Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Making good wine is a little like brewing tea

John McDonald
6 years ago
As promised, this week's column will be about wine that fits Easter menus. The wines being reviewed...

Passover wines feedback leads to more research

John McDonald
6 years ago
Wine for Passover notes prompted more mail than most recent columns. Thank you all for reading and...

More Passover wines plus a note on reviews

John McDonald
6 years ago
Received a nice email from Gail asking where she could find the wines for Passover recommended last...

Good wine choices for Passover and other special...

John McDonald
6 years ago
Special note to those who enjoy mevushal wines at Passover. Sometimes they are difficult to locate...

California wine prices may rise despite bumper crops

John McDonald
6 years ago
I hope all enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's Day. Julie wrote, "Hey John, what is carbonic maceration...

Consider a Rosé for Valentine’s Day

John McDonald
6 years ago
It’s traditional to start with sparkling wine in some households. Let’s kick off this week with two...

Wines that don’t need aging are best for novice tasters

John McDonald
6 years ago
I hope all are in good health. The flu bug has ravaged our area. Unfortunately, according to the...

One rater’s rationale and a couple of special picks

John McDonald
6 years ago
Last week, Jean McAboy sent me a note: "Hi John, please clarify your ratings, they sometimes...

Many top-rated wines come with reasonable price tags

John McDonald
6 years ago
Just got a new computer and screen. I'm thankful Maggie was at home to set them up for me, thereby...

Chase away the chill with some savory wines

John McDonald
6 years ago
Don't forget the 27th Annual Polar Bear Plunge on Super Bowl weekend, Sunday, Feb. 4. This is...

Do research, then invest in 2013 California Cabs

John McDonald
6 years ago
Best wishes to one and all for a wonderful 2018. Even in the face of turmoil worldwide, I am an...

Prosecco can be a great New Year’s Eve sparkler

John McDonald
6 years ago
After Friday's paper came out, I received several emails requesting information about Prosecco for...

Last-minute gift ideas for your wine-loving friends

John McDonald
6 years ago
Shopping time is short. With New Year's Eve fast approaching, locate some bubbly for last-minute...

Chateauneuf du Pape: Be sure to read labels carefully

John McDonald
6 years ago
Here are some Chanukah facts of which few are aware. Initially the Menorah (a candelabra with eight...

Wines to cheer up your Chanukah celebration

John McDonald
6 years ago
Last year I missed on my friends who celebrate Chanukah. This year I did some research, and...

Explore good red wines at various price levels

John McDonald
6 years ago
Here’s the first Christmas gift from me to you. Winesearcher.com has just come out with a special...

Stay thankful with just enough wine, not too much

John McDonald
7 years ago
I'm writing looking forward toward this weekend. In most years, Thanksgiving is a very happy...

For a few dollars more, get a better Beaujolais

7 years ago
Nouveau Beaujolais 2017 officially hit our shores Thursday, Nov. 16. Unless you ordered ahead, or...

Read wine reviews carefully for best results

John McDonald
7 years ago
Like Fredo in The Godfather, it broke my heart to pull cork on a 2014 Don Melchor. One downside to...

Champagne can be a food wine, too

John McDonald
7 years ago
I received a nice email from David Koretz, CEO of Plum Wine, in response to my recent column. He...

High-dollar wine storage systems are expensive toys;...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Some good news out of California. Jim Caudill, communications director of Treasury Wine Estates,...

Support fire-damaged California producers by buying...

John McDonald
7 years ago
The fires in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties have been in the news. As of Tuesday, Oct...

Winemakers who understand food are worth following

John McDonald
7 years ago
OK, so the entire internet has been cracked open by hackers and governmental agencies. At the same...

Look at quality/price ratios for 2015 California wines

John McDonald
7 years ago
One of those anomalies for which I ask you folks to hold your fire is in the works. The Walter...

Weather has wide-ranging effects on wine production

John McDonald
7 years ago
This is a housekeeping week, so let's lead with a recommendation. Chateau Hyot Cotes de Bordeaux...

Oregon becoming a leader for serious Pinot Noirs

John McDonald
7 years ago
This week kicks off with a truly wonderful bargain. No. 46 on WS top 100 in 2016, the 2014 Dao Sul...

Chardonnays to suit all palates and pocketbooks

John McDonald
7 years ago
Big surprise today. I'm devoting the space to Chardonnay. I just sampled a nice little Chilean...

Take advantage of end-of-summer Rosé sales

John McDonald
7 years ago
Those with storage and a few extra bucks lying around can shop smartly during the next few weeks...

White Rhone wine: hidden gems at bargain prices

John McDonald
7 years ago
I found it difficult to focus on writing this week's column with the tragedy in the Gulf all over...

Plan ahead and buy that bubbly now

John McDonald
7 years ago
Now is the time to lay in a supply of your favorite sparkler for the holidays. This is the nadir of...

