Wine
FROM THE JANUARY, 2012 ISSUE
Best New Chiantis
The Chianti of our collective memory—a harsh red wine in a rustic wicker basket—belongs in the ’70s. Today’s best Chiantis, which derive their character from the Sangiovese grape, are crisp, herb-inflected and fabulous with hearty winter dishes. F&W’s Ray Isle picks his favorite bottles.
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December, 2011
South African Wine's Eureka Moment
Writer Michael Steinberger has tasted South African wines that hint at brilliance. Here, he considers the up-and-coming winemakers with the talent to fulfill that promise.
December, 2011
Sparkling Wine Gifts
"I love to give sparkling wine to party hosts, with explicit instructions to drink it while doing the dishes."
December, 2011
Mezcal Gifts
"After a big meal out, when my friends are ordering dark brown Scotches, I find myself craving something very clear and very strong: mezcal. I've become hooked on the Mexican spirit, specifically the new wave of imports that mix the head-clearing smoke mezcal is known for with a bit of elegance. It's not for everyone, but as a gift for friends who like their whisky to be peaty and intense, a bottle of mezcal will earn you many points."
November, 2011
The Godfather's Wine Advice
Writer Jason Adams gave his mom a bottle of Francis Ford Coppola's most famous wine in 1995, but she died without ever opening it. Sixteen years later, he visits Coppola in Napa looking for closure, and the director tells him just what to do.
October, 2011
French Wine Regions: Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon, a broad arc that runs along France's Mediterranean coast, produces more wine than any other region in France.
October, 2011
Travel Guide: Paris Wine Bars
Writer Jane Sigal hit every arrondissement in Paris in search of culinary brilliance. Here, five Paris wine bars with fantastic food and amazing bottles.
October, 2011
French Wine Regions: Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is known for white wines, from brisk Muscadets made with grapes grown along the cold Atlantic coast to zesty Sauvignon Blancs and luscious Chenin Blancs from appellations farther inland, such as Sancerre and Vouvray.
October, 2011
French Wine: The Champagne Region
Champagne, very simply, is the world's single greatest region for sparkling wine.
October, 2011
French Wine Regions: Burgundy Wine
Burgundy, in north central France, is home to the world's most frustrating, unpredictable and—when everything goes right—glorious wines.
October, 2011
French Wine Regions: Bordeaux Wine
Bordeaux, on France's western coast, is the source of many of the world's greatest Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots.
October, 2011
Bedrock Wine Co.
F&W's American Wine Awards: Morgan Twain-Peterson is Sonoma's old-vine obsessive.
October, 2011
Best Online Wine Shops
Novelist Chang-rae Lee reveals his secret for finding the Web's best wine deals. Plus: the 10 best online wine shops.
October, 2011
Milbrandt Vineyards
F&W's American Wine Awards: Farming expertise at Milbrandt Vineyards in Washington State.
October, 2011
French Wine Regions: The Rhône Valley
The first thing to know about France's Rhône Valley is that it is divided into two parts. The northern Rhône is home to dark, powerful, spicy reds made with the Syrah grape (and a few luscious whites made from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne). The warmer southern Rhône grows some Syrah, but its signature red wines—softer and riper—are blends, typically with Grenache as the dominant variety.
August, 2011
Wine Intel
These Walla Walla, Washington, tasting rooms trade flowers and folksiness for giant TVs and turntables, creating the ultimate wine-guy hangouts.
June, 2011
Wine Technology: Can Harvesting Data Make Better Wine?
Winemakers used to rely on instinct and tradition, but now, many are turning to technology, such as data analysis and tech innovation. What does this mean for wine's future?
April, 2011
West Coast Wine Dispatch
The latest news: a great Seattle store in an old auto-body shop and a San Francisco bar with barrel fever.
April, 2011
Top Sommeliers of 2011
Whether championing biodynamic producers or letting customers buy half a bottle of wine for half the price, F&W's top sommeliers of the year are inspiring wine pros around the country.
March, 2011
Smart New Wine Innovators
F&W's Megan Krigbaum tracks down an expert wine tour guide, a brilliant sommelier-turned-inventor and a new online wine shop with super-value bottles.
February, 2011
Best Wines at Chain Restaurants
National chain restaurants are often more famous for their bottomless salad bowls than their wine lists. But some make a real effort to offer worthy bottles. Here, their best wines (with their wine-list prices):
February, 2011
Tips to Simplify Your Wine Life
Here, Ray Isle's best tips for keeping wine easy, accessible and enjoyable.
