Sep 9, 2008
Can you imagine any political body in America deciding that it will get in the business of determining which are the best wines of a region? The chorus of laughter would be so great it might threaten to down out the sound made by the collective grown of indignation. That’s why I’ve been trying to follow This Story about the battle over the reclassification of the St. Emilion estates. I realize there is a long tradition in France of government…
Sep 5, 2008
I suppose there is probably no possibility that the term "Port" will be removed from the list of placenames that the U.S. and he European Union have agreed will not be used on products originating from the States. What a shame too, because this term, Port, really shouldn’t not be on such a list alongside the likes of "Burgundy", "Champagne", or Bordeaux. I was reminded of this mistake made by America’s trade negotiators when I came across this article in…
Aug 26, 2008
It’s the quadrennial political convention time and my thoughts run to the political. The first presidential election that engrossed me from start to finish was 1984 (my guy got slaughtered). I couldn’t get enough of the debate, speeches, political strategy, platform development, etc. I’m watching it all now, again, and as always it is great theater. But what I’m wondering is this: What if the nation elected a Wine President every four years. What if this president represented the American…
Aug 20, 2008
I’m at a loss to understand how one can commit the moral failure of demanding that while a 20 year old be allowed (encouraged!) to stand toe to toe with another man and attempt to kill him for his country, he not be allowed to sip Pinot Nor. This is the position of MADD, AKA "Morally Absent Day after Day" "Mothers Against Drunk Driving". It’s about time: A group of college presidents are asking that our nation re-evaluate our 21…
Aug 12, 2008
Who recalls this year’s Supreme Court decision titled "Rowe V. New Hampshire Motor Transport Association? Let me remind you of its substance. The Supreme Court ruled that a state may not require an interstate transportation company to get a signature at the place of delivery. By doing so the state would be engaging in the regulation of interstate commerce, a privilege reserve to the Federal Government, not the states. The case involved the home delivery of cigarettes. Since the decision…