Volume XXVII – Issue 2

By Dan Berger The auto racing fan had painted her nails with a black-and-white checkerboard, indicating that she had plans to attend a race at the Sonoma County facility at Sears Point where they hold such events. Just the vision of that race f… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – … Continue reading “Symbolism in Wine”

There is an iconic Napa Valley Cabernet that sells for approximately $1,000 per bottle upon release. At one point, it was among the most in-demand items in the entire Napa Valley and to this day is still considered to be a fascinating target of those… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading “The Lucrative After-Market”

It has been 102½ years since the nation began the disastrous experiment we call Prohibition, a nightmarish attempt to legislate morality — a legal tactic that most law scholars think is foolhardy.  A superb 2010 book on the subject of Prohibition… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “Prohibition and Health”

 If some scientific study ever proved that orange juice cured cancer, that fact would have been trumpeted to the world. Tropicana would have spent massive sums on Super Bowl TV ads, billboards, and T-shirts.  But after the Danish/Alzheimers study … Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Wine-and-Health Articles Often Fuel Skeptics”

One of the tactics that have been used throughout the wine industry by wineries over the last 25 years or so is to allow some grape varieties, particularly those that make red wines, to stay on the vine longer than is absolutely necessary – well past… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome … Continue reading “Ripening Grapes”

(Rob Geddes is a Master of Wine who lives in Australia, one of 20 Aussie MWs, and he tastes a massive number of wines for his newsletter as well as his annual books. He’s been in the game for more than 30 years. A recent column he penned for his news… Want to read more? … Continue reading “A Wine Essay from Rob Geddes”

One of the greatest wine writers of all time, in my opinion, was Clive Coats,  an Englishman who became perhaps history’s greatest chronicler of the wines of Burgundy (as we’ll as Bordeaux and much of the rest of Europe). He was 81 when he passed awa… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome … Continue reading “Clive Coats RIP”

Jack Daniels recently announced that it was releasing its highest-alcohol whisky, at  77.5% alcohol. In today’s very strange world of commercial alcoholic beverages, I question whether this product is needed. But since Jack Daniels is one of the mo… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “News of interest?”

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Average Brix at Harvest, by vintage (approximate) 1988    22.5 1989    23.2 1990    22.6 1991    23.6 1992    22.7 1993    22.6 1994    23.1 1995    22.6 1996    23.1 1997    23.0 199… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a subscriber, sign up here to get … Continue reading “Random Statistic without comment”

​​Exceptional 2014 Cazadero Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Coast, “Bei Vineyard” ($49): The beautiful, distinctly varietal aroma starts with traces of dried herbs mingled with black cherry and graphite. In the mid-palate, it’s supple with sufficient tan… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a subscriber, sign … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”