Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Pinot Grigio is an all-around holiday meal palate...

John McDonald
2 years ago
Left the house Monday with my Thanksgiving menu for a little preprandial shopping. Just a rough...

Looking ahead for Thanksgiving wine choices

John McDonald
2 years ago
My effort to attract interest in cellaring did not pique the expected curiosity. So, I’m moving to...

High-end beer sales are booming

John McDonald
2 years ago
Beer is following the trend in the wine sector, which I reported last week. The higher-end and...

Red wine warms away wet-weather woes

John McDonald
2 years ago
Rough, rainy, refreshing weather and the arrival of several red wine samples helped warm up my...

Some wine producers planning now for potential...

John McDonald
2 years ago
On the wine front, much of the news has been about all the French producers and big Euroland money...

Wine choices for Rosh Hashanah aren’t just from Israel

John McDonald
2 years ago
Rosh Hashanah (head of the year) starts the evening of Monday, Sept. 26, and ends at sundown Sept...

Winemaker’s blending skills may be key to success

John McDonald
2 years ago
So far, we’ve escaped most of the weather disasters this summer/hurricane season. The wine-...

A new star sparkles in the winemaking world

John McDonald
2 years ago
Just had the opportunity to sample a few selections from Aperture Cellars, a relatively new...

California wine dreamin’ as autumn arrives

John McDonald
2 years ago
Happy Labor Day to all our hardworking winos. Although “the season” will continue a bit longer, for...

Sauvignon blancs are perfect to finish summer, start...

John McDonald
2 years ago
Let’s look at a few Sauvignon Blancs to get us through the shank of summer and September, which...

Family & friends, good food & wine are the best...

John McDonald
2 years ago
On Friday, I had the pleasure of a large panel to sample wine when Barbara and I had nine family...

Yes, I sometimes drink a wine (or two) before its time

John McDonald
2 years ago
We enjoyed Bodegas La Val Albariño 2020, which comes from estate-grown, 25-plus-year-old vineyards...

A few hidden-gem wines and a quick detour into tequilas

John McDonald
2 years ago
In a recent discussion, I was informed that a lesson I have taught for many years has been debunked...

Markets welcoming 2021 white wines from Napa and Sonoma

John McDonald
2 years ago
Quite a few 2021 vintage Napa and Sonoma whites are coming to the markets. You may remember last...

Syrah wines and smoky grilled meats make perfect...

John McDonald
2 years ago
Syrah is a wonderful choice for the lazy, smoky days of summer. Those who are unfamiliar may grab a...

California wineries select vineyard sources for...

John McDonald
2 years ago
Let’s look at another Far Niente offering. Two from the Post & Beam Winery label. This Napa...

Even pricy wine can sometimes be a good buy

John McDonald
2 years ago
I rarely lead with pricy wine, but the 2014 Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac Bordeaux, $150 at Swigg...

Wine bargains are out there for careful shoppers

John McDonald
2 years ago
Daley emailed me, “What about Vina Garces Silva Sauv Blanc 2021?” I haven’t written much about the...

From classic sippers to cool trends, get some summer...

John McDonald
2 years ago
As promised, here are a few more Nik Weis Riesling selections which are very affordable, delightful...

Wines from Chile score well, offer great value

John McDonald
2 years ago
Summer and Sauvignon Blanc are a great combo. I recently had the good fortune to sample several...

Red wines are suitable for pairing with some seafood

John McDonald
2 years ago
Grill weather has readers turning to red meats and wines. Lower Slower folks are adept at seafood...

Read the fine print before buying organic/vegan wines

John McDonald
2 years ago
Let’s get the ball rolling with an under-$13 Italian sparkler from Corvezzo labeled organically...

Stags’ Leap Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for seafood...

John McDonald
2 years ago
I was mildly chastised by several people for the lugubrious admonition to please not use “happy”...

Argentina’s first certified organic, kosher wine...

John McDonald
2 years ago
Recognizing this is repetitive each year from me, please stop saying, “Happy Memorial Day.” Even...

More female winemakers being honored for their work

John McDonald
2 years ago
Let’s visit Südtirol (sood teer ole) again. Alto Adige – Südtirol is regarded among Italy's top...

Etude winery offers a range of choices for Mother’s...

John McDonald
2 years ago
Happy Mother’s Day! Etude winery was founded in 1982 by Tony Soter in Los Carneros AVA, Sonoma. The...

Not all Napa Valley wines were affected by 2020 fires

John McDonald
2 years ago
Business folks, NB. Relatively new idea – HENRY: High Earning Not Rich Yet. Symbolic consumption is...

Malbec from Argentina offers quality and affordability

John McDonald
2 years ago
Recently, there have been several requests for Malbec suggestions. Malbec has found its ideal...

Many wine choices to go with Easter/Passover meals

John McDonald
3 years ago
This weekend begins the most revered holiday in the religions founded on the Bible. Although many...

