Author Archives: Bill Ward

About Bill Ward

James Beard Award winner Bill Ward has been covering wine for the better part of a century (the 21st). His “Liquid Assets” column runs in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Hans Czerny, kickin’ it in Austria

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Bill Ward

In recent years winemaking has improved markedly across the globe. But I’m not sure anyplace has made bigger strides than Austria, and that’s because of people like Hans Czerny. Part of a family that has made wine for 250 years … Continue reading →

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

Linkin’ logs 5-14-12

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Bill Ward

Around those tubes known as the Internet: The compound known as resveratrol, found in red wine, has proven beneficial to our health in sundry ways, but this is a first: The government is testing to see if it can slow … Continue reading →

Posted in Actual News, Pairings, Wine & Health, Wine Reading and Viewing | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: May 7-13

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: As malbecs go, the Dominio del Plata Crios de Susana Balbo Mendoza  ($15) is particularly “thick,” dark and brooding, big on the oak and the fruit and the tannins. That hefty balance results in plenty of structure, making this a decent option … Continue reading →

Posted in French Wines, Loire, South American Wines | Leave a comment

L.A.’s consumers, India’s wine and other tidbits

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

More stuff I learned at the Riverside International Wine Competition: • Minneapolis-St. Paul is a whole heckuva lot like Los Angeles when it comes to consumer demographics. A SoCal wine buyer painted the El-Lay of the land like this: “You basically have three groups … Continue reading →

Posted in Actual News, Dessert Wines | Leave a comment

Tidbits from Temecula

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Bill Ward

It doesn’t take long to learn a lot of stuff at wine events in California. I’ve been in Temecula for 24 hours, and just finished the first round of judging at the Riverside International Wine Competition — 85 wines down, 35 … Continue reading →

Posted in Actual News, Minnesota Wines, U.S. Wines, Wine People | Leave a comment

Wines of the Week: April 30-May 6

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Bill Ward

(Note: Beginning this week, I’ll be linking to Wine Searcher, the best site I know of for finding good prices on our favorite beverage, with each featured wine. I still recommend shopping local whenever possible.) Everyday: It ain’t easy finding a … Continue reading →

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

Here’s the score

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Bill Ward

Looking for ratings? You’ve come to the wrong place. I never use them in print, nor in whatever this is called. But I use them. I parcel out a number (and a few notes) to virtually every wine I sample. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Tasting Notes, The 100-point system | Leave a comment

Grahm, still ‘doon’ good

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Bill Ward

Randall Grahm, in typical fashion, began our conversation with a self-deprecating anecdote. “Exactly two years ago we did a 25-year vertical of the [Bonny Doon] Cigare Volant,” he said at his Santa Cruz winery. “I thought it was a good … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Wine People, Winemakers | 1 Comment

A great read/resource: Karen MacNeil, “The Wine Bible”

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Bill Ward

It’s easy to find a good, comprehensive guide to wine and all its elements. But Karen MacNeil’s ”The Wine Bible” might stand alone in accessibility and ease of use, allowing anyone wanting to learn more about wine to do it however he or … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review | Comments Off

Linkin’ logs 5-1-12

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Bill Ward

My ‘Net gains of recent vintage: • I love lists, and from the looks of today’s magazines, most others do as well. So of course I was fascinated by the latest compilation of the world’s most admired wine brands — … Continue reading →

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