EXPLORE THE WINE BLOG
Wine is a fascinating subject that often draws attention. Some love it; some don't care about it; I live it as a centerpiece of my life. Wine and spirits it have been an essential part of my life for 50 years. So follow my journey, and we will share our vinous exploration.
Six Red Wines for Thanksgiving
I was in my early 20s when I tasted my first Dry Creek Vineyard wines. Two wines remain memorable to this day. The 1972 Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc and the 1973 Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. The former was distinctive, earthy, and reminded me of Bordeaux Blanc and the latter was bright with berries and finely balanced. That was just the beginning. Now five decades later, I can report the winery’s wines continue to be excellent in the face of a more competitive marketplace.
Rosés, rosés, and rosés
In the 1970s, pink wines were mostly “soda pop offerings” that included White Zinfandels, Cold Duck, and other wines with sugary finishes. While these wines are and will always have a following, rosé wines have graduated into the category of distinctive, high-quality food wines.
Celebrating National Zinfandel Day, November 16, 2022
I started my career tasting Zinfandels from a difficult 1972 vintage, and my love of Zins grew from that point on: Here are 10 Zinfandels I found memorable from my 2022 tasting experiences.
Ten Delicious Red Wines $20 or below Ready for the Thanksgiving Table
Thanksgiving in America is a great time for family and friends. While I have made lists of my best red wines with a turkey and all the trimmings, I needed to create another list of the most affordable wines to help ease the budget crunch. Here is a list of ten delicious red wines $20 or below ready for this primetime occasion (alphabetical order)
Ten Cabernet Sauvignon Under $40
Cabernet Sauvignon under $40 exists; you just need to expand your search.
Rhône Blends, Carignane, Grenache, Oregon Pinot Noir, and Other Reds for Thanksgiving
I created two lists of my favorite Thanksgiving wine choices and received comments that I neglected some possible excellent decisions from what I have tasted this year. So, I went back to my spreadsheet and found ten wines that would be outstanding. This list includes wines I highly recommend.
10 Pinot Noirs for Thanksgiving 2022
Hey Wilfred, my parents are coming over for Thanksgiving dinner. This is the menu; please help me choose the right wine
-
![]()
Articles | Food, Drink, & Travel
Food, drinks, and travel—are three categories that can be difficult to navigate. My goal is to guide you and simplify the process.. Please join me on this journey, and we can enjoy the road together.
-
![]()
Let's Connect
Please contact me for any questions. I am available to write stories, taste, and evaluate wines.
-
![]()
About Wilfred
Wilfred (Willie) Wong’s 50-year wine career includes roles as Imported Wine Buyer for BevMo!, Chief Storyteller at Wine.com, Wine Judge, and Wine Journalist.
-
![]()
Wine Stories
Wine and spirits have been an essential part of my life for 50 years. I spend plenty of time researching the subject, and over the years I’ve collected stories I look forward to sharing with you.
