Monthly Archives: July 2012

Exercise good judgment

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Bill Ward

OK, so if yoga is not quite enough exercise for you, there’s always this:                

Posted in Funny(ish) stuff | Leave a comment

Linkin’ logs 7-29-12

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Bill Ward

It’s impossible to keep up with one-gazillionth of what’s other there in the Web World, but here are a few recent stories that would have tickled my fancy pants if I owned any fancy pants: • This oafish maneuver reminds me of when … Continue reading →

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

Wines of the Week: July 23-29

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: A decade ago, crisp summer refreshers were a limited lot, but no more. Among the most delightful of recent arrivals are picpoul de pinets, grown very close to the Mediterranean Sea in the Coteaux du Languedoc region. Clean and refreshing, the  Gaujal de … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, French Wines | Leave a comment

Lured to Walla Walla, and no wonder

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Bill Ward

Katherine Derby Raymond grew up in the Twin Cities and had firm roots here: Her grandfather, Dean Derby, played for the first Minnesota Vikings team. But the day after graduating from Bethel, she bolted – and headed “home” in the process. … Continue reading →

Posted in Washington Wines, Wine People | Leave a comment

Parental (mis)guidance

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Bill Ward

So my dad died last week, and it got me to thinking about how he and my late mom might have helped me on my path to wine. They were both heavy drinkers. Legal drugs (alcohol, cigarettes and a raft of prescriptions) … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Down Under Wines, Experiences, History | 4 Comments

The roots of “If … then …”

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Bill Ward

Amidst all the hubbub about Mitt Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital, my friend Tom unearthed the origin of the “if … then …” stance. Wine is mentioned but also could be  substituted for “whiskey” throughout: The label if-by-whiskey refers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Funny(ish) stuff, History | 1 Comment

Wines of the Week: July 16-22

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: It’s pronounced vee-own-YAY, and its foremost expression comes out of the Rhone, particularly in hard-to-find Condrieus. But the McManis California Viognier ($11) is not only a dandy, worthy summer sipper but perhaps the most readily available viognier around (along with Cline). With … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: July 9-15

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Midsummer is indubitably vinho verde time. These ridiculously refreshing Portuguese whites (often green, as the name connotes) are just plain fun and low enough in alcohol for quaffing. The perennially delicious Broadbent Vinho Verde ($10.50, often less) clocks in at 9 percent alcohol … Continue reading →

Posted in Down Under Wines, Portuguese Wines | Leave a comment

What to do with plonk?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

What started as a post for this site evolved into today’s Liquid Assets column, and it contained a rarity: calling out brands that in general are not worth recommending. That’s an ongoing quandary for a wine critic, or at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Issues (and maybe some answers) | 3 Comments

A Krug kind of morning

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

No, I’m not drinking bubbles from perhaps Champagne’s foremost producer (consarnit!). But within a half-hour just now, two Krug-related items crossed my transom. First came an email from a Star Tribune reader regarding my Liquid Assets column that addressed, among … Continue reading →

Posted in Actual News, Bubbles, Winemakers | Leave a comment