December 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

December 01, 2000
December 15, 2000

111. Xmas—Give A Wine Book
Here are some good books to consider for your Christmas list.

110. Xmas—Give a Wine Event!
David P. Jones of Wine Works is our choice to conduct a wine event, such as a tour or a tasting.

109. Xmas—Give a Wine Course
The Wine Spectator says..."Imaginative Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers: In the S.F. Bay area, give a Fred McMillin wine course."

November 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

November 01, 2000
November 15, 2000

108. Out of Eden ...The Origin of Wine and Beer
England's Archdeacon Samuel Rolleston published treatise that describes the origin of wine and beer.

107. Expensive California Wines...Is Napa Better?
Napa has the greater prestige...but do the Napa wines actually taste better right now?

106. Robert Mondavi Wines Below $25...How Good Are They?
The stature of Mondavi ultra-premium wines is beyond question, but how do the Mondavi bottles stack up against the competition?

October 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

October 01, 2000
October 15, 2000

105. A Pocketful of Bubbles
The Millennium Champagne and Sparkling Wine Guide by Tom Stevenson. Here are some tidbits, deviously selected to lure you into purchasing this treat.

104. What's Your Very Best Buy?
Here are our Top Ten white and red bargains.

103. Flopping or Flourishing?? The Aussie Invasion
Australian wines that may be new to you... so how do they stack up against California wines of the same varietal and same price?

September 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

September 01, 2000
September 15, 2000

102. All-American Tasting
California wines were pitted against those from five other states.

101. The Foothills Versus the Coast...Their White Wines
We got to wondering about the white wine situation; at the same price, which will win in a blind tasting?

100. The Wrath of Grapes, Author—Lewis Perdue—Book Review
It's concise and fascinating.

August 2000

Wine Picks

Summer Edition:
Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

August 01, 2000

99. Below $15...Is South America Overtaking California?
South America's low costs and fine growing conditions were attracting investment and talent.

98. How Much to Pay For California Merlot?
Prices of Merlot increases as the quality increases.

97. Breaking news...California Wine Trends
From the best current book on California wine. Book Review of California Wine, New Second Edition.

96. They Have the Smarts
University of California at Davis—the world's leader in the acquisition of this knowledge, find out why.

95. A Sixteen Dollar Shootout
We selected a large number of $16 California wines for a blind tasting.

July 2000

Wine Picks

Summer Edition:
Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

July 01, 2000

94. A Wall Street...Love Story
25 years ago, they fell in love with wine (and each other).

93. WineDay B.C. (Buyer's Cap)
Is it worth the additional expense to get the additional quality?
Our Buyer's Cap will give you the answer.

92. How Much to Pay For Cabernet?
Decide how high a quality wine you want, and then look at
our WineDay Buyer's Cap (B.C.).

91. Pick An All-Pro Merlot
Merlot is hot! More and more people are discovering it...

90. Is Syrah on a Roll?
How is Syrah doing compared to the competition?

June 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

June 01, 2000
June 15, 2000

89. Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall,
Which Is Fairest of Them All?
A review of the Winning Wine from our last 16 tastings.

88. Bargain Bottles
Finding good wines that cost no more than $10.

87. The Great Grape Goof
Find out what had gone wrong at the Vina Winery's harvest in the fall of 1887.

May 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

May 01, 2000
May 15, 2000

86. Field Trip Hot Tip...
Visit the Ghosts of Napa.—Book Review

85. From Clumsy to Classy...
The Story of Wine in California.

84. The Knight, the Moullah, and...The Discovery of Wine
Learn the story of the legendary Persian king named Jemsheed.

April 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

April 01, 2000
April 15, 2000

83. A Book for All Readers
A review of Master of Wine Clive Coates,
"The Wines of France".—Book Review

82. The Law of the Land...
What the label doesn't tell you.

81. The Truth About Zinfandel
A sleuth's review of the history of Zinfandel.

March 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

March 01, 2000
March 15, 2000

80. California Chardonnays, 1997 vs. 1998
Are you buying a Chardonnay for tonight?

79. Chilean, Anyone?
Chile has established a worldwide reputation over the last decade.

February 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

February 01, 2000
February 15, 2000

78. Highbred Reds
Find good red wines costing no more than $20.

77. Buy French or California Wines?—Part II
Update on this hot topic.

January 2000

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

January 1, 2000
January 15, 2000

76. New Wines for a New Millennium
New Vintages and Some New Names.

75. A Toast to Your Health
With Our Best Chardonnays.

74. Australia Versus California
See which Aussie imports have become competitive.

December 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

December 01, 1999
December 15, 1999

73. An Under-Over Tasting
Six Zinfandels against six equally-priced Cabernet Sauvignons, learn the results.

72. Those Better Blancs
Today, there's a new generation of Sauvignon Blanc costing $15 or more. Are they worth it?

71. Sipping with Henry
A special with host Henry Tenenbaum, NBC Channel 4 in San Francisco.

November 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

November 01, 1999
November 15, 1999

70. Buy French or California Wines?—Part I
Discover the news!

69. Age Which Wines?
Learn what to store in your cellar.

68. Will the South Rise Again?
Compare Southern California to Northern California wines.

67. A Pacific Coast Shootout
Northwest wines versus California wines.

October 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

October 01, 1999
October 15, 1999

66. From A Stellar Cellar
Results from a very special tasting.

65. The Wall Street Beat
Do Australian Chardonnays under $20 have more character than many similarly priced American Chardonnays?

64. Get Your Kicks From '97 or '96?
Compare a dozen 1997s with equally-priced 1996s...only Chardonnays and Zinfandels.

September 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

September 01, 1999
September 15, 1999

63. Buy California or Outsiders?
Learn how to rate them.

62. 1995 Versus 1997 Chardonnays
These results may surprise you!

