Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Wine

Summer gatherings call for variety in choices

John McDonald
10 years ago
On Father’s Day we cooked some steaks on the barbi and I whipped up an eggplant caponata. Barbara...
Wine

The best producers make good wine happen no matter what

John McDonald
10 years ago
I just finished an interesting Forbes article written by Kathy Kelly Bell. It discussed the merits...
Wine

Aging is built into the better product to smooth it up

John McDonald
10 years ago
This week my brother Lew referred me to a writer, I have long treasured, but left on the shelf. Lew...
Wine

High-end wines sell for hot prices at auction

John McDonald
10 years ago
Looked to me like Memorial Day weekend was very successful. Businesses seemed to be booming. Grove...
Wine

Following only one wine guru can be tricky

John McDonald
10 years ago
I was thinking about Memorial Day and some of my deceased and disabled veteran pals. The recent...
Wine

Don’t drink Rosé very cold

John McDonald
10 years ago
Still pounding the wine-tasting circuit as we surf into the summer season. To paraphrase Robert...
Wine

Strawberry-flavored Rosé is a great porch sipper

John McDonald
10 years ago
Just wrapped up a family dinner of enchiladas, cucumber, avocado salad, and Tecate. The Cinco is...
Wine

‘Rules’ for organic wines can be tricky

John McDonald
10 years ago
Organic wines were brought to my attention by fellow scribblers touting Earth Day. Two issues arose...
Wine

Some Bordeaux may be good value even after bad vintage

John McDonald
10 years ago
Wow, some of the 2013 Bordeaux is already released and most of them at greatly reduced prices. Some...
Wine

Tis the season for building wine lists

John McDonald
10 years ago
I am nearly tasted out. As the season fast approaches, most of the wine producers, distributors and...
Wine

Unusual varietals can be worth a try

John McDonald
10 years ago
There are very few disadvantages to living in the backwaters of the coastal resorts, as opposed to...
Wine

The Argentine winos are at it again

John McDonald
10 years ago
Try reading “The Lily, Evolution, Play and the Power of a Free Society” by Daniel Cloud. I needed...
Wine

Wine ratings and price points both count

John McDonald
10 years ago
Any opinions on women’s emancipation after reading this quote, drop me an email: "A woman...
Wine

Palmer Vineyards makes good New York wines

John McDonald
10 years ago
I am constantly searching for great wine produced in New York. Recently I sampled a Sauvignon Blanc...
Wine

High-end wine prices still showing declines

John McDonald
10 years ago
Just walked in from shoveling a bunch of global warming. Those darn weather vagaries caused by the...
Wine

Wine index shows falling prices in January

John McDonald
10 years ago
Just completed an almost-great mystery novel named "Night Film," by Marisha Pessl. It was...
Wine

Try an off-the-beaten-path white wine - Verdicchio

John McDonald
10 years ago
Hope you all had a wonderful time on Valentine's Day. I’m writing this Sunday, Feb. 9, so I’m...
Wine

Stay apprised of the Oregon, Washington State markets

John McDonald
10 years ago
Just had a very nice deal come across my screen. Dr. Thanisch, Bernkasteler Riesling Cabinet,...
Wine

Many wines in $15 price range can be good value

John McDonald
10 years ago
Recently I read that true French Cassis was available in the USA. I fondly remembered its use in a...
Wine

Wines from plonk to premier

John McDonald
10 years ago
Although this article was on the Yahoo front page, some readers may have missed it. Titled “How to...
Wine

It’s time for good, cheap Chardonnay

John McDonald
10 years ago
Rick was writing in all caps, keyboard for shouting: Why haven’t you posted any good cheap...
Wine

Learn about newest trend in craft beer brewing

John McDonald
10 years ago
Happy news on the beer front - Dogfish Head was just chosen the No. 1 U.S. craft brewer by The...
Wine

Prudent buyers can restock cellars at discount pricing

John McDonald
10 years ago
Some of you may have sworn off “likker” as a new year's resolution. For those of us who have...
Wine

Orange wines may just be a passing fad

John McDonald
10 years ago
Here’s hoping your Christmas was merry indeed. This week, I had a question about wine that truly...
Wine

Sometimes those ‘really great deals’ just aren’t

John McDonald
10 years ago
Merry Christmas! I know this is just a bit premature, but the calendar controls. Great advice on...
Wine

Two new sparklers for the holiday season

John McDonald
10 years ago
Just sampled two wonderful sparklers I hadn’t reviewed before. A 92-point Duc de Romet Brut...
Wine

Wide selection of good holiday party wines

John McDonald
10 years ago
Well, the menorah is polished and put back in place. The kids are still spinning their dreidels,...
Wine

Advice about wines that go well with turkey

John McDonald
11 years ago
Please let your voices be heard, pro or con, on the single-payer healthcare Delaware House Bill 392...
Wine

Buy recommended wines before prices go up

John McDonald
11 years ago
My drive to my other job at Grove Market takes me through the backwoods of Sussex County. I have...
Wine

Sherry is a diverse category of wine

John McDonald
11 years ago
I’m responding to a request about Sherry from longtimer Alicia. Sherry is normally listed under...
Wine

Check out Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs

John McDonald
11 years ago
Sea Witch was bootiful. The children old and young were decked out, many in very realistic costumes...
Wine

2011 Ports are blockbusters but need cellar time

John McDonald
11 years ago
Jazz fest was terrific! Thank you to the organizers, Delaware Celebration of Jazz, their President...
Wine

New wine storage system does the trick

John McDonald
11 years ago
Nick Danger, Third Eye exclaims, “The love of my life was Betty Jo Bialosky but everybody knew her...
Wine

Clean Slate Riesling - new release - an enjoyable...

