Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

A sampling of summer reds still showing good value

John McDonald
3 days 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
1 week 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
2 weeks 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
3 weeks 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
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
2 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
3 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
4 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
4 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
4 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
4 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
4 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
5 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
5 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
5 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
5 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
6 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
6 months 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
6 months ago
Just had the opportunity to sample a few selections from Aperture Cellars, a relatively new...

California wine dreamin’ as autumn arrives

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

Syrah wines and smoky grilled meats make perfect...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Syrah is a wonderful choice for the lazy, smoky days of summer. Those who are unfamiliar may grab a...

California wineries select vineyard sources for...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Let’s look at another Far Niente offering. Two from the Post & Beam Winery label. This Napa...

Even pricy wine can sometimes be a good buy

John McDonald
8 months ago
I rarely lead with pricy wine, but the 2014 Chateau Pontet-Canet Pauillac Bordeaux, $150 at Swigg...

Wine bargains are out there for careful shoppers

John McDonald
8 months ago
Daley emailed me, “What about Vina Garces Silva Sauv Blanc 2021?” I haven’t written much about the...

From classic sippers to cool trends, get some summer...

John McDonald
9 months ago
As promised, here are a few more Nik Weis Riesling selections which are very affordable, delightful...

Wines from Chile score well, offer great value

John McDonald
9 months ago
Summer and Sauvignon Blanc are a great combo. I recently had the good fortune to sample several...

Red wines are suitable for pairing with some seafood

John McDonald
9 months ago
Grill weather has readers turning to red meats and wines. Lower Slower folks are adept at seafood...

Read the fine print before buying organic/vegan wines

John McDonald
9 months ago
Let’s get the ball rolling with an under-$13 Italian sparkler from Corvezzo labeled organically...

Stags’ Leap Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for seafood...

John McDonald
10 months ago
I was mildly chastised by several people for the lugubrious admonition to please not use “happy”...

Argentina’s first certified organic, kosher wine...

John McDonald
10 months ago
Recognizing this is repetitive each year from me, please stop saying, “Happy Memorial Day.” Even...

More female winemakers being honored for their work

John McDonald
10 months ago
Let’s visit Südtirol (sood teer ole) again. Alto Adige – Südtirol is regarded among Italy's top...

Etude winery offers a range of choices for Mother’s...

John McDonald
10 months ago
Happy Mother’s Day! Etude winery was founded in 1982 by Tony Soter in Los Carneros AVA, Sonoma. The...

Not all Napa Valley wines were affected by 2020 fires

John McDonald
10 months ago
Business folks, NB. Relatively new idea – HENRY: High Earning Not Rich Yet. Symbolic consumption is...

Malbec from Argentina offers quality and affordability

John McDonald
11 months ago
Recently, there have been several requests for Malbec suggestions. Malbec has found its ideal...

Many wine choices to go with Easter/Passover meals

John McDonald
11 months ago
This weekend begins the most revered holiday in the religions founded on the Bible. Although many...

Black California winemakers deserve more attention...

John McDonald
11 months ago
Last year, I wrote a brief piece on Black California winemakers and the paucity of material written...

It’s time to think about Easter season wines

John McDonald
11 months ago
In 2019, I reviewed Domaine Paul Mas wines, most of which were the 2017s, in preparation for the...

Time in storage often melds wines into winners

John McDonald
1 year ago
Finally got around to a bottle of Roederer Estate L’Ermitage 2015 from Anderson Valley, Calif. that...

Some big-box store wine is worth a look; trust your...

John McDonald
1 year ago
Lawrence asked about Kirkland Wines, Costco’s proprietary label. I rarely review wine that can’t be...

Use wine ratings, research and personal taste for...

John McDonald
1 year ago
A recent note from Robb asked what was McD and which scoring system I use. My primary reason for...

Foray into Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile brings rewards

John McDonald
1 year ago
I recently sampled six Chilean Cabs, five of which were great-value buys under $25 and findable in...

Look for wineries that provide value across their...

John McDonald
1 year ago
Kim Crawford has been a New Zealand bellwether winemaker for years. He sold Kim Crawford Wines to...

Find a wine you enjoy? Try a different style from...

John McDonald
1 year ago
Congratulations to Total Wine & More on Naamans Road in Claymont for winning a Winesearcher...

Some favorite red wines to go with those long...

John McDonald
1 year ago
As Anna sang, “Hello, young lovers, whoever you are. I hope your troubles are few.” Valentine’s Day...

A pause for some Port wards off winter chills

John McDonald
1 year ago
Before reading today’s column, check out a synopsis of Biden admin 461-page guidebook to help...