tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post5036122294610735434..comments2024-02-25T02:50:53.858-08:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: The HoseMaster's Favorite Moments of 2012Ron Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-6004297157491987132013-01-05T08:35:37.264-08:002013-01-05T08:35:37.264-08:00Cris,
It used to be, quite a while ago, that consu...Cris,<br />It used to be, quite a while ago, that consumers fixated on the "Contains Sulfites" warning. That's nearly over, but now it's the alcohol level they focus on. This, too, shall pass. Like kidney stones. Question is, what's next? Quality? Nah. Now I'm dreamin'.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-52915070618745442602013-01-04T13:43:47.438-08:002013-01-04T13:43:47.438-08:00I must complain. I come here for laughs and in you...I must complain. I come here for laughs and in your last 3 three items I read nothing but reality and facts. You are late on the alcohol police though. I've been having that argument since soon after I got into wine a little less than a decade ago. Some people have the amazing ability to read a number placed on a label as dictated for tax purposes and in the absence of many other numbers that might help define that wine more precisely, and describe that wine perfectly without even tasting it. Even more amazingly have it match that prediction precisely after having tasted it!<br /><br />Still hunting for my first unnatural wine. <br /><br />Cheers!Cris Whetstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00580386535702366380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-20661387712265069622013-01-04T10:14:04.454-08:002013-01-04T10:14:04.454-08:00Back at ya, Ron, but I will be missing the good st...Back at ya, Ron, but I will be missing the good stuff, too, as I am letting my subscription lapse on the 10th...Bill Klapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12811979501220539493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-19777205728584448182013-01-04T08:29:15.355-08:002013-01-04T08:29:15.355-08:00Martin,
I stole that line from Brian Loring. But, ...Martin,<br />I stole that line from Brian Loring. But, hey, my jokes get stolen endlessly, I figured I could steal one as well. It was his response when I mentioned to him that Alice had called me an "asshole." So kudos to Brian.<br /><br />Bill,<br />I can't remember the last time I flattered myself. <br /><br />I'm never worried about what Parker, or you, or anyone else thinks about me. Positive or negative. Hard to do this nonsense otherwise. Parker's praise of me, however drunk he was, and I like to think that almost everyone who reads HoseMaster is shitfaced, was flattering, but then I moved on. Just as I do when someone famous calls me moronic, or asshole, or various other things. It's all the same to me. The HoseMaster is just a character I write, he's not me. <br /><br />But thanks for the Parker quote. I miss all the good stuff since I don't subscribe. <br /><br />Happy New Year, Bill!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-15951307021090659822013-01-04T05:56:14.416-08:002013-01-04T05:56:14.416-08:00Love your comment about liking being called an ars...Love your comment about liking being called an arsehole by Alice as the wines she likes smell like that. touché or maybe that's 'two chai'.<br />Martin Moran MWMartinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362846501337314814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-63556535328952991242013-01-04T03:44:44.142-08:002013-01-04T03:44:44.142-08:00Ron,
1. Don't flatter yourself. You did no...Ron, <br /><br />1. Don't flatter yourself. You did not bring me together with Parker. I am alive and living in Italy. He is dead and living in Hell, or if not Hell, Monkton, MD, which is pretty much the same thing. You have yourself catalogued his musings from beyond the grave. Also, just because he commented favorably on your piece doesn't mean that he actually read it. His attention span is rarely long enough to allow him to finish a complete, properly punctuated sentence. And he could have been drunk at the time. This is probably more reflective of what he thinks of blobbers like yourself:<br /><br /> "...there is really nothing sacred to prevent a perfect score-it simply means you,me,someone thinks the wine is as brilliant an example of a vintage, a varietal or blend, or terroir that exists-obviously experience is a factor-with 33 vintages of tasting experience-over 300,000 wines tasted, it would be impossible to believe I couldn't find wines that I deemed perfect.<br />It is amazing how few wine writers desire to recognize the enormous progress and significant advances made in quality across all price ranges of wine and all countries producing wines...of course I would be the first to say that the public loves bad news more than good news, brilliant artisanal wine producers are of less interest than some manufactured scandal, and ad nauseum reports about how all this crud we drink is unnatural...(WARNING:INCOMING RANT)but such is the dim-witted group think culture we live in where complete falsehoods are passed off as conventional wisdom(wines are too alcoholic,all wines taste the same, terroir is dead), and then this garbage is bounced around every social media site these knuckleheads can find,and voila, it becomes dogma in a self-reassuring circle of zombies who would make Ayn Rand's discussion of "second-handers" look prophetic, and prove that propaganda-even if false and totally unsupported by facts, is still alive and flourishing in some circles.<br />Hey.....wine is more diverse and greater than ever....get over it...."<br /><br />(Ayn Rand is turning over in her grave, no mean feat since Alan Greenspan is in there with her. The only thing that she hates more than being quoted by an idiot like Sean Hannity is being quoted by an idiot like Bob Parker.)<br /><br />2. Didn't you mean to say "the business' most FLACCID member" above? Or perhaps "the business' most FLATULENT member"? (And blaming it on the bulldog, too...the oldest trick in the book!)Bill Klapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12811979501220539493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-11451425586909119812013-01-03T09:44:04.322-08:002013-01-03T09:44:04.322-08:00Paul,
Nice.
