Category: Ramblings and Rants
What Exactly is the Michelin Guide Up To?
In a head-scratching moment this past Wednesday, the Michelin Guide announced that it will soon begin rating wines. As best
Why Hasn’t Anyone Bought Quartz Reef Yet?
While I primarily focus on the sensorial aspects of the wine world, I also pay attention to the business side
Why You Should Apply to Attend the Wine Writers’ Symposium
The wine world is made of dreams. Some people dream about drinking wine. Some people dream about growing or making
I’ll Drink to That!: Peter Jakob Kühn Found Quality Along With Pain
A new episode of the I’ll Drink to That! wine talk podcast was released recently. Episode 503 features Peter Jakob Kühn, the
The Old Vine Registry Turns Two: A Webinar
June 26th will mark the second anniversary of launching the Old Vine Registry. I’ve put quite a lot of volunteer
I’ll Drink to That!: Matt Dees Likes How Grapevines Think
A new episode of the I’ll Drink to That! wine talk podcast was released recently. Episode 502 features Matt Dees,
Napa Needs a New Kind of Governance
Napa County has been biting the hand that feeds it for a long time. But now it seems intent upon
I Don’t Really Feel Like a Hero
If I am going to be a hero, however, I don’t think I mind being a hero to old vines.
Martine Saunier 1934-2025: In Her Own Words
Few people in history achieve true mononymity, fewer still in the world of wine. But for 50 years, one American
I’ll Drink to That!: This Conversation with Meike Näkel Has A Terrifying Turn
A new episode of I’ll Drink to That! has been released. Episode 501 features Meike Näkel. Meike and her sister Dörte run
Wine Just Got Fun-Sized
If you thought choosing a bottle of wine was tough enough amidst a seemingly neverending sea of options, just wait
Officially Defining (and Helping) Old Vines Around the World
It’s not every day that an official European government body makes a decision and notes that it’s informed by work
The Only Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Advice You Will Ever Need
Any moment now, regular as clockwork, your inbox will be filled with updates from various wine and food publications offering
Why Wine Drinkers Should Care About Come Over October
You would be forgiven, however much you love wine, for not following the turbulent bits of insider baseball that have
Checking in on Idaho
A little more than ten years ago, an unsolicited case of wine showed up on my doorstep. That wasn’t particularly
Research Old Vines, Win Fabulous Prizes
One year ago, we launched the Old Vine Registry, the world’s first and most comprehensive global database of old-vine vineyards
Shake Ridge Ranch in All Its Glory
Throughout the world of wine, certain vineyards become legendary. Some because they are synonymous (or even eponymous) with legendary producers
I’ll Drink to That!: Richard Sanford and the Hot Tub Time Machine Wine Fermenters
A new episode of I’ll Drink to That! has been released, and it marks a major milestone—500 episodes of deep
Marin – Potential Wasted?
The pioneers of California viticulture were the Mexican padres who, beginning in the late 1700s, planted grapes as they established
