Insider Interviews by David Furer – Presenting Andrew Jefford, Part 2
How is wine best distinguished between being a commodity product or an artisan’s creation? The key is consistency and predictability.
Insider Interviews by David Furer – Presenting Andrew Jefford
First venturing into writing of wine with a 1988 book on Port, Andrew Jefford grew into one of the world’s most skilled and hailed communicator of it along with noted tangents into whiskey, tea, an...
Insider Interviews by David Furer - Presenting Meridith May
In 2007 Meridith May had been serving as publisher/editor of California-based veteran Paterson’s Beverage Journal with Anthony Dias Blue, its ongoing columnist, when the two bought the name ‘Paters...
Sicily’s Noble Red – Nero d’Avola
Dating from early Greek settlements here, Nero d’Avola is one of Italy’s top five grapes and the most noble of Sicily. It is still known as Calabrese, meaning “from Calabria”, or possibly even de...
Insider Interviews by David Furer - Presenting Gerard Basset
France’s bi-ennial Vinisud exhibition allowed me to watch Gérard Basset presenting a range of Mediterranean wines with fellow World Champion Sommelier Paolo Basso. Most of Basset’s working hours ar...
2012 Vintage Challenging in Burgundy
Temperatures rose quickly in the tent at the Hotel Vitale’s Americano Restaurant last month, and not just because of the unseasonably warm San Francisco weather. Women were swooning over the charmi...
Okanagan Valley – Wines of British Columbia
Wine production, quality, and tourism are booming in the Okanagan Valley, Canada’s predominant wine district of the five contained within British Columbia; the other officially designated viticult...
I can hear a soulful Edith Piaf lamenting, “Mon Dieu”. With the French Paradox we learned that drinking wine in moderation, with even a rich meal, may be beneficial to our health and lower chances ...
Learning that the French Alpine Skiing team had their final training for the Sochi Olympics in Monts Jura (Lélex-Crozet), it seemed like a great time to provide an update on the Jura wine region. F...
Three Amazing Days for California Wine
The Inaugural California Wine Appellation Specialist® 3-Day in Santa Rosa. Which California AVA is the star in Mendocino for Pinot Noir and sparkling wine?
9 Easy Ways to Improve Your Wine IQ in San Francisco
If you want to learn about wine in San Francisco, take advantage of the many resources at your fingertips, plus the miles of wine country just a short drive away. Here are some tips from San Franci...
The second half of 2013 saw an upsurge in activities for women in wine in South America. In December at the Museo del Vino was the first meeting of the Asociación de Muejeres del Vino del Uruguay (...
San Francisco Wine School Offers Only California Wine Credential Program
San Francisco, CA, January 17, 2014 – San Francisco Wine School is offering the first and only formal credential relating to California wines to shape a new generation of industry-leading Californi...
My Experience at the San Francisco Wine School
California Wine Appellation Specialist ® Class 1: US/CA Wine Law and Mendocino County. The evening kicked off with a taste of Roederer Estate Brut Rose NV.
Since 2008, Alsace Rieslings have been obliged to be less than 9 g/l residual sugar, marking the interests of those who have long touted a preference for drier Rieslings. Vendanges Tardives (VT) an...
Have you tasted that amazing 98-point Cabernet from NextNewWinery? It was featured in Wine Speculator and Bob Park’s Wine No-Advertising.
On September 17th and again a week later, several of Chile’s prime agricultural zones were hit with severe frost, the worst in decades. The world will enjoy less of Chile’s fruit and wine as a result.
Champagne is going green. The CIVC has approved a new bottle (2 oz total weight) reducing the region’s CO2 output by 8,000 metric tons.
Cava is always a bargain, but the elegant, lemony and slightly yeasty Anna de Cordoniu Cava Brut nv $15 is especially a good deal. Ideal for showcasing delicate seafood and shellfish dishes, it als...
Moon Mountain adds to the list of Sonoma’s AVAs, now making it 16. Born October 1, 2013, it may be a mere infant in terms of recognition but plenty of winemakers and viticulturists have long known ...
Fall Release Report – Southern Italy
From the hot, dry, challenging 2012 vintage across Italy’s south and islands, look for success stories including the 2012 Cusamano Benuara Sicilia IGT $18, Nero d’Avola with 30% Syrah, a nice cross...
San Francisco, CA, November 14, 2013 – The San Francisco Wine School, a provider of world-class wine education and professional development for successful careers in the wine industry, today announ...
Fall Release Report – Northern California
Toast to another great year with the tart strawberry, lemon peel, and Campari-esque nv Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence Mendocino County $18. Despite unusually cool weather throughout much of t...
Wines of South Africa’s 2nd Sommelier World Cup was Won by Canada’s Will Predhomme
Twelve semi-finalists from different countries competed in Wines of South Africa’s Second Sommelier World Cup held October 12 at Franschhoek’s Grande Hotel. Three finalists were chosen; Anna Svirid...