Author - The Durango Herald

Montalcino: An alternative to Chianti

It’s all too easy for lovers of Chianti to stick with what they know. Chianti and its big brother Chianti Classico can be wonderful wines, but there are alternatives similar in pr...

DATE: Feb 27, 2019 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

Pairing wine for the perfect winter feast

’Tis the season for family, friends and feasts. For those having turkey, please reference my Every celebration is best kicked off with an amuse-bouche – a bite sized hors d’oeuvres – along...

DATE: Dec 19, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

Why the stemware holding your wine matters

Does the shape of your wine glass really make a difference? The answer ultimately depends on your objective. Sure, enjoying your wine out of a coffee mug or mason jar will still ...

DATE: Dec 5, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

What to pair with your holiday feast

The question is always asked: Which wine pairs best with turkey and the typical accompaniments of a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? The answer has evolved over the years and is ...

DATE: Nov 21, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

This holiday season, seek out an artisan Champagne

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Holiday and family gatherings always require bubbles – or sparkling wines. It’s all too easy to grab the recognizable bottle, but for th...

DATE: Nov 7, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

Take time to stop and smell the rosés

Do dusty cherries, licorice, rose petals and sandalwood with a hint of tar sound intriguing? Following last edition’s focus on palate and tasting assessment, we’ll now focus on bo...

DATE: Oct 23, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

Are you truly tasting wine to its fullest?

Most of us enjoy wine with friends, family and, occasionally, strangers. Sometimes it’s just an aperitif or cocktail; other times, it’s to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, family reunion o...

DATE: Oct 10, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

5 rules for successful wine pairing

The cliché is true: red with red, white with white. That’s the simplest way of clearing up confusion about wine pairing. While this basic advice covers virtually any meal and wine pairing, t...

DATE: Sep 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

South Africa’s wines: From 1650s to today

Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed a significant increase in quality wine from South Africa. Grapes, though, have been grown in and around Cape Town since the 1650s. The So...

DATE: Sep 11, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

The deep, red wines of Portugal

Portugal is best known for their fortified dessert wines from Oporto and their fun and spritzy Vinho Verdes. Albeit, cork production there exceeds wine production. However, over t...

DATE: Aug 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

Toro: Spain’s other red wine

For lovers of Spanish reds, the great wines of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat and Jumilla are the classic standouts. However, many have yet to discover the relatively new Denominacion de O...

DATE: Aug 14, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine

Sardinia’s wines might get you to 100

It is rumored that the longevity of the Sardinian people is due to the high concentrations of resveratrol in their wine. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in the skins of grapes, ...

DATE: Jul 16, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Grapevine