Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

WINE

Keep those summer sparklers cool

John McDonald
9 years ago
How is it we can find two guys driving in a car but we can’t find and destroy armed convoys or...
WINE

Nonvintage sparklers provide consistent flavors

John McDonald
9 years ago
“I have drunk not to the clouding of my reason, but just so much that I can still surely...
WINE

Keep an eye on 2009 Bordeaux prices

John McDonald
9 years ago
As we expected, the highly touted 2009 Bordeaux prices are starting to soften. I read a flier...
WINE

Special Sauvignon Blanc reminds us of trip to Simi

John McDonald
9 years ago
Ain't the beer cold! Let’s jump right in with Pandemonium Red Wine 2012, from Fazeli, in...
WINE

Try a couple of headache-free reds

John McDonald
9 years ago
Dog days of summer? Not really! While Sandy was basking in air-conditioned luxury, I was “Sweatin...
WINE

Portuguese wines show some bargain prices

John McDonald
9 years ago
This week it will be three from Quinta da Aveleda in Portugal. I was introduced to them by Marie-...
WINE

Buy a train car load of terrific Napa Cabs

John McDonald
9 years ago
Interesting Fourth. Glad we’re all alive. Proper site selection allowed some to view the fireworks...
WINE

Comparing two CrossBarn Pinot Noirs

John McDonald
9 years ago
As promised, more of the Hobbs CrossBarn this week. Let’s start with the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay...
WINE

Veuve Clicquot may be dethroned as my go-to Champagne

John McDonald
9 years ago
What in the world is going on? The tragedy in Charleston, S.C., is unfathomable. Is this a hate...
WINE

Cognac, Armagnac have special rules

John McDonald
9 years ago
Try to read “From Jailer to Jailed” by Bernie Kerik, an interesting look at the policing...
WINE

Soave is a fine food wine and nice summer sipper

John McDonald
9 years ago
Sunday evening I went to a Cape Henlopen Theatre Academy presentation benefiting Broadway Cares...
WINE

We can’t ignore Rosé sparklers

John McDonald
9 years ago
RIP Beau Biden. Mr. Biden was a staunch Progressive, a good family man, served the country well,...
WINE

Nassau Valley Vineyards brings home two golds

John McDonald
9 years ago
As promised, this week brings more Rosé. First I would like to toss in a plug for Nassau Valley...
WINE

Wide variety of Rosé wines available at all price...

John McDonald
9 years ago
Hi folks, no homily this week, too many wines to review. Hey! I heard that sigh of relief. Recently...
WINE

Lighter wines match well with summer foods

John McDonald
9 years ago
I heard Delaware has a $56 million revenue shortfall in the 2015 budget. Chez McDonald, when we...
WINE

Top-flight Rosés can indeed be found in the United...

John McDonald
9 years ago
Wow! The angst and drama from Bawlemore had me sampling wine like crazy this week. At what point...
WINE

Lock up some Caymus Vineyards 40th anniversary Cab

John McDonald
9 years ago
This week brought three more wine tastings and a plethora of “good buys” for youse guys and gals...
WINE

Wine tastings in full swing

John McDonald
9 years ago
This week was chock-a-block with wine tastings. I love this job! Let’s start with a couple of...
WINE

New wine, food and music festival looks promising

John McDonald
9 years ago
I just left an enjoyable meeting with some of the principal organizers for the first Annual...
WINE

Spring is wine tasting season at the beach

John McDonald
9 years ago
What a lovely weekend; early tulips, daffodils, jonquils and forsythia finally opened. Spring may...
WINE

Roanoke Island is home of the ‘Mother Vine’

John McDonald
9 years ago
Suzanne and Peggy have a valuable sale at Nassua Valley Vineyards, until Sunday, April 12. They are...
WINE

Ridge Zinfandels have large following

John McDonald
9 years ago
Recovered from St. Paddy’s Day festivities. We had a ball. Several requests on who sells Frank...
WINE

St. Patrick’s Day means time for beer and stout

John McDonald
9 years ago
Wow! Setting the clocks forward dispelled global cooling overnight. I’m staring out at all the yard...
Wine

Keep warm by trying new wines

John McDonald
9 years ago
We need to burn more fossil fuels. I’m freezing! I am doing my part if the Delmarva Power and...
Wine

New article covers Super Tuscans

John McDonald
9 years ago
When Dennis casually mentioned he was interested in “some of them there Eyetalian Tuscan blends,...
Wine

A weekend of family, food and great wine

John McDonald
9 years ago
True to plan, Vday and Bday went off without a hitch. We started Friday with the early arrivals,...
Wine

Enjoy schnitzel with a lovely Riesling Spatlese

John McDonald
9 years ago
Maybe you’ll be reading here on the cusp of or Valentine’s Day itself. Valentine’s Day is one of my...
Wine

Champagne can improve spatial memory - a bonus!

