Ever wonder what would happen subjecting simple wines, intended for immediate drinking pleasure, to extended aging terms in unsuitable environments? It’s a risky wager and not a fully recommended strategy, even with careful wine selection and pristine cellaring conditions. While vinous curiosity has driven some oddball aging decisions in the hopes of padding my stash with more bottles showing advanced flavor and aroma nuances, (you can read more about when wine is ready to drink in this post at Palate […]
Bayamon and Barrilito: Sultry Escape From Snow and Wine
Wine Blogging Wednesday Solera of the Caribbean Sea, Papirusa of Puerto Rico, and the Batard of Bayamon, Ron del Barrilito (rum from the little barrel) offers palates predisposed to character-rich wines a welcome midwinter alternative. Three Fernandez generations have crafted a mysterious, deceptively complex, amber-hued, full flavored rum using the same secret family recipe since 1880. For full appreciation and escape from frozen tundras, you can visit the Fernandez clan clinging to their patch […]
A Case for Avoiding the Wine Rating Mousetrap
Leave it up to an expert on randomness and a statistician turned winemaker to make an astonishing case that wine ratings are inconsistent and unreliable. The debate on ratings value has been legitimately extended by a couple of primary and secondary research studies presented by Robert Hodgson in the Journal of Wine Economics. Hodgson’s work and conversations with a few high profile wine critics […]
Bang for the Buck: Magically Transforming Moulin-a-Vent
I purchased a reasonable amount of mixed 2003 Cru Beaujolais by Georges Duboeuf on release since the vintage appeared to be of historic quality and the best wines could be had in the usual $15-$20 value range. They were enjoyably rich and round with the great depth of fruit that was a signpost to the vintage’s outstanding conditions. These wines were consumed […]
New York Wine Experience; Part II
A general assembly gathering of some of the nation’s most rabid fans side by side with an impressive line up of the world’s elite group of makers, negociants, and sellers of fine wine kicked off a day of informative tasting and recognition for outstanding performance this past Friday at the Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience. Following on […]
Grand Tasting Kickoff at New York Wine Experience
Last night the “Critics’ Choice” Grand Tasting kick-off of the 2009 New York Wine Experience showcased the usual round up of the world’s best wineries and winemakers. The crowds swarmed the aisles of the 5th and 6th floors of the New York Marriott Marquis tasting one trophy wine after the next. It is an overwhelming experience and a […]
Generous Collector Proves Blending Theory With 1928 Pol Roger
I am an occasional Champagne drinker that had a bubbly good experience this weekend that I suspect even the region’s most avid fan might find exotic. A good friend and collector of old Champagne had told me about using young NV Champagne to bring life back to very old vintage wine. We actually opened two 375 ml bottles […]
Doing 50 in Bristol: Billecart-Salmon to D'Oliveiras
Thank you to my amazing wife Liz for suggesting, and as much to our very special trans Atlantic chums for hosting our belated 50th birthday celebration in Bristol, England this past weekend. These friends organized a 40th birthday soiree in our honor back in 1999 and it did not take long for all of us to concur that […]
Definitely Check Out Palate Press
via palatepress.com Palate Press launched last month and has been publishing a steady and significant volume of the most engaging wine writing anywhere. David Honig and William Tisherman have done an awesome job and I really enjoyed working with Tish on this piece about aging wine. Having a chance to run the piece through Tish […]
Gastropub Victory: The HORSESHOE
I finally had my chance to check out the London gastropub scene. Staying out in Northwest London’s handsome, tree-lined, Victorian row house street defined village of Hampstead, I booked us into The HORSESHOE, a welcome gastro/microbrewery rebirth of an old, dreary run down pub on Hampstead Street which years ago convinced me that there were better places to sip ale. Fresh paint, smart lighting, […]
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