Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Rombauer gobbled up by Gallo

John McDonald
5 days ago
Another one bites the dust. I am saddened to learn that Rombauer, the maker of rich, buttery, old-...

Start looking for celebration wines now before...

John McDonald
1 week ago
As we edge into fall and the various holiday seasons are approaching, I’m starting to see ads for...

Recently tasted, affordable wine finds take the...

John McDonald
2 weeks ago
Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, starts at sundown, Friday, Sept. 15, and ends...

Looking beyond the favorites can be worthwhile

John McDonald
3 weeks ago
This week, let us explore a mixed selection of wines that are outside the scope of favorites. After...

South African winery’s history includes literary...

John McDonald
1 month ago
I sampled some whites from Klein Constantia in Western Cape, South Africa. KC dates to S. African...

Have fun experimenting with Sauvignon Blancs

John McDonald
1 month ago
If it goes with lemon, it goes with Sauvignon Blanc, so you can try using SB in place of lemon in...

Here’s a selection of good-value reds for all tastes

John McDonald
1 month ago
Welcome to August. A longtime reader, Ray, asked me for top-flight Zinfandel that wouldn’t break...

Let’s look at this summer’s great whites

John McDonald
1 month ago
The lovely warm weather, constant scary beach news and the rapid approach of “R” months and “arster...

Several local restaurants recognized for excellent...

John McDonald
1 month ago
Great news! Wine Spectator has just recognized two Delaware restaurants for their wine programs...

Yes, dear readers, affordable Cali Cabernet...

John McDonald
2 months ago
Happy Bastille Day and off with their heads, says the Red Queen. Thank you for the email this past...

Try this Rosé sparkler as a gentle rebound from the...

John McDonald
2 months ago
Let’s start with a sparkler: J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV, with 59% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 8%...

Buy U.S.-made wines to celebrate July Fourth

John McDonald
2 months ago
Independence Day is upon us, so let’s look for some appropriate bang-up choices to purchase made in...

Porch sippers rate well, won’t break the bank

John McDonald
2 months ago
Let’s start with a few info points. Galileo Galilei is known to most for astronomy, telescopes,...

As promised, here are some Pinot Noirs worth trying

John McDonald
3 months ago
According to its website, “Domaine Patrick Noël bottles only estate fruit, fermented exclusively...

Trying several wines from one producer can be...

John McDonald
3 months ago
While shopping, keep your eyes open for Tyler Santa Rita Hills Santa Barbara County offerings. I...

Let’s look at Napa Chardonnays from high to...

John McDonald
3 months ago
Is Sherry-Lehmann in trouble? In addition to owing $2.8 million in New York taxes, it was alleged...

Chardonnay reviews by request; more to come

John McDonald
3 months ago
Please be careful when dealing with companies that claim to buy and store expensive, rare or fine...

In case you haven’t noticed, wines are becoming more...

4 months ago
I sampled Montinore Estate L’Orange Pinot Gris 2018 and 2020 from Willamette, Ore., certified...

It’s not too late to select fine wines for first...

John McDonald
4 months ago
Happy Mother’s Day! A bit premature, but you still have a day or two to grab a great gift for your...

Winemakers (and their products) from near and far

John McDonald
4 months ago
Most who enjoy Barolo are familiar with the highly rated DOCG Paolo Scavino (not Enrico, who also...

Follow the winemaker and discover some overlooked gems

John McDonald
4 months ago
At a recent tasting of a range of Pine Ridge Vineyards Napa origination wines, most of which were...

Thinking ahead for suitable Mother’s Day wines

John McDonald
4 months ago
Mother's Day is approaching. Here are some food-friendly Chardonnays that won’t break the bank and...

Cabernet Sauvignons offer great value across range...

John McDonald
5 months ago
Favorably priced Cabs, anyone? The 2019 new-release Cabernet Sauvignon from 1881 Napa rivals the...

