Notes from 50 years in wine
Wine has been my life’s work for over 50 years—from Ashbury Market to Wine.com. What began as a family buisness became a lifelong pursuit of tasting, storytelling, and discovery. This is where I share the wines, the moments, and the journey—one glass at a time. 🍷
Six Exciting New Releases from the Tyler Winery
Justin Tyler Willet founded the Tyler Winery in 2005 at the age of 24. I never heard of the winery until I joined Wine.com in 2014. My friend and colleague, Jonathan Han, had put the wines in front of me knowing that I would become, and I became an instant fan. Each year, I look forward to tasting these delicious Sta. Rita Hills wines. These are not prefab, cookie-cutter wines; they are authentic representatives from this AVA. I tasted these six wines at the Chambers & Chambers 50th Anniversary Tasting at the Terra Gallery in San Francisco.
Albariño, An Alternative White Wine
Albariño from Galicia, Spain (or Alvarinho, as it is called in Portugal) is an excellent food-paring wine. When I discovered the grape variety over 40 years ago, I immediately knew it was a wine I could serve often. Yet, with so many other wines in the mix, I sometimes went away from it, favoring the more well-known grape varieties (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio). As I transition from retail to full-time wine research, tasting, and writing, I can give more attention to the entire field of wine.
American Sparklers let’s celebrate them!
One of my favorite movie lines in the Sound of Music (1965) was when Liesl von Trapp (Anne Farmon aka Charmain Carr) asked Captain Georg von Trapp, “I like to stay and taste my first Champagne, yes? He is smiling and responds, no!” While my mom loved that movie, and we watched it every Christmas, she gave us our first taste of Champagne. She was also present for my next memorable sparkling wine experience.
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Articles | Food, Drink, & Travel
Food, drinks, and travel—are three categories that can be difficult to navigate. My goal is to guide you and simplify the process.. Please join me on this journey, and we can enjoy the road together.
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Let's Connect
Please contact me for any questions. I am available to write stories, taste, and evaluate wines.
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About Wilfred
Wilfred (Willie) Wong’s 50-year wine career includes roles as Imported Wine Buyer for BevMo!, Chief Storyteller at Wine.com, Wine Judge, and Wine Journalist.
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Wine Stories
Wine and spirits have been an essential part of my life for 50 years. I spend plenty of time researching the subject, and over the years I’ve collected stories I look forward to sharing with you.
