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Latest by Mark Stock

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Revisiting Classic Albums: Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan's 1965 release is a potent effort that took American folk into the burgeoning realm of rock 'n' roll, with priceless lyrics to boot.
Suzor Wines

5 Emerging West Coast Wineries You Need to Know

The West Coast is home to countless wine regions and talented winemakers, but these are some of the most noteworthy emerging labels.
white wine cellar aging

5 White Wine Varietals Worthy of Cellar Aging

We tend to think of red wines and port when we imagine cellaring bottles but these whites are proof that time can do great things to a lot of varietals.
Mars Volta performing

What Exactly Is Prog-Rock? We Break Down the Music Genre

Part rock 'n' roll, part anti-pop progressive mindset, Prog-Rock is the music genre you never knew you needed to expand your horizons.
Vinho Verde wine glass

Getting to Know Vinho Verde, Portugal’s Easy Wine Sipper

Vinho Verde is one of Portugal’s leading exports with bargains around every corner (many in the $10-$15 range).
what is muscadet white wine and oysters

What Is Muscadet? Uncapping the Ultimate Oyster Wine

Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape native to the Loire, Muscadet is an oyster's very best friend.
Wine barrel in a field

The Tiny But Fascinating Realm of Irish Wine

It's about as small as they come, but the micro wine scene in Ireland punches above its weight in terms of intrigue.
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The 7 Most Influential Record Labels of All Time

From Blue Note to Sub Pop, the most influential record labels of all time helped create and recreate what we call music.
baboon

6 Craziest Vineyard Pests: Birds, Boars, and Baboons, Oh My!

Most often, it's small birds or bugs that wreak havoc in vineyards but because the wine world is so vast, there are some crazy pests out there.
miles davis playing music

How to Appreciate Jazz: A Beginner’s Guide

Jazz can be intimidating but the genre is a true American art form and something every listener can enjoy exploring.
Margherita pizza paired with red wine

9 Food and Wine Pairings for Quarantine

We're not dining out at the moment but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a good pairing between wine and what you've got in the house.
The Rise of eSports

The Rise of eSports and Online Competitive Gaming

With physical sports on hold due to the public health crisis, esports are becoming more popular than ever.
working from home kids screen time

How to Stay Sane Working From Home With Kids

Balancing work and play at home as a parent has never been more challenging but there are some methods to address the madness.
john prine

7 Songs by the Late, Great John Prine You Should Know

The music world lost one of its best in country-folk legend John Prine. His list of hits is a mile long, if not longer.
online resources kids parents

The Best Online Resources for Parents and Their Kids

It's hard being a parent and educator and entertainment source all at once, but these resources help tremendously.
food container recycle to go

How to Limit Waste While Social Distancing

With the pandemic in full swing, it's easy to forget about waste, but there are some things you can do to be more efficient.
Albarino white wine

What’s Albariño? Digging into One of Spain’s Most Famous White Wines

A refreshing and unsung white in the world of wines, Albariño is native to northern Spain and should be in your glass.
Azari Vineyards

A Quick Guide to Iranian Wine (and What You Can Get in the U.S.)

While technically illegal today, Iranian wine enjoys one of the richest histories on the planet, dating back more then 7,000 years.
wine folly south africa map

How Are Wine Country Maps Made? We Asked an Expert

As the American wine industry continues to grow, so too does the fascinating mapmaking side of the realm.
best virtual tours google earth finney county kansas 0004 mt fuji

Get Lost on the Best Virtual Tours Around Google Earth

It's easy to get lost in these remarkable locales throughout the world, accessible during the pandemic thanks to Google Earth.
donation online

8 Places Your Donations Are Needed Most During the Coronavirus Crisis

People and organizations need help than ever. Here are a few major ones worthy of your attention as the pandemic unfolds.
Sauvignon blanc white wine on a table with grapes

It’s High Time to Revisit Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc has its lovers and haters but at its best, it is spring-like and all kinds of refreshing, as these examples indicate.
wine bottle vintage 2011 closeup

What’s in a Vintage? Exploring The Importance of Years on Wine Labels

Vintages are important timestamps in the world of wine, primarily because of climatic factors that shape the fruit and resulting wines.
People at a grocery store produce section

The Groceries You Need to Survive Quarantine

Surviving quarantine involves shopping for groceries that will nourish, satisfy, and keep you interested in food.
Chenin blanc wine

A Quick and Easy Guide to South African Wine

South African wine has surged over the last decade, bringing new and unique takes on things like Chenin Blanc and Cab Franc stateside.
bale breaker

Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries Are Hosting Virtual Tastings and Tours

