The Vine Guy

Many New World wineries were founded by European immigrants. In South America – just as in Napa and Sonoma Valleys – many of the wineries have been established by Italian immigrants who brought their agricultural heritage with them and planted vines in fertile soils abroad. Valentín Bianchi was one such immigrant. He came to Argentina from Italy in 1910 with a strong desire to succeed and a penchant for hard work. And he succeeded…

Click here to read about the value-oriented wines of Valentin Bianchi in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington, DC Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to this week’s Wine of the Week on WTOP Radion

From time-to-time, I taste some really great wines from a specific country that earn a very high rating on the quality-to-price ratio (QPR) scale and think, “Wow, what a great wine. I’d love to write about this.” But often, there are just not enough wines from one winery or region that qualify for the highest QPR ratings to produce a column… until now. I have been keeping a list and saving up my favorites for the inaugural “Best Values From…” column.

The first of this new series features a country where I cut my proverbial wine teeth – Australia.

Click here to read my top value-oriented picks in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington, DC Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to the Vine Guy discuss his favorite values from Australia on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week segment

Many wine lovers assume that Red Wine Headaches (RWH) has something to do with sulfites, but it is more likely that other element is responsible since less than one percent of the population is sensitive to sulfites. Tannins are another popular hypothesis. Tannins are found in the skins, stems, and seeds of grapes, as well as the oak wood barrels and casks used for aging. And therein lays the rub.

Click here to read about a few tasty wines that are made with no oak intervention (or neutral oak) in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington, DC Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week “Naked Red Wine” recommendations

Last week, I wrote about wines that are easy to find, but many times, there are wines that I really want to review but am reluctant to write about because they may not be readily available in our metropolitan area. While this is certainly a dilemma, it should not be a deterrent. After all, there are some very good wines that just may be worth the hunt.

Click here to read about a few wines that are worth the hunt in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington, DC Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to this week’s Wine of the Week on WTOP Radio

As I recently pointed out, one of the questions that I am most often asked is, “Where can I find that wine you wrote about last week?”

Finding a wine that is widely available can be a challenge. Not all wine shops carry the same stock. Also complicating matters is that different states, and even counties within the states, have varying policies about wine sales that makes it difficult for wine shops in a particular region to offer the same wines. Of course, one of the most useful tools in finding any wine is the internet.

Click here to see what wines are widely available in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to my recommendations on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week

I know most people can’t wait to get out of Washington, DC in August. But if you’re considering sticking around next week, there are two things that will work in your favor; less traffic and the annual summer Restaurant Week dine-a-thon.

From August 13^th through the 19^th, over 200 of the area’s finest restaurants will offer three-course meals for set prices during the 18^th biannual Washington, DC Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants will offer a three-course lunch for $20.12 (get it? 2012) and a three-course price-fixed dinner for just $35.12. For a complete list of restaurants taking part in the promotion, go to www.restaurantweekmetrodc.org/.

Click here to read about my favorite restaurant picks in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to my favorite restaurant picks on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week

Vidalia Restaurant’s Chef/Owner Jeff Buben

Just like David Letterman, I get letters, lots and lots of letters. Well, maybe not letters, per se, but I do get numerous emails each week regarding some wine related topic or another. I thought I would take this opportunity to answer a few of the more common questions that readers ask.

Click here to read my answers in this week’s Vine Guy column in the Washington, DC Examiner Newspaper

Click here to listen to my interview on WTOP Radio’s Wine of the Week