January, 2011
New Year's Sparkling Wines
Finding bubbles should be no trouble on New Year's Eve, given all the options—from $18 Prosecco to $60 Champagnes that honor fashion designer Zang Toi's muse, Marie Antoinette.
December, 2010
Holiday Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Guide
These delicious California Cabernets cover every holiday situation: parties, dinners and gift-giving.
December, 2010
Best Wines of 2010
F&W's editors taste thousands of wines every year. Here, their most memorable bottles of 2010.
December, 2010
Israeli Wine on the Front Lines
Israel first made wine thousands of years ago, but producers are still trying to figure out which grapes grow best where. Writer W. Blake Gray travels around the country, discovering strange paradoxes and enormous potential.
November, 2010
Top Syrah-Producing Zones Worldwide
Syrah grows well all over the world, but these regions produce benchmark bottles.
November, 2010
A Weather Guide for Syrah
Like all wines, Syrah offers different flavors and textures depending on the climate where the grapes are grown—unlike some wines, though, it can be delicious from a broad range of climates, too.
November, 2010
Gary Vaynerchuk's Thanksgiving Wine Picks
Here, 5 brilliant Thanksgiving wine picks from Gary Vaynerchuk, host of the now-famous series of hyper-adrenalized Web videos, Wine Library TV.
November, 2010
3 Syrah Wines for Roast Lamb
Syrah is a classic pairing for roast lamb. Here, 3 excellent bottles.
November, 2010
Thanksgiving Bargain Wines: Syrah
Some of the best red wine values in the world are made from Syrah. These 5 bottles are ideal for Thanksgiving dinner.
October, 2010
Best Pairings for French Wines
As a young cook, Hugh Acheson bought one great bottle of wine (often French) with every paycheck. Today he owns Gosford Wine, Five & Ten and two other dining spots in Athens, Georgia.
October, 2010
Next Great Wine Regions
These bottles come from underrated regions that are poised to hit big.
October, 2010
International Wine Varieties to Know
Unusual grapes can make stunning wines. Here, five top bottlings.
October, 2010
Sommeliers' Nightcaps
After work, sommeliers reach for anything but red wine. Here, the pros' picks.
October, 2010
Most Wine-Friendly Foods
What goes with any wine? The dishes the pros recommend tend to offer some combination of salty, crunchy and rich.
October, 2010
Best Pairings for Italian Wines
At Trattoria Lucca in Charleston, South Carolina, chef Ken Vedrinski not only cooks the food and buys the wine but also occasionally acts as a waiter and sommelier.
October, 2010
Best Pairings for Spanish Wines
Chef Alex Raij doesn't believe in the American idea of entrées. Her small-plates approach at her New York City tapas bars El Quinto Pino and Txikito encourages wine sampling.
October, 2010
Special-Occasion Wines
Here, a very special white and a powerful red, plus the perfect matches for meat and vegetables.
October, 2010
Best New Winery
F&W honors a Washington state winery from a former top New York sommelier.
October, 2010
Favorite Websites
Twenty-five top sommeliers share their picks for favorite sites for wine-related news and information.
October, 2010
Favorite All-Purpose Wine: Rosé
"Rosé captures the new vintage's youthfulness," says Steven W. Alexander of Chicago's Spiaggia, who has provided all-rosé pairings for one of the restaurant's tasting menus.
October, 2010
Essential Gear
Sommeliers need an excellent palate, good people skills and—just as important—great shoes.
October, 2010
Sommelier Favorites
Top sommeliers are great at finding excellent new wines, even when they're obscure.
October, 2010
Best Sparkling-Wine Values
"I love how Gruet's Blanc de Noirs plays with spicy food," says Melissa Monosoff of Savona in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania. Here, the sparkling wines sommeliers favor as Champagne alternatives.
October, 2010
Best Pairings for Austrian Wines
At Seäsonal Restaurant and Weinbar in New York City, chef Wolfgang Ban pairs haute-Austrian dishes with a stellar list of wines. Here, his takes on comfort classics: schnitzel and goulash.
October, 2010
Wine Guide 2011: Anthony Giglio's 10 Favorite Wine Bottles
F&W Wine Guide 2011 author Anthony Giglio shares 10 of his favorite bottles from the book.
October, 2010
Best Pairings for California Wines
Chef Ken Frank of La Toque in Napa Valley is a wine collector's best friend: He creates tasting menus to go with bottles from customers' cellars—"As long as I get a taste."