I'm sure I'll persist for a b...Paul,<br />Nice. <br />I'm sure I'll persist for a bit yet, though being the Fool does take its toll. Seems a lot easier from the other side, now, doesn't it, Recovering Wine Blogger?<br /><br />Bill,<br />Hey, you and Parker finally agree about something! I'm so glad to have brought you two together.<br /><br />I confess to being shocked at Parker's generosity. It won't change my life, but after spending hours and hours at the keyboard trying to make people laugh at our far too uptight, pretentious, and sententious business, and doing it for free, for the simple joy of exercising, and exorcising, my comedy demon, it's nice to get an Attaboy from the business' most famous member. Yeah, I said member. Stop giggling.<br /><br />But you know I'm still getting over not winning a Poodle...<br /><br />Martin,<br />Thanks. And thank you for commenting. I hope you make it a regular thing.<br /><br />I was recently referred to as an "asshole" by Alice Feiring on Twitter, but I took it as a compliment because all the wines she loves smell just like one. <br /><br />Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-50097334347517162013-01-03T07:09:39.396-08:002013-01-03T07:09:39.396-08:00Brilliantly witty stuff. Please keep doing it.
Th...Brilliantly witty stuff. Please keep doing it.<br /><br />The orange wine thing is so true. Went to a 'natural' wine fair in London and tasted a serious or increasing oxidised tannic orange wines from an Italian producer who increasingly boasted about the amount of time on skins. All I could say was, 'Sorry, but do you actually like this? You mean it's deliberate? FFS why?'<br /><br />BY the way, I've always referred to Jancisman as HRH Jancis, but not to her face!<br /><br />Martin Moran MW<br />Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362846501337314814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-8271512675057452172013-01-03T00:49:38.122-08:002013-01-03T00:49:38.122-08:00This discovered on the Squires board:
"Rober...This discovered on the Squires board:<br /><br />"Robert Parker<br />Wine Critic<br /> Join Date: Feb 2002<br />Location: po box 311 monkton,md.21111<br />Posts: 3,318<br /> Jesus,Mary and Joseph would have approved<br />If you want a great hoot and howl moment or two....go read the HoseMaster's year-end reflections....that guy is without a doubt the funniest SOB in the blog-world...and thank him for having the brains and balls to target his laser of laughter on anybody...HoseMaster for President....Hosemaster for Blogger of the Year...although he would be the first to say the bar is so damn low for that award, he should win it every year...."<br /><br />Reason for celebration or suicide? You be the judge...Bill Klapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12811979501220539493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-34868034305628893512013-01-02T20:43:28.648-08:002013-01-02T20:43:28.648-08:00It ain't me Gabe... No no no it ain't me G...It ain't me Gabe... No no no it ain't me Gabe... It ain't me you're looking for. Happy belated new year to all who post here. Lets hope Ron persists and Nat recants.PaulGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05409346656762573929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-46257957397468791652013-01-02T18:41:51.988-08:002013-01-02T18:41:51.988-08:00Now THAT'S funny!Now THAT'S funny!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759417843105037635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-54328022966616056492013-01-02T18:28:08.076-08:002013-01-02T18:28:08.076-08:00Mickey,
Then go away.Mickey,<br />Then go away.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-61465545658636344462013-01-02T18:27:18.029-08:002013-01-02T18:27:18.029-08:00Everyone,
I've been getting so much Spam I...Everyone,<br /><br />I've been getting so much Spam I'm changing the comment section slightly to see if that helps. Sorry if it's inconvenient for anyone.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-45350973711143537092013-01-02T18:02:23.040-08:002013-01-02T18:02:23.040-08:00Can someone point out the funny parts in this arti...Can someone point out the funny parts in this article?<br />I can't seem to find em.Mickey Knoxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-29752835139662336392013-01-02T12:59:30.677-08:002013-01-02T12:59:30.677-08:00Marlene,
Oh, that's sweet, and I adore you too...Marlene,<br />Oh, that's sweet, and I adore you too. But I'm already promised to Lettie Teague...and, of course, I am constantly being wooed by Jenna Talia. <br /><br />Happy New Year, Love!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-55498953948933655482013-01-02T10:28:58.017-08:002013-01-02T10:28:58.017-08:00Hose,maybe we won't have to hear Alice whining...Hose,maybe we won't have to hear Alice whining about the great shit filled horns buried a la Steiner's bioD wines this year. That would make it a better year for me.<br /><br />And,BTW if I were not married to another guy who makes me laugh, I would propose to you!Marlene Rosmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-24570571368703203072013-01-02T08:40:40.930-08:002013-01-02T08:40:40.930-08:00Gabe,
What feud? Guess I didn't notice.
