May 3, 2011
I woke today, went downstairs and began my reading as I drank my coffee. I came across a story that detailed the plight of folks who have lost significant memories due to ailments of the brain. It put me in a sour mood because it reminded me that the only tangible things we possess that are of really great value are our memories. And I was struck at just how important it is to create and keep memories that delight…
Apr 28, 2011
A new association of vintners has sprouted up and I think it is an important one because it has the opportunity to right a wrong. The West Sonoma Coast Vintners are comprised of those wineries that profit form the remarkable terroir that is found in the western part of Sonoma County in what is an gorgeous and rugged area. It's the region of Sonoma County beyond Sebastapol that includes Annapolis, Fort Ross/Seaview, Occidental, Freestone, Green Valley and the Sebastopol Hills….
Apr 26, 2011
First, let's admit this: It's the alcohol in wine that makes the beverage of serious interest to human beings. And with this said, we may as well tell the whole truth and admit that it's the effect of alcohol on our mind and bodies that make this substance and, through it, wine of interest to human beings. Second, let's congratulate the San Francisco Chronicle's Wine & Food staff and Jon Bonne, the Wine Editor, for taking the step to print…
Apr 14, 2011
If you have never had the benefit of working with an editor, it might not be perfectly clear that they do far more than check for spelling and grammar errors. The fact is, editing is a creative process that requires the ability to choose among many options. There is a very special form of editing that wine industry professionals need to appreciate: the ability to choose which stories to highlight. This skill is most obviously on display among the various…
Mar 15, 2011
On more than one occasion, when I've pitched stories to a member of the media concerning direct shipping or wine politics, I've found myself spending the majority of the time with a writer explaining to them what the "three tier system" is. That the writer understand this contraption built of early 20th Century concerns is crucial to any discussion of the politics of wine. What confuses and gets the writer stuck is the notion of mandated relationships between the tiers….