October, 2010
Eastern Europe Wine Tutorial
Scott Tyree, who was most recently at Sepia in Chicago, is especially excited about wines from central and eastern Europe.
September, 2010
Favorite Wines in Birmingham, Alabama
Here, Lettie Teague's favorite finds from her trip south.
September, 2010
Southern Food & Wine Pairing Cheat Sheet
Classic Southern dishes and bottles to look for.
August, 2010
Top Mornington Peninsula Wine Imports to the U.S.
F&W's Kristin Donnelly hunts for elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in Australia's gorgeous Mornington Peninsula.
August, 2010
Drink It Now or Cellar It?
Some whites peak early; some live for decades. Here's a guide to the life spans of some favorites, starting from the year on the bottle.
August, 2010
Beat-the-Heat Wines
When the weather is warm, a cool white wine is a no-brainer. But as the temperature climbs, the options shift. Here, a guide.
August, 2010
Greek Wines to Drink Now
Michael Psilakis loves to talk, especially when the subject is his favorite wines from the Peloponnese. Here's a sampling:
August, 2010
White Pinot Noir: A Case Study
Wine color comes from grape skins, not flesh. That's how winemakers produce white wines from red grapes—by getting rid of the skins early in fermentation. Here, five top bottlings.
June, 2010
Top U.S. Natural Wine Shops
These five shops stock terrific wines like the ones Jon Fine sought out in the Loire.
June, 2010
Wine 101: From the Ground Up
When wine pros talk about terroir (which they do, endlessly), they mean all the qualities of a place that influence the taste of its wines—from the climate to the soil's minerals. Indeed, the subsoil below the top layer of earth has a huge influence on a wine's flavor.
May, 2010
Wine Stars' Side Projects: Affordable Bottlings
High-powered wine consultants occasionally turn their talents to making affordable bottlings. Here, five to look for.
May, 2010
Checking Out Library Wine: Stored Older Vintages
One new way to find value is with so-called library releases. More wineries are selling these perfectly stored older vintages right from their cellars, through their tasting rooms or online.
May, 2010
5 Tips for Pairing Red Wine and Vegetables
Pairing red wine with vegetables can be tricky. Here, five fantastic combinations.
May, 2010
Great Rieslings for Spring
Riesling pairs beautifully with spring vegetables, like sweet peas and asparagus. Here are three to look for:
May, 2010
24-Hour Internet Wine Discounts
Like QVC, these super-discount sites offer bargains for only a limited time—usually either 24 hours or until the wine sells out. Go to each site for shipping details, which vary.
May, 2010
10 New American Value Reds
Faced with a surplus of grapes and wine, more top U.S. vineyards and wineries are selling to négociants, who release wines under their own labels at value prices.
April, 2010
Good Wines, Great Values
These five terrific value wines are some of Lettie Teague's favorites.
April, 2010
The Wine Stands Alone
Not hungry? Some wines are just as good served on their own, like dry sherry, rich reds or, of course, Champagne.
April, 2010
20 Wine Pairings to Try Before You Die
Some people think matching specific wines and foods is an exercise in snobbery. But these extraordinary pairings will make you a complete convert—even if the combination is as off-the-wall as Pinot Noir and a bag of Doritos.
April, 2010
Sipping Without Spilling
It's tricky to eat while holding a wineglass, as people repeatedly discover at cocktail parties and wine tastings. Here are three handy solutions.
April, 2010
5 Best Wine Bars in the World
A great wine bar needs both spectacular wines and top-notch food.
March, 2010
Australia's Wine Regions
Australia has dozens of wine regions. Here are 10 crucial ones, including sources for new-style Australian wine, such as Yarra Valley, Margaret River and Tasmania.
March, 2010
5 Amazing Party Wines
Looking for fellow Long Island wine lovers, Lettie Teague decided to organize a Meetup—a real-life gathering for friends who meet online. Here, five excellent bottles she discovered in the process.
February, 2010
Red, White and Orange Wines
"Orange wines"—a current favorite of hipster sommeliers—are white wines that are kept at length on the grape skins as they are made. One result: their resistance to oxygen is increased, so they stay fresh longer when opened.
February, 2010
The Box-Wine Bonus
Box wines last because the bag inside collapses as the wine is poured, so almost no oxygen reaches the liquid. Plus, they offer great value.
