Nov 8, 2007
I bet there was a time when the White House, under no circumstances, would have served a California wine at a State dinner for a visiting leader from Europe. That time would have been long ago, but nonetheless I’ll bet there was a time. And the reason is probably the same that explains how Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius could have been led to make this comment about her state’s wine: You should be thankful we don’t make wine in Kansas….
Nov 6, 2007
“Wine doesn’t submit very happily to scores, but I realize people making buying decisions are in a hurry … We live in a very impatient age.” "A Very Impatient Age"! This is Jancis Robinson, the English wine scribe, explaining the factor that provoked her to use scores on reviews of wine on her subscription website, Jancisrobinson.com. This explanation of her giving in to scores came in an article and interview with her by Appellation America’s Alan Goldfarb. The bulk of…
Oct 22, 2007
Even before I review it, which I will be doing, I want to bring your attention to a new book that will be published on October 29: Wine and Philosophy: A Meritage of Vintage IdeasEditor: Fritz Allhoff I was very excited to learn of the publication of this compilation of papers and essays that seek the nexus between wine, the experience of drinking wine and philosophy. I’ve come to believe that few pursuits are as ripe as wine drinking for…
Oct 18, 2007
There is no time of year better than this moment (mid to late October) when the vineyardlands of California are more beautiful. What makes them so compelling right now is a rich combination of order and chaos. Driving though Carneros today I witnessed that annual display of orderly rows of vines cascading up and down knolls and hills all painted by a chaotic wash of greens, yellows and the occasional disease-inspired red leaves. It is nothing less than stunning. Let’s…
Oct 9, 2007
This is a radar map of Napa and Sonoma Counties at 10pm this evening. That green is rain. And it’s been pouring pretty hard here in Glen Ellen for about an hour. The rain looks as though it should pass in about an hour or two. Unfortunately more rain is forecast for Friday. What we are looking for here tomorrow is some good breezes and some sun. There’s probably a good 20% of the grapes still hanging. I hate this…