A daily sample of thoughtful writing and discussion from (mostly) independent wine blogs:
Jamie Goode documents the cork harvest in Portugal.
Alfonso Cevola, On the Wine Trail in Italy, extolls the virtues of Greek wine and food and compares Greek attempts to penetrate the American market with Italian success.
Karen MacNeil mourns the death of Leslie Rudd of Napa’s Rudd Estate.
Tim Gaiser interviews Ron Merlino a wine professional and manager of symphony conductors who researches the role of wine in the lives of the great composers.
The Wine Gourd compares the wine tasting results of amateurs and professionals.
Apparently there is a revived debate about Robert Parker’s influence; Tim Atkin weighs in on Parker’s legacy.
Seth Buckley has an informative introduction to the Southern Rhone Valley
Dallas Wine Chick interviews John Concannon of the pioneering Concannon family who played an important role in the emergence of Cabernet Sauvignon in California.
Amanda Barnes interviews winemaker Carlos Lucas on the potential of Portugal’s Dão region.
Pam Strayer of Organic Wines Uncorked reviews two books about rare and unusual grape varietals: Tasting the Past, by Kevin Begos and Godforsaken Grapes by Jason Wilson.
Winery Visits and Travel Posts:
Cellar Tours describes the culinary gems of Sicily.
The Drunken Cyclist profiles Château de Fargues, the producer of Sauternes.
Wine Travel Eats profiles Mi Sueño Winery in Napa.
Selected Reviews:
Jamie Goode reviews 5 Gamay wines from Beaujolais.
Fredric Koeppel reviews several wines from various French regions.
Aaron Nix-Gomez tastes through a flight of very old wines from Dolcetto d’Alba.
Cindy Rynning reviews Sun 2013, a Greek wine from Thessaly made from Limniona and Xinomavro and paired with a cinnamon lamb stew.
Tom Lee reviews the 2016 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County
Michelle Williams continues her series on breaking out of the wine rut, with reviews of several white wines from lesser known regions or varietals.
Issac Baker reviews the current lineup from Kita winery in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Exploring the Philosophy of Food and Wine 