February, 2010
Wine Storage FAQ's: How To Keep Open Bottles Fresh
Ray Isle answers common questions about saving leftover wine.
January, 2010
Find Your Wine Style
Don't know your own wine preferences? Take this quick quiz to help figure them out.
December, 2009
Wine-Giving Strategies: 5 Ways to Make Party Hosts Happy
Here, five strategies for successful wine-giving.
December, 2009
Value Champagne
Ray Isle names an excellent basic Champagne, plus four super-value alternatives.
December, 2009
10 Great Reds for Holiday Roasts
Here, robust red wines to match a substantial holiday roast.
November, 2009
10 Top Thanksgiving Bottles
The ideal Thanksgiving wine can pair comfortably with a wide range of flavors. Here are 10 terrific choices.
November, 2009
Best Big Party Wines
Buying wine for a house full of guests can be expensive. Here, some under-$10 stars.
November, 2009
Great American Ciders
Good hard ciders usually come from tart heirloom apples such as Foxwhelp and Baldwin. These ciders are crisp, light in alcohol, great with food and deeply American—perfect for the Thanksgiving weekend.
November, 2009
Thanksgiving: Post-Turkey Wine Reading
Lulls during the holiday weekend are ideal for catching up on some reading, particularly about wine (after all, someone has to figure out which bottle to open next).
November, 2009
Thanksgiving: Wines for the Rest of the Week
Using up holiday leftovers requires some ingenuity and a high tolerance for repetition. Pour these great wines to reduce the chances of hearing a chorus of “turkey again?”
November, 2009
Thanksgiving: Wines to Kick Back and Pour
Yes, wine belongs on the Thanksgiving table. But it’s also a good accompaniment for all the shopping and TV-watching that takes place over the long holiday weekend.
November, 2009
Rajat Parr’s Favorite Wines
Rajat Parr, star wine director for chef Michael Mina’s restaurant group, reveals his top bottles at every price.
November, 2009
Thanksgiving Wines: 4 Favorite Varietals
A good Thanksgiving wine is bold and fruity enough to stand up to The Meal—and doesn’t cost much.
October, 2009
Buying Guide: Lettie Teague’s Favorite Grüner Veltliners
Here, five of Lettie Teague’s favorite Grüner Veltliners.
October, 2009
Wine Guide’s Best Value Bottles
Anthony Giglio tasted wines at all prices to make the recommendations in this year’s book. Here, his favorite values.
October, 2009
Beer and Cheese
Andrew Myers of Washington, DC’s CityZen prefers pairing cheese with beer, not wine. Here, his picks:
October, 2009
Importer of the Year
F&W honors an importer that brings in brilliant high-end bottles and amazing everyday values.
October, 2009
Most Promising New Winery
F&W honors Anthill Farms Winery, an upstart making terrific wines in Sonoma County.
October, 2009
Winemaker of the Year
F&W honors Charles Smith, a former rocker making excellent wines in Washington State.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: Australia
Ray Isle spotlights three excellent Australian wines: an intense Shiraz, a great-value blend and a crisp Riesling.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: Austria & Germany
Austria and Germany are known for terrific white wines, like the Riesling and the Grüner Veltliner below.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: Chile & Argentina
South American wines appeared in U.S. wine shops in the early 1990s, and they quickly gained a reputation for value. Here, four of Chile and Argentina’s best bottles.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: France
France still produces many of the world’s benchmark bottles. Here, four classics.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: History-Changing Wines
Sometimes a renegade wine is so good, it creates an entirely new tradition.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: United States
The U.S. is making excellent wines, and not just in California. Here, five classics spanning the West Coast.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: 1 Classic Wine, 2 Different Styles
Even when the type of wine is identical, New World and Old World styles vary dramatically, as these eight fabulous bottlings make clear.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: Renowned Classics & Their Body Doubles
Here, five true classics and five bottles that are similarly excellent but less costly.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: Spain & Portugal
Spain and Portugal have their own distinct classics. Here, four excellent bottles.
October, 2009
Wine Classics to Try: The Next Great Classics
To become a classic a wine has to be superb, of course, but it also has to play a crucial role in building an up-and-coming region’s reputation. Here, three that qualify.
September, 2009
Next Great California Wine Regions
These up-and-coming regions are producing stellar wines at terrific prices.
September, 2009
5 Fail-Safe California Wine Values
Some California wines have such a strong track record that vintage essentially becomes moot. Here, five bottlings you can always trust.
