The first time I saw a wine labeled as “vegan” I laughed out loud. I thought it was a marketing ploy. I mean, it's just fermented grape juice, right? Those of you who follow The Chopping Blog or come ...
As baseball season is coming to a close, basketball, football, and hockey are getting started, but the only season I really care about is the growing season and it has been a rough one. Back in ...
Wine pro’s were caught short by American’s Rose rage but regarding the recent popularity of red blends, sommeliers and merchants are saying, “What took you so long?” Not long ago, as a retailer, I ...
In food, in wine and in the enjoyment thereof, no country rivals Italy. Prosecco, Italy’s fabulous fizz, is the rising star in the world’s sparkling wine scene. Pinot Grigio is America’s 2nd ...
Imagine a grape. Seriously. Do it. We all know what a grape looks like, just picture one hanging on the vine. Now, tell me about it. Is the skin dark or light? How ripe is it? Is the vine row on a ...
Congratulations Chicagolanders! In May, our town was named “Best Restaurant City” in America by Conde-Nast Traveler. Now, hot off the presses, Chicago is ranked “Restaurant City of the Year” by Bon ...
A few nights ago, I was talking with a very knowledgeable couple about wine when they asked me, “What is Bordeaux?” Their question caught me off guard. I took it for granted that if they could have a ...
Since getting into wine, one of my favorite experiments is to list all the factors I can think of from grape to glass that can influence a wine's flavor. Generally, I can't make it past soil before ...
Thanks to The Chopping Block's guests and team members for welcoming me as one of your new Sommeliers! Folks ask me all the time, “What does a Sommelier do: sit around and taste delicious wine all ...
