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

J. Blake Gray leaves the wine beat long enough to explain how to buy Sake in a Japanese market.

The Wine Economist reports on the Cabernet boom and its discontents.

Tom Wark disagrees with Andrew Jeffords thesis that big money is destroying wine.

The Wine Curmudgeon ponders 3-tier, Aldi wines, and the latest innovation in cork.

Jeremy Parzen reports on the Monsanto ruling, Aussie Prosecco labeling, and Italy’s self-defeating marketing.

Tom Jarvis brings us up to date on the increasingly important topic of smoke taint.

Winery Visits and Travel Posts:

The Drunken Cyclist has photos of his bike trip through Burgundy.

Vino Sphere visits North Carolina’s JOLO Winery and Vineyards.

Selected Wine Reviews:

Meg Houston Maker reviews the 2017 Sidebar Syrah Rosé Russian River Valley

Fredric Koeppel reviews the Cantina Schreckbichl/Colterenzio Gewürztraminer 2017, Alto Adige-Südtirol,

Deborah Parker Wong reviews this year’s Best Value Wine winner, Lodi’s Collier Creek 2016 Front Coach Chardonnay

Allison Levine profiles Frescobaldi Toscana and interviews winemaker, Nicolò D’Afflitto

The Swirling Dervish profiles the Tuscan producer, Famiglia Cecci Wines.

Red Wine Please reviews two Italian whites from Gran Passione, there Bianco and Prosecco.

Tom Lee reviews the 2011 Carlisle Zinfandel Rossi Ranch

Wine Rabble reviews the 2015 Winderlea Vineyard Imprint Pinot noir from Willamette’s Dundee Hills.

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

Alan Goldfarb breaks his rules and as a result writes a paean to Trefethen winery, rebuilt after the earthquake of 2014.

W. Blake Gray asks Which is better: the $90 Scotch or the $690 Scotch?

The Wine Curmudgeon thinks wine prices may not be going up in 2018 and premiumization may be taking a hit.

Jeremy Parzen reports on NatDiego, the natural wine festival held last week in San Diego.

Amanda Barnes has the latest figures on worldwide wine production by country.

Randy Caparosa serves up a prognoses for 2018 Zinfandel.

James the Wine Guy recommends some rare wine varieties we should be tasting.

Sonoma shoots down cannabis sales downtown.

Winery Visits and Travel Posts:

The Drunken Cyclist is pedaling around France drinking only wines en carafe.

Wine Travel Eats and Strong Coffee to Red Wine visit Kelly Fleming Wines in Napa Valley near Calistoga.

Selected Wine Reviews:

Jamie Goode tastes through Frank Cornelissen’s newly-released, single vineyard Etna wines.

Simon Wolff celebrates a book launch with a tasting of a Gravner vertical, the iconic Italian orange wine.

JVB Uncorked reviews the Modus Operandi 2011 Bacchipectus, Napa, California

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

Celia Bryan-Brown asks:”Is sobriety a feminist issue?”

wineOrl takes a deep dive into the Mt. Etna viticultural environment.

Miquel Hudin is skeptical of Winebuyers.com a wine e-commerce platform.

Natalie Sellers brings us Wine Searcher’s list of the most sought after Bordeaux wines.

Winery Visits and Travel Posts:

The Grape Geeks visit Domaine Carneros for some early summer sparkling wine.

Selected Reviews:

Tom Lemke profiles the Alsatian producer Rolly Gassman

Ken’s Wine Guide reviews several rosé wines to enjoy this summer.

JVB Uncorked reviews a lineup from Tuscan producer Fattoria Betti with food pairings.

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

Oregon Wine History Archive does an interview with wine writer Elaine Brown about wine writing and the future of the industry.

Tom Wark executes a much deserved take down of a wine score hater.

Bob on Sonoma has a more reasonable take on wine scores.

Oliver Styles critiques the Naked Wine critique of wine critics. Got that?

Becky Sue Epstein on Palate Press provides an update on English sparkling wine.

Matt Walls asks industry trend setters what the new trends will be.

James Melendez completes his series on food and the wines of Montsant DO

Miquel Hudin reviews the Ah So wine opener and the new Diam wine enclosures.

Winery Visits and Travel Posts:

1 Wine Dude visits Jané’s Acústic Cellar, in the Montsant town of Marçà

Selected Wine Reviews:

The Wine Curmudgeon’s wine of the week is the 2017 Fire Road Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

Fredric Koeppel enjoys the Schloss Johannisberger “Gelblack” Riesling Feinherb 2014, Rheingau

Tom Lee reviews a 2004 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina

Pull That Cork reviews two wines from Andrew Jones, the 2016 Field Recordings Franc from Paso Robles and the 2015 Barter & Trade Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State

Lisa Johnston reviews Nytimber Classic Cuvee one of England’s best sparkling wines.

My Wine Pal discovers the secrets of Argentinean Malbecs.

Martin Redmond reviews two sparkling wines from Argentina’s Domaine Bousquet.

Cindy Rynning also profiles Domaine Bousquet.

The Drunken Cyclist discovers there is far more to sweet Bordeaux than Sauternes.

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

Julien Miquel has a useful list of the 100 top aromas to be found in wine.

Mike Veseth, the Wine Economist, explains the strange appeal of the 19 Crimes wine brand.

Allison Levine has a fascinating post on the wines that changed the world of wine.

Susannah Gold continues her exploration of Italian indigenous grapes with a discussion of Negretto Nero from Emilia Romagna.

The Wine Curmudgeon contemplates volcanic wines, bad wine laws, and the origins of the word “booze”.

Selected Reviews:

Jeff Leve, the Wine Cellar Insider, continues his survey of Bourdeaux 2017 with tasting notes on Sauternes.

Fredric Koeppel’s wine of the day is the Berryessa Gap Rosé 2017, an unusual blend of grenache, barbera and zinfandel grapes.

Red Wine Please finds an excellent value priced Pinot Noir from Gooseneck Vineyards in Elkton, Oregon.

The Swirling Dervish reviews several Rieslings from Pacific Rim wines of Washington State.

JVB Uncorked discovers 5 lesser known gems from Burgundy.

Pull That Cork reviews the 2017 Gran Moraine Rosé of Pinot Noir from Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley