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December 2002

Put a Cork in it...Or Not
The controversy continues on how to seal a bottle of wine. The cork industry certainly seems to “feel our pain” and regularly makes pronouncements about quality improvement and lot’s o’ dollars devoted for research. Hang in there they say, we will get it right, it’s getting better every day...

Artisanal Wines: Supply and Demand
Based on the E-mails I receive from many of you, I'm not alone in my affection for these intriguing if offbeat items. But therein lies a dilemma that makes life frustrating for wine enthusiasts - and for wine writers who want to share the joy of affordable, artisanal wines with an international group of similarly inclined wine lovers like you...

The Tasting Room
Visit Seattle's newest wine hotspot!

Welcome Eric Awes
Meet WineSquire's newest contributor.

November 2002

All About Beaujolais Nouveau
On the third Thursday of November (which will be November 21 this year), the most recent vintage of Beaujolais – called Nouveau or Primeur when it is released – goes on sale in wine stores around the world.

A Truly American Bird
A toast to the crisp-skinned star of the feast...and some wines to go with it!

What is an Oenophile?
To paraphrase the old joke about engineers, "Not long ago, you didn't even know what an 'oenophile' was, and now you might be one."

Tri-Cities Wine Fest had Something for Every Palate
The discovery of a nice blend of funky, different and traditional wineries at the 24th annual Tri-Cities Wines Festival made for a memorable night.

October 2002

¡Viva Mexico!
Mexico generally hasn’t been known for making great wines in the past. That is changing faster than anyone can imagine... 

Drinking Rocks?
Austrian wine lovers, I am reliably informed, occasionally utter with pride an odd saying: "Why should we drink fruit when we can drink rocks?"

McCrea Cellars Shining on State Wine Scene
McCrea Cellars, one of the rising stars on the Washington wine scene, excels at Syrah, making up to five different styles.

September 2002

WineSquire Selections Wine Clubs
Discover the best new wine clubs on the block! West Coast Wines, the premier Pacific Northwest monthly wine club, is offering three new wine clubs, known as "WineSquire Selections."

Oregon's Cool Wines
It’s no secret anymore. Oregon wine makers produce consistently high quality wines, and Oregon Pinot Noir’s continue to create a growing international appreciation.

The Shape of the Glass
I don't usually worry too much about what shape my wine glass is in, as long as it is clean. However, many theorists believe that a wide variety of glass shapes allows the wine lover to select just the right shape to fit the flavor profile of specific wines. Best-known for this approach is the Riedel firm, based in Austria. A research report this week from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, reported in "New Scientist" magazine, may shed new light on the Riedel theory...

August 2002

Beringer Blass Wine Estates Free Tasting Aug. 24
Join Logan Staples of Beringer Blass Wine Estates for an afternoon tasting of this premier wine portfolio. A fine selection of wines will be available for your consideration from the portfolios of Beringer, Chateau St. Jean, Chateau Souverain, Stags Leap, Rothbury and Meridian.

Maryhill Winery Spotlight
This relative newcomer has come a long way in a very short time. On the local wine scene for less than two years, this fine Washington State winery is making a broad line of interesting and delicious wines.

Prosser's Chinook Winery True to Descriptions
I've always been a fan of Chinook wines because they are so straightforward, clean and food-friendly. The current array of wines is no exception, including the delightful cabernet franc rose, a perfect wine for picnics or a summertime backyard repast.

An Argentine Bargain
A quick look at an exceptionally fine low-price wine from Argentina, where excellent quality-price ratio abounds.

July 2002

Best Cellars Grilling Tips
The dog days of summer are upon us, and the hot dogs of summer are on the grill – as well as other things like Alaskan Salmon, juicy steaks and burgers, barbecued chicken and crisp summer veggies. Finding the right wine match shouldn’t be too difficult.

Sangria
The traditional stereotype of Sangria is the Spanish red-wine punch. The reality today is a varied field of spicy to sweet, still to sparkling, and even red to white Sangrias!

