Monthly Archives: October 2011

Pinot Camp (sorta-kinda): Part I

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Bill Ward

Welcome to Pinot Camp. Now of course this is not the real Pinot Camp, an annual confab in which Oregon wineries entertain and edify “the trade”: scores of wholesalers, retailers and restaurant folks. So this is as close as you … Continue reading →

Posted in Experiences, Oregon Wines, Wine People, Winemakers | 3 Comments

Wines of the Week: Oct. 24-30

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I’m more of a pinot blanc guy myself, largely because so much pinot gris/grigio is insipid, but when someone nails the latter grape, it’s a delight. The Left Coast “The Orchards” Willamette Pinot Gris 2009 ($15) is perfume-y on … Continue reading →

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From Lodi to Languedoc, and in between

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Bill Ward

Mel Masters might be the only negotiant living in New Hampshire – which, after all, is called the Granite State and not the Grenache State. If there are others residing there, Masters is almost certainly the most accomplished, and definitely … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, French Wines, Wine People | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Oct. 17-23

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: They say that the Bodegas Breton Lorinon Blanco Rioja ($14) was stored in barriques, but they must have been old because there’s no detectable toast or vanilla on this beauty. It’s vibrant and clean, with perfect ripeness and smoothness. … Continue reading →

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Germany’s vintage, from a grounded correspondent

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Bill Ward

My friend Bill Hooper is the kind of guy who can says stuff like  “I feel totally and completely honored to have been able to play even the smallest role in the story of German wine” without a trace of … Continue reading →

Posted in Actual News, German/Austrian Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: Oct. 10-16

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: An oft-repeated refrain in the wine world is that with gruner veltliner, you get what you pay for, that the quality rises accordingly, if not exponentially, with the price tag. So I guess that makes the Kurt Angerer “Kies” Gruner … Continue reading →

Posted in German/Austrian Wines, Italian Wines | Leave a comment

Good for these guys

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Bill Ward

Not sure if my vote helped put any of them over the top, but the just-announced inductees into the Vintners Hall of Fame was almost a mirror image of my ballot. Or maybe we all just lemmings without knowing it … Continue reading →

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Fin du Fresne: Straight shooter from Down Under

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Bill Ward

Winemakers tend  to be open books, not given to circumspection. Even by those standards  Fintan du Fresne is a candid kind of guy. Perhaps because his father is a journalist – among New Zealand’s most respected wine writers – the … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, The 100-point system, Wine People | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week, Oct. 3-10

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: It shouldn’t be easy to forget a delicious wine from New Mexico, but somehow the Gruet Brut Blanc de Noirs NV ($14) is not on my radar as much as it should be. This vibrant sparkler is a wonderful … Continue reading →

Posted in Bubbles, Spanish Wines, U.S. Wines | Leave a comment

Viniferous quips

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Bill Ward

I was a collector in general before I became a wine collector. Among the items I cull are quotes. Here are some of my favorite wine drolleries: “Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Funny(ish) stuff, Words | Leave a comment