The Untold Story of Patricia Gastaud-Gallagher: The American Woman Behind the Judgment of Paris
You’ve Heard of Spurrier. But Do You Know Whose Idea It Actually Was? In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, May 24, 1976 Every great wine story has a hero. In the mythology of the Judgment of Paris (the blind tasting that shook the wine world on May 24, 1976), that […]
How Tariffs and Market Shifts Are Quietly Changing What You Drink
If your favorite wine list looks a little different lately—or a bottle you used to buy regularly suddenly feels pricier—you’re not imagining it. Across the U.S., tariffs, softer alcohol demand, and shifting consumer behavior are quietly reshaping what restaurants pour, what retailers stock, and which wines remain easy to find. The result isn’t a disappearance […]
What It’s Like to Manage a Private Wine Cellar
Behind the Scenes at Vinum 55 There’s a moment that happens in every great wine cellar. A client pulls a bottle—perhaps something collected years ago, perhaps something they’ve been saving—and asks: “Is this ready?” That question sits at the heart of what we do at Vinum 55. Because managing a wine cellar isn’t just about […]
Shelly Fitzgerald Selected for D.O. Cava Advanced Educator Masterclass in Spain
Our Wine Director, Shelly, was one of only sixteen wine professionals selected worldwide to attend this prestigious masterclass that was held in Spain the first week of February 2026. We’re proud to support Shelly as a global ambassador for this historic sparkling wine region and look forward to opportunities where she can share her insights. […]
The Beaujolais Renaissance: Crus, Gamay, and Generational Change
For much of the late twentieth century, global perceptions of Beaujolais were shaped by the commercial success—and stylistic simplification—of Beaujolais Nouveau. While Nouveau introduced millions to Gamay, it also obscured a deeper truth: Beaujolais is a terroir-driven region capable of producing serious, age-worthy red wines. Over the past decades, many quality-minded producers—first a pioneering cohort, […]
The Best In-Flight Wine Lists
A Wine Lover’s Guide to Drinking Well at 35,000 Feet Let’s be honest: flying can be chaotic. Shoes off. Laptop out. Water bottle confiscated. Someone’s trying to recline into your soul. But then—the flight attendant appears with a tray of drinks and asks the most hopeful question in the aviation universe: “Would you like wine?” […]
The Right Moment to Drink Your Wine: A Collector’s Guide
Most wine lovers who collect aren’t just stockpiling bottles—they’re waiting for a moment. That perfect moment where a good wine becomes great: the fruit has relaxed, the structure has softened, and the aromas are more than just “blackberry” or “citrus.” So how do you know when your wine is actually ready to drink—not too young, […]
Is it me… or is this wine off?
A practical, confidence-boosting guide to common wine faults and how to spot them If a wine smells like wet cardboard, a petting zoo, or yesterday’s salad dressing, you’re not “being difficult”—you might be right. Faults happen from the cellar to the supply chain, and learning to recognize them helps you send a bottle back (politely), […]
What Are You Getting?
Learning How to Accurately Identify and Describe Aromas in Wine For many new tasters, learning to identify aromas in wine can feel like a mysterious, almost mysterious skill that only sommeliers or seasoned enthusiasts possess. You swirl, sniff, and all you get is… wine. Meanwhile, others around you are reeling off descriptors like “black cherry,” […]
The Story of Sulfites in Wine
First Things First: What are Sulfites? “Sulfites” in wine refer primarily to sulfur dioxide (SO₂), a compound that both occurs naturally during fermentation and is often added intentionally by winemakers. Yeast produces small amounts of SO₂ as a natural by-product, which is why all wines contain at least trace sulfites—even when none are added. Chemically, […]