61. A Gold Rush Tasting
Wonders from the Sierra Foothills.

60. Young Merlots Versus Young Cabs
Youthful wines come to prime.

July & August 1999

Wine Picks

Summer Edition:
Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

August 1, 1999
July 1, 1999

59. The Best Affordable Red???
Find out how you can tell!

58. The Flood, The Vine and Noah
Discover some surprising facts from history.

57. Sullivan Fun
Review of author Charles Sullivan's book & U.C. Berkeley. - Book Review.

56. 1999, Best Buys & Dark Clouds
Find out what rates, so far...

55. 1999, The Best of Each Varietal
Varietal choices by the experts!

June 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

June 01, 1999
June 15, 1999

54. California Cabs: '94 vs '96
Learn what the experts know.

53. Wine from A to Z
A guide for all reasons.

52. Move Over, Chardonnay
Who is the newest star?

May 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

May 01, 1999
May 15, 1999  

51. Sips & Quips
Michael Bonadies' new Sip By Sip.—Book Review.

50. The Rhone Versus Bordeaux
Which variety captures prestige in California?

49. Top Underdogs, Part II
Find out how the experts rated these wines!

April 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

April 01, 1999
April 15, 1999

48. Top Underdogs
Find out how the experts rated these wines!

47. A South American Shootout
Competative South American wines make the mark.

46. Are California Cabs Overpriced?
Are other reds a better buy?

March 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

March 01, 1999
March 15, 1999

45. March Madness
Discover sixteen great dessert wines.

44. Wine Smiles
Vintage humor.

43. Wine and Words, a Love Affair
Meet Jolene Teresi, Editor of Sierra Foothills Vine Times.

42. Buy a Cab or a Merlot?
Get the answer!

February 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

February 01, 1999
February 15, 1999

41. Are California Wines Overpriced?
See how California compares.

40. Five Fabulous Values
Value and taste, the tasters tell all!

January 1999

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

January 01, 1999
January 15, 1999

39. "Harvest of Joy, My Passion For Excellence"
by Robert Mondavi with Paul Chutkow.
Book Review by Fred McMillin.

38. Best Tasting Wines of 1998
Our annual review of fabulous wines.

37. Best Buys of 1998
Value and taste, the tasters tell all!

December 1998

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

December 01, 1998
December 15, 1998

36. Winningest Wineries of 1998
Review of wineries that produces the best wines.

35. Christmas '98 Gift Recommendations:
Fabulous to affordable, wine gifts.

November 1998

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

November 01, 1998
November 15, 1998

34. David Versus Goliath
Napa Valley or the Sierra Foothills, the tasters tell!

33. For Your Thanksgiving '98 Fling:
Find the wines for your holiday table.

32. Every Underdog Has His Day
Tasters find the affordable can compare!

31. Our Best Merlots
A dozen merlots make the grade.

October 1998

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

October 01, 1998
October 15, 1998

30. Portugal Will Come To Call
Visit historical Mateus, Portugal.—Book Review.

29. When the Vine Went South
A Delightful Dozen From South America.

September 1998

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

September 01, 1998
September 15, 1998

28. California vs The Imports
Discover the difference.

27. Napa vs Sonoma
Discover "The Great Eight."

26. Gender Jive
Find out why women are better wine tasters.

25. No Troubles with These Bubbles
A book review of Tom Stevenson's, "Christie's World Encyclopedia of Champagne & Sparkling Wine".—Book Review.

24. A Perfect Companion
The Oxford Companion to Wine.—Book Review.

23. For Beginners Only:
Beginners get the answers.

August 1998

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

August 1, 1998

22. Best Wines of 1998, A Status Report:
The experts judge the first six months of 1998.

21. Big Wines, Little Prices
Seven affordable selections.

20. Life Without The Big Four
Discover what you may have over looked.

19. Sonoma's On A Role
Enjoy Sonoma County's growing success.

18. A Potpourri From Italy
The tasters rate Italian wines.

17. From Portugal with Love
Explore the history of Port wine.

16. Markham's Grand Slam
Find out what's new at Markham winery.

15. A Clash of Titans, Cab vs Merlot
The tasters rate the best.

July 1998

Wine Picks

Summer Edition:
Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

July 1, 1998

14. Beginners Versus Veterans
Tasters go all out for knowledge.

13. The Super Chardonnays
Discover which Chardonnays the tasters praised.

12. Label Lingo...A Quiz
A fun way to make the grade and test your wine skills.

11. A Zin-Cab Taste 0ff
Discover what the tasters found.

10. Eight Pinot Blockbusters
Eight Pinot's make the mark.

09. Best Buys from 1997
Your guide to great wines.

1997 thru June 1998

Wine Picks

Every two weeks Fred's tasting panel picks their favorites.

June 01, 1998
June 15, 1998
May 01, 1998
May 15, 1998
April 01, 1998
April 15, 1998
March 01, 1998
March 15, 1998
February 01, 1998
February 15, 1998
January 01, 1998
January 15, 1998

08. Anthony Dias Blue's
"American Kitchen."—Book Review.

07. Jack Mingo's
"Wannabe Guide to Wine."—Book Review.

06. Best Buys from 1997
Your guide to great wines.

05. S.F.Sizzlers
An education on five wine "Sizzlers."

04. Fine Wines of Fine Wineries
Discover who creates some of the finest wines and why.

03. A Tasting History of California Wine
Tour California's history with wine.

02. Red Wines
$15 range—affordable & pleasing.

01. Wine Finds
Unique wine shops.
Raymond Fong, "Philosopher of Wine."

00. A Perfect Glass of Wine:
Choosing, Serving, and Enjoying: An International Guide
by Brian St. Pierre