A daily sample of thoughtful writing and discussion from (mostly) independent wine blogs:

Tom Hyland explores the pre-Phylloxera vines from Mt. Etna

Tom Wark rebuts a recent defense of the three tier system by Rob Tobiassen, former Chief Attorney for the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Amber Lebeau argues that Washington State should avoid specializing in a single grape.

The Wine Curmudgeon makes a movie about sommeliers and Bogart.

Winery Visits and Travel Posts:

Wine Travel Eats visits Doffo Wines in Temecula.

Selected Wine Reviews:

Meg Houston Maker reviews an unusual varietal in the U.S., the 2017 Sidebar Kerner from Mokelumne River Lodi.

Reverse Wine Snob reviews the Crios Red Blend from Uco Valley, Mendoza

Jameson Fink reviews the François Villard Viognier “Les Contours de Deponcins” 2015

Pull That Cork profiles Aridus Wine Company from Willcox, Arizona.

Larry the Wine Guy reviews the 2015 Poggio Gli Angeli Sangiovese from Toscana IGT.