Category Archives: History

Linkin’ logs: The view(ing)

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Bill Ward

Just as there’s a difference between reading a novel and watching a movie based on it, there’s a difference between reading about wine and watching a video about wine. As always, the quality of the latter depends largely on the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Wine Reading and Viewing | 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

Happy birthday to Tariquet, happy quaffing for the rest of us

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Bill Ward

I wish there were more American wineries like Domaine du Tariquet. Not because it’s so old (having turned 100 on June 7), or because it is so large (with 950 hectares of planted vines, France’s largest single-family estate within one appellation). No, … Continue reading →

Posted in French Wines, History | 1 Comment

A fast (with the quips) Ferrari

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Bill Ward

OK, guess the native land of the wine personality who said these things over lunch: Riesling likes “rubbush soil.” Winning an award was a “bit higgledy-piggledy.” 2010 “is going to be a cracker of a vintage.” A certain Twin Cities … Continue reading →

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Mondavi Jr., crafting a renewed legacy

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Bill Ward

History will get you only so far in the wine (or any other) business. Same with a famous name, which actually can work for or against you. In the end, what’s in the bottle matters more than all of that, … Continue reading →

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

Champagne wisdom, Part Deux

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Bill Ward

It’s a great time to think about Champagne (which for me means any day that ends in “y”). I shared a few pearls last week on bubbles from northeastern France, and here are some more, from (mostly) lesser-known folks: • “I … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Words | Leave a comment

Champagne wisdom, Part Un

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Bill Ward

We’re approaching everybody’s favorite time for Champagne (which for me is anytime). So here are some famous folks’ thoughts on this bubbly delight: • “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne.” – John Maynard … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Words | 3 Comments

I would give everything I own

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Bill Ward

I had almost as much fun writing about David Gates as I did visiting with him at Ridge Vineyards. And as always when I’ve spent extensive time with a wine figure, a lot of good stuff got left out of … Continue reading →

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

Guardin’ Eden’s legacy: Jeffrey Patterson

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Bill Ward

Jeffrey Patterson has been making wine for 31 years, which given his appearance means that he started at about age 8. But the Mount Eden Vineyards winemaker has wisdom that surpasses his actual years, and a winery with a fascinating … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, History, Winemakers | 1 Comment