Gus Clemens on Wine explores and explains the world of wine in simple, humorous, fun posts

Wine’s tough year 12-30-2025

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ah, it was a heady wine time while it lasted. Wine enjoyed more than 50 years of vineyard and winery growth, more than 50 years of improving quality, ...

Tannins explained 10-8-2025

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tannins are natural and essential to wine. They also are wine’s most misunderstood element. Even wine scientists admit they do not fully understand ...

Controversial wine review terms 9-16-2025

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wine writers freely admit that trying to describe how a wine tastes is the classic “like dancing about architecture” folly. But amid the thousands...

Wine writer times they are a-changin’ 9-2-2025

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After 17 years of communicating to readers as a newspaper wine columnist with a side gig online, the ground shifted, the medium and the stylistic conv...

Wine reviews humor 8-13-2025

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnI get it. Using words to describe what a wine tastes like is like dancing about architecture. But wine writers do it anyway, ...

Perceived sweetness in wine 8-6-2025

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWhat makes a wine sweet and what makes a wine taste sweet? As you might expect in the convoluted world of wine, the two are n...

A widow solves a Champagne riddle 7-30-2025

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnRevolution and evolution in wine in the 17th and 18th centuries set up the sparkling wine world we enjoy today. Christopher M...

Sparkling evolution-revolution 7-23-2025

27 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine has been evolving for at least 8,000 years, and so it goes in the world of sparkling wine.First, the basics. Benedictine...

Days of thine and rosés 7-16-2025

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnSummmer-time, and sippin’ rosé is easy… fish are jumpin’… and the cotton is high.OK, bastardizing George Gershwin’...

High summer wine 7-9-2025

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIt is high summer in the Northern Hemisphere. What wine fits into the zeitgeist of pools splashing with bikini-clad frolicker...

Boring wines 7-2-2025

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnAs someone who loves writing and wine, it was a quick and easy call 17 years ago when the local newspaper publisher asked me ...

Expensive wine 6-25-2025

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnPeople ask what was the most expensive wine I ever received for review. I think their question reflects curiosity about what ...

What’s with Texas wine? 6-18-2025

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnVintage and location are keys to understanding wine in Texas, which now produces the fifth most wine in the United States.Tex...

Wine time changes 6-11-2025

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnTo everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. In June of 2025, such a time has come for my wine...

Wine-mood pairings 6-4-2025

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWe know wine is magnificent paired with food, enhancing qualities of both. Wine and food also can be a welcomed pairing when ...

Warm weather wine 5-28-2025

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnAs May flowers fade, the more stern months of summer saunter into our lives and our wine drinking regimen.Time to lay down bi...

Cava confusion 5-21-2025

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnCava is Spanish sparkling wine made using the traditional method developed in Champagne, right?Not so simple. In 1872, Spain’...

Winery wars 5-14-2025

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnThe wine industry faces the first headwinds it has faced in half a century. Inevitably things get snippy in the previously co...

Mother’s Day 5-7-2025

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnMother’s Day easily can be promoted as “Buy Mom Some Wine Day.” There is the cliché joke: “buy mom wine because you ...

The future of wine 4-30-2025

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine has been a staple of food and culture for 8,000 years. It is not going away. But the wine industry’s exhilarating days...

Questions and answers 4-23-2025

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnAnswers to common wine questions:• What is the difference between my home refrigerator and a wine refrigerator?Your home fr...

Questions and answers 4-16-2025

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnSome answers to common questions:• What does “fruity” and “sweet” mean in a wine review?They are two different conc...

Wine complexity 4-9-2025

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine has an image problem that is both its biggest asset and its Achilles heal. Wine is the most complex alcohol drink.If you...

Why no negatives? 4-2-2025

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnFollowers of my wine writing know I do not do negative wine reviews. I consider myself a curator rather than a critic. If you...

Wines for spring 3-26-2025

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnSpring is here. What wines are especially suited for the warming days and the return of plants from dormancy? There are many ...