Good wine can be easy to find and affordable

John McDonald
7 years ago
Let's start with some inexpensive but easily accessible wine. Wente Vineyards Morning Fog...

Superior Sauternes is all about balance

John McDonald
7 years ago
Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2009 is ripe for the picking. I realize I flog Guiraud whenever it has a...

Plenty of good news on 2010 Bordeaux wines

John McDonald
7 years ago
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Alto Adige 2015 makes a very nice summer swiller with a fair price...

Refreshing white wines are perfect for summer

John McDonald
7 years ago
Just returned from my niece’s wedding. The ceremony and festivities were held at a state park, Rye...

Pinot Blanc wines have come into their own

John McDonald
7 years ago
Although I was scooped on Mike Z in last week’s paper, I wish to extend a hearty congratulation to...

During Sauvignon Blanc season, beware of fads and...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Our pleas and supplications for a true, highly rated, inexpensive Chianti have been answered by...

Two reds, two whites and a blue wine make things...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Sunday evening was the bomb! After a brief burst of activity at Grove Market, the night proved to...

A quick primer on wine bottle sizes for new readers

John McDonald
7 years ago
Happy Birthday USA. I’m wishing all a wonderful 4th of July extended weekend. Please reflect on all...

When pairing wines and foods, strive for harmony

John McDonald
7 years ago
I just read an ad for a Grand Cru Alsatian blend. Marcel Deiss Mambourg 2011 for $40 is blended of...

Frank Family Vineyards new releases are worth a look

John McDonald
7 years ago
I'm writing today's column, reflecting on how fortunate I am. In addition to enjoying a rich and...

The fun of wine tasting - try, try again

John McDonald
7 years ago
The grist for this week’s column was provided by Teddy, a longtime reader. He asked about ordering...

Summer sippers are in season now

John McDonald
7 years ago
Hi folks - I rarely specify a particular “wine shoppe.” Most stores work very diligently to provide...

Make note of exceptional vintage years when starting...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Each year I start this week’s column with a similar admonition. Please don’t use Happy Memorial Day...

Forget about nouveau, try the older Beaujolais wines

John McDonald
7 years ago
How many of you have turned off the news? Regardless which side of the aisle you abide, the recent...

Cline Ancient Vines Zin is perfect for cellaring

John McDonald
7 years ago
This week’s opener is aimed toward all my restaurant pals and foodies who may need to purchase...

Sparklers are delightful when weather warms

John McDonald
7 years ago
The past few days’ prelude to summer were very enjoyable for me. I forced myself to read my notes...

Tune up your palate for Dreaming Tree wines

John McDonald
7 years ago
It seems the craft beer movement is not an anomaly. It is gathering steam with rapidly accelerating...

Wine tasting gets upgrade with winemaker’s own comments

John McDonald
7 years ago
While reading A Cultural History of Food, I came across the name Guillaume Tirel, better known to...

Trust wine critics whose tastes agree with your own

John McDonald
7 years ago
My pal Paolo, whom I hadn’t heard from in a while, emailed me enquiring about Tenuta Sette Ponti...

Teller Wines Expo provides potential Easter dinner...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Tip of the corkscrew to Teller Wines, Lewes and its new library, and a large collection of public-...

Amici Sonoma Chardonnay wins high marks for value

John McDonald
7 years ago
For my mixologist bar and server pals, here is a contest worth looking into. If you are someone who...

Family gathering inspires wine-tasting spree

John McDonald
7 years ago
I truly enjoyed a weekend of NCAA D1 Championship Wrestling. Delaware had three contestants this...

A trip down memory lane for some vintage reviews

John McDonald
7 years ago
It’s interesting what some folks remember. A few weeks ago, while shopping for some trinkets for...

One reason why wine and hot tubs go together

John McDonald
7 years ago
Keep your eyes peeled for 2014 CMZ from Matt Cline’s Three Wine and S3x Company. That, my friends,...

Global warming expected to affect traditional wine...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Recently, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2013, 93-96 points at $79, has been...

When choosing wines, don’t buy the hype

John McDonald
7 years ago
Hi, race fans! You may remember the article on the eponymous Lewis Cellars Chardonnays 2014. I...

Carménère could be the next Malbec

John McDonald
7 years ago
Let’s start with an affordable St. Julien Bordeaux 2009 this week. The 2009 made a big splash when...

Don’t let old habits keep you from trying new wines

7 years ago
With the exceptions of the most famous Dane in our English language, Danish blue cheese, Rødgrød...

Pay attention when choosing vintage Port

John McDonald
7 years ago
Ta-dah, ta-dah, the sound of blowing my own horn. Just received my copy of Wine Spectator Jan-Feb...

Take a wait-and-see attitude on overly hyped wines

John McDonald
7 years ago
If you enjoy The Police, you probably know all about Sting and Trudie. Perhaps you were exposed to...