Lee Campbell has been a major figure in New York’s natural wine world for over two decades. Known for her vibrant personality and dedication to natural wines, Campbell has worked with top shops, importers, and restaurants. Her most significant contributions include spearheading early natural wine programs at Andrew Tarlow’s restaurants and launching New York’s first … Read more
While Rioja is traditionally associated with red wines made from the Tempranillo grape, the region has a long history of producing white wines. Before the phylloxera outbreak in the late 19th century, white grape plantings were more prominent than red, though this shifted over time. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest … Read more
A DUI checkpoint in Napa Valley recently triggered widespread fear among the region’s immigrant community after rumors incorrectly identified it as an ICE operation. This panic comes on the heels of a U.S. Border Patrol raid in Kern County that led to the arrest of 78 undocumented farmworkers. Advocates report heightened anxiety among immigrants, with … Read more
Recently, wine’s potential dangers have been a topic of debate, especially with several studies gaining attention. Many have questioned whether alcohol, particularly wine, should be viewed as harmful. This has prompted reactions from winemakers, wine lovers, and health professionals alike. While the conversation continues, there’s an increasing sense that wine is unfairly targeted as the … Read more
Large-format wine bottles are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, from exclusive clubs to supermarkets. Members of upmarket London wine clubs, such as 67 Pall Mall and Oswald’s, celebrate the festive season with impressive large bottles, ranging from imperial bottles of Château d’Yquem 1996 to 18-litre melchiors. The appeal of large bottles is growing, and even supermarkets … Read more
Sipha Lam’s Wilder Wines is moving to 210 College Street in Burlington, expanding its operations. The new location will feature both a wine shop and a wine bar, offering customers a larger space and a broader selection of wines. The move follows years of Lam’s desire to add a wine bar to her business. The … Read more
The Lompoc City Council recently voted on joining a Santa Barbara County wine-focused district. Despite a 2-1 majority vote in favor, three votes were required for approval. The proposal would have added a 1% levy to sales at local wine-tasting facilities to fund promotional efforts for the area. However, the city ultimately did not join … Read more
New York is among ten states that prohibit selling wine in grocery stores, a restriction dating back to Prohibition. A 2023 Siena College poll reveals strong public support, with 75% of New York voters favoring the idea, up from 58% in 2010. The growing momentum has prompted lawmakers to reintroduce bills permitting grocery stores to … Read more
Winemaker Maxime Chapoutier’s innovative wines have sparked debates about tradition and globalization in winemaking. These two wines, a red and a white, blend French and Australian base wines, which are illegal under EU laws prohibiting cross-border grape combinations. France’s strict adherence to “terroir” – the environmental factors influencing wine – clashes with Chapoutier’s modern approach. … Read more
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, held annually by the Cloverdale Citrus Fair, tasked judges with evaluating a vast array of wines from North America. Among over 5,500 entries, the author’s first assignment was to judge 26 nonalcoholic wines, a challenging prospect given the unrefined state of this wine category. Evaluating such wines added complexity … Read more