Recent Stories

Saving Sauternes
Born there in 1960, Bernard has spent his entire life in the region -- and has worked in the wine industry since 1978 when he opened a small wine shop.

A French Bordeaux to go with Christmas dinner
Discovering authenticity beyond Bordeaux's Marquee Estates
Seven years ago, I organized my first wine dinner. I'd fallen hard for wine two years prior but still didn't know much. Sure, I was reading all the right books and magazines. But the number of wines I had tasted was still quite small.

Fake Wines Take A Toll On Everyday Consumers
Two years have passed since a federal jury convicted Rudy Kurniawan, a prominent wine collector, of fraud for selling counterfeit wines. When the FBI raided Kurniawan's home in March 2013, they discovered thousands of fake wine labels and hundreds of bottles and corks. He's currently serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Finally, a definitive guide to Napa Valley
We've all dreamed of owning something that doesn't yet exist. I'm still waiting for the hover board I was promised in Back to the Future Part II.

Stony Hill proves that in California, what is old is new again
Arnot-Roberts. Lioco. Matthiasson. Sandhi. These are just four of the producers that are counteracting the notion that ripeness, butter, and oak should define California Chardonnay.
In Wine, Accidental Superstars Abound
"Born to Run," the album that catapulted Bruce Springsteen into the national spotlight, celebrated its 40th anniversary last week.

Looking for a wine list bargain? Go off the beaten path
One recent Saturday morning, a friend sent me the wine list for Green Zebra, one of Chicago's top vegetarian restaurants, and asked for my advice. He was dining there that evening with friends who enjoyed wine but weren't obsessive about it. So he would be tasked with ordering for the table.

With wine, endless treasures await
On January 12, 2007, one of the world's greatest violin players set up shop in the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station in Washington, D.C.

Txakolina offers nice summer alternative to beer
With summer approaching, the frequency of poolside barbeques, lazy picnics, and late nights on the patio is rising just as quickly as the mercury. This means lots more time outside, and consequently, a different cocktail menu.