John McDonald
9 years ago
Who reading here would equate the term “good Muslims” with the “good Germans” during prewar and...
Wine

Earning Master of Wine status is rare

John McDonald
9 years ago
OPP, not the hip hop but the Mouton Noir Other People Pinot, is a delightful Pinot Noir from the...
Wine

Dry German Rieslings are top-notch

John McDonald
9 years ago
I’m writing this on Sunday while watching the football divisional championships. Initially this was...
Wine

Pairing wine and TV dinners? Not for me

John McDonald
9 years ago
As I sit here typing, I am still chuckling over a recent article. It was titled TV Dinner and Wine...
Wine

Three Pinot picks to start the new year

John McDonald
9 years ago
How about three Pinot picks that are delicious, ready to drink, have good QPR and are affordable to...
Wine

Australian wines have overcome hurdles

John McDonald
9 years ago
I’d like to start by wishing all a terrific New Year. 2014 was very interesting and exciting for me...
Wine

A few more sparklers for holiday toasts

John McDonald
9 years ago
Hope your holiday season is going along well. I’m writing this on Monday and I can assure all that...
Wine

Last-minute gift ideas for holiday guests

John McDonald
9 years ago
Here are a few ideas for last-minute holiday gifts for friends who might drop by unexpectedly. A...
Wine

Trust your own palate rather than critics' reviews

John McDonald
9 years ago
Daniel McCunny, communications manager at the Delaware Museum of Natural History, wrote that I...
Wine

Rather than ice, try frozen grapes to chill your...

John McDonald
9 years ago
Let’s start with a caveat emptor. Casa Lapostolle Clos Alpata Colchagua Valley 2010 continues a run...
Wine

Catchy, ditzy wine labels grab me every time

John McDonald
9 years ago
Hope all had a thankful Thanksgiving. This is the season of giving. Please choose wisely by going...
Wine

French sparklers are up in price

John McDonald
10 years ago
First Italy and Spain, last week Cali and this week I will be looking at France for sparklers for...
Wine

Sparklers go well with a holiday buffet

John McDonald
10 years ago
With the holidays fast approaching, I spent quite a bit of time at the sparkler tables in an...
Wine

Wines for the thrill of victory

John McDonald
10 years ago
I wrote this before the election had finished, so I’m unsure if it’s the thrill of victory or the...
Wine

Almost time for a question-and-answer column

John McDonald
10 years ago
I’m keeping with the same format of the past two weeks. Mostly regurgitating my notes from the...
Wine

More great wines from recent tastings

John McDonald
10 years ago
Very short intro today. I sampled at least 300 wines in the past month. So, I want to cover a lot...
Wine

Lots of big wines to sample at Gary’s tasting

John McDonald
10 years ago
As usual, Gary’s tasting was the bomb. This is a well-attended charity event. There were several...
Wine

Trefethen Reserve Cab and Halo are rare treats

John McDonald
10 years ago
Try to get over to Pemberton Historical Park, in Salisbury, Md. Saturday, Oct. 11, or Sunday, Oct...
Wine

Bogle and Duckhorn offerings available locally

John McDonald
10 years ago
Page two of the Philly tasting also includes a few samples I tried at another venue. I would be...
Wine

Well-made Chardonnay will improve in the cellar

John McDonald
10 years ago
Wednesday’s tasting organized by Vintage Imports in Philly was terrific. In addition to a wonderful...
Wine

Thinking ahead for holiday sparklers

John McDonald
10 years ago
In preparation for the rapidly approaching holidays, I am sampling sparklers. Came across Nicolas...
Wine

Find Valdo for a pleasant surprise

John McDonald
10 years ago
I’m not a big fan of Mr. Obama’s policies. After reading an article on the Obama wine cellar and...
Wine

Lula Brazil boasts diverse, well-chosen wine list

John McDonald
10 years ago
Lula Brazil is located in the former Cloud 9 property on Rehoboth Avenue. Jeff Reitz, one of the...
Wine

Beware the 2013 Grand Cru Chablis

John McDonald
10 years ago
Following is a brief lead-in to a review by George Feaver, which I modified to reflect Rehoboth. “...
Wine

Favorite Italian grape makes a comeback

John McDonald
10 years ago
Hasn’t this weather been glorious? I hope it is not a harbinger of a cold winter. Anyone else...
Wine

Critics find much to like in 2010 Baroli

John McDonald
10 years ago
Hi folks, lots of info this week so no commentary. Field Recordings Huerhuero Vineyard Petite Sirah...
Wine

Find a critic whose picks suit your palate

John McDonald
10 years ago
Jean-Baptiste Say is known for Say's Law, which tells us that real demand can only come from...
Wine

Malbec used to be a famous French wine

John McDonald
10 years ago
Hugo Schulz first described hormesis in 1888, wrote Bill Bonner recently. “I am coining Hormegeddon...
Wine

Great wines that won’t flatten wallet

John McDonald
10 years ago
Are we going to join in another war to get the economy going? I certainly hope not. The world is in...
Wine

Several of my picks were home runs at Zachys Auctions

John McDonald
10 years ago
I would like to recommend two good summer reads. Tim Geithner’s “Stress Test” is a bit difficult in...
Wine

The right Rosés make fine summer sippers

John MacDonald
10 years ago
I had a bang-up Fourth. Busy at Grove Market, house full of family and a couple of outdoor grilling...
Wine

Moscato rides hip-hop hits to become third-most...

John McDonald
10 years ago
Best to all for a wonderful 4th. Try to reflect on the underlying principles written in the...
Wine

White Graves need air time before drinking

John McDonald
10 years ago
Thought I’d answer some requests this week. Jane asked, “Why don’t you write about White Graves?”...