September, 2009
Ultra-Value California Wines: Great Bottles for $7 and Less
Even though California has higher vineyard and labor costs than many bargain wine regions around the world, it still produces good wines at surprisingly low prices. Also, because of economic scale, super-value wines tend to be produced in large amounts, making them easier to find. Here, three of the best California wines under $8.
August, 2009
Ray Isle’s Top Napa Wine Stops
For anyone as happy at the fifth tasting room of the day as the first, F&W’s Ray Isle shares some of his Napa picks.
August, 2009
Big, Balanced Red Wines
Although there’s now a backlash against wines containing more than 15 percent alcohol, the category includes some of the best wines in the world. That’s because they are balanced: All that alcohol is supported by rich, intense flavor and substantial structure (i.e., tannins). The wines below are great examples of rich, balanced reds. Any one would make an ideal partner for juicy grilled steaks or sausages (recipes at right).
August, 2009
Tips for Finding Light Wine
Here are three ways to track down delicious wines that are refreshingly moderate in alcohol.
July, 2009
New Favorite Wine Regions
Sommeliers are the wine world’s early adopters, often tasting through hundreds of wines a week in order to stock their lists with extraordinary finds. Here, three of their latest go-to regions.
July, 2009
Lettie Teague’s Favorite 5 Wine-list Finds
Here, five excellent bottles that Lettie discovered while tasting with Chris Cannon and Francesco Grosso of Manhattan’s Marea. Prices are suggested retail.
July, 2009
Best Beers for Wine Lovers
Wine drinkers can find much to love in many styles of beer. Here, four top sommeliers share their suggestions.
July, 2009
A Lesson in New Argentinean Wines
Writer Anya von Bremzen discovers Argentina’s big new wine trends—from Mendoza reds to Salta whites—during a raucous tasting tour of Buenos Aires.
July, 2009
5 Great Swiss Wines
Few Americans even know that Switzerland makes wines. These delicious bottlings are available in the U.S. and are worth searching out.
July, 2009
Summery Sauvignon Blancs
Refreshing Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect summer wine. Do a little continent-hopping with these southern-hemisphere bottlings.
June, 2009
Wine-Chilling Cheat Sheet
The fastest way to chill wine is in a bucket with ice and water. Here, some guidelines, starting at room temperature.
June, 2009
Best Wine Pairings for Burgers
The type of meat determines the best wine match (unless the burger is smothered in strong-flavored condiments).
June, 2009
Best Beach-Safe Wines
More and more winemakers today are putting high-quality reds and whites in offbeat containers. That's good news for people who want to bring wine to the beach, since bare feet and glass bottles (which sometimes break when rattling around in picnic baskets) aren't an ideal match. Here are three great options.
May, 2009
Five Terrific Chablis
F&W’s Ray Isle tracks down terrific deals from Chablis, a classic source of subtle, largely-unoaked Chardonnays.
May, 2009
Wine in Season: Rosé
The first wine that producers release each year is often rosé: Whether light and minerally or juicy and berry-rich, these wines generally taste best fresh. If you find a 2007 rosé in the back of your fridge, hurry up and drink it—the 2008 wines are arriving in stores now.
May, 2009
5 Best Places to Study Wine
Here are five of the top schools in the United States for would-be wine professionals (or passionate amateurs) looking to get a thorough education in the basics.
May, 2009
Go-To Chardonnay Zones
Great Chardonnay is being grown all over. Here are three top spots.
April, 2009
Northern California’s Best Wine Values
The wine regions of Northern California make lots of expensive Cabernets. But they also produce many amazing values, from crisp Sauvignon Blancs to lush, fruity Zinfandels.
April, 2009
5 Top Slovenian Wines by Ales Kristancic
Ales Kristancic’s wines are available in the U.S., but they may require some hunting. One good resource for finding wines is the website wine-searcher.com.
April, 2009
Cleveland’s Top Wine Spots
Lettie Teague set out to explore Cleveland’s wine scene. Here are her five best finds.
April, 2009
Mediterranean Spain’s Best Wine Values
Spain’s warm coast is a great source for robust reds, made mostly from sun-loving varieties like Grenache and Monastrell.
April, 2009
Southern France’s Best Wine Values
The Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône Valley and Provence regions produce spicy Syrah- and Grenache-based reds, and exotic whites from varieties such as Clairette and Viognier.
