About Bill
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. He loves food, wine, sports, music, travel and his way-better half, Sandy.Follow Bill
*Pinot noir: better quality, broader range bit.ly/1a8sQjV
*Tasting events: a NOT-t0-do list bit.ly/18ZpSgZ
*Now that it's finally warming up ... time for reds bit.ly/19aHMAl
*Do vintages matter? Only to a (price) point. And less than ever bit.ly/1ag9BoH
*Alsace, the world's most under-recognized region bit.ly/13QC3xb
*The year that was. Or was it? bit.ly/WJEuKW
*Book 'em, Bill-O: My favorite reads of 2012 bit.ly/W857e1
*Yes, Virginia, there is good wine from Minnesota bit.ly/MpNOms
*May I have a little red in that white wine? bit.ly/Nz7jM4
*New takes on old regions: ow.ly/bjjZc
*The sustain-org-namic world: http://bit.ly/JIKhcW
*Many do judge wine by its cover http://bit.ly/rqU31d-
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- Wines of the Week: June 10-16 | Decant This! … the wine blog of Bill Ward on Telmo Rodriguez, telling it like it is
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Category Archives: Rhone
Wines of the Week: April 1-7
Everyday: Best I can tell, Charles Smith can do no wrong. The Washington-based vintner makes my favorite $12 domestic riesling, his syrahs are powerful and profound, and he has come up with another winner with the 2011 Charles Smith “Vino” Pinot Grigio ($14). Lovely … Continue reading
Posted in French Wines, Rhone, Washington Wines
4 Comments
Vintage Burgundy, offbeat zins, wine on tap and more
A few discoveries from recent vinous gatherings: • Washington vintners are taking California’s “state grape” to some interesting places. I thoroughly enjoyed two fascinating zinfandels from the Evergreen State: the “Howling Wolfe” from Thurston Wolfe and the new Two Vintners Stone Tree … Continue reading
Posted in Burgundy, Oregon Wines, Rhone, Vintages, Washington Wines, Wine People
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Under the threshold
Reader John Glas commented on a recent post that he wanted sometime soon to find and try a Charles Smith Royal City Syrah. As well he should, even though it’s quite spendy. I recently saw one in Nashville going – or … Continue reading
Posted in Experiences, Rhone, Wine People
1 Comment
Living large, and lifelong learning
Syrah Night is about revelry, not reflection. But like most wine experiences, it can provide something to think about, at least once the next morning’s inevitable large noggin subsides. The most recent rendition of the semi-annual event – gathering a … Continue reading
Posted in California Wines, Experiences, Rhone, Washington Wines
3 Comments
Wines of the Week: Nov. 12-18
Everyday: I loves me some chenin blanc, and am thrilled that more and more American vintners not only take it on but manage to find places suitable for growing it. The latest example to cross (and delight) my palate: the McKinley Springs Horse Heaven … Continue reading
Posted in Rhone, Washington Wines
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Wines of the Week: April 16-22
Everyday: Although I like it year-round, many consumers tend to treat rosé’s time o’ year as the converse of oyster season, drinking it solely in months that do not include an “r.” Too bad for them, because the Paul Jaboulet Aine Côtes du Rhône “Parallèle … Continue reading
Posted in California Wines, French Wines, Rhone
1 Comment
Chez Syrah/Shiraz
Minnesota is blessed with a lot of syrah weather, so it’s not a challenge to find fun people who like that grape as much as I do. So a couple of times every winter, several of us gather and turn … Continue reading
Posted in California Wines, Down Under Wines, Experiences, Oregon Wines, Rhone
1 Comment
Wines of the Week: Dec. 5-11
Everyday: I’m firmly on board the moscato bandwagon, whether it’s inexpensive domestic stuff (Barefoot, Robert Mondavi) or the more complex offerings from Italy such as the Seven Daughters Veneto Moscato NV ($14). There are waves of flat-out delicious fruit in … Continue reading
Posted in French Wines, Italian Wines, Rhone
1 Comment
Kermit Lynch tasting: Right in his (and my) wheelhouse
One of my favorite wine experiences was spending several hours a few years back with importer/writer/musician Kermit Lynch, including a long lunch at Chez Panisse. Lynch wasn’t present at a tasting of his wines this month at Lucia’s, but he … Continue reading
Posted in Burgundy, Dessert Wines, Italian Wines, Loire, Pairings, Rhone
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A winner in winter
My way better half was out of town. The most relentless winter in my quarter-century in Tundraland was showing no signs of letup. Obviously it was time for … Syrah Night. This semi-annual occasion, inevitably followed by Large Noggin Morning, … Continue reading
Posted in California Wines, Down Under Wines, Experiences, Pairings, Rhone, Tasting Notes
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