Here is a guide to our favorite Portland wine shops Last update 8/4/25While many wine bars like Bar Avignon are gaining in popularity and exposure, Portland, Oregon, wine shops often fly under the radar of the public. Big retail stores like Fred Meyer’s, Zupan’s, New Seasons, and even Trader Joe’s carry international and domestic producers, but the small shops often have … [Read more...] about Guide to Portland Oregon Wine Shops
News Stories Relating to Alcoholic Beverages
This covers all of our posts about alcohol: wine, beer, cider and spirits. You'll find all sorts of interesting stories here, new businesses, classes and more.
Is Wine-tasting Junk Science?
I've often been disappointed by highly-rated wines. At the same time, I've found wines at the other end of the judging scale that I really liked. Over the years, it seems that my palate can vary from day to day, which can be really annoying when I open bottles of wine over a few weeks, and less impressed than before.I thought it was just me, but when I was viewing the movie … [Read more...] about Is Wine-tasting Junk Science?
The Movie “Somm”, Raises the Curtain on the Master Sommelier Exam
You may not have heard of the organization, but in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers was established to provide a worldwide certification in the art, science, and history that is required to become a sommelier. The exam is brutal. Over the past forty years, only 211 candidates worldwide have earned the Master Sommelier Diploma.The feature-length documentary follows four … [Read more...] about The Movie “Somm”, Raises the Curtain on the Master Sommelier Exam
I’m Rated Out! Do Wine Ratings Mean Anything?
By Ken ColluraAs a professional wine buyer and an active consumer, I'm inundated with ratings. Each major wine publication has seemingly hundreds of them each month. If that wasn't enough, they're encountered in big, bold numerals everywhere wines are sold. You'll see them in newspaper ads, on shelf-talkers, and neck-hangers on the bottles themselves.I admit I'm … [Read more...] about I’m Rated Out! Do Wine Ratings Mean Anything?
Wine Musings: Meeting Royalty
Penne all’Arrabbiata This great wine piece by Darryl Joannides includes a recipe for Penne all'Arrabbiata. It was late January 1997 and a particularly dark, wet, and dreary winter’s day. We were on the back end of a 3-week trip driving all over the Italian peninsula and beginning to get that type of weary that sets in when you’ve been away a long time and constantly on the … [Read more...] about Wine Musings: Meeting Royalty