April, 2009
Coastal Chile’s Best Wine Values
The vineyard regions near Chile’s windswept Pacific Coast—Casablanca, San Antonio, Leyda and Limarí—have become some of the world’s best sources for crisp, zesty whites.
April, 2009
South Australia’s Best Wine Values
South Australia makes great affordable Shiraz, no question. But it’s also a source for succulent Chardonnays and spicy Rhône-style whites, as well as firm Cabernet-based reds.
March, 2009
Buying Guide: 5 Tips for Frugal Drinkers
Keep this advice in mind whenever you’re contemplating ordering the least expensive wine on a restaurant’s list.
March, 2009
Best New Greek Wines: White
Greece is producing excellent wine, and its whites are particularly good. Here, Ray Isle spotlights 11 noteworthy bottles.
March, 2009
Best New Greek Wines: Red
Greek white wines may be more consistent, but the best Greek reds are fantastic. Here are nine terrific bottles.
March, 2009
New Wines to Try
Great new bottles are hitting the shelves. Here are three types of wine to look out for.
February, 2009
Best BYOBs in America: New York, New Orleans, Napa, San Francisco, Chicago
Wine-shop owners on where they love to bring their bottles.
February, 2009
Weeknight Dinner Deluxe: Wine Pairings for Chicken
Like Champagne, sparkling wines such as cava and Prosecco are great with all kinds of food, but they’re simpler, fruitier, more easygoing. F&W wine expert Ray Isle and test-kitchen pro Marcia Kiesel explore the pairing possibilities with half a dozen supremely delicious chicken recipes.
February, 2009
Top Half-Bottle Sources
F&W’s Lettie Teague found five great spots to score wine in half-bottles.
January, 2009
New Sparkling Wines from Italy to Austria
Sparklers are popping up in unexpected places. Here are three exciting new bottles.
January, 2009
Sommeliers’ Favorite Italian Wines
F&W asked top sommeliers at three new Italian restaurants to recommend a favorite Italian bottling:
January, 2009
Super Wine-Pairing Values
What’s better than a great dish? A perfect pairing. Here are five bargain bottles that match up nicely.
December, 2008
5 Great, Affordable Sparkling Wines
We all love Champagne, but we don’t always love paying for it. These affordable sparklers—from California, Spain and Italy—deliver great pleasure at greatly reduced cost.
December, 2008
Best Places to Buy Older Vintages
Finding well-aged, properly-stored wines at sane prices is a difficult task. Thankfully, some retailers make it easy. These five shops offer real gems.
December, 2008
Global Value Cabernets
Great Cabernet grows around the world. Here are 11 spectacular values.
December, 2008
California Cabernets to Watch
These names aren’t quite famous, but they’re all producers of stellar Cabernet Sauvignon. Though they aren’t necessarily cheap, these picks offer tremendous value.
December, 2008
Napa Valley Classic Cabernets
The oldest names in Napa produce some of its greatest Cabernet Sauvignons. Here are 11 instant classics.
December, 2008
Great Older Vintages: Top Wines, Top Years
Buying older bottles can be rewarding—but tricky. To get good value, look for top wines from these great—and relatively overlooked—years.
December, 2008
Champagne: 10 Top Prestige Cuvées
These bottles often represent the best of the best in Champagne. Têtes de cuvée come in a variety of styles, and in vintage as well as nonvintage bottlings.
December, 2008
10 Top Affordable Champagnes
Reasonably-priced Champagnes can be terrific. Here are 10 of the best.
November, 2008
Holiday Wines | Tip 4: Pick Affordable Sparkling Wines
Celebratory alternatives to pricey Champagne include cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy, among others.
November, 2008
Holiday Wines | Tip 1: Buy Great Wine Values by the Case
Finding good wine and then socking away a case of it (typically 12 bottles) saves money, as many wine shops offer case discounts of around 10 to 15 percent. It also saves trips to the store.
November, 2008
Holiday Wines | Tip 2: Look for Wine Screw Caps
More and more excellent wines are being sealed with screw caps to prevent corkiness (a problem with natural corks that produces a wet cardboard–like smell in a small percentage of wines). Screw-capped wines are especially handy for large parties, because they’re easy to open quickly.
November, 2008
Holiday Wines | Tip 3: Select Food-Friendly Wines
Big holiday meals tend to involve multiple side dishes, which puts a lot of competing flavors on the table. Well-balanced wines that aren’t too extreme (not wildly sweet, not wildly tannic, etc.) are the most versatile when it comes to pairing. Good choices include Pinot Noir, American Rhône-style blends, Austrian Grüner Veltliner and dry Rieslings from Germany.