Sherry is Not Always Sweet
Although some Sherries are indeed sweet, many are bone-dry, and either way it's a wine capable of real complexity and power. But Sherry is so completely different from table wine in the French and Italian (and Californian and Australian) tradition that many wine lovers find it difficult to get to know.

Enhanced Employment Page
WineSquire is proud to have already helped many people get jobs in the Washington State Wine industry and have now added a new Job Marketplace to our site.

June 2002

2000 Vintage Report, Part 3 - North America
In this three part series, we will visit the vineyards of the Southern Hemisphere, Europe and North America, reviewing the weather and other impacts on the vineyards of the focus area in 2000 and discussing what the 2000 vintage from this region has to offer.

Burgundy: An expensive education?
It is hard to imagine a more magical word in the world of wine than "Burgundy." But this magic doesn't have to be out of reach.

Savor the Pinot Noirs NW has to Offer
Notes from Wine Press Northwest magazine's northwest Pinot Noir tasting.

Who Needs Fiction?
Here are a few particularly juicy books about the beverage industry which offer some of the best true stories of crime, corruption, and high finance.

May 2002

Winery Spotlight: Hyatt Vineyards
Hyatt Vineyards is a family owned enterprise created by Leland and Lynda Hyatt of Zillah, Washington. Hyatt has been on the rise as of late and increased sales in 2001 over 2000 by about 25%! With the wines tasted by the WineSquire tasting group it is easy to see why.

2000 Vintage Report, Part 2 - Europe
In this three part series, we will visit the vineyards of the Southern Hemisphere, Europe and North America, reviewing the weather and other impacts on the vineyards of the focus area in 2000 and discussing what the 2000 vintage from this region has to offer.

Historic Chateauneuf
This first-rate wine destination produces an international favorite with 700 years of tradition.

Welcome Shari Kosco
Meet WineSquire's newest contributor.

April 2002

2000 Vintage Report, Part 1
In a three part series, we will visit the vineyards of the Southern Hemisphere, Europe and North America, reviewing the weather and other impacts on the vineyards of the focus area in 2000 and discussing what the 2000 vintage from this region has to offer.

Choose Glasses Wisely for Good Sipping
Selecting the right wine glass can often heighten the enjoyment of a wine, many experts will tell you...

Regulating Wine
The BATF has declared it illegal to label a wine as "effervescent" ... if it doesn't have bubbles.

Welcome Yancy Noll
Meet WineSquire's newest contributor.

March 2002

Wines for Everyday (Or Fishing for the Right Value)
More and more value-conscious consumers are trying to strike gold and there is something appealing about finding a really good value wine for not a lot of money. 

Passover and Kosher Wine
Discover some "fit and proper" wines that will please the most discriminating palates.

Welcome Jens Strecker
Meet WineSquire's newest contributor.

February 2002

Mollusks of Love
What comes to mind when thinking about Valentine’s Day? Is it the usual…flowers, some dinner and chocolate? It’s time to liven the day up with WineSquire.com’s favorite aphrodisiac: Oysters!

Trust Senses When Tasting Wine
Wine tasting isn't rocket science, but a bit of knowledge can make it more enjoyable. I have two hard rules that have always served me well...

Old Vines and Zinfandel
Let's follow up on [the recent] report on the newly discovered origins of Zinfandel with a tasting of a California Zin in a classic "benchmark" style.

January 2002

Falernian: Wine of the Ancients
The wine of poets, centurions, merchants and aristocrats... A wine that no living person has ever tasted.

Not Any Port in a Storm
We can’t guarantee stormy weather, but we can promise a great selection of fine ports for anytime you wish to relax in a safe harbor.

NW Wines Get Better Every Year
To pick out a few favorites of the 700 to 800 wines I tasted in 2001 isn't an easy task. What makes is so difficult is that the wines keep getting better and better each year.

Additional Articles

Article Index 2003
Article Index 2002
Article Index 2001
Article Index 2000

Questions and 
answers about wine.