Black California winemakers deserve more attention...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Last year, I wrote a brief piece on Black California winemakers and the paucity of material written...

It’s time to think about Easter season wines

John McDonald
3 years ago
In 2019, I reviewed Domaine Paul Mas wines, most of which were the 2017s, in preparation for the...

Time in storage often melds wines into winners

John McDonald
3 years ago
Finally got around to a bottle of Roederer Estate L’Ermitage 2015 from Anderson Valley, Calif. that...

Some big-box store wine is worth a look; trust your...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Lawrence asked about Kirkland Wines, Costco’s proprietary label. I rarely review wine that can’t be...

Use wine ratings, research and personal taste for...

John McDonald
3 years ago
A recent note from Robb asked what was McD and which scoring system I use. My primary reason for...

Foray into Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile brings rewards

John McDonald
3 years ago
I recently sampled six Chilean Cabs, five of which were great-value buys under $25 and findable in...

Look for wineries that provide value across their...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Kim Crawford has been a New Zealand bellwether winemaker for years. He sold Kim Crawford Wines to...

Find a wine you enjoy? Try a different style from...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Congratulations to Total Wine & More on Naamans Road in Claymont for winning a Winesearcher...

Some favorite red wines to go with those long...

John McDonald
3 years ago
As Anna sang, “Hello, young lovers, whoever you are. I hope your troubles are few.” Valentine’s Day...

A pause for some Port wards off winter chills

John McDonald
3 years ago
Before reading today’s column, check out a synopsis of Biden admin 461-page guidebook to help...

It’s almost that day - break out the bubbly for your...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Is anyone else concerned about the paucity of articles on the Don region and Formosa? Today it is...

Chardonnay selections cover a wide range of styles

John McDonald
3 years ago
I wrote this on the MLK birthday celebration. His birthday was actually Jan. 15, 1929. It is a sad...

Bypass cheap, consistent wines; splurge a bit on new...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Due to a plethora of food shortage articles and reports, and the media bleat of overflowing...

Excellent wines at fair prices treat your palate and...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Jingle bells, Jingle bells, typing in the snow. Who’da thunk we’d be watching the flakes swirl...

Here’s to a sparkling start for the new year!

John McDonald
3 years ago
Best wishes to all for a wonderful 2022. Blank out all the negativity that is current, and savor...

Rosé sparklers are perfect for festive holiday...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Merry Christmas to all! Under current conditions, that was tough to type until I considered the...

I knew Lewes was a famous port town, but real Port...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Did a little walkabout looking for Port in Lewes, on Route 1, in Rehoboth and in Bethany. The...

There’s still time to find the right gift wine for...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Following are a few last-minute, locally findable selections for the upcoming Christmas holiday...

The 2018 Napa Cabs are terrific

John McDonald
3 years ago
Happy Hanukkah 5782! I hope you tried some of the wine recommended. Love to read any critiques. The...

Time to consider holiday sparklers – and the WS Top...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Well, Thanksgiving is down to a turkey sandwich, and it’s time to lay in some Christmas supplies...

So much wine knowledge is easily available online!

John McDonald
3 years ago
This February 2020 article from Vinography, a wine blog, lists nearly all the outstanding 2018 Napa...

Lots of Thanksgiving wine pairings, even for the...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Thanksgiving dinner, whether turkey and its trimmings, ham, a large stuffed rockfish or perhaps a...

Napa Cabs looking great, but Sonoma may offer better...

John McDonald
3 years ago
As expected, Sea Witch was done very well in Rehoboth. Thank you to all who worked so hard to...

 2016 was a terrific year in Tuscany for some

3 years ago
I’ve examined several wines this week, so let’s jump right in. Black Stallion Napa Cab, produced at...

Merlot wines are approachable and food-friendly

John McDonald
3 years ago
Here’s a twofer. A California Merlot, Gnarly Head 2019, scored 90 points McD and costs under $11...

So-called orange wine is a new trend but an old style

John McDonald
3 years ago
I’ve been on COVID restriction the past 14 days. It appears my two vaccine shots worked well enough...

Pinot Noir examined from a value standpoint

John McDonald
3 years ago
I had this week’s column in the can when Wine-searcher crossed my screen with this headline: The...

Our mission - to find value that fits with personal...

John McDonald
3 years ago
As moderate temps return, my wine selections turn to reds and big whites. In August, Sam emailed me...

Spanish wines offer choices for every palate

John McDonald
3 years ago
I enjoy the fall. How about you? After last week’s column appeared, I received a brief note from...

Wines from Sicily go well with all sorts of food

John McDonald
3 years ago
How many remember Lamoresca? In last week’s mail, Sophie asked why I haven’t reviewed any wines...

Sparkling wine from Franciacorta offers options from...

John McDonald
3 years ago
Monday, in addition to being Labor Day, begins Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It occurred to...