November, 2008
Holiday Wines | Tip 5: Use Terrific $12-and-Under Wines for Punch
Seek out inexpensive wines that would be just as delicious in a bowl of punch or sangria as on their own. There are wonderful $12-and-under bottles available these days, particularly from Spain and South America.
November, 2008
Buying Guide: Six Terrific French-Made American Wines
French expertise shines on American soil. Here are six great American wines by French winemakers.
November, 2008
Top Regions, Top Red Wines
Below, a guide to America’s top red wine regions and some of the grape varieties for which they’re famous.
November, 2008
Real-estate Guide: 5 Wine Communities
Dying for a vineyard view? Here are five sites that get you close to the vines.
October, 2008
Buying Guide | 5 Best Wine Investments: A Pro’s Picks
David Sokolin, a wine retailer in Bridgehampton, New York, and the author of Investing in Liquid Assets, suggests five wines with the greatest investment potential.
October, 2008
American Wine Awards 2008: Best New Winery
F&W honors Breggo Cellars, a new California producer making graceful, aromatic wines.
October, 2008
American Wine Awards 2008: Winemaker of the Year
F&W honors Celia Masyczek, maker of some of Napa’s most esteemed wines.
October, 2008
Great Values from Barossa Valley
Australia produces some of the biggest, most lush reds in the world. As these bottles prove, they’re terrific values as well.
October, 2008
Is Wine a Smart Investment?
The stock market may be a roller coaster, but wine investors still anticipate steady returns. Writer Paul Sullivan examines the new wine funds.
October, 2008
American Wine Awards 2008: Best Wines for Over $20
F&W honors some of the best American wines at any price.
October, 2008
Great Values from Bordeaux
Though it produces some of the world’s rarest and most expensive wines, there are great values to be found in Bordeaux.
October, 2008
American Wine Awards 2008: Best Wines for Under $20
F&W honors 20 of the best bottles—and best values—out there this year.
October, 2008
American Wine Awards 2008: Importer of the Year
F&W honors Neal Rosenthal, the pioneering importer who’s brought scores of terrific, natural wines to America’s shores.
October, 2008
American Wine Awards 2008: Outstanding Sparkling Wine
F&W honors a bottle from Schramsberg, California’s quintessential sparkling winemaker.
October, 2008
Great Values from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Love zippy, minerally, delicious white wines? Look to the Mosel region for fantastic Rieslings at reasonable prices.
October, 2008
Great Values from Napa Valley
Though prices keep heading skyward in California’s most revered wine region, there are terrific deals to be had—like these eight delicious, affordable offerings.
October, 2008
Great Values from Piedmont
Home to Italy’s great Nebbiolo-based reds, Piedmont offers value with delicious Dolcettos and Barberas.
October, 2008
Great Values from Rhône Valley
Some of the world’s great wines come from France’s Rhône Valley, and often at relatively sane prices. Here are nine especially good values.
September, 2008
5 Napa Cabs You Need to Know
The ’80s were the dawn of the cult Cabernet era: the big, big reds that go for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars—if you can find them.
August, 2008
Three Italian Party Wines
This trio is a great introduction to Brian Larky’s Dalla Terra Winery Direct portfolio.
August, 2008
Buying Guide: Five Naturally Good Wines
Producers might go out of their way so their wines qualify as “natural,” but F&W’s Lettie Teague still prefers those that qualify as “good.” Here, she picks five terrific bottles that fit both bills.
July, 2008
Sommeliers’ Top Imported Wines
Seven sommeliers from restaurants around the country share their recommendations for favorite wine importers and wines from the importers’ portfolios.
July, 2008
The Scent Squad
Here’s a quirky new way to get some aromatherapy: Choose a favorite wine-grape varietal and discover every which way to capture its signature scent, whether it’s edible, drinkable or spritzable.
Plus: Chef Daniel Patterson, an aroma innovator, considers the mysterious and powerful connection between wine, scent, memory and pleasure.
Illustration by Tina Zellmer
July, 2008
Best New Wine Lists ’08
These winners, from restaurants that opened in the last year, have three more things in common: bargains, breadth and offbeat bottles. From a selection of 170 Rieslings to a supply of value-priced Taittinger Champagne, the lists also showcase seven of today’s best wine directors.
