Tasting Room
FROM THE MARCH, 2012 ISSUE
In Praise of Powerful Cabernet
It’s fashionable to bash potent red wines as ungainly and impossible to pair with food, but F&W’s Ray Isle argues that even a big wine like Cabernet can be versatile when it’s well-balanced.
READ ARTICLE
February, 2012
Top Oregon Wines
Americans are crazy for Oregon reds, but its overshadowed whites are amazing, too. F&W’s Ray Isle names the Oregon wines he adores in every color, from wineries that share a love for doing good.
December, 2011
How to Be a Holiday Wine Know-It-All
In his annual holiday wine guide, F&W's Ray Isle talks deals and discounts and recommends wine matches for every kind of meat.
November, 2011
Wine Lover's Guide to Party Planning
A one-stop-shopping guide to the best buys in wine, food and style at big-box stores and megashops like Target and Trader Joe's.
October, 2011
Things You Need to Know About French Wine
An expert breaks down the seven top French wine regions.
August, 2011
Value Summer Wine
F&W's Ray Isle names summer's most chillable reds, whites and rosés, all with bright acidity and not a lot of alcohol (under 12.5 percent). Plus, his favorite wine cocktails to make in a pitcher and a no-holds-barred light-beer smack down.
July, 2011
Versatile Wines That Pair with (Almost) Anything
F&W's Ray Isle canvasses restaurant wine pros to find the most versatile wines—bottles that also work with all kinds of meals at home.
May, 2011
Island Wine and Escapes
Home to twisty vines growing under brilliant blue skies, the islands here produce stellar wines and travel fantasies.
April, 2011
Expensive Wine for the Wealthy and Wannabe
F&W's Ray Isle explores the world of shockingly expensive wines and suggests some (relatively) affordable alternatives.
March, 2011
My Week of Healthy Wine Drinking
Seeking healthy wine options, F&W's Ray Isle looks for organic lingo on wine labels, considers the benefits of resveratrol, counts calories and ponders the phenomenon of the red wine headache.
February, 2011
America's Best and Most Accessible Value Wines
F&W's Ray Isle makes it easy to find a wonderful bottle no matter where you are—even if it's a so-so wine shop or a chain restaurant.
December, 2010
Holiday Wine Hotline: Wine Bags & More
Every December, F&W editors get urgent phone calls from friends and relatives in need of wine-buying advice. But the truth is, we have our own wine dilemmas to deal with! Let them be a lesson to you.
November, 2010
Thanksgiving Wines: Syrah
Syrah produces some of the greatest red wines in the world, and many of the greatest values, too. And its peppery flavor goes perfectly with all kinds of Thanksgiving dishes.
September, 2010
Beers & Bourbons
History informs many of the new bottlings coming out of the South. F&W's Ray Isle tries a bourbon just launched by a 150-year-old distillery, an old-style beer made with spruce needles and more.
August, 2010
Secret White-Wine Superstars
The white-wine universe is full of surprises—great bottles from regions known for reds, complex Pinot Noirs without a trace of color and more. F&W's Ray Isle tells all.
June, 2010
South Africa Wines: Why to Buy
The planet's top soccer players are convening in South Africa this month for the World Cup. To join them (in his own way), F&W's Ray Isle shares some South African wine wisdom.
May, 2010
Best New Wine Deals
The weak economy has created a buyer's market for wine. F&W's Ray Isle reveals the top new U.S. value labels, QVC-style wine websites and bargain sources for old vintages.
April, 2010
Perfect Wines for Any Meal
F&W's Ray Isle solves every pairing dilemma with his guide to the most versatile wines and the best dining spots for the pairing obsessed, plus 20 matches to try before you die.
March, 2010
10 Refined Australian Wines
Australia is known for juicy, full-bodied, super-luscious Shirazes. But as F&W's Ray Isle reports, a new wave of cool-climate reds and whites has been changing that perception.
February, 2010
Uncorked Wines that Last
Many wines begin to fade as soon as they're opened, but some remain fresh-tasting for days. Here, F&W's Ray Isle names the most durable bottles and shares storage tips.
January, 2010
Find Your Wine Personality
Ray Isle holds a blind tasting for four fellow editors—and finds four distinct wine personalities.
November, 2009
Holiday Wine Game Plan
Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to drink wine—in the dining room or (for football fans) by the TV. F&W’s Ray Isle tells what to buy.
