Welcome to Musings On The Vine

Musings on the Vine is a destination where people can enrich their love and understanding
of wine, spirits, and food.

Wine Tasting & Collecting

Wine Tasting & Collecting

Wine tasting is one of those activities where what you get out depends on what you put in.

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Wine Profiles

Much of the mystery behind tasting wines is due to a lack of familiarity with the many grape varieties grown for wine making and the numerous regions where wine is produced.

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Wine Profiles

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Blog Posts

  • Great Wine Myths That Refuse to Die

    Great Wine Myths That Refuse to Die

    One of the things I enjoy most about teaching wine is watching a student’s face when a long-held belief turns out to be wrong. Not “slightly inaccurate.” Not “open to interpretation.” Simply wrong. Wine, for all its beauty and complexity, has accumulated a remarkable collection of myths over the centuries. Some originated as well-intentioned advice.… Read More

  • Time to Make Some Room on the Bookshelf: An Updated Recommended Reading List

    Time to Make Some Room on the Bookshelf: An Updated Recommended Reading List

    One of the enduring features of Musings on the Vine has been my Recommended Reading list. Over the years, I’ve shared books on wine, food, history, and the occasional unlikely subject such as salt, cod, or caviar. Looking back through those recommendations recently, I was reminded how many remarkable authors have shaped my own understanding… Read More

  • Beyond the Label: What ‘Old Vine’ Really Means

    Beyond the Label: What ‘Old Vine’ Really Means

    Spend enough time around wine enthusiasts and sooner or later you’ll encounter the term Old Vine. Usually, it’s presented as a badge of honor. The label seems to suggest that older vines automatically produce superior wines and that younger vines are somehow less worthy of attention. As with many things in wine, reality is a… Read More

Revisiting Tenuta delle Terre Nere: The Rare 2023 Vintage

Revisiting Tenuta delle Terre Nere: The Rare 2023 Vintage

Etna’s rarest vintage, revealed in volcanic clarity. Read More »
2021 Barolo: A New Benchmark Vintage

2021 Barolo: A New Benchmark Vintage

A poised, pure, and age‑worthy Barolo vintage in sharp focus. Read More »
2022 Bordeaux: A Vintage of Precision and Freshness

2022 Bordeaux: A Vintage of Precision and Freshness

A modern‑era Bordeaux that defies the heat with balance and lift. Read More »
Fortified Wines of the World: A Global Exploration.

Fortified Wines of the World: A Global Exploration.

A global journey through the world’s most enduring and expressive wine traditions. Read More »

MUSINGS EVENTS & EDUCATION