Archive for the ‘Terroir’ Category
I think it was Christopher Hitchens who said, and I paraphrase, "Assertions offered with no evidence can be dismissed without evidence." I was thinking about this, and other things, as I read this amazing comment from Michel Rolland, the French wine consultant who was recently profiled by Eric Asimov in the NY Times:Eric: I mention Clos du Val and Corison, two Napa Valley producers whose wines adhere to a less upfront, more austere style Rolland: “Are they as successful in…
I’ve always been more of a fan of Star Trek Next Generation than the first series. Jean Luc Picard just struck me as someone I’d much prefer to hang out with. Also, the gadgets in Next Gen were much better than in the original–The Holodeck alone is the kind of place I’m sure I’d become addicted to. So, it was interesting to learn that in the course of auctioning off a variety of Start Trek memorabilia, Christie’s found someone to…
I got to Bucklin’s Old Hill Ranch this morning around 7:50am. They were finishing up the harvest of this 150 year old, dry farmed, organic vineyard that was begun yesterday. I was the last to arrive. Will Bucklin, vineyard consultant Phil Cotturi and the harvest crew were already well into it. This is one of the more difficult vineyards to harvest. It is comprised of about 75% Zinfandel vines with the other vines made up of 25 different varieties…all inter-spaced…
I’m feeling rather paternal today. A Wark Communications client, Goosecross Cellars, recently launched their own blog, aptly named, "The Goosecross Cellars Blog". The Goosecross Cellars Blog is the second winery blog we’ve helped birth. The question with any blog, winery related or not is two fold: Can you write on a regular enough basis to keep the attention of your audience and can you deliver content that is both compelling and the unique voice of the winery. I was extraordinarily…
I had chance to very briefly chat with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon the other day. In the midst of a short conversation he explained his belief that we live in a "post-varietal" world. This would put him in line with Appellation America (a Wark Communications client) publisher Roger Dial who also believes the future of North American wine culture is terroir driven. This idea that we are moving toward a terroir-driven understanding of wine in America doesn’t necessarily conflict…
