“When it comes to traveling these are some wonders I’d like to see: A cabdriver who understands English, especially in America. A place in the world where you can’t get a Big Mac and a Coke. A headwaiter who hides his scorn when you order the house wine.” – George Burns, Comedian Buenos Aires –… Read More House Wine
“Great things are done when men and mountains meet. – William Blake, Poet Mendoza, Argentina – Let the muttering begin… He’s been in Argentina for almost three years and he’s never been to Mendoza…? What kind of wine geek is he…? You’re right, really, and I don’t have much of an excuse for not having… Read More Purple Mountain Majesties
I must possess all, or I possess nothing.” – Skeletor Buenos Aires – Collectors are an odd breed, regardless of what it is they collect. Wine collectors are a breed unto themselves – amongst those of us in the wine trade, they tend to get referred to as “Masters of the Universe” – generally with… Read More Masters of the Universe
A couple of years ago, Los Angeles Times writer Corie Brown apparently wrote an article about how California winemakers went about intentionally making “cult Cabernets”. I vaguely remember the article being passed on to me a while back – interestingly, it’s no longer on the Times’ website – in fact it seems the entire series… Read More Grape Brutality
“I never read a book before reviewing it – it prejudices a man so.” Sydney Smith, Essayist, Clergyman Buenos Aires – In the last couple of weeks a trio, or is it a quartet, or quintet, of books has come across my desk. They didn’t get there by themselves, I went to book launching parties… Read More Libro Trio
“The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the Universe to do.” – Galileo Galilei, Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Philosopher Buenos Aires – It’s been awhile since I’ve been to what folks in the wine business call… Read More And a Bit More of the Grape
“We may lay in a stock of pleasures, as we would lay in a stock of wine; but if we defer tasting them too long, we shall find that both are soured by age.” – Charles Caleb Colton, Sportsman, Writer My friend Maureen was in from San Francisco for a couple of days, after a… Read More A Bit of the Grape
Pinot Noir is about finesse, elegance and clarity. It’s one of the few varietals translucent enough to show soil, climate and the winemaker’s hand. At its best, it can be the most complex and satisfying elixir you’ll ever consume. At its worst it can be thin insipid swill you wouldn’t even serve to relatives.” –… Read More Battle: Pinot Noir