tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post3640350552375154296..comments2024-02-25T02:50:53.858-08:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: VornographyRon Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-83427024235183144242010-02-08T08:29:34.159-08:002010-02-08T08:29:34.159-08:00Thomas and Charlie,
I didn't know Jerry Mead ...Thomas and Charlie,<br /><br />I didn't know Jerry Mead personally but I certainly remember the Wine Trader and its "optimistic" scores. Maybe that's why I came up with the Million Point Scale. Imagine what Jerry Mead would have done with that.<br /><br />My primary purpose is to have fun with the whole wine blogosphere and the wine business. My wife always tells me my posts are filled with too many "inside" jokes, but I argue that a joke is a joke and stands on its own whether it's inside or not. That may be or may not be. But I do love to go after the hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness that offends me, and make people laugh along the way. I hope with me and not at me.<br /><br />Kevin,<br /><br />Ah, yes, Zin as grape concentrate, sort of like what the astronauts drink--Wine Tang. <br /><br />Are you the winemaker Kevin Hamel? I used to buy your wines when I was a sommelier. Either way, welcome to my flying circus.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-41556560531937691942010-02-08T08:10:00.116-08:002010-02-08T08:10:00.116-08:00Tom--
The notion of you and Jerry has me in stitc...Tom--<br /><br />The notion of you and Jerry has me in stitches. Tom and Jerry. Were you are cartoon or a libation?<br /><br />You are indeed right about the way Jerry wrote when he was going after something or someone. He did, as you know, have a very good sense of humor, including about himself. That was why he could tell the story about why he gave such high scores. Jerry was into grade inflation before it became a work of art as practiced today. But, yes, his writing style on those occasions had little to do with satire or parody.<br /><br />He was a self-confessed Libertarian and very proud of it, by the way. And even though his methods of assault were different from HMW's, they share the mantle for being willing to go after things that need going after.<br /><br />And before you point out the differences in what they went after, I will absolutely agree that Jerry never went after a winery or another writer or anyone who had a buck that Jerry could make.<br /><br />Still, how many writers can you name who actually go after anything, especially before the Internet gave rise to so many new and untethered voices?Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-37545542395485087002010-02-08T07:37:51.130-08:002010-02-08T07:37:51.130-08:00Modern Zinfandel is horribly misunderstood. It is ...Modern Zinfandel is horribly misunderstood. It is no more meant to be drunk straight out of the bottle than Campbell's soup is meant to eaten straight out of the can. It is meant to be cut by half with water and 500 mg of aspirin. Except for the slight extra cost of the aspirin, this renders a $30.00 wine a mere $15.00 for the 750 ml. And if the entire 1500 ml is consumed, it has the added benefit of inducing extra urination, which helps to cleanse the body...Kevin Hamelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10108725216622699214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-42352788162591480442010-02-08T06:19:12.471-08:002010-02-08T06:19:12.471-08:00what the hell were those symbols doing inside &quo...what the hell were those symbols doing inside "took him to task?"Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-11993233095484227982010-02-08T06:17:49.344-08:002010-02-08T06:17:49.344-08:00Hosemaster = Jerry: hmmm. Let me think on that.
