Somm Journal · credential_gated
Blind Tasting Grid Practice Kit
Calibration exercises for verified sommeliers.
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Napa 2022: Structure Returns
A cooler finish and disciplined yields reshape Cabernet.
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Beyond Sangiovese: A Tuscan Red Masterclass with Vignamaggio
Staff writer Joe Roberts delves into the red wines of Tuscany’s Vignamaggio, an estate with seven centuries of history behind it, but one that is also staking a claim on modern styles of reds made from varieties beyond Chianti’s ubiquitous Sangiovese.
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A Beckstoffer Deep Dive: California’s Next Spot for Premium Cabernet Might Lie in Lake County
Many wine insiders know Andy Beckstoffer as the influential farmer behind some of the highest-scoring Cabernets in Napa Valley History. But as staff writer Joe Roberts recently discovered during a media tasting of wines from Beckstoffer’s vineyard holdings in the Red Hills Lake County AVA, Beckstoffer’s Midas touch (particularly with Cabernet Sauvignon) extends well beyond the storied Napa properties that are his modern claim to American winegrowing fame.
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Campanilismo in the Glass: Joe Roberts’ Central Italy Recommendations
Last fall, staff writer Joe Roberts traveled through Central Italy at the invitation of Studio Cru, tasting across a cross-section of historic zones where local identity still defines the wines more than trends or export expectations. What emerged was a powerful reminder of how deeply place-driven Central Italian fine wine remains, exemplified by four producers whose bottles speak unapologetically of their origins.
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Cristaldi’s Top 100 Wines of 2025
Cristaldi’s selects his Top 100 wines of 2025.
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Sonoma County Buyer's Guide 2025
Jonathan Cristaldi's 2025 Sonoma Buyer's Guide features 340+ wines reviewed and scored from 2021 to 2024 release wines.
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Fredericksburg Food & Wine and Over 100 New Tasting Notes on Texas Wines
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Oregon's Rogue Valley - Wine Buyer's Guide
The Rogue Valley is slowly shedding its “under-the-radar” status, driven by passionate individuals making wines with real personality and polish—and at incredibly affordable prices
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Master Sommelier Swears Screwcap Wine Was Corked
A longtime Master Sommelier accused a screwcapped wine of being corked at ProWein.
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Master Sommelier Swears Screwcap Wine Was Corked
A longtime Master Sommelier accused a screwcapped wine of being corked at ProWein.
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Sober October ‘Going To Suck Fun’ Out of Police Checkpoints
The teetotaler “Sober October” movement is expected to devastate officer morale at DUI checkpoints statewide.
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California Voters Recall 2020 Grape Harvest
In a stunning move, California voters have officially recalled the 2020 wine harvest.
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Earth 'Moved' by Cristaldi's Vision for "Wine on Every Table"
Just before 3:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, Mother Earth made clear her approval of Jonathan Cristaldi’s vision...
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Cristaldi Heading to Napa Today in Bright Orange Vest
World-renowned wine and food critic Jonathan Cristaldi will be hard to miss today in Napa Valley...
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SF Chronicle’s “Top 25 Wineries” List Now Just List of Public Restrooms
Having had it “up to here” with criticism of their criticism, the SF Chronicle replaces Top Wineries List with...
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Superstar Oregon Pinot Grape Signs Multi-Million Dollar Contract with CIRQ Wine Label
In a stunning announcement, a superstar Oregon Pinot grape said it signed a $50 million contract to work with Sonoma-based winemaker...
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Bernstein: Oops, I'm a Wine Aficionado
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Members Revolt at Meadowood Pools
For years, Meadowood’s three pools kept peace in the Napa Valley... but trouble bubbled up when winemakers were denied access.
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For JL Wood’s Ed Filice, Making Chardonnay is “Like Jazz”
A good Marin County friend suggested I check out what Ed Filice at JL Wood Wines is doing with Chardonnay. I did just that.
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Sonoma Still “A Bunch of Wimps,” Say Napa Winemakers
“If you made wine from grapes called Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, you’d be a wuss too,” Napa hotshot Wes Bon-Temp told The Crush.
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Budding Wine Connoisseur's Knowledge of Proper Glassware Fails to Impress Parents
Despite excitedly pointing out the difference between a flute and a tulip glass at a family lunch...
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Cristaldi Seeks Nobel Prize in Wine
World-renowned critic Jonathan Cristaldi DM’d the Nobel Peace Prize Committee...
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Napa County Sues Napa County
Napa County officials are declining to answer questions about why they filed a federal lawsuit against themselves last Tuesday.
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Marin County-based Cristaldi & Co. Accused of “Blatantly Ripping Off” Marin Lately, Which Ripped Off The Onion
Marin Lately, the new online fake news rip-off site of The Onion, has filed a lawsuit alleging “egregious and shameless plagiarism.”
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New York State's Wine Awakening
In early June of 2025, Jonathan Cristaldi visited three New York State wine regions. 15 winery profiles and over 250 wines reviewed.
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Santa Barbara County: A Wine 'Phenomenon'
Jonathan Cristaldi hits the wine trail in the California's Santa Barbara County, visiting 12 Wineries and reviewing over 170 wines.
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Livermore Valley Report (2025): 9 Wineries, Over 160 Wines
Jonathan Cristaldi hits the wine trail in the Livermore Valley, visiting 9 wineries, and tasting over 160 wines. What is so 'cool' about Livermore? Find out.
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Texas Wine Report (Part II – 2025) Auction and 60 New Wines
Jonathan Cristaldi attends the Texas Wine Auction, tastes 60 more Texas Wines and adds 7 new wineries to his Texas Report.
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Cristaldi: 13 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Lot Scores and Reviews
Jonathan Cristaldi rates and reviews 13 select lots from the 2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction.
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Cristaldi’s Top 20 Texas Wines for Restaurant By-The-Glass Lists
Cristaldi’s selects his top 20 Texas wines ideally suited for by-the-glass placements on restaurant wine lists.
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Cristaldi’s Top 20 Texas Wines for Restaurant By-The-Bottle Lists
Cristaldi’s selects his top 20 Texas wines for on-premise restaurant buyers for their bottle lists.
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All Alcohol is Bad, Eh?
About this war on alcohol consumption...
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Cristaldi: Texas Wine Report (Part I - 2024)
Jonathan Cristaldi tastes 200+ wines (100% Texas-grown and produced) and profiles eight wineries.
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Cristaldi Score
Why and how we employ the 100-point score.
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The "Burgundy of Italy"
From my "Punchdown" column in Somm Journal: Meet Isola delle Falcole.
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A Surge Across Sonoma
Winemaker Jesse Katz on the importance of Sonoma County to California wine and food culture.
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Come Over October: The Italian Way
At Cascina Baricchi in Barbaresco, food and incredible wine bring people together.
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A Legacy in Limestone: Exploring the Terroir of Chalone Vineyard
A few years ago, I spent a full day at Chalone. I met Richard Boer, who, at the time, had managed Chalone’s vines for three decades.