Easter dinner wine selections still offer many options

John McDonald
5 months ago
Happy Easter! Here are some Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon recommendations for last-minute...

Inexpensive, well-rated wine selections

John McDonald
5 months ago
Wine sales are continuing. If news of expected flooding when the Siera snowpack melts is accurate,...

A sampling of summer reds still showing good value

John McDonald
5 months ago
I am happy to report, sales are still on. Case buyers should be thinking summer BBQ reds. Louis...

Corned beef and wine? Yes, there are some good...

John McDonald
6 months ago
Sorry, I forgot to prompt you folks to buy colcannon ingredients, tatties, neeps and corned beef...

Early wine sales will soon be done; stock up now

John McDonald
6 months ago
The sales are still on. Here are more wines for the lamb, brisket, roasted beef and roast chicken...

Chile offers many affordable kosher Cabernet wines

John McDonald
6 months ago
I received several nice emails about last week’s column – thank you! Sam L. asked me to review...

Start shopping now to get primo Passover wines

John McDonald
6 months ago
Due to several requests from last year, I’m posting my Passover wine recommendations sooner. Most...

Find deals on Cabernet Sauvignon now; grilling time...

John McDonald
7 months ago
While sales are still running, let’s check out some Cabernet Sauvignons that will please your purse...

Pinot Noir wines include drink-nows and keepers

John McDonald
7 months ago
Have you been shopping, looking for the abundant great deals this season brings? Regular readers,...

For Easter and Passover, find red wines to go with lamb

John McDonald
7 months ago
Repeating last week's recommendation, there are many 10-20% discounts available for those who can...

You don’t have to pay a lot for superior Chardonnay

John McDonald
7 months ago
This week we’re looking into good QPR, top-quality Chardonnay. I don’t write much about Chardonnay...

SCOTUS backs off, so wine shipping rules are still...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Unfortunately for consumers, on Jan. 9, SCOTUS declined to hear a case that would affirm Granholm v...

Check out post-holiday wine sales before Valentine’s...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Heads up! With holiday season ending and Valentine’s Day five weeks off, it is time to lay in some...

Top-flight, affordable Cabernet Sauvignons are out...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Let’s get 2023 off to a great start with some delicious, top-rated, fairly priced, inexpensive...

A variety of wine choices to start your new year

John McDonald
8 months ago
Happy New Year! Wishing all of you the best in 2023: good health, success in your endeavors,...

Don’t pay big for celebrity wines; stick with the...

John McDonald
8 months ago
It is likely that by the time you get around to reading this, your holidays will have wound down...

Tasty toasters for celebrating plus some robust reds

John McDonald
9 months ago
I had the good fortune to sample some Billecart-Salmon Champagnes. Their top-line Cuvee Louis...

Fine wines for the holidays that won’t break the bank

John McDonald
9 months ago
Due to a happy calendar coincidence, Chanukah and Christmas occur during the same week. Other than...

Keep your wine shop pals happy this season with gift...

John McDonald
9 months ago
For those readers planning on parties, dinners, gifts for recipients who seem to have everything,...

Top-rated Red Burgundy wines can be found at...

John McDonald
9 months ago
Did all enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving holiday? I’m compiling my column on Sunday in an effort to help...

Give thanks for so many excellent wine choices

John McDonald
10 months ago
Best wishes to all for a wonderful Thanksgiving. Even with all the folderol and brouhaha, most of...

Sparklers to suit every taste and pocketbook

John McDonald
10 months ago
I took the 95-point Jeb Dunnock reminder for Lewelling Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley...

Buy special-occasion bubbly now before holiday price...

John McDonald
10 months ago
Serving the ravenous horde? Think case buying now. Typically, prices escalate as holidays approach...

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

John McDonald
10 months 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
10 months 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
11 months 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
11 months 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
11 months 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
11 months 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
1 year 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
1 year ago
Just had the opportunity to sample a few selections from Aperture Cellars, a relatively new...

California wine dreamin’ as autumn arrives

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