Monthly Archives: January 2013

At Jordan, a successful succession

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Bill Ward

For several years now, there’s been a lot of buzz in California wine country about landmark wineries facing major succession problems. The daughters and sons of the pioneers who in the 1970s and ’80s established Napa and Sonoma as fine-wine … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week, Jan. 21-27

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I used to call St. Patrick’s Day “National Booze Day,” but I’m about convinced that it’s time to switch that designation to Super Bowl Sunday. (Exhibit A: the day after’s bevy of people calling in “sick.”). One way to lessen … Continue reading →

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A great read: Elin McCoy, ‘The Emperor of Wine’

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Bill Ward

Now, with his power apparently on the wane, seems a particularly good time to peruse “The Emperor of Wine: The Rise of Robert M. Parker Jr. and the Reign of American Taste.” Elin McCoy’s masterful, authoritative biography really gets at what … Continue reading →

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A true super-taster

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Bill Ward

The marked improvement in Italian wines, especially the more affordable stuff, is something I can actually attest to personally. I spent almost three years in Italy in the Navy. We sailors were called “squids,” and I ate a boatload of … Continue reading →

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Zinfandel recommendations

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Bill Ward

Used to be, shopping for good zin was easy: Find a friend on the Turley mailing list, or just go with one of the three R’s — Ridge, Rosenblum and Ravenswood. But the world changes, for better and worse. Ravenswood … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Jan. 14-20

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: When we cork dorks use the word “lift,” we’re talking about wines like the 2010 Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Les Princes Abbés ($18). It fairly soars in the mouth with a vibrancy that plays beautifully with the tropical and stone-fruit flavors. This … Continue reading →

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Zinfandel: a primer

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Bill Ward

Zinfandel is often regarded as the quintessential California grape, and certainly has found a home in many locales around the state. Too many, actually, but that could be said of most grapes in California. But overplanting has its upside: Eventually … Continue reading →

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Linkin’ logs 1-16-13

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Bill Ward

We’re getting smarter and showing more ingenuity. I know because I read it on the InterWeb: • If you read much about politics or religion, it’s easy to believe in human de-evolution. I choose to go with this study finding … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Jan. 7-13

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I bow to no one in my admiration for Portuguese reds. The ones that make it to these shores are almost uniformly swell. But too many of them hover around the $18-$22 range, which makes the DFJ Vega Douro 2009 ($12) such … Continue reading →

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Word

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Bill Ward

Over the years centuries, wine has brought happiness to all manner of us. A few folks who have articulated that sentiment deftly: “And wine that maketh glad the heart of man.” — Psalms 104:15 “What though youth gave us love and … Continue reading →

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