Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Good value selections are worth looking for

John McDonald
7 years ago
Let’s start with a value selection, Gonzalez Byass Beronia Rueda Verdejo 2014 at $125/case. Keep in...

California drought has led to some delicious white...

John McDonald
7 years ago
Is it critical to evaluate wine without its bottles and labeling being observable? I believe it is...

Learn about quality wines by attending a top-flight...

John McDonald
7 years ago
My new year’s resolution should be easy to keep. Try to make 2017 as happy as 2016. With the...

Plenty of new wines worth trying in the new year

John McDonald
7 years ago
Happy New Year! Saw a nice buy on Lunelli Ferrari Perlé Metodo Classico Brut 2009 sparkler @ $33...

Holiday sparklers don’t have to cost a lot

John McDonald
7 years ago
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah and happy holidays. In an effort to pack in as many sparkling wine...

Oregon produces plenty of marvelous Pinot Noir

John McDonald
7 years ago
Pinot Noir lovers should look into the Oregon 2014 release, especially from the higher-elevation...

Reviews depend on wine characteristics

John McDonald
7 years ago
The Wine Spectator top 100 came out Monday. I’m sorry to tell you I did not do as well as last year...

Some Thanksgiving wines go with both ham and turkey

John McDonald
7 years ago
Hope you folks had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Fortunately, mine was spent with my family and...

Don Melchor sampling brings back lovely memories

John McDonald
7 years ago
I hope all my wino pals and palettes enjoyed a Mahvelous Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful...

Year-end wine rankings raise many questions

John McDonald
8 years ago
Did you know that Wine Spectator’s top 100 is published in the Dec. 31 edition each year? I always...

Remy Martin Louis XIII a highlight of 25th Annual...

John McDonald
8 years ago
Just returned from the 25th Annual Grand Tasting presented by impresario and wine guru Gary Fisch...

How could one not sample wine named Il Bastardo and...

John McDonald
8 years ago
Let's start with three quick housekeeping notes. 1. Hold your nose and vote for the scoundrel of...

Dominus Estate Napanook 2013 rated loftily by Suckling

John McDonald
8 years ago
Barbara and I drove up to D.C. for the weekend. Her grade school class, Our Lady of Lourdes, in...

Modest pocketbook? Check out Casillero del Diablo,...

John McDonald
8 years ago
Let's start this week with two lovely dry white wines. Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo,...

Neighboring wineries will likely produce similar wine

John McDonald
8 years ago
After all the rah-rah and hoo-haw, I missed the big event. May I apologize to those whom I...

For those who keep asking about Chardonnay, here's a...

John MacDonald
8 years ago
Hope to see you all at SoDelFest this Saturday, Oct. 8. Find all particulars at www.sodelfest.com...

Choose Thanksgiving wines that go well with variety...

John McDonald
8 years ago
In preparation for fall oysters and Thanksgiving, let's review some complementary wines. We'll...

Torrontes is popular in Argentina and Chile

John McDonald
8 years ago
This weekend was filled with preparation for a tasting in Philly, followed by another in Manhattan...

Recent currency rates make good French wines more...

John McDonald
8 years ago
Recent dollar strength, relative to the Euro and most world currencies, has placed many high-...

Storms in France may drive up wine prices

8 years ago
It appears the weathermen and women, and the talking heads, frightened many into missing out on a...

Second SoDelFest looks to be even better than first

John McDonald
8 years ago
I think a review of Southern Delaware Wine Food & Music Festival is in order; Saturday, Oct. 8...

Dosage is crucial when making Champagne

John McDonald
8 years ago
Palmer & Co. Champagne Brut Reserve cuvee is their entry NV wine. These won gold at the...

It’s not true that white wines don’t age well

John McDonald
8 years ago
You won't forget Maison Forget-Brimont Premier Cru NV Brut Champagne if you are wise, a very lovely...

Local wineries are hidden gems

John McDonald
8 years ago
Thought I’d start this week with a little local information. Sposato Family Vineyards has a very...

Haut Medoc red Bordeaux 2010s are ready

John McDonald
8 years ago
RRs may remember my admonition to hold off on buying the 2010 Haut Medoc red Bordeaux when all the...

Small parcels wine doesn’t have to be overpriced

John McDonald
8 years ago
Wow! It’s been a scorcher. When the weather gets hot, I get down with those tart white wines and an...

Tony Galloni does great red wine reviews

John McDonald
8 years ago
The Barefooter Commodore Owens and a covey of pals and gals slid into Grove Market. I was flattered...

Replica wines - fun or fraud?

John McDonald
8 years ago
Some may remember I admire W. Blake Gray’s writing. A thoughtful wine writer, Gray’s recent article...

Run away, don’t walk, from new blue wine

John McDonald
8 years ago
Glorious 4th. You betcha! This week’s column will cover some disparate wine happenings and a review...

Chapoutier has partnered with Brisset, winemaker at...

John McDonald
8 years ago
This past week was fascinating, as Scotland took center stage, Brexit, Turnbury North Sea oil,...

