How Things Disappear: A Travel Writer’s Pilgrimage
On tough editorial calls, Rick Steves, and a small town in Andalusia, selected for Best American Food & Travel Writing 2024
What, exactly, is a travel writer who cannot travel?
A feature essay in the Washington Post Magazine in which I take a journey inward to reflect on the lessons of travel
The Endless Siesta
In Spain, I took measure of what had changed in the country — and in myself — since the pandemic. From the Washington Post Magazine.
The Sommeliers of Everything
In our era of hyper-credentialism, there’s a creeping wine-ification in all realms of taste, none without a certified expert. From Washington Post Mag
God and Pesto are Dead
The Genoese were mad at me for my Pesto Generator. But for some of us, cultural contamination is love. From Everyday Drinking
Writing @ The New Wine Review
Click to check out my essays & features in my job as senior correspondent for NWR
The Best American Travel Writing
The 2020 edition of The Best American Travel Writing anthology is out now!
Writing @ Wine Enthusiast
Click to check out my essays & features in my job as contributing writer at Wine Enthusiast
Notes From the German Asparagus Festival
Spring Harvest in Germany is Celebrated for Its "White Gold," in Travel + Leisure
A Vermouth Crawl in Barcelona
Vermouth is Barcelona's favorite drink — and these bars are the best places to raise a glass, from Travel + Leisure
We Need To Talk About Rum
The “Tasting of the Century” raises questions about what lurks in rum’s past. In Everyday Drinking.
A New Spirit of Travel in La Rioja
My travel feature on how to eat and drink in Spain's most famous wine region, in Travel + Leisure
Writing @ The Philadelphia Citizen
My column, Foodizen, that delved into the nexus of food and culture in Philly.
Wine Media is Broken: A Case Study
In a “post-critic” world, reviews have only become more monetized. Does the industry care about consumers or scores?
On Boars, Booze, and Barbarism
Observations on an autumn hunt in France, from Everyday Drinking
Big Love for Loire
My comprehensive report on Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, from Vinous
Loire Chenin Blanc: Underrated No More
My comprehensive report on Loire Valley Chenin Blanc, from Vinous
On Travel Writing
In the absence of travel, what is a travel writer to do? From Guernica.
We Were Wrong to Give Up on Pour-Over Coffee
It’s the perfect meditation for our time
Playmobil’s Plan to Infiltrate Your Workplace
Not content to have shaped your childhood, the toy company now wants to shape your office life. From Washington Post Magazine.
The Enigmatic Joy of Swiss Wine
Wines from Switzerland may represent the height of obscurity, but they’re worth seeking out. From the Washington Post.
The Best Wine Books Are Not Always About Wine
Accolades for The Cider Revival in The New York Times.
German Wine and The Sweet Hereafter
A personal journey across generations sharing a love for Germany’s wines.
Vermont Beer Crawl
Is the Green Mountain state becoming the Napa Valley of craft brew? My journey in the Washington Post Magazine.
Cider House Rules
In Spanish Basque Country, sampling cider and an ancient ritual. From the New York Times Travel section.
One of 2018’s “Best Wine Books”
NY Times names Godforsaken Grapes one of the year’s “Best Wine Books”!
Why You Should Be Drinking Weird Wines
An call to arms from my new book, Godforsaken Grapes, excerpted in the New York Times Opinion section.
Calvados: The Apple Of A Brandy Drinker’s Eye
My report, in Vinous, with reviews on more than 80 spirits from 20 top producers.
At a Snail’s Pace
In the Washington Post, I explore whether American escargot is, very slowly, starting to have a moment.
Fresh-Cut Obsession
Rum enthusiasts love fresh sugarcane rums. My report on rhum agricole and clairin in the New York Times.
How Do You Like Your Wine? Rare and Well Done
In the Alps, viticulture geeks save and preserve rare and obscure wines. My feature travel article in AFAR.
The Meaning of Groo-Vee
My love letter to grüner veltliner in the Washington Post, an excerpt from Godforsaken Grapes.
Aged Agave
Picking an extra añejo tequila takes extra care. My report in the New York Times on this flamboyant category.
Journeys in Trump World
Here’s what I glimpsed about America’s future as a tourist at Trump resorts, in the Washington Post Magazine.
Armagnac: An Education
To make its case, Armagnac has to teach the teachers. My report on this amazing brandy in the New York Times.
Puff Piece
For Ybor City in Florida, a historic cigar town faces a cloudy future. My feature in the Washington Post.
Austrian Wine: Future is Now
My report in Beverage Media on the exciting emergence of Austrian wine, from blaufränkisch to gemischter satz.
Verona’s Kebab Kibosh
The dark side of food protectionism. Dispatch in Roads & Kingdoms.
Freudian Trip
Is Vienna really the most livable city? My pleasurable investigation in the Washington Post Magazine.
Under the Crushing Weight of the Tuscan Sun
On the 20th anniversary of Frances Mayes’s bestseller, a look at the insidious Tuscan phenomenon. In the New Yorker.