acidity

A 10/10 Wine That Defied Expectations

A 10/10 Wine That Defied Expectations

Listen up: The wine that made me rethink everything I knew about 100-point scores arrived like a revelation. It wasn’t the Opus one I’d tried recently—more structured, more alive, and utterly unapologetic in its complexity. Earthy, velvety, and blackberry-rich, it resisted the usual oak-heavy clichés, offering a slow unraveling of layers with every sip. The finish lingered like a whispered secret, evolving with each swallow. This wasn’t just a high-scoring bottle—it was a masterclass in restraint. The tasting was a revelation, too. At a local shop, the owner pulled this gem from the shelf like it was a long-lost friend.…
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The Moment You Realized You Could Master Wine Lists

The Moment You Realized You Could Master Wine Lists

There's something about wine lists that turns confident palates into anxious ones. You know the drill: a bound booklet, cryptic jargon, and a chorus of voices whispering, “What if you pick the wrong one?” Last night, a work dinner at a restaurant where the wine list was a 14-page tome, left me sweating through my seat. My coworkers, all seasoned diners, were watching me flip pages like a panicked squirrel. I defaulted to a Malbec—because it was the only word I recognized—and hoped it wouldn’t feel like a betrayal. It didn’t. But the entire evening lingered in the shadow of…
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The Chardonnay Paradox: Why California’s Wines Are Rewriting the Rules

The Chardonnay Paradox: Why California’s Wines Are Rewriting the Rules

Chardonnay is the wine world’s most contentious grape—so why is it still the star of the show? For decades, it’s been the subject of disdain, mocked for its buttery, vanilla-drenched profiles. Yet here we are, still sipping it, still debating its merits. The truth? Chardonnay isn’t a monolith. It’s a chameleon, and the right bottle can turn critics into fans. Take this Lake County example: a wine that defies the stereotype. The problem with Chardonnay isn’t the grape itself—it’s how it’s been co-opted. Corporate labels have turned it into a flavor factory, drowning its natural character in oak and caramel.…
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Sustainable Wines and the Ethical Winemaker: A New Book Explores Climate Leadership

Sustainable Wines and the Ethical Winemaker: A New Book Explores Climate Leadership

In a world increasingly attuned to environmental responsibility, a new book titled Rooted in Change is reshaping the narrative around wine production by spotlighting the intersection of sustainability, ethics, and innovation. The publication, which debuted on Decanter, delves into the journeys of pioneering winemakers and industry leaders who are redefining what it means to be an "ethical drinker" in the face of climate challenges. At its core, the book argues that the future of viticulture hinges on balancing ecological stewardship with the cultural and economic traditions of wine-making. Central to the book’s thesis is the idea that sustainability is not…
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The Coffee Corner Upgrade That Changed Everything

The Coffee Corner Upgrade That Changed Everything

Let’s talk about the coffee corner upgrade that turned a basic setup into a precision lab. A few weeks ago, I added a wood top to my coffee station and installed LED ambient lighting—small tweaks that transformed the space into a serene, functional zone. But the real game-changer? Swapping my trusty i189d grinder for a new Philos mazzer with an i200d burr. The results? A revelation. No more muddy espresso. The flavor? Unbelievable. The i200d’s ability to grind super fine, even for fresh Costa Rican Terrazu, was a surprise. I used to set my old grinder to 20 for consistency,…
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The Moment I Tasted Espresso’s True Potential

The Moment I Tasted Espresso’s True Potential

There's something brewing in the espresso world that's finally clicking. After years of sipping lukewarm lattes and chasing that elusive "good" shot, I hit a breakthrough. It started with a simple swap: trading my Baratza Encore for a Kingrinder K6 and my Breville Bambino for a Flair 58+2. What changed? Everything. For years, I’d drowned my espresso in milk, masking the lackluster flavors. Dark roasts and creamy textures were my comfort zone—until this year, when I cut back on milk drinks and leaned into simpler brews: Americanos, espresso Coke, and the occasional iced latte. The shift wasn’t about austerity; it…
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The Bezzera Strega: Why This Espresso Machine Became My New Obsession

The Bezzera Strega: Why This Espresso Machine Became My New Obsession

This might just change your routine: After years of chasing the perfect espresso, I traded my Elektra Microcasa leva for a Bezzera Strega—and never looked back. The decision wasn’t easy. I’d spent months debating between the Bezzera and a Profitec 800, but a single technical glitch with the Profitec forced a pivot. Now, the Strega isn’t just a machine—it’s a revelation. The Strega’s standout trait? Its relentless speed. While the Elektra was reliable, it took minutes to heat up, slowing down my morning ritual. The Strega warms up in seconds, turning espresso prep into a seamless flow. But speed alone…
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Climate Crisis Meets Coffee: A New Era of Resilience

Climate Crisis Meets Coffee: A New Era of Resilience

The verdict is in: climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s rewriting the rules of coffee farming. As rising temperatures strain coffee trees and extreme weather disrupts harvests, the industry is scrambling to adapt. Enter CafeClima, a groundbreaking data platform launched by World Coffee Research and CIAT, designed to map out climate-smart replanting strategies. This tool isn’t just about saving trees; it’s about securing livelihoods, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring coffee’s future. Farmers now have access to real-time climate models, soil health insights, and funding pathways to rebuild their crops—turning survival into strategy. Meanwhile, in the Philippines’ Sugar Valley, coffee…
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Hojicha: The Comfort Tea Stealing Matcha’s Spotlight

Hojicha: The Comfort Tea Stealing Matcha’s Spotlight

Time to spill: Matcha’s global rise has hit a snag—and hojicha is stepping in. The vibrant green powder once confined to Japanese tea ceremonies now dominates café menus, but its meteoric growth has strained supply chains. Japan’s matcha producers, already stretched thin by climate shifts and labor shortages, are struggling to meet demand. Enter hojicha: a roasted, low-caffeine tea with nutty warmth and a cult following that’s growing fast. It’s not just a substitute—it’s a redefinition of what tea can be. The real story here isn’t about competition—it’s about choice. Matcha’s intensity, with its grassy umami and vivid hue, appeals…
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The Art of Espresso Setup: Mastering Workflow for Consistency and Speed

The Art of Espresso Setup: Mastering Workflow for Consistency and Speed

This is worth savoring: A well-organized espresso setup isn’t just about speed—it’s about precision, consistency, and the quiet confidence of a barista who knows their craft. In a world where cafés face staffing shortages and prosumers chase café-level results, workflow isn’t a luxury. It’s the invisible thread holding quality, efficiency, and stress management together. At its core, workflow is the choreography of espresso preparation: grinding, dosing, distributing, tamping, and serving. Clutter behind the bar disrupts this rhythm, adding seconds that compound during peak hours. Studies show disorganized stations can slow service by 10–20 seconds per drink, while clean zones cut…
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