A daily sample of thoughtful writing and discussion from (mostly) independent wine blogs:
Karen MacNeil in her concise, elegant style explains why wine matters.
Tim Atkin reports on the severe drought affecting Cape Town, South Africa.
Alder Yarrow posts the Introduction he wrote to the recently released book of photography, Vineyard Sonoma County by George Rose.
The Wine Gourd turns his data analysis skills to the question of whether wine scores of the same wine by the same critic are consistent over time.
Master Somm Tim Gaiser has some comprehensive advice about aging wine.
Jamie Goode continues his harvest work at Gabrielskloof helping with grape collection from various vineyards.
The Grape Geeks takes a penetrating look at wine clubs from the consumer’s perspective.
Dallas Wine Chick takes a deep dive into the history and practices of Fetzer Vineyards, long a leader in organic farming and sustainable winemaking.
Alfonso Cevola, On the Wine Trail in Italy, uses the occasion of the TexSomm International Wine Awards to reminisce about his early days as a Dallas somm.
Pam Strayer considers the future of the organic wine sector and also announces the program for Demeter’s first International Bio-Dynamic Wine Conference
Selected Reviews:
Meg Houston Maker advises we lay down the 2014 Passopisciaro Contrada S Terre Siciliane, a Nerello Mascalese from Mt. Etna. She also takes a peak at Foursight Wines Sémillon Charles Vineyard
Fredric Koeppel finds a real bargain in Bordeaux, the Les Hauts de Lagarde 2015, Bordeaux blanc, which sells for about $14.
wineORL explores the emergence of Novello and Ravera, two lesser known townships in Barolo.
Red Wine Please reviews the 2005 from St. Emilion producer Chateau Destieux.
JVB Uncorked finds the Konzelman Estate Winery 2015 Merlot from Niagara Peninsula, Canada easy to drink.
Simon Wolff discovers a Ribolla Giala orange wine on Long Island NY at Channing Daughters Winery.
Tom Lee finds a seam of goodness in the 2013 Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard.
Allison Levine’s pick of the week is the Fiddlehead Cellars Pink Fiddle a a Rosé of Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills.
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 