Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Q&A covers winning wines, tariffs, and a good gadget

John McDonald
4 days ago
Let’s have a Q & A today. Josephine asked about No. 3 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, San...

A world of wine news to catch up on

John McDonald
1 week ago
What a glorious Easter Sunday; 12 of the family members were outdoors for a kiddy Easter egg hunt...

Wines to accompany lamb, plus a look at spiritual...

John McDonald
2 weeks ago
Although many are aware of the inspiration for Passover, the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt,...

Spring holidays are here; shop local for special wines

John McDonald
3 weeks ago
With Passover and Easter rapidly approaching and time running out, I decided to write about several...

Visit award-winning Virginia wineries, or stay near...

John McDonald
1 month ago
Hot off the press, news from a friend at the Virginia Wine Board. The 2021 Virginia Governor’s Cup...

Food-friendly wines can be fun and fine

John McDonald
1 month ago
Domaine Paul Mas Cremant de Limoux Brut Rosé, from Languedoc, Roussillon, France, is a beautiful...

Take a look at outstanding wines from both coasts

John McDonald
1 month ago
How about a Stags’ Leap Winery duo to lead this week? I sampled their new release Napa Viognier...

Some special-occasion picks and catchy names on review

John McDonald
1 month ago
Happy days for McDs. Our first granddaughter, Palmer, was born Sunday. All is good! We celebrated...

Thinking ahead about wines for Passover, Easter dinners

John McDonald
2 months ago
2020-21 is now officially the coldest winter in 26 years. The polar vortex, formerly known as the...

Have your Valentine’s Day wines ready to go

John McDonald
2 months ago
Did you receive the COVID-19 notice from DE Public Health? What a disappointing note. So far, of...

A sampling of Ports to cozy up with by the fire

John McDonald
2 months ago
Sad news – SCOTUS refused certiorari on Lebamoff v. Whitmer. In plain language, they chickened out...

Be very careful of the hype around top rated Vintage...

2 months ago
RIP Henry Aaron. Mr. Aaron was a champion for human rights, a generous donator, and from all...

Many happy returns: Spaced-out wines, collector’s...

John McDonald
2 months ago
Due to a plethora of breaking news for winos, Port will keep aging until next week. Twelve bottles...

Port wine is a versatile style to explore in the new...

John McDonald
3 months ago
This week is about Port – but don’t turn the page. Unfortunately, too many read or hear Port and...

Visitdelaware.com offers guide to Delaware drinkables

John McDonald
3 months ago
Dear elected officials: If you continue killing our business community, who will support the...

Start your new year with some side-by-side tastings

John McDonald
3 months ago
2021 at last. Bright-eyed optimists have provided reams and terabits of statements that the new...

New Year’s resolutions can include smart planning...

John McDonald
3 months ago
Happy New Year! I may be a bit premature, but I’m completely over 2020. How about you? I saved this...

Perfect choices to share with your favorite wine pals

John McDonald
4 months ago
Christmas comes but once a year. When it does, I’m glad it’s here. This year, in an effort to buoy...

Search out limited editions and reserve selections...

John McDonald
4 months ago
The clock is ticking, so here are some examples of wines available in our local stores which can...

Check out second-tier wines when hype boosts first...

John McDonald
4 months ago
Let’s start with some housekeeping news. This W. Blake Gray article on interstate shipping of booze...

Wines can provide many gift-giving ideas

John McDonald
4 months ago
To forestall scheduling conflicts, McD family Thanksgiving is on Friday this year; I sampled...

Kosher wines reach across holiday lines

John McDonald
5 months ago
Those looking for an under-$12, low-alcohol (5.5%) sparkler which enhances desserts may wish to...

Chenin Blancs are underrated holiday wines

John McDonald
5 months ago
Congratulations to all the winners. A huge turnout, well handled by those who worked in the process...

More West Coast wines to sample plus an update on...

John McDonald
5 months ago
Although I am as anxious as most concerning the election results, I’m writing this column on...

Experts recommend Sherry with leftover Halloween...

John McDonald
5 months ago
Please vote. I’m hoping for decisive results so we aren’t forced to go through another Bush/Gore...

Fall brings a shift to red wine explorations

John McDonald
5 months ago
Crisp, cool days and nights signal a change in wine reviews. I’m not banishing rosé and whites,...

Thinking ahead to holiday sparklers – why not sample...

John McDonald
6 months ago
The holiday season is rapidly approaching, so let’s start looking at affordable sparklers. I’m...

Dicey outlook for 2020 West Coast wines, but don’t...

John McDonald
6 months ago
This week it’s a mixed bag. Joel wrote, “Do you have a list of the most expensive wines?” I didn’t...

Pinot Noirs are food-friendly for Thanksgiving and...

John McDonald
6 months ago
This week will be about affordable Pinot Noir. Smart planners will remember that many PNs are fine...

