A daily sample of thoughtful writing and discussion from (mostly) independent wine blogs:
Dr. Vino has the wine list and menu from the Macron-Trump state dinner held last night. Trump does not know how to hold a wine glass.
Peter Weltman predicts wines from volcanic soils will be the next big thing.
Social Vignerons posts seven unique facts about ice wine.
1 Wine Dude reports on the book The Search for Good Wine and does a product review of Vineyard Elite’s “The Perfect Wine Opener”, which was not.
Miquel Hudin reports on attempts to revive ancient indigenous varietals in the Spanish region DO Pla de Bages.
wineORL takes a deep dive into Montagne de Reims, a region of Champagne that specializes in Pinot Noir.
The Drunken Cyclist reports on his visit to a Crème de Cassis producer in Burgundy, the main ingredient in the French aperitif, Kir.
Phil Galewitz at The Alcohol Professor reports on a book about mead making. Mead is the fastest growing fermented drink in the U.S.
Selected Reviews:
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, posts his tasting notes for Pauillac 2017, which he claims is the appellation of the vintage. And here is his vintage report.
The Wine Curmudgeon’s wine of the week is the Verdillac Blanc, an affordable white Bordeaux.
Fredric Koeppel reviews the Raeburn Winery Chardonnay 2016, Russian River valley.
Fredric Koeppel also tastes several Grenache/Garnacha from France and Spain.
John Fodera reviews the 2015 Famiglia Cecchi Chianti Classico.
Jamie Goode reviews a Fino sherry, the Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino En Rama NV Spain
Susannah Gold reviews the Azienda Noventa Rosé from Botticina, a little known DOC in Lombardy.
Dave Nershi visits Balletto Vineyards, producers of Russian River Pinot Noir.
JVB Uncorked reviews a Croatian red blend, the Josić Ciconia Nigra Cuvée 2013, Zmajvac, (Danube AVA)
Pull That Cork reviews sparkling wine from the Israeli winery Golan Heights Winery
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 