tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post3681444405843726124..comments2024-03-22T00:35:12.415-07:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: TAPAS Before We Kill Again--Part UnoRon Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-15154276472395309802015-05-12T09:12:45.321-07:002015-05-12T09:12:45.321-07:00Ron,
Bummed I missed you at TAPAS. Yep, I was the...Ron,<br /><br />Bummed I missed you at TAPAS. Yep, I was there pouring the varieties that 'cross over' from the Rhone to Iberia - or vice versa - along with my first ever Albarino from the Santa Ynez Valley. Since 'Garnacha Blanca' was 'discovered' in Spain, it made sense to pour mine, along with my Mourvedre Rose - opps, I mean my Monastrell Rose - and my Garnachas!<br /><br />Your comments about the whites could be made at almost all tastings I've been a part of over the last few years - not enough 'zing' and just too flabby. Of course, I have not poured at IPOB, where the opposite may be true :-)<br /><br />Keep up the fun posts, my friend.<br /><br />Cheers!tercero wineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11718156055439684277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-64162970845311958332015-05-09T06:57:47.025-07:002015-05-09T06:57:47.025-07:00Bob,
Nope. Circumstances beyond my control (my inh...Bob,<br />Nope. Circumstances beyond my control (my inherent laziness) kept me from attending. I really wanted to go, but I had some pressing issues to attend to. I had to press my pants.<br /><br />I'm sure David is relieved.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-25659208441356465792015-05-08T23:00:08.384-07:002015-05-08T23:00:08.384-07:00Ron,
Comments to come from attending the New Zeal...Ron,<br /><br />Comments to come from attending the New Zealand Winegrowers-underwritten/David Strada-organized trade tasting on April 27th at Fort Mason?<br /><br />BobBob Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02089688073031173053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-43543481346374429212015-05-08T18:09:02.068-07:002015-05-08T18:09:02.068-07:00Jo,
I'll say this, the people who love Petite ...Jo,<br />I'll say this, the people who love Petite Sirah REALLY love Petite Sirah. It's like fans of World Wrestling Federation. It ain't for everybody, and they like it that way. Good for you for doing such a great job promoting it. And it's good that it sells in tasting rooms, because, in my experience, it's dead in the water in restaurants. But wine needs diversity. The world is too much Pinot Noir and Cabernet and Merlot for my taste.<br /><br />Cris,<br />Thanks, Cris. I don't care about numbers on wines, and it seems the height of hubris to give them to wines tasted in that kind of setting. But wine writers are full of two things, one of which is hubris. <br /><br />I'll get bored with reviewing wines at events at some point. Right now, it's fun to explore my thoughts about varieties, tastings and events. Thanks for reading, and thanks for being a common tater.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-56955633452283634162015-05-08T13:54:50.419-07:002015-05-08T13:54:50.419-07:00Ron, keep the reviews coming. It's nice to re...Ron, keep the reviews coming. It's nice to read about events that I wasn't able to attend, and I always appreciate the fun anecdotes and your general silliness. Plus, you wisely don't wade into the waters of trying to rate wines at a mass tasting. (Please, please god, don't let this start another discussion of the value of 100-point system.)Cris Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975170865735104956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-21534827885579164922015-05-08T11:16:14.134-07:002015-05-08T11:16:14.134-07:00Definitely worth throwing that money around. In 20...Definitely worth throwing that money around. In 2002, when we began, there were only 67 growers and producers combined. Today?<br /><br />Tracking 164 GROWERS<br />913 PRODUCERS<br /><br />From 67 to 1,077 <br /><br />(That I know about, which means there's more.) <br /><br />Most of it never leaves a tasting room, with producers only making about 300 cases. It's a winemaker's wine... period. They love it, those who craft it. You don't have to sit around and talk about the oooo-la-la of it, you just taste it and get on with your party.