Wine

Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.

Chardonnay selections cover a wide range of styles

John McDonald
6 days ago
I wrote this on the MLK birthday celebration. His birthday was actually Jan. 15, 1929. It is a sad...

Bypass cheap, consistent wines; splurge a bit on new...

John McDonald
1 week ago
Due to a plethora of food shortage articles and reports, and the media bleat of overflowing...

Excellent wines at fair prices treat your palate and...

John McDonald
2 weeks ago
Jingle bells, Jingle bells, typing in the snow. Who’da thunk we’d be watching the flakes swirl...

Here’s to a sparkling start for the new year!

John McDonald
3 weeks ago
Best wishes to all for a wonderful 2022. Blank out all the negativity that is current, and savor...

Rosé sparklers are perfect for festive holiday...

John McDonald
1 month ago
Merry Christmas to all! Under current conditions, that was tough to type until I considered the...

I knew Lewes was a famous port town, but real Port...

John McDonald
1 month ago
Did a little walkabout looking for Port in Lewes, on Route 1, in Rehoboth and in Bethany. The...

There’s still time to find the right gift wine for...

John McDonald
1 month ago
Following are a few last-minute, locally findable selections for the upcoming Christmas holiday...

The 2018 Napa Cabs are terrific

John McDonald
1 month ago
Happy Hanukkah 5782! I hope you tried some of the wine recommended. Love to read any critiques. The...

Time to consider holiday sparklers – and the WS Top...

John McDonald
2 months ago
Well, Thanksgiving is down to a turkey sandwich, and it’s time to lay in some Christmas supplies...

So much wine knowledge is easily available online!

John McDonald
2 months ago
This February 2020 article from Vinography, a wine blog, lists nearly all the outstanding 2018 Napa...

Lots of Thanksgiving wine pairings, even for the...

John McDonald
2 months ago
Thanksgiving dinner, whether turkey and its trimmings, ham, a large stuffed rockfish or perhaps a...

Napa Cabs looking great, but Sonoma may offer better...

John McDonald
2 months ago
As expected, Sea Witch was done very well in Rehoboth. Thank you to all who worked so hard to...

 2016 was a terrific year in Tuscany for some

2 months ago
I’ve examined several wines this week, so let’s jump right in. Black Stallion Napa Cab, produced at...

Merlot wines are approachable and food-friendly

John McDonald
3 months ago
Here’s a twofer. A California Merlot, Gnarly Head 2019, scored 90 points McD and costs under $11...

So-called orange wine is a new trend but an old style

John McDonald
3 months ago
I’ve been on COVID restriction the past 14 days. It appears my two vaccine shots worked well enough...

Pinot Noir examined from a value standpoint

John McDonald
3 months ago
I had this week’s column in the can when Wine-searcher crossed my screen with this headline: The...

Our mission - to find value that fits with personal...

John McDonald
4 months ago
As moderate temps return, my wine selections turn to reds and big whites. In August, Sam emailed me...

Spanish wines offer choices for every palate

John McDonald
4 months ago
I enjoy the fall. How about you? After last week’s column appeared, I received a brief note from...

Wines from Sicily go well with all sorts of food

John McDonald
4 months ago
How many remember Lamoresca? In last week’s mail, Sophie asked why I haven’t reviewed any wines...

Sparkling wine from Franciacorta offers options from...

John McDonald
4 months ago
Monday, in addition to being Labor Day, begins Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It occurred to...

New-release wines from Ancient Peaks offer good...

John McDonald
5 months ago
I was provided a selection of three Ancient Peaks new-release wines from Margarita Ranch Vineyards...

When buying California Pinot Noirs keep 2019 weather...

John McDonald
5 months ago
Have you heard of bioreactors? Among other applications, these produce real meat from animal cells...

Transport delays plus summer heat may add up to...

John McDonald
5 months ago
Fires, drought, and too much rain are wreaking havoc in the world’s wine regions. Please say...

Shout ‘hurrah’ for a deeper dive into Syrah

John McDonald
5 months ago
The response on last week’s Syrah article was quick and above normal. The gist was, what about...

Syrah: Tis the season for grilled meats and veggies

John McDonald
5 months ago
“What am I tasting” is a fun, blind tasting game from Wine Spectator that doesn’t require actually...

Affordable New Mexico rosé sparkler gets high marks

John McDonald
6 months ago
Try to read the recent wine news from Mexico’s El Financiero, an economic publication, discussing...

The Prisoner breaks out new upscale label - Unshackled

John McDonald
6 months ago
Pour yourselves a glass of 40-degree F Unshackled Rosé from The Prisoner: Citrus, melon and...

It’s the season for sparklers, so let’s talk Prosecco

John McDonald
6 months ago
Daughter Marguerite’s wedding went off swimmingly. A good thing, because the temperature was in the...

Try some new beers for July Fourth; just don’t mix...

John McDonald
6 months ago
Happy Independence Day! Just got a huge laugh. Spelled Independence with an a, and spell check’s...

Pairing wines with barbecue-season faves? Yes, it...

John McDonald
7 months ago
Let’s take a look at a few selections this week for the summer grilling season and the upcoming...

Why bother reviewing bad wine?

John McDonald
7 months ago
The current state of affairs reminds of one of my fav quotes from George Orwell’s “1984” – “Every...

Weather says it’s time for Pinot Grigio porch sippers

John McDonald
7 months ago
Is it my imagination or is Memorial Day weekend frequently gloomy, rainy and sandwiched between two...

Wine storage basics deserve another look

John McDonald
7 months ago
A new reader asked about storing wine. That is an involved story, as longtimers know. It is also an...

Prices may be rising on European wines; buy now if...

John McDonald
7 months ago
On Monday, we’ll be observing Memorial Day. Since this weekend is the kickoff for the summer season...

Screaming Eagle has struck again in price

John McDonald
8 months ago
Regulars are well aware I enjoy reading Oliver Styles’ work. Ironically, it was an article,...

Mother’s Day jaunt reveals hidden-gem winery nearby

John McDonald
8 months ago
2021 Mother’s Day was a wonderful success at Chez McD. Marguerite, our daughter, planned a lovely...

Celebrate all moms and look forward to summer wines

John McDonald
8 months ago
Don’t forget Mother’s Day this Sunday. This past week, I was reflecting on my mom and grandmothers...

Avoid overhyped wines with overinflated prices

John McDonald
8 months ago
A recent solicitation for Chateauneuf du Pape and a variety of other well-known Cotes du Rhone...

Experienced winemakers are worth following

John McDonald
9 months ago
I had the opportunity to sample several South African wines from Sadie Family Wines, one of...

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

John McDonald
9 months 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
9 months 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
9 months 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
10 months 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
10 months 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
10 months 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
10 months 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
11 months 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
11 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
11 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
11 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...

11 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year 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
1 year ago
To forestall scheduling conflicts, McD family Thanksgiving is on Friday this year; I sampled...