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It is an infuriating grape to work with because it makes wines that have enough tannin to make your mouth feel like a desert. The name of the grape variety probably is derived the root of the word “tannin”. Because Madiran has been far from the madding crowd, it was... Read More

Whether we’re discussing wine, food, literature, art, athletics, or life itself, there are virtually no clear, uncontroversial standards. Much like love, you can’t prove its existence, but most of us would say you know it when you feel it. The fact is though that “great” means something a bit different... Read More

When addressing the topic of domestic American whiskies in years gone by, there were many separate distinctions to make. First, there were the numerous staple blends, then rye whiskies, then a bourbon category, then a separate Tennessee whiskey section. And always, in the background, were those massively-distributed volume products from... Read More

People picture science differently. For some, it’s a Gothic laboratory and Victor Frankenstein shrieking, “It’s alive!” For others, it’s a quiet and understated, sterile, well-lighted, modern and nondescript workplace. For still others, science is epidemiology, the statistical study of what affects the health of populations. What science really is amounts... Read More

“My passion for wine started in my 2Os,” says Mantra Restaurant’s Sommelier David Singer, who is barely in his 3Os today. While working as a server in Toronto and attending college, he always wanted more information about the wine he was serving. Singer says that his five questions led to... Read More

True, Spain is also home to two other important quality red wine grapes, Garnacha and Monastrell, but these two varieties are qualitatively more successful respectively in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Bandol appellations of France. Spain’s best known red wine appellation, Rioja, first brought Tempranillo to the attention of the world outside... Read More