Jun 18, 2007
It’s my monthly stint on local radio today. I’ll be co hosting with "KAZ" Kasmier on KSVY’s "Wine Biz" radio show. Fun stuff, only partly serious, a good way to pass an hour while you are working. Time: 1pmDate: Today (June 18)Station: KSVY (Listen Here) I’m never sure what the topic of the day is going to be when I’m on Kaz’s show. Kaz, of course, has a unique insight into the wine biz having been a winemaker and winery…
Jun 15, 2007
Blake Gray did a stellar job in today’s SF Chronicle wine section profiling the 100 Point rating system. One part of the story really made me think. I’ve considered this before, but it deserves highlighting. Certain varietals and wines simply don’t appear to be in contention for a 100 point rating. They include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Beaujolais, Rose. You know, those wines that simply can’t, without a tremendous amount of magic applied, every be truly powerful and over-the-top. This…
Jun 6, 2007
You’ve got to give it to the Wine Spectator. These folks know how to throw a party. Last night I went as Jeff Mayo’s date to the now annual Wine Spectator Party at the Hotel Healdsburg. Marvin Shanken and crew used to only throw a Napa "big bottle" party in conjunction with the auction. A few years ago they started holding a Sonoma version of the event. I’ve been to the Napa party also, but it has been a few…
Jun 4, 2007
"I swear to God Walter, if you mention one thing about ‘tannin’ or ‘immature vines’ I’m gonna stick the cork, and the bottle, so far up your ass that you’re gonna need a corkscrew to gargle!"DAVE from The Winery Channel’s Rant & Roll channel commenting on "Walter the Wine Snob" One day soon there will be an all wine, all day television cable channel probably located on your dial somewhere between 402 and 430. Until that day comes, however, we’ve…
May 14, 2007
It’s only a about a month away from the start of summer and that can only mean one thing: it’s time we start seeing zinfandel recommended to go with barbecued foods. How Zin became associated with barbecue I don’t know. But it is. This is both a blessing and a curse as far as I can tell. One the one hand, lots of people love barbecue and need a wine to go with the various styles of grilling, slow cooking…