Posted in Wine on Feb 19th, 2010
Well, its now official. The twelve crafty wine fakers have gotten the French gavel and its off to prison for some and hefty fines for others. As I wrote last week, E&J Gallo was sold a ridiculous amount of fake Pinot which was passed off on the world as Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir, which was [...]
Posted in Wine on Feb 11th, 2010
In what may be a massive raping and pillaging of the great Gallo’s wallet and operations in France, the French are investigating whether E&J Gallo was sold fake Pinot Noir. And incredible amounts of it: 3.57 million gallons, to be precise.
Fueled by greed and the ever-flowing dollar that Gallo provides, some Languedoc vignerons may have [...]
Principio (100% Ciliegiolo), Antonio Camillo, 2008, Tuscany
(13.5% Alc)
“Hey, after you go in search of God, can you bring me back some vines?”
And so it was that an obscure grape varietal named Ciliegiolo left its home in Spain and came to rest in Tuscany. Or so its rumored…and only God knows the truth.
Walking the pilgrimage from [...]
Posted in NYC Events, Wine on Jan 9th, 2010
“The Mondavi Chardonnay? Yes, its on Aisle 312 next to the Weber Twin-Propane Tank, Stainless Steel, Mega Wild-Game Grill.”
All across New York State, legislators and the wineries and wine shop owners they represent are in a heated debate. Should New York grocery stores be allowed to sell wine or should it remain the sole domain [...]
Just before Christmas Eve dinner, the guests of the Royal Family retire to the Saloon to enjoy gin and tonics with the Queen (who drinks a dry Martini). Afterwards, the guests are seated at 8:30 pm for a splendid, candlelit meal that unfolds in rehearsed waves of grandeur. White wine is served with the hors [...]
Posted in Wine on Dec 19th, 2009
“Dude, get your ass to Priorat!”
And so it was that I received this text message from my friend who’s currently gallivanting through Europe on a journey to see the wines and vineyards of the world (rough, I know). Apparently, as my ass was slaving away in the mines of the East Village, he was “sitting [...]
Posted in Wine on Nov 24th, 2009
Chanhassen, Minnesota. University of Minnesota test fields. Dead of night.
A chill and a hush descended over the grapevines. Not even a bird could be heard warbling, nor a nematode nipping at the roots in the soil. The moon beams glistened on the small berries and you could practically smell the grapes in the air. But [...]
Posted in Wine on Nov 20th, 2009
So, there I am reading the NY Times over a cup of coffee, when I see an article about Singapore Airlines hiring Master Sommeliers to help them select wines. What? I thought. Are you frickin serious?! I mean, we all know the airlines are scrimping and saving in every damn corner of this industry, and [...]
Autumn is the bite of a harvest apple. – Christina Petrowsky
All hail the glorious apple. Man’s relationship with this versatile and forbidden fruit goes back thousands of years. Today, there are over 55 million tons of apples produced worldwide each year…now that’s some serious fanaticism.
I was tasked to bring in 6-8 new ciders for our [...]
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cape Winemakers Guild, Kanonkop, 1997, Stellenbosch
(14% Alc)
What if Yoda made wine? And what if instead of focusing on intergalactic peace, the Jedis gathered to taste through barrels of Pinotage and hammer out the intricacies of pruning and soil characteristics?
And what if after hours of intense debate, they chose their favorite wine from that [...]
