Feb 11, 2013
Where is the iconic center of the American wine world? What place would serve as the site of pilgrims who sought to worship at the center of American wine culture? Where is building or plot of land where devoted wine lovers, upon occupying that space would be moved to bow their heads, look around, take a deep breath and commit the memory or “where and when” to memory? I’m at a loss to identify that place that occupies the central…
Jan 25, 2013
Decanter Magazine reports that a survey by the folks over at Wine Opinions has discovered that few wine buyers “differentiate between Sonoma County and Sonoma Valley and that using both on a label may even be a disadvantage.” A disadvantage to the folks making “Sonoma Valley” wine, that is. Of course it’s a disadvantage. And yet, after a “conjunctive labeling” law was pushed through the state legislature at the behest of the Sonoma County Vintners Association in 2010, it is…
Dec 31, 2012
Without hope, there is no sense in going on. Hope sustains us. Hope motivates us. With hope there is no action. Hope is the seed that grows into a wish. MY WISHES FOR WINE IN 2013 1. The Natural Wine Movement Reforms Itself I wish 2013 is the year that those who self-identify with and promote the “Natural Wine” movement finally give credit where credit is due and recognize all the artisan producers everywhere who have for years (decades, really),…
Nov 8, 2012
Anyone who has ever spent any leisure time in Las Vegas must have noticed that it is a creation of monumental uniqueness: a city dedicated to promoting and encouraging excessive sinning where common sense and traditional ideas of decorum really have no place. It’s no surprise either that alcohol plays a central role in its presentation of the excessive lifestyle. Throughout the late 1990s and into the 2000s, Vegas was considered the “Black Hole of Fine Wine”, the place where…
Nov 7, 2012
Napa vs. Sonoma. It’s a theme I’ve enjoyed exploring over the years on FERMENTATION. Mostly I’ve compared the two counties for the benefit of travelers and in the context of wine production. However, yesterday’s election and all the talk of where a state’s Democratic and Republican votes come from, ethnic breakdowns, etc, provided an interesting backdrop for looking further at these two wine country counties. For the record, I’ve lived in both and currently reside in Napa. The first thing…