Texas wine ascendent 3-19-2025

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnSixty years ago, Texas wine was a curious microdot in the wine world. Two Texas Tech professors piddled around with a few gra...

Wine bottle closures 3-12-2025

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIt used to be simple. Good wine had a natural cork. Cheap wine had a screw top. Not any more.The 1990s wine boom stressed cor...

AI evaluation 3-5-2025

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnI find Perplexity a useful AI tool researching wine and other topics. In an act of hubris, I challenged it to evaluate Gus Cl...

Grapes by the numbers 2-26-2025

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnBy best estimate, there are some 10,000 different grape varieties in the world. If you tasted a different one every day, it w...

Wine bottle sizes 2-19-2025

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIt is a new year and there are sweeping changes in wine bottle sizes in America. Yep, wine makers and glass blowers have a wh...

Wine for Valentine 2-12-2025

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnValentine’s Day cometh, time for expressing love and affection, although one can argue that should be on your to-do list ev...

Gripes and opinions 2-5-2025

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine columnists are expected to have opinions, and I have many. Here are four to rile up readers.• Stemless wine glasses. T...

Blending terms 1-29-2025

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine labels and wine reviews may include various references to wine blending. Some are specific and informative. Others are d...

Types of blends 1-22-2025

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnBlending is essential to making some of the world’s most iconic wines. We explored the several ways to blend last week. Thi...

Varietals and blends 1-15-2025

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIn general, wines can be divided into varietals and blends. This being wine, it is not so black-and-white simple. Let’s exp...

Wine scores 1-8-2025

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columWine scores. Oh, my. On one level, ridiculous. On another level, essential to wine’s success over the past half century. Som...

Winter wine survival 1-1-2025

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnHappy New Year. We survived another sun circumnavigation. Sunlight grows slowly longer. Spring rebirth looms over the sere, c...

Christmas 12-25-2024

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columThis column runs on Wednesdays in most markets—Christmas Day in 2024. If you have not secured your wine before now, no chanc...

Holiday wine pairing insight 12-18-2024

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columWith Christmas/holiday feasts coming soon, what is the ideal alcohol percentage for wine paired with food? The answer is 10-14...

Gifts for wine drinker 12-11-2024

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIf you have a wine lover on your Christmas/holiday gift list, some recommendations.Wine always is appreciated. Gift wine they...

Nebbiolo—kings and queens 12-4-2024

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columNebbiolo is the extraordinary grape closely identified with the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy and particularly with th...

White wine ascendant 11-27-2024

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine is in turmoil. People are turning to alcohol alternatives. Red wine sales are down, white and rosé are up. French and I...

Thanksgiving pinot noir 11-20-2024

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnThanksgiving is the great American gastronomic holiday. Halloween is for foolishness, costumes, and candy. Christmas is for w...

Wine barrels 11-13-2024

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columIt takes two to four centuries to grow the oak tree for a wine barrel. Then, after tree harvest, four, usually more, years to ...

Wood and wine 11-6-2024

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine is an agricultural product. Hardly an earth-shattering revelation. But consider its scope. Not just wine vines, as essen...

Wine odds and ends 10-30-2024

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnSome facts and trivia to lighten your mood as we prepare for the horrors of “fall back” when the government gives back th...

Halloween and wine 10-23-2024

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnHalloween is next week, but if you are giving wine advice it’s best to give your audience some time to act on it.First, I k...

Wine column reflections 10-16-2024

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnOctober begins the 17th year of this wine column. Reflections.• Quality wine is made by grape farmers in a vineyard, not by...

Alcohol risks 10-9-2024

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnScare headlines: “Drinking any alcohol is a cancer risk.” Well, okay, the question is how much of a risk?In this discussi...

Wine name revolution 10-2-2024

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIf you go into almost any wine shop, liquor store, or supermarket wine section in the United States—and now in most places ...

Wine barrels 9-25-2024

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWinemakers: To oak or not to oak, that is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of ...

