The Essence of Wine: Green Bell Pepper
Image © 2012 Leigh Beisch
Christopher Columbus was an unwitting pawn, the tool of a plant with grand designs. The seeds of nightshade he carried back to Spain would quickly go on to conquer the world, enslaving cultures for the remainder of histo...
The Future of American Wine
I just came across what is perhaps the most insightful, well written piece of commentary on the future of the American wine industry I have ever seen. It displays a command of the language, a quality of prose, and a level of research and insight that ...
The Sweet Taste of Freedom: Austria’s Ruster Ausbruch Wines
It's hard to imagine an age when wine might have literally been seen as treasure. Certainly those of us with the privilege of living in first-world countries take the idea of drinking wine for granted as an everyday pleasure. There was a time, however...
Vinography Images: Old Vine Zin
Old Vine Zin
ALEXANDER VALLEY, CA: A dormant Sonoma County Zinfandel vineyard covered in frost during the winter.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the...
The Beauty of Blaufrankisch: Tasting Wines from Leithaberg, Austria
My first tastes of Austrian red wine were without context, and I will admit, not favorable. In tasting through the various portfolios of different importers, I would taste a lot of Riesling and Gruner Veltliner and occasionally find a red or two scatt...
The Essence of Wine: Red Berries
Image © 2012 Leigh Beisch
In the depths of the forest, shafts of sunlight pierce through dark green canopies, illuminating bright red jewels glinting amidst green briars. Treasures of flavor, the berries of forest and heath have long been gathere...
In Pursuit of California Balance
Clumsy. Overripe. High alcohol. Over oaked. Fruit driven. Massive. Sweet. Made for Mr Parker's Palate.
The historical stereotype of California wine, like all stereotypes, has a basis in truth. Especially for many Europeans, whose exposure to these win...
How Would You Like an All-Expenses-Paid Wine Trip?
File this under things I always meant to do but have never gotten around to.... Every year an organization called the Geoffrey Roberts Trust picks several people to give about $4200 to so they can travel someplace in the world to eat, drink, and write...
And the Winners of Rhone Rangers Tasting Tickets Are…
Thanks to all who entered the Limerick Raffle. We had some choice submissions (see below). The two names I picked from a hat from those who entered were:
David Voong
Jamie Hwang
Congratulations. You're on your way to the Rhone Rangers tasting. I s...
Weinlaubenhof Kracher, Burgenland, Austria: Current Releases
When it comes to dessert wines, most people have heard of Sauternes or ice wine (location unspecific). Perhaps some have heard of Tokaji, the sweet wines of Hungary. But few have heard of the sweet wines of Austria's Burgenland region. There are severa...
The Taste of Zweigelt
If you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous facades and ancient spires of Vienna, to head south-southeast as if your goal is Hungary, you quickly leave behind the cultured world of music and stone, and cleave through soil rich with history. Sweep ...
Vinography Images: Vineyard Laundry
Vineyard Laundry
HEALDSBURG, CA: Two lines of recently washed clothes hang to dry on a makeshift laundry line strung across a row of grapevines in the spring outside of Alexander Valley.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Download this image by right-clicking on the i...
