Hank Zona - The Grapes Unwrapped

Wine Pairing for National Pi Day A rational pairing for an irrational number

Wine pairings can be a debatable subject. Objective or subjective? Real or a put-on? Art or science? How about mathematical? Whatever your thoughts, I stake claim to nailing this one—what wine pairs with Pi Day. #wine #winewriter #winepairing #Winesky #PiDay

open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...

It is National Pi Day, not to be confused with National Pie Day which is January 23 (easy as 1-2-3 = easy as pie). But for #PiDay, it is not pie in the (blue)sky to say--give peach a chance. #justahomecook #Bakingsky #Piesky

If 13 is My Favorite Number, How Did It Get Tagged as Unlucky? and is a bottle of Cheval Blanc good or bad luck?

On Friday the 13th, a reminder that this '13 is unlucky' thing has Catholic and Victorian roots. Go figure. I wrote about it last #Friday13th, just a month ago. No #triskaidekaphobia or #paraskevidekatriaphobia here!
hankzona.substack.com/p/if-13-is-m...

He looks fake. Talks fake. Sounds fake. Likely smells fake.

Basically, an Italian-American manager (from Jersey, no less) mismanaged a baseball game that a team largely comprised of Italian-Americans won.

But I am still impressed Team Italy had an espresso maker and an Armani celebratory home run jacket in their dugout. #Baseballsky #WorldBaseballClassic

"Nightswimming deserves a quiet night"

On #NationalOreoCookieDay, its a good time to remind folks Hydrox has always been the superior chocolate creme sandwich cookie. Besides, Nabisco bailed on New Jersey 5 yrs ago, so pfft. #cookies #Hydrox #Cookiesky

Looks like Cosplay Kristi is going to be taken out back by her master and given the Cricket treatment.

The white wines: 2023 Cabernet Blanc, biodynamic wine, 12.5%, region: Bohemia, VINNÉ SKLEPY 2020 Three elements (Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Weißburgunder), 12.5%, Moravia, VINO LOIGI 2022 Riesling, 13%, region: Moravia, OTA SEVCIK 2022 Chardonnay, 13%, region: Moravia, PLENER

The red wines: 2022 Pinot Noir, biodynamic wine, 11.5%, region: Bohemia, VINNÉ SKLEPY 2019 Vox Silentium (Blaufränkisch, St. Laurent), 13%, region: Moravia, DVA DUBY 2022 Merlot (with a very small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon), 14%, region: Moravia, OTA SEVCIK 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, organic wine, 14.5%, region: Moravia, PETR KOCARIK

Most vineyards are located in Moravia south of Brno but there are some in Bohemia, too. This is the very scenic vineyard at Kutna Hora 60 km (37 mls) east of Prague. VINNÉ SKLEPY produces a small amount of biodynamic wines (demeter) from this vineyard.

Most vineyards are located in Moravia south of Brno but there are some in Bohemia, too. This is the very scenic vineyard at Kutna Hora 60 km (37 mls) east of Prague. VINNÉ SKLEPY produces a small amount of biodynamic wines (demeter) from this vineyard.

Not many people know that the Czech Republic is a wine growing country. In the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic, Moravia, climate and soils are the same as in the adjoining Austrian Weinviertel.
May 2, 2025 I conducted a seminar for Slow Food Karlsruhe with wines from the Czech Republic.

Technology isn't always better.

I ran a recent 200-person #wine fundraising event for a community organization. Last year, everyone got an order sheet for the wines. This year, they wanted to modernize w QR codes linked to electronic ordering. The result: 10% of last year's sales. #Winesky

I wonder if there will ever be a legend equivalent to John Henry coming out of this AI era. Of course, it is likely to be created by AI.

thanks for the added perspective, Joachim! I appreciate it. I read something over 90% of the vineyards are in Moravia. Is that your understanding too?

Somebody likes me.
#Bakingsky #Sfogliatellasky

My "Open That Bottle Night" Wine Surprised Me a gift wine leads to a rabbit hole dive that included Jewish folklore and Michael Chabon

It was #OpenThatBottleNight and I didnt know the #wine I chose would lead me to Czech history, Jewish mysticism, Michael Chabon and a surprisingly good for its age red blend. Wine, literature, opera, religion, all in one. #Winesky #Booksky #WritingCommunity

open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...

thank you, Jane! And it keeps my neck warm. 🙂

1 scarf/2 public encounters w strangers:

MAGAt looking guy: Is that a 'Moozlim' scarf?
Me: What?
Guy: Why are you wearing that scarf?
Me: Why are you a fucking jerkoff?

20something woman: I love your scarf!
Me: Thanks! And it keeps my neck warm!

(By the way, It's Italian and keeps my neck warm)

Lol the Paprika Moon!

Was up to see the lunar eclipse but thwarted by clouds so here is my artist's rendering of the Blood Moon. I use "artist" generously here. #BloodMoon #Moonsky #Skysky

Hungry for Affirmation, Vulnerable to Scams: As a Writer, I Know the Feeling

my friend just wrote about another aspect of this in the NY Times last week...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/b...

I liken drinking Burgundy to that person I once dated. First date was sublime, second one was noticeably off in comparison, the next was a disaster...and it was costing me a lot of money.

Sure...it is possible. It is also possible it can stay the same, improve, or fall off the table with some air time. With Burgundy, I also take into account that you can have three identical bottles, even of a Grand Cru, and it is possible one will be sublime, one OK, and one will be almost abysmal.

Thanks...and I agree!

Merci!

Not a Typical Wine Pairing Piece for Read Across America Day or, what goes with 'Green Eggs and Ham"?

On #ReadAcrossAmericaDay, my Suessian thoughts on #wine pairing. #Readingsky #Winesky #WritingSky

Not a Typical Wine Pairing Piece for Read Across America Day
open.substack.com/pub/hankzona...

March is coming in like a codfish and a cow.

I am making brandade de morue and braised short ribs for a dinner party. Along with Albarino and Syrah, maybe? Or Marche wines to mark the star of March's march. Verdicchio and Montepulciano?

#March #wine #winewriter #Winesky #Foodsky #Cookingsky

How the Small-Town American Tavern Became the Place to Be—Again A classic American institution once in danger of disappearing, the neighborhood tavern is being revived as a place for a good meal, a cold drink and a sense of community

It was nice to see the @wsj.com Off-Duty feature on taverns, especially when three years ago I wrote about the first two mentioned in it, including in a piece for Off-Duty. #winewriter #foodwriter

www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...

Happy 101st birthday to the New Yorker. Lots of witty wine content over those years, before memes existed. #Winesky #winehumor

I guess we can now call it MAHAHAHA after this week.

#MAHA #MAHAHAHA

Looks fantastic!

Im feeling like Doc Severinsen and "Stump the Band"!