<br /><br />It doesn't have to have any critics tasting and evaluating it, either. They SELL it all... They RUN OUT of it early, even. So, they don't care what anyone else thinks. I'd say that 90 - 95 percent of the producers are only making small amounts, like 300 cases. <br /><br />This is also a reason they cite for not helping the promotional effort, by joining the group. Why? they ask. I'm very limited, I think to myself. Imagine what I could do if we had more than 80 members, now that we've created this growth of from 67 to 1,077. <br /><br />I started the group, because at the first symposium, all anyone said with great consistence, "We need publicity for this variety." In the evaluation I asked, if there was a group, would you join?" Those who said "yes," I sent a registration form to them, and had Jose build a site for us. The rest is the history I listed above. The variety is growing ever so slowing, but don't knock the turtle... We're still moving toward the finish line of respect.Jo Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10499844574747579178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-28017199225411022012015-05-07T22:50:40.800-07:002015-05-07T22:50:40.800-07:00Jo's hobo life -- a modern day version of &quo...Jo's hobo life -- a modern day version of "Sullivan's Travels."<br /><br />Without the aid (aide) of Robert Greig or Eric Blore.<br /><br />Durif: “There’s a lot to be said for making people laugh [drink]. Did you know that’s all some people have? It isn’t much, but it’s better than nothing in this cockeyed caravan.”Bob Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09099196210297757292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-43014823215569554672015-05-07T18:24:00.988-07:002015-05-07T18:24:00.988-07:00Marcia Love,
"Verdejo, Verdelho
Mourvedre, Ma...Marcia Love,<br />"Verdejo, Verdelho<br />Mourvedre, Mataro<br />Let's call the whole cluster off."<br /><br />I like it.<br /><br />That Napa Verdelho was really compelling, almost white Bordeauxesque. I hope they leave it in, too. Not many $22 white wines in Napa, let alone really good white wine for $22. <br /><br />Godello--a varietal name just made for comedy. Maybe that's why I like it.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-4885521705427961232015-05-07T17:00:49.198-07:002015-05-07T17:00:49.198-07:00"Verdejo, Verdelho" Isn't that one o..."Verdejo, Verdelho" Isn't that one of the verses in the Gershwin boys' "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"? ...part of the "Tomayto, Tomahto" thing? <br /><br />I am a fan of Albarino (domestic or otherwise). So I'm sorry I missed out on this. But now I've got a few to keep my eye out for... So glad they opted NOT to rip out the Verdelho in Calistoga. Everything can't be Cabernet Sauvignons there!<br /><br />Godello? A sibling of Mr. Godot? Or does he live in a Godello?Marcia Macomberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07237764449953259939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-57124980364801086632015-05-07T12:42:28.397-07:002015-05-07T12:42:28.397-07:00Jo,
That's a lot of cash to throw at Durif. Ca...Jo,<br />That's a lot of cash to throw at Durif. Can it have been worth it? Sounds like at least you had fun living the hobo life, riding the rails. Pretty cool.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-15301267077614798792015-05-07T11:03:48.555-07:002015-05-07T11:03:48.555-07:00We did the book mobile in 2004 from SF to LA, to P...We did the book mobile in 2004 from SF to LA, to Phoenix, to Santa Fe, to Dallas, to Houston. Then, a few weeks later we did Boston, to NYC, to Baltimore, to Charlotte, to Atlanta, to Miami. We had venues for each location. The next year (2005), we hired two luxury train cars ($35,000 for each leg of the two part series). We went from Seattle to Portland, to LA. Then, We stayed at Union Station in their movie rail cars for the night, before heading home. (There's a lot in LA,w here old railroad cars are stored, and we booked in like it was a hotel.) The next journey went from Fort Worth to St. Louis (while a Cardinals game was going on, but we were still jammed with the curious), then to Chicago. When it was all over, I had to write the Historical and the Hysterical. The hysterical parts were - and still are - my fondest memories of each journey.Jo Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10499844574747579178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-3944789162289712862015-05-07T10:23:57.333-07:002015-05-07T10:23:57.333-07:00Carl,