N...Hosemaster = Jerry: hmmm. Let me think on that.<br /><br />Nah, different animals. Jerry went straight for the jugular. Had no time (or maybe imagination) for parody or satire.<br /><br />Hey Charlie, here's one for you. Jerry told me that I was the first and maybe the only writer he ever paid to do a piece for the Wine Trader. Maybe he was also good at stroking writer egos, and it worked ;)<br /><br />Re, Mead's wine preferences: I always viewed him as a libertarian in that sphere, too. But I also tookbhi9mn to task for even bothering with scoring wine, as I'm sure you would have guessed.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-6458679410636751092010-02-07T09:03:25.596-08:002010-02-07T09:03:25.596-08:00The idea of Jerry Mead popping up in the conversat...The idea of Jerry Mead popping up in the conversation of Vornagraphy strikes me as a little odd. <br /><br />He was, of course, the antithesis of Vornography in his political discourse, which was almost non-stop, but his tasting notes were something else again. Jerry rarely met a wine he did not like or a high score he could not give.<br /><br />And when the wine establishment finally got all over him about an unending string of 90-95 point scores for wines in his newspaper columns for wines that advertised in his journal, he adopted a two-tier system for inexpensive wines. <br /><br />It was OK to score an inexpensive wine at 88 because he had a second score for value and it invariably was in the 90s.<br /><br />When asked about this, he said, my publisher thinks my column is more popular when I give more high scores. So, in some ways, I think Jerry is not a source of good comparison to Vornagraphy when it comes to tasting notes.<br /><br />But where Jerry shined, and why we loved him so much regardless, was in his commentaries. He was the first and the fastest to rip silly Govt regulations wherever they came from. He stood up for the ordinary wine drinker faster and better than anybody else. <br /><br />At times, his political views got in the way of his wine commentary, and he was often scolded for that by his peers. But, a funny thing happened. We all came to admire Jerry as a true Libertarian, not a phony conservative masquerading as one, but a man of principal who would, on the one hand, hate liberal intrusions into his life and on the other would also defend a woman's right to choose, have found offense in the Patriot Act. <br /><br />Yes, I too miss Jerry Mead, not for his wine acumen, which by the way he never claimed, but for his tireless defense of the good things that wine contributes to our life. Think about the ferocity of Tom Wark on the Three-Tier-System and then apply that to any and all extra regulations like the inability of wineries to comment about the health positive aspects of wine drinking while having to carry warning labels, and you have the side of Jerry Mead that made him a prince to his peers.<br /><br />To me, in a somewhat different but willing to take on the establishment way, the Hosemaster reminds me of Jerry.<br /><br />To be continued,Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-81794077892790481422010-02-07T08:27:52.145-08:002010-02-07T08:27:52.145-08:00anon,
Mead indeed would be frothing at the so-cal...anon,<br /><br />Mead indeed would be frothing at the so-called journalists that stalk the Internet these days.<br /><br />I miss Jerry.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-72819287848700440382010-02-06T17:48:29.730-08:002010-02-06T17:48:29.730-08:00Anon 1,
You said it Toots!Anon 1,<br /> You said it Toots!Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-64510099259609464372010-02-06T17:40:40.544-08:002010-02-06T17:40:40.544-08:00It's Parker's palate that's DEAD TIR...It's Parker's palate that's <b> DEAD </b> TIRED.<br /><br />Anonymous IANONYMOUS Inoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-76253576246470137302010-02-06T16:35:54.792-08:002010-02-06T16:35:54.792-08:00My Gorgeous Samantha,
Wow, these comments have co...My Gorgeous Samantha,<br /><br />Wow, these comments have come a long way. Time to restore a little dignity.....................................................................................Nah. Too late for that.<br /><br />In answer to your question, Yes. <br /><br />I Adore YouRon Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-85534985989199737842010-02-06T16:22:42.665-08:002010-02-06T16:22:42.665-08:00Sam,
If that is what it takes, I won't interv...Sam,<br /><br />If that is what it takes, I won't interview you either.<br /><br />CharlieCharlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-75604770142249863672010-02-06T16:13:57.475-08:002010-02-06T16:13:57.475-08:00If I don't interview you what?! You gonna span...If I don't interview you what?! You gonna spank me....Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-9005843044008128072010-02-06T15:56:06.052-08:002010-02-06T15:56:06.052-08:00Anon 1,