Great wine comes from great vineyards 9-18-2024

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWhat makes a great wine? There is a hard and fast answer: “great wine comes from great vineyards.”What makes a great vine...

Five enemies of wine 9-11-2024

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine is your friend, especially when sipped with friends during a convivial meal. You are obliged to protect it from its enem...

How to be a good wine snob 9-4-2024

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine snobbery is a detestable trait. But you can be a “good” wine snob. Here’s how.• Respect the preferences of other...

Malolactic fermentation/conversion 8-28-2024

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnEven if you only dip your big toe into wine wonkiness, you likely encounter the term “malolactic fermentation” or MLF. Wh...

Commercialization defines wine 8-21-2024

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnCommercialization defines wine 8-21-2024Wine is fermented grape juice, an agricultural product like green beans and corn. But...

Did dinosaur extinction lead to wine? 8-14-2024

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnDid the extinction of dinosaurs play a part in the creation of wine? While it may sound far-fetched,  according to an articl...

There is no definition for rosé 8-7-2024

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnAugust. For many, triple digit degree days. Time to beat the heat with chilled rosé.Except, what exactly is rosé? Surprisin...

Your taste buds 7-31-2024

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnTasting science used to be so simple. Alas, no more.Back in 1901, a German scientist opined various taste receptors were orde...

Underage direct to consumer 7-24-2024

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnDirect-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping enjoys exponential growth. This is a great and welcome boon to wine makers, especially...

Véraison 7-17-2024

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnA miracle is happening right now in vineyards throughout the northern hemisphere.“Véraison” is the French term for the t...

Summer and rosé 7-10-2024

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnAs the Nat King Cole song goes, “Roll out those lazy, hazy days of summer.” But instead of soda and pretzels and beer, it...

Wine and the Fourth 7-3-2024

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWe celebrate the 248th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence tomorrow. There may be fireworks and pa...

Pét-nat wines 6-26-2024

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnPét-Nat or Pétillant-Naturel. What the heck is that “next big thing” in wine?The “next big thing” designation is ir...

High-priced wine 6-19-2024

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnThere is panic and turmoil in high dollar wines you and I do not buy.This is not about big dollar wines we could buy—Caymus...

Wine storage tips 6-12-2024

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnMost of us drink a bottle of wine soon after purchase. From an hour after we get home to a couple of days or weeks. Wine stor...

What’s your favorite wine 6-5-2024

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly column“If you could only drink one wine for the rest of your life, what wine would that be?” I get that question often.As a Cat...

What influences your wine buying? 5-29-2024

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIn an opinion survey by YouGov, Americans claimed “bottle or label design” was the least important factor in their select...

What do Americans think about wine? 5-22-2024

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWhat do Americans think about wine? 5-22-2024What wines do Americans prefer, how much are they willing to pay for it, and wha...

Wine glut pitfalls 5-15-2024

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnThe world has a glut of wine. In some ways, a good thing for wine buyers. With supply up and demand down, wine makers have to...

Wine descriptors Part Six 5-8-2024

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnThis is the final episode of our adventure into the world of wine descriptors.• Spicy: Various grapes contribute spice—sy...

Wine descriptors Part Five 5-1-2024

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnContinuing our adventure in the world of wine descriptors.• Tannin: Tannins come from grape skins, seeds, and oak barrels. ...

Wine descriptors Part Four 4-24-2024

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIn our continuing investigation into the world of wine descriptors, we move to common terms.• Acidity: Key component of win...

Wine descriptors Part Three 4-17-2024

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnIn our investigation of wine descriptors, we continue our plunge into wine’s weird words.• Petrol/diesel: Associated with...

Wine descriptors Part Two 4-10-2024

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnContinuing our investigation of wine descriptors. Last week we noted wine shares the same molecules as familiar, pleasant tas...

Wine descriptors Part One 4-3-2024

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnUsing words to describe wine is fraught with peril and leaves wine writers exposed to ridicule. Adapting a line from Martin M...

Grape growing USA 3-27-2024

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnGrapes remain the highest value fruit crop in the U.S.—estimated at $7 billion. There are a million acres of grape-bearing ...

