Red
Fleurie
Beaujolais, France (Gamay)
Silky and juicy, with red cherry and violets. Light enough to drink slightly chilled.
Pair with Roast chicken, picnic cheesePrice $22 to $30My rating ●●●●●
Wine, minus the stuffiness.
Full Swirl is one enthusiast's notebook of favorite bottles, easy tasting tips and honest stories. It's for anyone who has ever nodded along at a wine list.
In my glass lately
Bottles I'd happily buy again, described the way I'd tell a friend. Prices are rough US retail.
Red
Rioja Reserva
Rioja, Spain (Tempranillo)
Warm and mellow, with cherry, vanilla and a hint of leather. Easy to love, hard to get wrong.
Pair with Grilled lamb, manchegoPrice $20 to $30My rating ●●●●○
White
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand (Sauvignon Blanc)
Bright and zesty, with grapefruit, passion fruit and fresh-cut grass. I especially love the green bell pepper and herbaceousness, that garden-fresh edge that makes it instantly recognizable.
Pair with Oysters, goat cheese, grilled asparagusPrice $12 to $17My rating ●●●●●
White
Mosel Riesling Kabinett
Mosel, Germany (Riesling)
Peach, lime and honey with a whisper of sweetness, balanced by bright acidity. Feels light and lively.
Pair with Spicy takeout, roast porkPrice $18 to $25My rating ●●●●●
Rosé
Provence Rosé
Provence, France (Grenache blend)
Pale and dry, with strawberry, watermelon and dried herbs. The wine equivalent of a sunny porch.
Pair with Salads, goat cheese, summerPrice $16 to $24My rating ●●●●○
Sparkling
Crémant d'Alsace
Alsace, France (Pinot Blanc blend)
Fine bubbles, green apple and toasted brioche. Champagne-style joy at a friendlier price.
Pair with Fried chicken, popcornPrice $20 to $26My rating ●●●●○
The journal
Short reads on tasting, learning and enjoying wine without the homework.
Wine 101
Dry doesn't mean what you think
The most misunderstood word in wine, explained in under a minute.
TastingWhy I swirl, and why you should too
It looks fancy, but the reason is practical and it's fun.
PairingsFive bottles to bring when you know nothing about wine
Crowd-pleasers for any dinner, and no one will guess you were nervous.
Swirl School
Tasting is just paying attention on purpose. Four steps, about a minute, no wrong answers.
- LookTilt the glass over something white. Is it pale, golden, ruby or deep purple?
- SwirlRest the base on the table and make small circles. This wakes up the aromas.
- SniffDip your nose in. Fruit, flowers, spice, toast? Say the first thing that comes to mind.
- SipLet it sit on your tongue. Is it juicy, sharp, silky, long-lasting? Then decide if you like it.
Wine words, in plain English
Dry
Not sweet. That's all. A dry wine can still taste fruity and soft. Read more
Tannin
The grippy, slightly drying feeling from grape skins and seeds, like strong black tea. Common in reds. Read more
Body
How heavy a wine feels in your mouth. Think skim milk versus whole milk. Read more
Acidity
The mouth-watering zing that makes you want another sip. It's why a crisp white feels fresh. Read more
Finish
How long the flavor lingers after you swallow. A long finish is usually a good sign. Read more
Meet the person behind the swirl
- Level 1 Sommelier
- Lifelong learner
- Home pourer
I earned my Level 1 sommelier certificate because I love wine, not because it's my job. I've never worked in the wine industry, which means I have nothing to sell you and a very fresh memory of staring at a shelf of a hundred bottles with no idea where to start.
Full Swirl is where I share what I'm learning and drinking. I write for curious people of every age, especially anyone who was told wine is too complicated. It isn't. It just needs better storytelling.