I had a Mead turnover for breakfast! What...Anon 1,<br /><br />I had a Mead turnover for breakfast! What a coincidence.<br /><br />I thought it was Parker who was dead. Man, I need to stop reading blogs.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-2279124940889110232010-02-06T15:31:09.205-08:002010-02-06T15:31:09.205-08:00If the guy who writes the Vornography site is an &...If the guy who writes the Vornography site is an "Emperor," do we have to address him as "Norton"???<br />******<br />I'm guessing, then, we'll have to address Samantha as <i> Her Majesty </i> or <i> Your Highness.</i><br />******<br />Puff Daddy's "four guesses of the day" are spot on...especially the notation of "you get what you pay for." (and that's correct only if you're lucky!)<br />******<br />Please don't confuse "journalists" with Alder Yarrow, the scribes at The Wine Spectator and most wine "bloggers." I'll bet Jerry Mead is rolling over in his cask (or casket)...<br />******<br /><br />ANONYMOUS IANONYMOUS Inoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-4781569552718451832010-02-06T15:11:12.716-08:002010-02-06T15:11:12.716-08:00I'm hooked. I'm reading. I will be back. K...I'm hooked. I'm reading. I will be back. Keep posting funny shit Ron.<br /><br />EVOEric V. Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10421713709476706024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-32371087961691080942010-02-06T13:39:22.066-08:002010-02-06T13:39:22.066-08:00My Gorgeous Samantha,
I don't need the checks...My Gorgeous Samantha,<br /><br />I don't need the checks any more. May I take my fee in trade?<br /><br />You know your blog kicks my blog's ass when it comes to readers. And talent. And wit. <br /><br />However, if you don't interview me for Sans Dosage...<br /><br />I love you.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-58578793492284594212010-02-06T13:38:33.525-08:002010-02-06T13:38:33.525-08:00It looks like some of Alder's readers agree wi...It looks like some of Alder's readers agree with you. He is getting pummeled for his ratings, as well as his approach.<br /><br />Fame is fleeting on the Internet. Keep up the sass.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-25356052689003467252010-02-06T13:20:44.260-08:002010-02-06T13:20:44.260-08:00Jesus...44 comments?! Ron My Love, will you still ...Jesus...44 comments?! Ron My Love, will you still remember me when?<br /><br />Pay you cats to stay away? I'd just be happy to stop sending you guys those checks that I do just to keep you reading.Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-21744275032995800862010-02-06T13:15:58.642-08:002010-02-06T13:15:58.642-08:00Erin Love,
About time you showed up! Look what ha...Erin Love,<br /><br />About time you showed up! Look what happens when you're late. You end up on the bottom of the pile. Beneath some pretty shady characters.<br /><br />Thomas,<br /><br />I wonder why no one wants to advertise on HoseMaster... My wazoo is completely empty.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-2593798681040836022010-02-06T12:56:19.534-08:002010-02-06T12:56:19.534-08:00Ron,
We get paid to pull out, and Charlie stops g...Ron,<br /><br />We get paid to pull out, and Charlie stops getting paid so that he can start a blog. Simplest solution I've ever devised.<br /><br />PS: Forget Wark; I hear he's started making ad money up the wazoo...Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-12421717022689230132010-02-06T11:46:43.746-08:002010-02-06T11:46:43.746-08:00Oh, my god, help!! I wish CAPS LOCK was big enough...Oh, my god, help!! I wish CAPS LOCK was big enough for a huge HA! But I'll have to stick with just...HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!<br />Can you hear me all the way down here??!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-41706634924722946482010-02-06T11:15:36.301-08:002010-02-06T11:15:36.301-08:00Thomas,
Hell, I was hoping to make it a package d...Thomas,<br /><br />Hell, I was hoping to make it a package deal with me, Alder, Heimoff and Wark, but you're welcome to join too. But then Charlie would be homeless.<br /><br />No, wait, we could all just hang around and drive Samantha crazy on her blog! She'd pay us to leave, I'm pretty sure. <br /><br />This could turn into a real Bonanza. I'll be Little Joe.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-30235552417679196102010-02-06T11:09:50.954-08:002010-02-06T11:09:50.954-08:00Ron,
Can we make the fee a dual--if paid to do so...Ron,<br /><br />Can we make the fee a dual--if paid to do so, I'll stop, too.<br /><br />Kind of turns the world upside down, doesn't it. Was a time when I used to get paid to write; yet another problem that the Internet has created. Start ups with a business plan to make writers grovel.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-63866949537878020632010-02-06T10:38:07.073-08:002010-02-06T10:38:07.073-08:00Puff Daddy,
Ain't that the point of The Emper...Puff Daddy,<br /><br />Ain't that the point of The Emperor's New Clothes, that everyone knows but everyone's afraid to say anything? Though I hate this analogy now because I can't get the thought of Alder naked out of my head. He really ought to wear pants to ZAP next year.<br /><br />No, I don't make a nickel off HoseMaster. But I am thinking of charging people to make me stop! That should be lucrative. Maybe I can get Huckleberry to give me his first born blogger, Hardy Huckleberry.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-57211096112978215302010-02-06T10:18:00.261-08:002010-02-06T10:18:00.261-08:00Ron--
You and I have talked privately about satir...Ron--<br /><br />You and I have talked privately about satire and the demands it makes on the writer. <br /><br />It is one thing, I think to make fun of Huckleberry, but another to tag the Emporer for his lack of clothes when obviously others are thinking the same thing.<br /><br />There is no other blog in the winosphere that has the bite of the HMW. That is why we send you so much money every month.<br /><br />No wait. That is why we don't.Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.com