Entertaining, eclectic, and thought-provoking, Grape Explications reflects on the diversity of the wine world over time and across continents in a collection of articles and wine book reviews by an OG oenophile. Immerse yourself in Neal Hulkower’s quirky and sometimes controversial perspective on wine words, scores, spitting, and much more: Visit with wine personalities - Meet globetrotting wine economists - Take a quick look at Slow Wine - Explore the burgeoning Willamette Valley with an insider Wine lovers, wine curious, and anyone who appreciates a good read will find something to savor. "The book is dauntingly detailed yet thoroughly entertaining — a rare combination in the wine world." Andrew Jefford , author of Drinking with the Valkyries " This is a delightful book. Neal writes with rigour and balance, and his style is easy to read." Jamie Goode , author of I Taste Red and The Science of Wine " ...every bit as wide-ranging, enlightening and fun as if you were conversing, glass in hand, across a tasting table with the author himself." Doug Tunnell , cofounder and vintner, Brick House Wines " As one of Hulkower's fellow contributors to these pages, I feel humbled by the breadth and clarity of his writing. Consider it a valuable addition to the region's growing literature, presenting something enticing to any reader." Greg Norton , Oregon Wine Press " Grape Explications is a witty and alternative read that spans an array of wine topics. It nourishes the inner wine geek within and is an amusing display of Hulkower's ability to apply critical thinking to wine, even if the results are not what we'd first expect." Sunny Hodge , author of The Cynic's Guide to Wine " Grape Explications is like sharing a long, winding tasting with a witty friend who knows his stuff but never takes himself too seriously. It's smart without being stiff, playful without being flippant and full of both love for wine and gentle mischief." Simon Judge , winedrinker & Finally, the time has come. After embarking on a sideline gig as a freelance wine writer in 2011, I have accumulated enough pieces to more than fill a book. I was encouraged to do so by Don Saari, who had been my dissertation advisor at Northwestern and later became a fan of my more recent work. This compilation has no single theme. Several have emerged, however, and serve as the titles of the parts. Since this is the work of a single author, elements one might expect in a memoir are present. My background as an applied mathematician also surfaces in several of the pieces. My initiation into the world of fine wine and the various vinous adventures I had over the years made for popular pieces that are included. I started with the urtext and lightly edited the entries. I also added annotations and updates when necessary since in more ways than one, wine is a fluid subject. Several entries have not been published or posted anywhere before. The articles are organized into eight parts. "In the Beginning" introduces my earliest wine writings and also includes an essay about my first interactions with German wines. Around the same time that I left full-time employment and immersed more fully into the wine world, I joined the American Association of Wine Economists (AAWE) since there is no equivalent for mathematicians. The annual meetings are held in wine regions around the world, giving me an excuse to travel to places I wouldn't necessarily have visited, as well as providing a venue for sharing some of my research. Part II comprises my reports on these meetings. As part of my deep immersion in wine, I expanded my reading on the subject. In addition to mostly online publications and other resources, I sought out books. In order to feed my habit and reduce costs, I began writing book reviews for two academic publications, the Journal of Wine Research and AAWE's Journal of Wine Economics. If you are reading this (thank you!), you might search for some of the titles included in the third part. I became a full-time resident of McMinnville, Oregon, the heart of the Willamette Valley, in July 2011. Three months later, my first piece appeared in the Oregon Wine Press (OWP). It has since proven to be receptive to many of my pitches. I include a few along with others that haven't appeared elsewhere and one that did in Part IV. I hope that they give a flavor of what life is like in this wonderful and burgeoning wine region. I have also met numerous wine personalities. Part V includes articles about four of them. The Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad (AHIVOY), the brainchild of Jesús Guillén, Sofía Torres McKay, and Miguel Lopez, holds a special place in my heart. At Jesús's request, I first wrote about it when it was still an inchoate idea to pay forward to the vineyard stewards the good fortune the three had experienced. I continued to chronicle the realization of the idea and th