Wine and Holy Week 3-20-2024

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnFor Christians, the coming days are a transition from the promise of Christmas to the time of fulfillment of Easter.Jesus’s...

Wine challenges 3-13-2024

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWhile wine has been an integral part of civilization for at least 8,000 years, it also is subject to the waxes and wanes of f...

Porto 3-6-2024

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnPorto (port wine) often is mistaken to be a depth-of-winter libation sipped while gazing at a roaring fire, the finale to a r...

Wine facts and trivia, Part Two 2-28-2024

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnMore interesting facts and trivia about wine:• World wine production averages around 6.5 billion gallons a year.• Portuga...

Wine facts and trivia, Part One 2-21-2023

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnSome interesting facts and trivia about wine:• The Bible mentions wine 247 times. Forty of those mentions are negative, usu...

Wine glut 2-14-2024

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine has enjoyed quite a run. Consumption up for decades. Quality up—the best in the 8,000 year history of wine. Availabili...

Valentine’s Day 2-7-2023

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnValentine’s Day, the inspired capitalist fabrication of greeting card makers, florists, and chocolatiers, happens next Wedn...

Scientific proof of terroir 1-31-2024

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnTerroir is that baffling French term you often encounter with wine. There is another French term that sums up the meaning of ...

Old Vines 1-24-2024

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnYou likely have seen the description “old vine” on a wine label. What exactly does that mean and is it  important?“Old...

Laura Catena interview Part Five 1-17-2024

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnLaura Catena interview Part Five 1-17-2024Dr. Laura Catena, managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata, is considered the face...

California’s Goldilocks vintage 1-10-2024

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnCalifornia’s Goldilocks vintage 1-10-2024It is a new year and time for some good news.Recent history has not been kind for ...

Meteorological seasons 1-3-2024

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnMeteorological seasons 1-3-2024It is early January. Barely into winter. Except it isn’t barely into winter if you reckon by...

New Year's bubbly 12-27-2023

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnNew Year’s bubbly 12-27-2023While sparkling wine deserves to be enjoyed year-round, New Year’s Eve and special celebratio...

Wine for Christmas 12-20-2023

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnWine for Christmas 12-20-2023If you are reading this column, there is a good chance wine will be part of your Christmas/holid...

Christmas gifts 12-13-2023

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnChristmas gifts 12-13-2023So, you want to give a wine-related gift for Christmas. Some recommendations.Avoid kitschy wine gad...

Laura Catena interview Part Four 12-6-2023

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly column (sent out inadvertently on 12-2-2023Laura Catena interview Part Four 12-6-2023Dr. Laura Catena, managing director of Bodega ...

Laura Catena interview Part Four 12-6-2023

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly columnLaura Catena interview Part Four 12-6-2023Dr. Laura Catena, managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata, is considered the face...

Qvevri 11-29-2023

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Qvevri 11-29-2023It seems inevitable. Whatever is “in” eventually will be “out.” Whatever is out eventually will be the next big thing. In the...

Laura Catena interview Part Three 11-22-2023

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly newspaper columnLaura Catena interview Part Three 11-22-2023Dr. Laura Catena is the managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata and o...

Thanksgiving strategies 11-15-2023

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly newspaper columnThanksgiving strategies 11-15-2023Thanksgiving is the greatest of all the food-centered holidays. July Fourth is ho...

Laura Catena interview Part Two 11-8-2023

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly newspaper columnLaura Catena interview Part Two 11-8-2023Dr. Laura Catena is managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata, one of Arge...

Laura Catena interview Part One 11-1-2023

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly newspaper columnLaura Catena interview Part One 11-1-2023Laura Catena is considered the face of Argentine wine and a wine world lea...

Random wine facts and hacks 10-25-2023

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the weekly newspaper columnRandom wine facts and hacks 10-25-2023Random notes on wine conundrums, weird facts, and wine hacks.• How do you o...