June, 2008
Beer vs. Wine Pairings
Inspired by the book He Said Beer, She Said Wine, F&W invited authors Sam Calagione, the founder of Delaware’s Dogfish Head brewery, and Marnie Old, a wine educator, to a taste-off. The challenge: Who could come up with the superior pairing for the recipes here?
June, 2008
New Pairing to Try:
Albariño + Grilled Fish
Albariño shares Sauvignon Blanc’s grapefruity tang, making it a great partner for grilled fish, yet it has a flinty minerality all its own.
June, 2008
New Pairing to Try:
Monastrell + Grilled Pork or Beef
Spanish Monastrell, known as Mourvèdre in France, has the same luscious fruit that makes Zinfandel so good with grilled pork, but with a spicy edge that arguably creates an even better match.
June, 2008
New Pairing to Try:
Malbec + Grilled Steak
Malbec, like Cabernet Sauvignon, has firm tannins that help it pair beautifully with steak, plus its fruit is as robust and dark.
March, 2008
Washington State Reds: 20 Top Bottles
F&W Senior Wine Editor Ray Isle tasted 105 Washington state reds and discovered that choosing 20 top wines was one of the most difficult selections he’s ever had to make. Across the board, quality was remarkably high—a testimony to how exciting Washington state wines are right now.
March, 2008
Five Favorite House Wines
House wines now have cachet and feature serious bottlings from first-class wineries. Here are five of F&W’s Lettie Teague’s favorite house wines.
December, 2007
Holiday Wine Survival Guide: Ideal Party Wines
Inexpensive, versatile, delicious wines for every gathering—from cocktail parties to dinners.
December, 2007
Holiday Wine Survival Guide: Advice for the Host
F&W’s Ray Isle gives his best wine buying and serving advice for the clued-in and the clueless—from how many bottles to purchase for a party to what gifts to give an oeno-snob.
December, 2007
Unbeatable Wine Gift Ideas
Five unbeatable epicurean combinations that redefine the ordinary gift set, plus perfect bottles for wine experts, hosts and more.
October, 2007
Burgundy: America’s Best Sources
With the stellar 2005 vintage and the rise of supertalented young winemakers, world interest in Burgundy has reached a fever pitch. Here's the lowdown.
October, 2007
7 Rules for Perfect Pairing
F&W's Ray Isle simplifies the task of pairing food and wine into seven mantras; Test Kitchen Supervisor Marcia Kiesel creates enlightened recipes for each.
October, 2007
Burgundy: Under-the-Radar Bottles
With the stellar 2005 vintage and the rise of supertalented young winemakers, world interest in Burgundy has reached a fever pitch. Here's the lowdown.
October, 2007
The Promise of Paso Robles
Esteemed critic Robert M. Parker, Jr., believes the Paso Robles area of the Central Coast shows some of the greatest potential in all of California. Here, he reports on the wineries that astonish him.
October, 2007
Burgundy: The Movers & Shakers
With the stellar 2005 vintage and the rise of supertalented young winemakers, world interest in Burgundy has reached a fever pitch. Here's the lowdown.
October, 2007
Burgundy: What You Need to Know Now
With the stellar 2005 vintage and the rise of supertalented young winemakers, world interest in Burgundy has reached a fever pitch. Here's the lowdown.
October, 2007
Burgundy: The Cult Bottles
With the stellar 2005 vintage and the rise of supertalented young winemakers, world interest in Burgundy has reached a fever pitch. Here's the lowdown.
September, 2007
Italian Grapes from A to Z
There are thousands of different Italian wine grapes, but only a dozen essential ones to know. Here, the bottles to buy and the antipasti to serve with them.
July, 2007
Finding Wine of a Certain Age
Blogger Tyler Colman scoured auctions and quizzed wine-shop clerks in pursuit of a great bottle from his birth year, 1971. Here, his advice on how to buy older vintages.
April, 2007
Wine: A Field Guide to the Future
Here, a look at what’s next in wine, from the best new tech tools and the smartest gadgets to the most exciting new cult producers.
April, 2007
New Wine Shops for Foodies
A new breed of wine-shop owner is bringing all kinds of excellent food pairings into the store, from artisanal cheeses to tapas.
Unusual Wine Branding
Marilyn Merlot may have been the first to marry clever merchandising to fine wine. Now, winemakers (and their gifted sales teams) have found as many ways to help their bottles stand out on store shelves as there are varietals from which to make them. Car enthusiasts and horror fans, frequent flyers and overworked housewives, take note: There is now a wine made just for you.
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