I had been jotting down random thoughts on wine and related topics for several years. One day, I moved my website to a new system, and the posts in the blog were lost. But fortunately, I have backups. And whenever I have a bit of time on my hands, I will convert them to the […]
From the beginning of contact between Europe and America, plants were shipped in both directions. Wheat to America, potatoes to Europe, there were many great successes from this transfer. In the early 1800s, botanists began experimenting with crossing native American vines with European vines, trying to produce better grapes. The introduction of fast steamships permitted
An unwelcome immigrant from America Read More »
It is not uncommon. Groups of people try a wine, and everyone has a different opinion. Why? In a previous blog, I described the hard work in becoming a professional wine taster. I was one of a group of thirty thirsty students, all seriously committed to upping their game when it came to wine tasting
Is the wine in your glass the same as in mine? Read More »
A few years ago, I studied for my formal wine educator certification. It was an intense course, covering the history, geography, theory and practice of wine making and tasting. The class spent much time tasting wines – thirty or forty different wines (and a few spirits too) every day. Even with tasting size samples, that
Why don’t wines just taste of grapes? Read More »
When the first wine was produced in North America isn’t certain. Certainly not Virginia, where attempts to plant European vines in the early 1700s failed dismally. Spanish monks planted the first European grapevines in 1629 near what is now Socorro in New Mexico, USA. The first winery growing European vines in Mexico, Casa Madero, was
Grapes and Vines, Fruits, Wine – and Vikings Read More »
On the face of it, owning and running a vineyard and winery is a pretty thankless trade. First of all, it is a farm with just one crop: grapes. Grapes are not an easy crop: it takes several years for vines to start producing fruit. And they take constant care right through the year. A
You may not need to be mad to own a winery: but it might help Read More »
I am a Serious Wine Drinker. Not just volume, but also for a long time. After years of wine tasting and lecturing, I studied in the wine trade to obtain my professional qualifications (WSET Level 3 Advanced). Then a few years ago, I moved to Georgia from my native England. Now, on most Friday afternoons,