Archive for the ‘wine’ Category
Why is it that when states and Congress consider laws and regulations concerning consumer access to wine, the actual consumers are never consulted? Producers are consulted. Restaurants are consulted. Regulators are consulted. And wholesalers are consulted. But never consumers of wine. Why? The reason is so remarkably simple: Wine Consumers don’t have a voice through which their interests can be communicated. Anyone who has ever dealt directly with issues of direct shipping of wine, wine in grocery stores, blue laws,…
My first real glass of wine was on Independence Day. I must have been all of 10 or 11 years old and with the family at a fireworks display in Marin County, where I grew up. It wasn't my first sip of alcohol. I'd stolen that from my father's bottle of beer on a few occasions. But here, sitting on the grass, waiting for the fireworks to burst on to the scene, I drunk my first, full, honest glass of…
The idea of putting 30 roses on your wine list is really quite absurd…unless you are ready to promote the hell out of rose to your patrons. I assume that’s exactly what Campanile does. For this kind of courage and this kind of contribution to the wine industry they should be given some sort of an award. I flew down to Los Angeles on Sunday for a meeting on Monday. I’m not an LA kinda-guy. I have friends and a…
I recall reading somewhere, probably in one of his books, that Robert Parker did not consider Zinfandel a "Noble Grape". What a great debate this would make. But that’s not my point. What I’m getting to is that if Zinfandel is not a "noble grape" then Petite Sirah probably can’t even claim courtesan status. This of course is not the view of those who belong to PS I LOVE YOU, the Petite Sirah advocacy organization that is gearing up of…
The first SatPic comes from Twisted Oak Winery. It’s located in a part of California many call "God’s Country", AKA the Sierra Foothills. I’ve spent a bit of time in this part of California and more than anything it’s the rolling quality of the land that strikes you. Wineries first made a hit in the region via very nice and compelling Old Vine Zins as well as lovely Sauvignon Blanc. The Twisted Oak Folk are doing it a bit different:…
