Category: Values
Chablis – Introduction to Distinctive Chardonnay from Jurassic Era Soils
Chablis is one of my favorite wine regions in the world. It is the northernmost outpost of Burgundy. It often struggles with frost and other weather issues. Yet even in less-than-great years, the purity of these 100% Chardonnay...
Read MoreRed, White, and Rosé Wine Values for Summer Sipping, Parties, and Picnics
We tasted several hundred value wines over the past six months and narrowed this selection to those priced under $25 and scoring 15/88 to 17/92 on the respective 20-point and 100-point scales. The 22 wines are from five...
Read MoreFavorite Wines of 2025 – Burgundy and Pinot Noir Edition
In reading through my tasting notes from 2025, a couple of themes stood out: wine drinkers are enjoying an excellent supply of well-made wines under $25 from around the world; direct-to-consumer offers from discount and flash...
Read MorePetite Sirah: Big Wines for Bold Dishes
Petite Sirah, despite its somewhat misleading name, is anything but small. The grape originated in France in the mid-19th century, created by botanist François Durif, who crossed Syrah with an obscure varietal called Peloursin....
Read MoreClassic Italian Wines Dominate Sangiovese Masters
The Global Masters conducts monthly competitions featuring varietal wines from throughout the world. Experienced judges from the wine trade and with advanced degrees judge the wines blind. Scores are tallied and results issued....
Read MoreAre Old Vine California Zinfandels Better?
Jerry Feitelson, founder and gang leader of the Carmel Valley Wine Club, organized its 344th blind tasting in June 2025, which “tried to test the hypothesis that California Zinfandel wines made from Old (>35 years) vs. Young...
Read MoreGlobal Wine Masters Judges Find Gold in Pinot Noir
Patricia Stefanowicz, Master of Wine (MW), reported on findings from the recent Global Masters blind tasting in London. She said judges had high expectations for the Pinot Noir category and entrants from eight countries. “The...
Read MoreLatest Finds in White and Red Wine Values
The following wines, priced from $15 to $33, emerged from recent tastings, offering fine values in what the French call vin ordinaire (we categorize them as weekday and party wines, saving the best and rarest for weekends and...
Read MoreSauvignon Blanc Winners – Past and Present
Wine lovers worldwide have been showing an increased interest in Sauvignon Blanc, from legendary palate-pleasers from Sancerre to new issues from South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States. I’m pleased to report that...
Read MoreGood Values and Choices Abound in Pre-Holiday Wine Sales
New vintages are on the way through the global distribution channels, and now is a good time to look for older wines going on sale at merchants trying to clear inventory – from your favorite local wine shop to the large chains...
Read MoreMaking the Case for Merlot; Quality Rising Worldwide
Merlot is a versatile and widely planted red wine grape that is popular worldwide, either on its own or as an essential component in blended wines. The rising quality is evident from the recent Global Master Merlot Awards. A...
Read MoreRed, White and Rosé Wine Values
The hunt for values in summer sipping wines continues and with some success. The following finds from the past two months have good flavors and quality for the money, at prices from $16 to $25. Each scored well in tastings and...
Read More