Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Find Cali Cabs at reasonable cost here

John McDonald
5 days ago
Thank you to all who read my columns, especially those who take the time to write letters to the...

Advice to wine writers: Abandon all hype

John McDonald
1 week ago
Editor's note: This article was written by Oliver Styles for Wine-Searcher, where it was first...

Wine critics should explain more, gush less

John McDonald
2 weeks ago
Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part series about wine writers. The next installment will...

Many red Burgundies are made of the varietal grape

John McDonald
3 weeks ago
Can you spell police state? Should I move to North Korea or Cuba? Solace in a glass is my only out...

Look for good values on reds for Father’s Day

John McDonald
1 month ago
Happy Father's Day! If your dad, pop, granddaddy, grampa or gramps enjoys steaks on the barbecue...

Be ready with compatible wines when seafood is at peak

John McDonald
1 month ago
Criticizing the wine critics by Oliver Styles made me chuckle. To get a sense of it, he writes of...

Wine prices can go from cellar to clouds just on hype

John McDonald
1 month ago
Resellers who bought Chateau Troplong Mondot 2005 (100 points Parker) on my recommendation in 2013...

A little history and some worthy new finds

John McDonald
1 month ago
A recent update claims that there are only 11 states where shipping of alcohol from California is...

Make a splash with well-reviewed Sauvignon Blancs

John McDonald
2 months ago
This may be fake news, but I just heard at a rally in Michigan that both our senators and our...

Summertime brings easy-sipping wines to go with food...

John McDonald
2 months ago
If you are feeling charitable and enjoy Rita's Italian Ice, visit their new store opening Friday,...

WInemaker’s touch is key to well-made products

John McDonald
2 months ago
I was sent a very nice note from Patsy McGaughy at napavintners.com regarding last week’s mention...

Listen for news from wineries affected by 2017...

John McDonald
2 months ago
Kaiken Malbec Reserva from the Apalta region of the Colchagua Valley in Argentina is definitely...

Have some fun trying wines to pair with chocolate

John McDonald
2 months ago
I was looking for wines to go with chocolate for Jimmy. Although I located several, I was...

Too much great wine around to waste time on inferior...

John McDonald
3 months ago
Cabernet Sauvignoneurs who don't wish to pay big bucks for wonderful wine and who have a wine...

Wines reviewed last year score well in international...

John McDonald
3 months ago
Starting this week with some Berger's International Wine Competition 2017 results. When you look...

Coming down the home stretch for Easter wines

John McDonald
3 months ago
Before the last wine for Easter recommendations, let me suggest Stonestreet Alexander Mountain...

Think regional when pairing wine with ham

John McDonald
3 months ago
Still time for Easter lamb and ham wine. For those with a perverse sense of humor, I think I'll...

Making good wine is a little like brewing tea

John McDonald
4 months ago
As promised, this week's column will be about wine that fits Easter menus. The wines being reviewed...

Passover wines feedback leads to more research

John McDonald
4 months ago
Wine for Passover notes prompted more mail than most recent columns. Thank you all for reading and...

More Passover wines plus a note on reviews

John McDonald
4 months ago
Received a nice email from Gail asking where she could find the wines for Passover recommended last...

Good wine choices for Passover and other special...

John McDonald
4 months ago
Special note to those who enjoy mevushal wines at Passover. Sometimes they are difficult to locate...

California wine prices may rise despite bumper crops

John McDonald
5 months ago
I hope all enjoyed a wonderful Valentine's Day. Julie wrote, "Hey John, what is carbonic maceration...

Consider a Rosé for Valentine’s Day

John McDonald
5 months ago
It’s traditional to start with sparkling wine in some households. Let’s kick off this week with two...

Wines that don’t need aging are best for novice tasters

John McDonald
5 months ago
I hope all are in good health. The flu bug has ravaged our area. Unfortunately, according to the...

One rater’s rationale and a couple of special picks

John McDonald
5 months ago
Last week, Jean McAboy sent me a note: "Hi John, please clarify your ratings, they sometimes...

