Aug 8, 2006
Is Costco the largest single retailer of wine in the United States? I believe they are. So, it’s a very nice little coup for Wine Enthusiast Magazine to be able to announce that their reviews and ratings will accompany wines being sold at 300+ Costco stores around the country. I can’t speak to all the Wine Enthusiast wine reviews with the confidence that I can speak to their reviews of California and West Coast wines. But here’s the thing. Over…
Aug 7, 2006
When was the last time you turned on the news and DID NOT hear the words "were killed" or "in fighting" or "was destroyed"? Is it me, or have these words taken on greater prominence in our culture over the past three or four years? It would be nice to think that wine might be immune from such turns of phrase. Alas, as these headlines show that just isn’t the case:Lebanese Wineries Could Be Targeted Israel 2006 Vintage Under Threat…
Aug 2, 2006
Another wine writer has taken to blogging. The newest, in what is becoming a growing list of converts to this format, is Joe Pollack, a long time writer and authority on the St. Louis wine and culinary scene. Joe, along with wife Ann, are maintaining St. Louis Eats and Drinks with Joe and Anne Pollock. Joe has been doing thing (writing and critiquing and offering opinion) for a lot longer than any of us in the blogosphere. He has been…
Jul 19, 2006
I sat back in my chair. Somewhat stunned. I had just read what amounted to a "hit piece" on a few wineries by a wine critic. The gist of the article was, "these guys just don’t cut the mustard". Being the sensitive type I had to wonder what the point is of raking these wineries over the coals. It’s a question that could only be answered if I knew the inner workings of the wine critic’s mind. Who knew how…
Jul 19, 2006
Oh how I’d like to see more of THIS! Charles Olken is the longtime publisher and primary reviewer for the Connoisseur’s Guide To California Wine, a well-respected newsletter that is as reliable as any wine reviewing organ in the business. Olken also writes a newspaper column and his latest takes into account a variety of different Pinot Noirs produced from a single vineyard in Monterey’s Santa Lucia Highlands appellation: Rosella’s Vineyard. It turns out that after tasting more than 100…