I love the bird life in that sleepy, sheepy ...Carl,<br />I love the bird life in that sleepy, sheepy part of Spain. Especially the Basquen robins. Tasty.<br /><br />Pam,<br />You're the only one looking forward to the reds, but, hell, these wine reviews are, like most bloggers, an exercise in masturbation. And a lousy exercise, at that.<br /><br />Jo,<br />Thank you for the correction! Now I remember. Didn't they do a Blue Tooth tasting in a private railroad car at Union Station in LA? Speaking of PSILY. I remember the motor home, too! I'd forgotten that. Like a Bookmobile, only for drunks.<br /><br />I pride myself on writing these without any research. Research just slows you down, and facts are never appropriate to wine blogs.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-82332099489463191292015-05-07T09:25:14.203-07:002015-05-07T09:25:14.203-07:00In 2002, Dan Berger gave us the idea for a group t...In 2002, Dan Berger gave us the idea for a group that would be called P.S. I Love You, with the PS standing for Petite Sirah. We began the group, we then incorporated Petite Sirah I Love You, Inc. Next we sought and achieved our 501 (c)(6) status as a recognized business-2-business non profit. We then created an event we called the Blue Tooth Tour, with a $300,000 budget, thanks to Concannon Vineyard and toured the US in a motor home, in 2004. We did it again in 2005, with an additional $300,000 budget. It appears that you caught up with us in either 2004 or 2005, after the basic history had been put into place. The Blue Tooth Tour was an event, not the name of a society. NOPE. I went through conception, carrying the concept, and here we are now with an 13 year old adolescent. <br /><br />That's our story and we're sticking to it. <br /><br />P.S. I Love YouJo Diazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10499844574747579178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-9218873345662507922015-05-07T08:21:16.951-07:002015-05-07T08:21:16.951-07:00Thanks for highlighting Verdad's Albarino whic...Thanks for highlighting Verdad's Albarino which always seems to be a hit when I bring it to dinner parties. Looking forward to the reds...Pam Strayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00382825085636463727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-28245119950803664872015-05-07T07:58:59.514-07:002015-05-07T07:58:59.514-07:00Amigos is cool in Spain. I joined the Amigos club ...Amigos is cool in Spain. I joined the Amigos club to get free breakfast at a Parador when we were on vacation.<br />Used in the U.S. is sounds sort of dorky, like Charlton Heston calling someone his compardre. <br /><br />I like the pronunciation of Rias Baixas. The number of X's and Z's on the road signs in Basque country make reading them impossible at over 20mph.Carl LaFonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07791645778261214588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-56078055244631425072015-05-07T07:58:50.985-07:002015-05-07T07:58:50.985-07:00Ed C.,
Nice. Better than my joke. Though that'...Ed C.,<br />Nice. Better than my joke. Though that's nothing to brag about. <br /><br />Brian,<br />Oh, you're the one.<br /><br />I haven't had the Forlorn Hope Verdelho, but I suspect the styles are quite different. Coquerel has no skin contact, just lees contact in the stainless steel. I'm not a fan of orange wines, in general, too phenolicky for my tastes, but if I run into Rorick's Verdelho, I'll give it a try. <br /><br />Orange wines are rather Hitchcockian, when you think about it.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-65728520582148523662015-05-07T07:52:08.050-07:002015-05-07T07:52:08.050-07:00I love the wine reviews, keep them coming.
BTW, i...I love the wine reviews, keep them coming.<br /><br />BTW, if you haven't, you should try Matthew Rorick's Forlorn Hope "Que Saudade" Verdelho. Based on your description of the Coquerel, they sound like a similar styles. Spends some time on the skins.Brian Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17489103261471414431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-62856500535448732572015-05-07T07:49:01.089-07:002015-05-07T07:49:01.089-07:00Ron, I thought Verdejo was a Hitchcock movie.Ron, I thought Verdejo was a Hitchcock movie.Ed Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03953607342409504533noreply@blogger.com