Thinking About Drinking
The tire company that became the ultimate authority on where to eat is coming for wine next. Michelin just announced they’re launching “MICHELIN Grapes” (or “La Grappe Michelin” for my fellow francophiles) in 2026—essentially Michelin Stars, but for wine producers.…
If wine grapes were characters in a drama, Pinot Noir would be that girl. You know the one—gorgeous, captivating, impossible to ignore, but also high-maintenance, unpredictable, and absolutely exhausting to deal with. She’s the grape that winemakers both obsess over…
Picture this: You’re standing in the wine aisle, Thanksgiving is in 72 hours, and you’re having flashbacks to last year when Uncle Mike’s wine choice made everyone politely switch to water. We’ve all been there. But this year? This year…
Remember last week when I told you that Champagne tastes better from magnums? Well, the universe heard me. The Last Bubbles Grand Fete drops this Friday, and it’s basically Christmas for people who know that magnums make the best holiday…
Ever wonder why champagne at fancy events always seems to come in those impressive oversized bottles? Turns out, it’s not just for the Instagram moment (though let’s be real, that’s a major perk). Magnums—those 1.5-liter bottles that are basically the…
The Chartreuse shortage isn't due to supply chain issues or production problems—it's because the Carthusian monks made a conscious decision in 2021 to cap production at roughly 1.2 million bottles per year. Their reasoning? 'Making millions of cases does not make any sense in today's environmental context and will have a negative impact on the planet in the very short term.' The monks also wanted to 'protect their monastic life and devote their time to solitude and prayer' rather than scale up production to meet growing demand from the craft cocktail world.
If you think Champagne is just for New Year's Eve and overpriced mimosas, Claudia Chamberlain would like a word. Last week, I spent a sun-soaked evening at Capitol Wine School—one of DC's premier wine education destinations—with the city's favorite Advanced Sommelier, diving deep into summer-ready bubbles. Think less "wedding toast," more "oysters and potato chips with zero shame."
Confused by champagne options? Learn when to choose big houses like Veuve Clicquot vs. grower champagnes. Complete shopping guide with recommendations for every budget.
Part 3 of our 4-part Champagne series Here’s something that might surprise: when you say “champagne,” you’re not talking about a type of wine—you’re talking about a place. But unlike Napa Valley or Bordeaux, where we geek out over specific…