As group gatherings come to an intermission, imbibers can find solace in these virtual tours at distilleries, wineries, and breweries all over.
grand canyon night sky

Don’t Explore the Great Outdoors and Let Nature Reset During Quarantine

Nature has never been more inviting but it's best to leave it alone amid the pandemic, for health reasons and more.
Lebron James in his #23 Lakers uniform

Pro Athletes, Pay Cuts, and the COVID-19 Pandemic

As pro sports continues its lengthy pause, players are coming off the bench to pitch in through pay cuts.
future of the music festival crowd confetti getty

The Future of the Music Festival Post-Pandemic

The pandemic has shut down music festivals left and right, begging the question: What will things look like in the future?
can of fish

What is Conserva and Why Canned Seafood is Perfect for Quarantine

Conserva is delicious utilitarian seafood brought to you by Europe and all the more attractive as the quarantine unfolds.
Cherry bbq sauce on chicken.

The Best Barbecue Sauces for Grilling

Barbecue sauce can be used for so many dishes and recipes and anybody who appreciates grilling knows it is always in season.
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The Legend of the Moog, the Synth That Changed Music

In 1964, Robert Moog created a new version of the electric piano called a synthesizer, forever changing music.
indigenous new zealand wine tohu wines toho feature

A Introduction to Indigenous New Zealand Wine

Tohu Wines is New Zealand's first indigenous-run cellar, established in the late 90s and overseen by the Māori community.
Sauvignon blanc white wine on a table with grapes

What’s Verdejo? Exploring Spain’s Ancient White Wine Varietal

Grown almost entirely in Spain, Verdejo is a relatively hidden white wine but very much worth hunting for.
Little Richard

The Most Stylish Male Musicians of the Modern Era

Musicians tend to be fashionable but these ten lead the way when it comes to style and clothing knowhow, from Kanye West to Elvis Presley.
vineyard

LODI RULES and the Issue of Wine Sustainability

Back in the early 90s, a sustainability program called LODI RULES took shape, the first of its kind in American wine history.
maps

Go Ahead, Get Lost in Map Land

The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection touts a massive cartography catalog and is a great way to get lost.
Tuscany

How to Build Your Own Virtual Wine Tour on Google Earth

Thanks to the internet, you can peruse some of the most iconic vineyards and winery estates on the planet, right from home.
Methode Ancestrale Winemaking

What You Need to Know About Methode Ancestrale Winemaking

There are multiple ways to make sparkling wine but the methode ancestrale is the oldest and perhaps most interesting, dating back to the 16th century.
wine sale

Why Wine Purveyors Are Having Fire Sales and Auctions During Quarantine

With the pandemic still in mostly full swing, restaurants are offloading assets like library wine to stay afloat.
Bandol

The Pull of France’s Bandol Wine Region

Provence is deservedly known for its rosés but within the lauded region, Bandol may just be its brightest star, with its great pink and red wines.
carbonic maceration

Why Simple Carbon Dioxide Is the Hottest New Ingredient in Modern Winemaking

More than just a cool phrase, carbonic maceration is a cellar style that yields fresh, vibrant, and immediately approachable wines.
csa

Why Now is the Best Time to Join a Farm Share Program

The farm share is an attractive option for getting fresh produce, especially as we enter the best of the growing season.
Friends relaxing outside mini van at beach

Catch Some (Sound) Waves With An Intro to Surf Rock

Surf Rock is a sub-genre very much as advertised, created in the early 1960s as a fusion of rock 'n' roll and surf culture.
drive in movie

Film in the Time of Coronavirus: The Return of the Drive-In Movie Theater

One of the unique by-products of the pandemic is the resurgence of the all-American drive-in movie theater.
Glasses of brandy or cognac on the wooden table

Understanding The Big Three Types of European Brandy

Brandy is hipper than you thought, based around three regional producers in Cognac, Armagnac, and Lourinhã.
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Exploring The Slow Restart of Professional Sports

Pro sports are slowly coming back to life to empty stadiums and eager fans.
Valpolicella

What’s Valpolicella? Exploring One of Italy’s Most Famous Wine Regions

Long loved in its native Italy but relatively unknown in the states, Valpolicella is your new favorite red wine for summer.
blue raspberries

What Is Up With Blue Raspberry Flavor and Why Do We Love It?

As head-scratching as it is, blue raspberry has become a prominent flavor since its creation in the 1950s.
what is considered essential in wine during coronavirus covid 2

Breaking Down What’s Considered Essential in the Wine Industry During the Pandemic

Wine is a complex industry facing major shifts as it adapts to the pandemic and pushes to survive.