Never judge a wine by its label?

"Never buy a wine with an animal on the label." This old wisdom can avoid a lot of forgettable wines. But there's a problem: It's not always right.

Dec 5 • 

Robin Garr

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4

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November 2025

Mmm, that wine was good!

It's the morning after Thanksgiving in the U.S. The table has been cleared, the dishes washed, and it might be a while before we want food or wine…

Nov 28 • 

Robin Garr

3

1

Happy Thanksgiving! What’s on your table?

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Who's ready for the annual "what wine with the feast" advice? Who'd rather skip it? I sense a changing attitude this year.

Nov 26 • 

Robin Garr

2

4

1

California Pinot vs Bourgogne?

Let’s have a wine-nerd debate: Can California Pinot Noir be a quality match for red Burgundy at a similar price point?

Nov 21 • 

Robin Garr

4

1

Swirl, swish, sniff

Swirl, sniff, then taste. This ritual may look funny, but it effectively reveals a lot about the wine. Do you do this with other drinks. too? I sure do!

Nov 14 • 

Robin Garr

2

1

An odd but tasty blend

A while back, I talked about an odd blend of red grapes that turned out well. Today let's look at a marriage of white grapes that don't usually mix.

Nov 7 • 

Robin Garr

4

2

1

October 2025

You never forget your first … wine travel

Where did your first international wine travel take you? Bordeaux? Tuscany? Germany's Mosel? Many wine lovers choose the classics first. Not me!

Oct 31 • 

Robin Garr

4

2

1

Burgundy and the hunt for value

This morning when I started typing “Why is burgundy wine …” into my browser, its silicon-based brain predicted the rest: “… so expensive!?”

Oct 24 • 

Robin Garr

2

2

Do parallel wines ever meet?

The Northern Rhône, Willamette Valley, Bordeaux, Central Otago, and Vladivostok all lie near the 45th Parallel.

Oct 17 • 

Robin Garr

2

2

1

What? No sulfites?

Today we’re tasting a Saperavi, the Republic of Georgia’s iconic grape, but this one’s grown and made in France, and it contains zero added sulfites.

Oct 10 • 

Robin Garr

3

3

1

Chill a … Bordeaux?

If you like the idea of a crisp rosé on a summery October day but really prefer a red, say hello to Clairet, a light, refreshing red from Bordeaux?

Oct 3 • 

Robin Garr

1

1

September 2025

All in the (wine) family

Most wine lovers can quickly name the grapes and regions that we love most.

Sep 26 • 

Robin Garr

2

1