Wine Scene

Refreshing white wines for summer sipping
[Jun. 12, 2008] When I hear the weatherman talk about 90-degree, hot, sultry days, I start thinking about cool, crisp and refreshing white wines. By Dave Ethridge

A tribute to Mondavi
[May 29, 2008] His name is known worldwide. He has been called by many the foremost winemaker in the United States. His legacy will always be with us. By Dave Ethridge

Wills Winery wins again
[May 15, 2008] We’ve been following the progress at Wills Winery in Lapeer since it began in 2004 as a franchise make-your-own wine shop. Located then in downtown Lapeer, it began attracting customers who wanted the wine-making experience and the opportunity to take home their own blends. By Dave Ethridge

Butch Cassidy's wine
[May 1, 2008] Most everyone has sampled at least one of Newman’s Own food products — the salad dressing (I love the Creamy Caesar), popcorn, salsa, tomato sauce, steak sauce or lemonade. By Dave Ethridge

Wine tasting in airports
[Apr. 17, 2008] What a marvelous idea! If you’re as tired as I am of noisy, smelly sports bars, the usual fare in airports, and the lousy, rot-gut wine they generally serve, then this new diversion is just for you. By Dave Ethridge

Some Sirius Bordeaux
[Apr. 3, 2008] Sirius is the brightest star in the universe, so it is not too surprising that Maison Sichel has named a selection of its award-winning Bordeaux wines by that title. By Dave Ethridge

More on the art of blending
[Mar. 20, 2008] The vast majority of blended wines (wines made by blending two, three or more grape varieties to the winemaker’s personal style) are red. There are, however, a growing number of white Meritage wines being currently produced. The word “Meritage’ is a new wine term being applied to very select blended wines that meet quite specific standards. By Dave Ethridge

The art of blending
[Mar. 6, 2008]   By Dave Ethridge

Best buys of the year, Part II, Red wines
[Feb. 21, 2008]   By Dave Ethridge

Best buys of the year, Part I -- White Wines
[Feb. 7, 2008] Every year we collect the listings of best buys from the various national wine journals, compile them into a big list, then go shopping. Many of those listings are not available in our area, but we usually find a nice selection of wines under $15.

The new Forest Glen
[Jan. 24, 2008] Millions of Americans have enjoyed Forest Glen wines over the past decade. The brand first appeared on the market in 1995 and has been a mainstay of wines in the economical price range of $10-12 ever since. By Dave Ethridge

From the sunny slopes of Sicily
[Jan. 10, 2008] As I sit here by the fireplace on a cold wintry January morning, I can’t help but think back a few weeks when I was blithely enjoying those sunny slopes of Sicily. Sicily was a one-day stop-over on our recent Mediterranean cruise and proved to be one of the highlights of the trip. By Dave Ethridge

The mystique of Champagne
[Dec. 27, 2007] Champagne has never been more popular. Even though it continues to be very expensive — and even more so at the current exchange rates —Champagne has increased in sales every year. And new importers in China, Russia and other countries with growing economies are demanding this luxury drink, making the supply even scarcer, which only further increases prices. By Dave Ethridge

Take a riverboat cruise through wine country
[Dec. 13, 2007] Riverboat cruising has rapidly become the hottest new vacation experience, with exciting riverboat cruises taking place all over the world. By Dave Ethridge