Search out Syrah from Washington state for good variety

John McDonald
6 months ago
RIP, RBG. As an originalist, I was not a fan of several of Justice Ginsburg’s decisions on the...

More West Coast whites to sample; fire-ravaged...

John McDonald
7 months ago
I won’t dwell on the West Coast other than to type that an area slightly bigger than the entire...

Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, or by any other name, this...

John McDonald
7 months ago
California is still roaring, with up to 24 separate sites ablaze. Recently, a terrible heat wave...

I’m sampling Sauvignon Blancs - hey, somebody’s...

John McDonald
7 months ago
Before finishing with some upper-scale Sauvignon Blanc, let me recommend Angeline SB Reserve RRV...

Plan ahead for wine buying before fires affect...

John McDonald
7 months ago
The good news keeps on coming. To provide some idea of the scope of the California fires, which was...

Sometimes the family stories are as delightful as...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Let’s look at Cabs that are top quality and very affordable. Not easy but entirely possible. When...

Walter Hansel wines are consistently well rated

John McDonald
8 months ago
Walter Hansel North Slope RRV Pinot Noir 2017 is a good value around $45, 92 McD points. Hansel...

Exposure to several different varietal selections...

John McDonald
8 months ago
I’ve received several emails concerning the spate of mixed case wine offerings that seem to be...

What’s in a name? Check your wine labels carefully

John McDonald
8 months ago
I had the opportunity to sample the new-release Stags’ Leap Winery selections. Be very careful with...

Mondavi new releases are worth looking for now

John McDonald
8 months ago
Just finished reading an article which highlighted one reason I so enjoy reading Jancis Robinson,...

Try some Italians for summer food pairing

John McDonald
9 months ago
How many celebrated July 14th? Your faithful wine guy forgot a tickler last week, and July 14,...

Summer sangria can pop with local fruit flavors

John McDonald
9 months ago
Hazy lazy, no doubt. For those who are spending more time at home, here’s a brief tutorial on wine...

Virginia Governor’s Cup winners include a few surprises

John McDonald
9 months ago
Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough. More Virginia Governor’s Cup winners. Barboursville...

Virginia is for wine lovers, according to the experts

John McDonald
9 months ago
Thanks to the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office, I was introduced to a case of Virginia wines...

Look around for novel approaches to familiar wines

John McDonald
10 months ago
How about an upbeat open this week? Grant Long Jr. opted for a lighter look to help the paper over...

Quick reads on a variety of worthy wines

John McDonald
10 months ago
According to the Johns Hopkins website, there has been a general resurgence of COVID-19 in the...

Different oaks for different folks - it’s all good

John McDonald
10 months ago
Writing about wine this week seems trivial. I started today’s column with my thoughts on current...

Some vineyards offer several worthy wines to sample

John McDonald
10 months ago
Jamie wrote to ask about The Eyrie Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, her question...

Try some groovy German wine for a change of taste

John McDonald
10 months ago
Memorial Day is for remembering those who died in service to our country. I hope all will pause on...

Grilling season calls for hearty wines

John McDonald
11 months ago
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then...

There are many Mother’s Day wine winners

John McDonald
11 months ago
Happy Mother’s Day! As the Germans say,” De mutter ist immer dar bie.” Hopefully this reminder will...

New Sonoma releases show fires didn’t ruin 2017 vintage

John McDonald
11 months ago
So far, those sending email are weathering this storm. Hopefully all are well and you are...

Fairly priced, friendly wines can ease stressful times

John McDonald
11 months ago
I hope some took advantage of the Stags’ Leap virtual tasting I recommended last week. They did a...

Everything is going virtual, even wine tastings!

John McDonald
1 year ago
Welcome back. I hope your holidays were blessed. I’m curious to learn how many actually were able...

Let’s offer a toast to spring holidays and warmer...

John McDonald
1 year ago
I’m delighted you can join me this week. Best wishes for a thoughtful and introspective Passover...

Travel restrictions trigger surge in wine pickup...

John McDonald
1 year ago
There has been a spate of great articles on how shops can get wine to customers safely during...

Malbec from Argentina garners good reviews

John McDonald
1 year ago
I hope all are still safe and well. The last paragraphs today will include COVID-19 information...

Be ready for Easter, Passover with the right wines

John McDonald
1 year ago
Observant soldiers usually were alert to an impending large-scale “surprise” operation. The markets...

Yes, you can find vegan wines if you look for them

John McDonald
1 year ago
I hope all who went shopping for staples, water and canned goods remembered to stock up on wine as...

Notes on wine tariffs, blends from Argentina

John McDonald
1 year ago
Big props to Cape! Cape High wrestlers handily won the most team points at last weekend’s State...

How wines are aged can make a real difference in taste

John McDonald
1 year ago
If you know any high school female student-athlete wrestlers, please inform them there are quite a...