Lindeman's Aussie wines may be a pleasant surprise

John McDonald
8 years ago
Regulars may remember I've been off the Aussie train, except in select items. I'm pleased to report...

2015 Bordeaux vintage proves a tricky one

8 years ago
Here’s a quick opening note for those who enjoy and cellar Bordeaux. The 2015 vintage, which will...

New technology will eliminate cork taint

John McDonald
8 years ago
Let’s start this week with a bit of technical good news. Amorim, the world’s leading cork producer...
WINE

Mollydooker wines are back on deck

John McDonald
8 years ago
Regular readers may remember when I was enthralled with Mollydooker The Boxer. The 2014s are back...
WINE

Find out where great champagne is born

John McDonald
8 years ago
This week I read a terrific article concerning the intricacies of making NV champagne from blending...
WINE

Try a cool glass of Viognier with a good cheese

John McDonald
8 years ago
I’m peering from my window, glass in hand, deciding whether I should shovel or finish the glass...
WINE

Sometimes local producers can win big at wine events

John McDonald
8 years ago
Awesome folks! I was happy to see so many RRs (regular readers) in Rehoboth for Polar Bear. You...
WINE

Note that 375 ml bottles don’t cellar as well as 750s

John McDonald
8 years ago
Don’t forget Polar Bear Plunge this Sunday. Rehoboth has done journeyman work in providing access...
WINE

Enjoyable, affordable California cabs on market

John McDonald
8 years ago
Did we escape the big one, or what? After listening to and watching the weather news, I joined the...
WINE

There are ways to make Malbec more approachable

John McDonald
8 years ago
Frontera Cabernet Sauvignon (85 percent)-Merlot 2014 is a very nice, inexpensive wine. These can be...
WINE

Value and quality-price ratio are not the same

John McDonald
8 years ago
Recently there has been a flurry of requests for decent Malbec that is top flight with QPR value...
WINE

Another enticing Chardonnay for the new year

John McDonald
8 years ago
Well here we are in 2016. We finished 2015 with several Chardonnays, and I am starting the new year...
WINE

Surprise - Chardonnays for the new year!

John McDonald
8 years ago
Happy New Year! Start your year off by rounding up a vertical tasting of Beringer Private Reserve...
WINE

Get great party planning tips from Food & Wine article

John McDonald
8 years ago
Merry Christmas to all friends, neighbors and wine fanciers. I have some especially good news for...
WINE

Sparkling wines not just for toasting

John McDonald
8 years ago
With the holidays fast approaching, I spent quite a bit of time at the sparkler tables while...
WINE

Pay attention to details when looking at Tawny Port

John McDonald
8 years ago
Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cab 2012 is an Old World style Bordeaux blend of 77 percent Cab Sauv, 11...
WINE

Festive sparklers make for happy Thanksgiving

John McDonald
8 years ago
I hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Chez McD was festive. We started off with a trio of...
WINE

Frank Napa Valley is a darn nice $35 Petite Syrah

John McDonald
8 years ago
Sitting here pondering all the things to be thankful for, and, “aw snap” as my computer says to me...
WINE

Several tasty Sauvignon Blancs priced under $30

John McDonald
9 years ago
Mon Dieu! The recent Muslim extremist terror strikes in Paris were devastating. I have spent some...
WINE

Wines to consider for fall and holiday meals

John McDonald
9 years ago
I’m zeroing in on fall and Thanksgiving Day wine. In addition to your blessings, I hope you try...
WINE

Prosecco on tap is causing a stir

John McDonald
9 years ago
Claire asked about Prosecco on tap, because she drank some in London on a recent trip. I’ve been...
WINE

New Jersey charity wine tasting brings in the big bucks

John McDonald
9 years ago
Just returned from my annual jaunt to New Jersey for the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute charity...
WINE

Inaugural SoDelFest unmitigated success

John McDonald
9 years ago
It is rare when "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men /iar-theachd ” to paraphrase...
WINE

Local wine food music festival set for Oct. 17

John McDonald
9 years ago
I’m very excited about tomorrow’s event, the Oct. 17 Southern Delaware Wine Food Music Festival...
WINE

So exactly what is biodynamic agriculture?

John McDonald
9 years ago
What is biodynamic farming?, many have asked. So I decided to address it this week. Regarding wine...
WINE

New wine, food, music fest on tap for Oct. 17

John MacDonald
9 years ago
I just finished a meeting with the primary organizers of the first Southern Delaware Wine, Food and...
WINE

Guard wines against warm temps, light exposure, and...

John McDonald
9 years ago
Wow! I’m in a state of wino eclectasy. This past week, thanks to Vintage Imports and the kind...
WINE

Bob Lindquist’s Qupé Chardonnay is one I enjoy

John McDonald
9 years ago
Once again, immediately following a thorough watering, after carefully pitch forking, spading, and...
WINE

California Central Coast Cabs get no respect

John McDonald
9 years ago
It is ironic that so many entrepreneurs, employees and entertainers of every stripe heave a sigh of...
WINE

Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blancs stand out

John McDonald
9 years ago
I guess two of you contacted senators Carper or Coons to say no on the Iran deal. I thought...