp
When did the term “Boot Camp” take on a positive connotation? In most contexts it sounds like a slog, at best,...
Finding the Verve in Vermouth
When I lived in France many years ago, meals often began with a small glass of Dolin over ice. Smooth and refreshing, it...
Beaujolais Rising
A transformation is occurring in Beaujolais, and within a few years the world will see the wines from that region in a whole new...
Best of 2015, Part I
As the very happy occupant of the World’s Best Job, it is good karma to reflect on the best performances that I’ve...
Top Prestige Cuvée Champagnes
Every December a group of New York area wine writers gather to taste some currently released Champagnes. On this occasion,...
A Hearty Cheer for Colby and Daryl Groom
Winemaker Daryl Groom and his son, Colby are working toward a big goal this year: To reach $1,000,000 raised for charities...
The Dark Side of Volcanic Rocks: Basaltic Basics
Oenophiles are often consumed with details about the soils of various vineyard sites around the wine world. One term that...
Seeing White at Château Lagrange
Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. At least that’s the case for Château Lagrange, the Cru...
Exemplary Patience: Pre-Aged Wines from Rioja
According to researchers, the vast majority of wine sold in the U.S.A. -- 95% or more -- is consumed within 48 hours of...