Many top-rated wines come with reasonable price tags

John McDonald
5 months ago
Just got a new computer and screen. I'm thankful Maggie was at home to set them up for me, thereby...

Chase away the chill with some savory wines

John McDonald
6 months ago
Don't forget the 27th Annual Polar Bear Plunge on Super Bowl weekend, Sunday, Feb. 4. This is...

Do research, then invest in 2013 California Cabs

John McDonald
6 months ago
Best wishes to one and all for a wonderful 2018. Even in the face of turmoil worldwide, I am an...

Prosecco can be a great New Year’s Eve sparkler

John McDonald
6 months ago
After Friday's paper came out, I received several emails requesting information about Prosecco for...

Last-minute gift ideas for your wine-loving friends

John McDonald
6 months ago
Shopping time is short. With New Year's Eve fast approaching, locate some bubbly for last-minute...

Chateauneuf du Pape: Be sure to read labels carefully

John McDonald
7 months ago
Here are some Chanukah facts of which few are aware. Initially the Menorah (a candelabra with eight...

Wines to cheer up your Chanukah celebration

John McDonald
7 months ago
Last year I missed on my friends who celebrate Chanukah. This year I did some research, and...

Explore good red wines at various price levels

John McDonald
7 months ago
Here’s the first Christmas gift from me to you. Winesearcher.com has just come out with a special...

Stay thankful with just enough wine, not too much

John McDonald
7 months ago
I'm writing looking forward toward this weekend. In most years, Thanksgiving is a very happy...

For a few dollars more, get a better Beaujolais

8 months ago
Nouveau Beaujolais 2017 officially hit our shores Thursday, Nov. 16. Unless you ordered ahead, or...

Read wine reviews carefully for best results

John McDonald
8 months ago
Like Fredo in The Godfather, it broke my heart to pull cork on a 2014 Don Melchor. One downside to...

Champagne can be a food wine, too

John McDonald
8 months ago
I received a nice email from David Koretz, CEO of Plum Wine, in response to my recent column. He...

High-dollar wine storage systems are expensive toys;...

John McDonald
8 months ago
Some good news out of California. Jim Caudill, communications director of Treasury Wine Estates,...

Support fire-damaged California producers by buying...

John McDonald
8 months ago
The fires in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties have been in the news. As of Tuesday, Oct...

Winemakers who understand food are worth following

John McDonald
9 months ago
OK, so the entire internet has been cracked open by hackers and governmental agencies. At the same...

Look at quality/price ratios for 2015 California wines

John McDonald
9 months ago
One of those anomalies for which I ask you folks to hold your fire is in the works. The Walter...

Weather has wide-ranging effects on wine production

John McDonald
9 months ago
This is a housekeeping week, so let's lead with a recommendation. Chateau Hyot Cotes de Bordeaux...

Oregon becoming a leader for serious Pinot Noirs

John McDonald
9 months ago
This week kicks off with a truly wonderful bargain. No. 46 on WS top 100 in 2016, the 2014 Dao Sul...

Chardonnays to suit all palates and pocketbooks

John McDonald
10 months ago
Big surprise today. I'm devoting the space to Chardonnay. I just sampled a nice little Chilean...

Take advantage of end-of-summer Rosé sales

John McDonald
10 months ago
Those with storage and a few extra bucks lying around can shop smartly during the next few weeks...

White Rhone wine: hidden gems at bargain prices

John McDonald
10 months ago
I found it difficult to focus on writing this week's column with the tragedy in the Gulf all over...

Plan ahead and buy that bubbly now

John McDonald
10 months ago
Now is the time to lay in a supply of your favorite sparkler for the holidays. This is the nadir of...

Good wine can be easy to find and affordable

John McDonald
11 months ago
Let's start with some inexpensive but easily accessible wine. Wente Vineyards Morning Fog...

Superior Sauternes is all about balance

John McDonald
11 months ago
Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2009 is ripe for the picking. I realize I flog Guiraud whenever it has a...

Plenty of good news on 2010 Bordeaux wines

John McDonald
11 months ago
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Alto Adige 2015 makes a very nice summer swiller with a fair price...