Jun 19, 2008
One thing we’ve all learned about bloggers is that they have way too much time on their hands. What I did not know is that those who work at newspapers and in television are also inflicted with this time-related malady. Mark Fisher at Uncorked, the man who live in between these two worlds, confirms that, yes, indeed, those who work at newspaper and TV also have too much time on their hands. However, Mark alerts us to the fact that…
Jun 16, 2008
Joel Stein reminds us just how important a statement Richard Hofstadter made in his seminal 1963 work, "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life." This reoccurring theme we see throughout American history of folks aiming their disdain at intellectuals, "elites", and deep thinkers is at the core of Stein’s recent LA Times Column entitled, "The Language of Snobbery". Wrote Stein, "When wine drinkers tell me they taste notes of cherries, tobacco and rose petals, usually all I can detect is a whole lot…
Jun 12, 2008
WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? Napa Valley Vintners"The question is not why the chicken crossed the road, but how much we can charge for a taste of that chicken." Constellation CEO"We are very confident that upon finally crossing the road, the chicken will fit in perfectly to our growing ‘Across The Road’ portfolio of chickens." The Wine SpectatorNon Vintage Chicken—The Road"This is a superb effort by the chicken that we haven’t seen in a number of crossings. A…
Jun 6, 2008
I’m always somewhat gratified and curious when internal wine industry debates spill over into the general media and into the laps of the average consumer. Such is the case with this Reuters article examining Alice Feiring’s concerns for and criticisms of the 100 point rating system, the dominance of Robert Parker’s palate, the "internationalization" of wine styles and her view of the general shitty condition of most expensive California wines. I have a hard time stepping back and trying to…
Jun 4, 2008
Isn’t it true that many bloggers embrace the idea that what they are doing is somewhat rebellious? Subversive? We very much like the idea that bloggers are the "alternative" to the "mainstream press" or "mainstream gatekeepers"; that, in the case of wine blogging, for instance, they are democratizing access to the way wine is presented in the culture. There is a good deal of truth to these assumptions. I don’t spend any time questioning the notion that the explosion in…