John McDonald
11 years ago
Last Thursday I took son Connor to New Jersey for a major wine tasting at the Florham Park Club in...
Wine

Randall Grahm from Bonny Doon has a blog worth reading

John McDonald
11 years ago
I’m trying to write this after watching my three favorite teams stink up the joint: the hapless...
Wine

Terrific year in 2010 for Sangiovese

John MacDonald
11 years ago
Just read a fun article titled Five easy tips to make you a better drinker. Wear sandals, short...
Wine

Foxglove Central Coast Chardonnay scores well with...

John MacDonald
11 years ago
A correction, provided by Paul Gregutt, No. 42 on the top 100 American wine information people list...
Wine

Harvest begins in the Northern Hemisphere

John McDonald
11 years ago
In an effort to toady up to the big chief, I did a little research on high QPR Pinot Noir for...
Wine

Wine Enthusiast off base about Behringer chardonnay

John McDonald
11 years ago
Hope Labor Day was delightful. Some of our out-of-town guests were in a foul mood due to the rain...
Wine

Temperatures this summer were all over the place

John McDonald
11 years ago
As we approach the shank of a long, strange summer, the news on the wine front is mixed. Cali is...
Wine

So-called garage wines actually carry on old tradition

John McDonald
11 years ago
Several questions concerning the proliferation of Cali blends and so-called garage wines were...
Wine

Banyuls is the wine for chocolate lovers

John McDonald
11 years ago
Galloni, my Barolo guru, wrote, “easily the best vintage of this wine I have tasted.” WA, WS and...
Wine

Washington growers finding success with Viognier

John McDonald
11 years ago
Lately, Going Forward Pinot Noir 2011 has been pushed as a lovely, fruit-forward, Sonoma PN, rated...
Wine

Nonvintage blends from Wily Jack are priced right,...

John McDonald
11 years ago
If you find time, “Nick Nolte: No Exit” is a worthy watch on Sundance. It helps if you think Mr...
Wine

Ministry of Vinterior’s motto: ‘Relax; it’s just wine’

John McDonald
11 years ago
Lots of info, so hi! And let’s dive in. A case of 2009 Edict Cabernet Sauvignon can be bought for $...
Wine

Don’t be a Pinot Noir snob; try Argentine offering

John McDonald
11 years ago
Many are trying to sell Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Tradition 2010 priced around $28, WS 93...
Wine

It’s finally time to break out those summer sippers

John McDonald
11 years ago
The lazy, hazy days seemed to never arrive, but now, as the temperatures and humidity have soared,...
Wine

The best Chablis will cellar at least 15 years

John McDonald
11 years ago
Here’s wishing you the best Fourth of July ever. The way things are going it may be the last year...
Wine

Shatter 2011 an example of well-made Grenache

John McDonald
11 years ago
Let’s start this week with a bang. How about a 91-point $10 Olivares altos de la Hoya Monastrell...
Wine

Hosemaster of Wine dead wrong about Lady Gaga

John McDonald
11 years ago
Recent news makes this a reflective time for me, especially with Independence Day fast approaching...
Wine

Lesser-known Vintage Port producers offer savings,...

John McDonald
11 years ago
Another active week on the tasting front. The 2011 Vintage Port is universally excellent. This is...
Wine

Lovely wines from the Veneto pair perfectly with...

John McDonald
11 years ago
Lots to cover this week . Summer is fast approaching and fortunately, a bunch of favorably priced...
Wine

Gorman the Bully cabernet needs more time

John McDonald
11 years ago
I hope all my friends who are veterans are able to set aside the sad memories Monday invoked. For...
Wine

A Bordeaux Blanc can be tough to locate

John McDonald
11 years ago
I find myself guzzling more and more wine as the drumbeat of the daily news screed floats across my...
Wine

Seghesio Sonoma Zins are well priced and ready to drink

John McDonald
11 years ago
The angst provided by the news this week, especially Pinocchio and his Carney barker, caused me to...
Wine

Roll out the rosé as the season approaches

John McDonald
11 years ago
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there! I received a reminder from friends at Gary’s it is...
Wine

Cline shines above the pack in generosity

John McDonald
11 years ago
I was called in to attend a large wine tasting in Ocean City at Jive- Frescos. There were two...
Wine

Big Fish cooking classes winding down for summer

John McDonald
11 years ago
Last Saturday, Barbara and I decided to check out the cooking class at Big Fish. Happy to report it...
Wine

Keep an eye out for Red Heads Studio offerings

John McDonald
11 years ago
Wine Advocate awarded La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial 2001 94 points and IWC 92...
Wine

Lots of great choices for new warm weather wine list

John McDonald
11 years ago
I’ve been trying to finalize the Grove Market wine list. As a result, there are quite a few ideas...