October, 2009
50 Wine Classics You Must Try
Ray Isle devises a 50-bottle introduction to the world's great wines.
September, 2009
California Top Wines for $15 and Less
I tasted dozens of value-priced whites, rosés and reds, and these emerged as the standouts.
August, 2009
Light Wines for Hot Days
The best bottles for summer are light, refreshing and noticeably low in alcohol. F&W wine editor Ray Isle names his favorites, from Riesling to rosé.
July, 2009
Drink Like a Wine Pro: 10 Top Wine Destinations
Go to a restaurant with an F&W Best New Chef in the kitchen, and you’ll likely find a great wine director in the dining room. F&W’s Ray Isle talks to these experts to find terrific bottles.
June, 2009
Summer’s Best Wines
As tastes shift toward lighter, less alcoholic whites, especially for summertime, refreshing wines from places like Spain’s Basque country and Australia’s Eden Valley are turning up on more store shelves. Here, 10 of the best, plus a fizzy, cooling drink made with white port (right).
May, 2009
Crisp New Chardonnays
After years of devotion to oaky Chardonnay, American wine drinkers have had enough of these big, lush, buttery whites and are moving toward newer, leaner, fresher styles modeled on Chablis. F&W’s Ray Isle finds the best.
March, 2009
Greek Wines: 7 Greek Varietals to Know
Though they’ve been around for four millennia, Greek wines are a bit overlooked today. Ray Isle investigates, and points out seven varietals to look for.
February, 2009
Argentina’s Best Reds for $10 to $20
Argentina is producing some of the world’s best value wines. Here, Ray Isle spotlights 13 terrific reds.
December, 2008
30 Classic, New & Value Cabernets
Undoubtedly the wine world’s most famous red grape, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown far and wide. Here, Ray Isle rounds up terrific bottles from its best-known home outside of Bordeaux—Napa Valley—plus elsewhere in California and beyond.
November, 2008
5 Smart Tips for Holiday Wine Buying
Holiday shopping is stressful enough, so pick your wines with these simple, smart tips.
October, 2008
50+ Values, Legendary Regions
The most renowned wine regions are known for great wines—at great cost. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here, Ray Isle tastes through six of the world’s great regions and uncovers fantastic values in each.
September, 2008
Editor Picks: Affordable Wines for Aging
Wine doesn’t have to be expensive to deserve a spot in the cellar. Here are 19 great, affordable bottles that will get even better with a little time.
September, 2008
Affordable Wines for Aging
Not all wines age well, but many will benefit from a few years of rest. Below, what to buy and how to age it.
August, 2008
7 Good Causes, 15 Top Wines
The wine industry is taking all kinds of environmentally-friendly measures. Here are some of the best winemakers with a cause, plus a top bottle from each.
July, 2008
Top Picks From Star Importers
Knowing some importers is an easy—and highly reliable—way to pick your wines. Here, Senior Editor Ray Isle finds seven of the best names to watch for.
May, 2008
World’s 30 Best Pinot Noirs
Despite its reputation as tough to grow, great Pinot Noir is being produced all over the world. Senior wine editor Ray Isle tasted nearly 150 bottles, and these came out on top.
May, 2008
The Essence of Pinot Noir
Known to many as costly and difficult to grow, but—when done well—complex and food-friendly, Pinot Noir has a reputation that precedes it. Senior wine editor Ray Isle investigates the storied grape and picks four favorites.
April, 2007
50 Wines You Can Always Trust
It’s easy to find great wines made in tiny quantities that cost a fortune. What’s hard is locating amazing wines that are sold in stores across the country, that are delicious regardless of vintage, and that ring up at $20 or less per bottle. Here are our picks for the most reliable, most readily available wines in the world—50 wines that won’t let you down. Plus, there are bonus selections: five top-notch Bordeaux for less than $25, 12 foolproof pairing suggestions and 10 world-class wines from France and the United States that cost a little more but still offer disproportionate quality for the price.
November, 2006
An Expert's Pairing Advice
Wine writers always say things like "a '94 Chianti Classico from Antinori's Guado al Tasso estate is the perfect match for this pork loin with roasted hen-of-the-woods mushrooms." But are there really perfect wine and food matches? Is there really only one ideal wine for every dish? —Will Mischner, Camden, SC
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Get F&W Mobile Apps