Joesh...Gabe,<br />What feud? Guess I didn't notice.<br /><br />Joeshico,<br />Thanks. Maybe I should do my Favorite Moments of 2013 in my next post. Get it out of the way. Happy New Year!<br /><br />David Rossi,<br />I like Biochar in my morning coffee. Which is why I don't drink coffee.<br /><br />Happy New Year!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-83237111645086622312013-01-02T08:20:04.948-08:002013-01-02T08:20:04.948-08:00Disappointed that Chocolate Wine didn't make t...Disappointed that Chocolate Wine didn't make the list. Maybe if we could make a low alcohol, all natural, orange, biodynamic, unfiltered, version that truely expresses terroir we would have something. No that wouldn't work because it ignores biochar.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06340119694154206371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-34191631440240780052013-01-01T20:37:46.441-08:002013-01-01T20:37:46.441-08:00The best "Best Of 2012" I've read so...The best "Best Of 2012" I've read so far. Looking forward to your 2013.Joeshicohttp://whywineblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-90012080082885507792013-01-01T17:40:28.508-08:002013-01-01T17:40:28.508-08:00my only saving grace is that i was a tool long bef...my only saving grace is that i was a tool long before i was a winemaker. btw, i was upset my feud with paul didn't make your list of favorite moments that nobody noticed or cared about.<br /><br />happy new year rongabehttp://illahevineyards.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-81565780381407700632013-01-01T16:53:39.262-08:002013-01-01T16:53:39.262-08:00Gabe,
Yeah, I know. It's a shame Harvest doesn...Gabe,<br />Yeah, I know. It's a shame Harvest doesn't last all year. Winemakers with too much time on their hands are tools of Satan. OK, just tools.<br /><br />Happy New Year, Gabe!<br /><br />LOOK OUT!!!! <br /><br />Oh, shit, I thought that was Paul Gregutt. Never mind. Sorry, false alarm.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-14209698009298042962013-01-01T16:12:01.717-08:002013-01-01T16:12:01.717-08:00I'm a winemaker, it's my job to argue abou...I'm a winemaker, it's my job to argue about numbers and take unimportant things seriouslygabehttp://illahevineyards.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-72164520910920544492013-01-01T15:27:51.992-08:002013-01-01T15:27:51.992-08:00My Gorgeous Samantha,
First off, I never said I pr...My Gorgeous Samantha,<br />First off, I never said I prefer restraint, though we can talk about the sex stuff later. I said that all of the annoying trends had one thing in common; namely, that each of them in some way tries to rob folks of the sheer pleasure of wine by telling them what's wrong with the things they like. That's a form of Puritanism, and it's very American. And it's tiresome.<br /><br />I know you were just going for the gag, which is nice when one is restrained, but Gabe took you seriously. He should know better. Though we all know he doesn't.<br /><br />Gabe,<br />Thanks for defending me, though against Samantha we are completely helpless. <br /><br />I like to drink wine. I don't spend a lot of time analyzing numbers or trying to ruin the fun of it by showing off how much I know. There are a lot of zealots when it comes to wine, and they're all rather despicable. I feel sorry for them mostly, but I also love to insult them. Samantha has never been that person. She has an open mind, and, truthfully, one of the best palates I've come across professionally. <br /><br />I do agree that restraint, a word equally as vague as balance, is a key to great wine. But great wine is a rare bird. I always think that if I have one great wine a month, I'm in luck. Low alcohol zealots are fools. Wine isn't about one component. The sum is always greater than the parts when it comes to great wines. To assign alcohol as a deciding factor is simpleminded. It's just one factor of dozens.<br /><br />Marcia,<br />Cloverdale in January? Why it's like I've died and gone to Heaven.<br /><br />Oh, I never worry about running out of material. The great human comedy is nothing if not infinite.<br /><br />Jack Stems,<br />No top 10's here, my friend. But when a comment makes me laugh, I always mention it. Not sure there were ten of those this year, but I love my HoseMaster peanut gallery and wish all of you a very Happy and Healthy 2013!<br /><br />Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-65481531398380239902013-01-01T13:39:54.810-08:002013-01-01T13:39:54.810-08:00Gabe,
I'm no low alcohol Nazi, not in the leas...Gabe,<br />I'm no low alcohol Nazi, not in the least but I do get my crunders in a twist when the opulent, high-extraction set say that because I don't get my rocks off on sweet hedonistic fruit and richness that somehow I am enjoying wine less or I'm being a puritan. Simply false, like way false and when you think about it and break down the judgement and accusation, kind of smug. I'm not about to say I have finer or more open taste, so it bugs me when they do it, and worse, try and belittle my preferences. Just sayin'. Dig what you dig and I will too. Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-23900043050583376422013-01-01T13:39:47.950-08:002013-01-01T13:39:47.950-08:00Hallelujah to the 17th return of the HoseMaster! S...Hallelujah to the 17th return of the HoseMaster! Should I get a cake for you?<br /><br />There should always be plenty of fodder for your blog, sir, as we humans are so talented at making a mess of things. (It's extra easy in this business.)<br /><br />Have fun in Cloverdale! Can't imagine slogging through thousands of samples. Guess it helps they're wine since you'll be stuck in Cloverdale. :PMarcia Macomberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07237764449953259939noreply@blogger.com