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the Wine Surprise Blog: Anticipate Every Glass

We chose the name Drum Roll as a tribute to wine's capacity to surprise. Plus, it's always something to look forward to.

Here are some of our surprising wine discoveries. Along with pretty pictures!

train tunnel
By Matt Frazier September 30, 2024
Oh, how the English have loved wine for so many years. Can they finally make some for themselves?
natural wine sign
By Matt Frazier June 10, 2024
What did wine taste like 50, 500, or 5,000 years ago? We're on a mission to find out.
By Matt Frazier March 19, 2023
Go off the beaten path in California’s small but delicious Edna Valley AVA and enjoy some small town artsy charm in San Luis Obispo as well.
By Matt Frazier November 14, 2022
A visit to Denmark highlights questions about how and where viticulture will flourish in the future.
By Matt Frazier June 13, 2022
The Ahr Valley is the only predominantly red wine region in Germany. Delightful pinot noir, gorgeous scenery, and a few surprises awaited our visit.
By Matt Frazier March 20, 2021
Here’s a simple guide for getting the best value in wine.
February 22, 2021
Want to get the most out of every drop? We do, too. So try these ideas.
By Matt Frazier August 8, 2020
Join us for a visit to the McNary vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington State.
February 22, 2020
There was a time when I sought after bold red wines with enormous fruit flavors. Like Zinfandel. As I encountered various wines from around the world, however, Zin began to seem too much to me. So now what?
By Matt Frazier June 8, 2019
Some say Perth, Australia is the most isolated city in the world. In which case, Margaret River (a 3-hour drive south), must be a candidate for the world’s most isolated wine region.
By Matt Frazier April 22, 2019
Believe it or not, there are unique, little known, and hyper-local expressions of winemaking traditions in Italy, a country that’s been making wine for millennia.
By Matt Frazier January 18, 2019
Mexico was the first wine producing region in North America. Like other “New World” regions, there have been plenty of ups and downs for wine production over the years.
By Matt Frazier January 9, 2019
Food and wine pairing can be a complicated topic. We present a few principles here that will get you well on your way to a deeper understanding and enjoyment.
By Matt Frazier October 29, 2018
Pinot noir can be both delicate and powerful at the same time. Impressions of light red fruit intermingle with flavors of earth. What is it that makes these wines so special?
July 1, 2018
Wine isn't cheap. So why not enjoy it at its best? Here's our guide to getting the most out of your hard-earned wine.
By Matt Frazier June 18, 2018
Hong Kong is utterly inhospitable to grape growing. Sop how did it become a major exporter of wine while producing exactly none?
By Matt Frazier June 10, 2018
Big, boozy shiraz is the epitome of Australian wine and New Zealand is all about cool-climate sauvignon blanc, right? You might be surprised.
By Matt Frazier May 28, 2018
Chardonnay is the top-produced (and consumed) white wine in the world. Yet it is so often misunderstood (or worse, maligned). Let’s sort all that out.
By Matt Frazier May 2, 2018
A noble grape renown through the world, riesling can produce remarkable wine. If you’re under the impression that it's just cloying and gross, then let’s set the record straight.
By Matt Frazier March 17, 2018
I put my theory of Japanese excellence in all things to the test by exploring Japanese wine in a region just outside of Tokyo. Not Sake, but actual glorious fermented and aged grape juice.
November 18, 2017
Though the country is reportedly the seventh largest wine producer in the world, Chinese-made wine is not well-known, even within China.
By Matt Frazier November 4, 2017
This first Wine Surprise blog entry is about wine from India. Surprise! During recent trips to Mumbai, I tasted an impressive array of delicious wines and visited wineries outside the city as well.
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