tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post5173858914072679942..comments2024-02-25T02:50:53.858-08:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: My Mentor Vin Dispenses Wine WisdomRon Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-77905226737195557322010-08-01T21:19:36.672-07:002010-08-01T21:19:36.672-07:00Becky Banal,
Well, historically, and I'm pret...Becky Banal,<br /><br />Well, historically, and I'm pretty sure this is on the exam for M.S., the tastevin is worn as a tribute to the late Sammy Davis, Jr. I don't know why. But wearing it to bed is always appropriate in case a blind tasting breaks out.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-12234677787492324102010-08-01T17:10:54.143-07:002010-08-01T17:10:54.143-07:00Just like your friend Vin, the sommelier at my hus...Just like your friend Vin, the sommelier at my husband’s club in Florida told him he had the right kind of mind to be a wine expert. I think that is what convinced him to build the wine cellar in the basement, buy all those wines, and buy the vineyard in Napa. The thing I don’t understand is that testervan thing the sommelier gave him. My husband’s always wearing it. Of course you wear it when you have dinners guests or when you take them on a tour of the cellar, but do sommeliers really wear it to bed? Sometimes it can be really distracting, if you know what I mean.<br /><br />Becky Banal<br />Ch. BanalBecky Banalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-87686681857417341842010-08-01T10:45:03.856-07:002010-08-01T10:45:03.856-07:00Using the words "credibility" and "...Using the words "credibility" and "wine blogging" in the same sentence disqualifies you for either.<br /><br />this comment was verified with the word "unogrea." <br /><br />unogrea: simultaneous noun/verb; a singular experience with a toilet bowl...Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-57209300154774617132010-08-01T08:14:12.228-07:002010-08-01T08:14:12.228-07:00Timing Daddy,
Too late to get out of wine bloggin...Timing Daddy,<br /><br />Too late to get out of wine blogging, or too late to save my credibility?<br /><br />I know, I know, Both.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-86362319253891236662010-08-01T01:21:14.010-07:002010-08-01T01:21:14.010-07:00Too late.Too late.Timing Daddyhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-77506405805082865662010-07-31T22:45:08.656-07:002010-07-31T22:45:08.656-07:00Kathy,
Bars and journalism go together like wine ...Kathy,<br /><br />Bars and journalism go together like wine and music. Hell if I know what that means. But it sounds like you had a great mentor too. <br /><br />If Vin were here he'd tell me to get the hell out of wine blogging before it ruined whatever shitty credibility I once had. He'd be right.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-72649101882978657192010-07-31T19:36:04.912-07:002010-07-31T19:36:04.912-07:00My mentor, a rogue reporter, taught me how to read...My mentor, a rogue reporter, taught me how to read the notes I scribbled on cocktail napkins. That was after he taught me to never write a story without first going to a bar.<br />I might have run into Vin.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-24510731455364434342010-07-30T16:28:46.306-07:002010-07-30T16:28:46.306-07:00Oh Ron, c'mon! You are FULLY qualified! Come t...Oh Ron, c'mon! You are FULLY qualified! Come to the set, write some lines (I said <b>write</b>), maybe get fluffed a little. Doesn't matter what you write, people are still going to buy the final product. And most of them are going to watch with the sound off anyway.John M. Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18343670865804216103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-28472713217476609222010-07-30T09:17:19.053-07:002010-07-30T09:17:19.053-07:00Hey Peter,
When I was a sommelier I was tipped by...Hey Peter,<br /><br />When I was a sommelier I was tipped by the waiters per bottle of wine I sold in their station, same amount no matter the price of the bottle. If I sold a good, inexpensive bottle of wine at a table, the waiters would give me endless crap. When I sold a very pricey wine they felt it was their due. I ignored them. This is always the best way to treat waiters.<br /><br />I doubt I taught you anything, Peter. Except maybe relentless skepticism and its charms. Karen was, in fact, a treasure, and showed me, with her work and life, the value of compassion mixed with intelligence and wisdom and laughter. A gift I needed.<br /><br />Thomas,<br /><br />Somehow everything seems more profound spoken through a kazoo.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-67199598132211161792010-07-30T06:03:57.954-07:002010-07-30T06:03:57.954-07:00Vinderful visdom!
I'll get the hang of that k...Vinderful visdom!<br /><br />I'll get the hang of that kazoo one day.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-73772661854681588912010-07-29T23:00:44.489-07:002010-07-29T23:00:44.489-07:00yo Ron, Wine tastings at your apartment back in th...yo Ron, Wine tastings at your apartment back in the 80's??? Who would be wacked enough to take you up on an invite like that? Not me. Vin must have not known you very well yet.<br /><br />Thanks for this post. It clears up something that I've wondered about for a couple of years.<br /><br />I spent a while running the original Chart House in Aspen, CO. The most revered cellar in Aspen has to be the infamous Caribou Club...over 5000 bottles with lots in the 4 and 5 digit price range.<br /><br />The longtime cellar guy there was a guy named Oliver Jaderko. <br /><br />Although I never had any problems with Oliver personally, many would argue his surname would be much more suitable sans the "a and d". <br /><br />He was known for always telling his servers..."Sell them something very, very expensive, but not necessarily very good". <br /><br />My response whenever I heard this quote was basically....what a fupped duck attitude for the cellar guy at such an internationally prominent club to have!!! How the heck could he be so successful with that kind of approach to his cellar and his valued(?) guests? <br /><br />I now understand...thanks to Vin's sageness...that it was a necessary element for Oliver's success. <br /><br />Moreover, it supports the notion how stupid people can be when it comes to wine. <br /><br />humming to myself...I can see clearly now, (even though) the brain is gone<br /><br />Also, while still on the mentor tiff and counting blessings for people that have been positive life influences(bless your friend Karen, she sounds like an absolute angel)...please know how much I learned from lil ole you back then. Be it a bane or a blessing, a few are lessons and values that I still tote with me. Things not necessarily about wine, but more importantly, insights on how to live a good and proper life. Thanks. <br /><br />Those who know HMW beyond just these pages will know exactly what I'm talking about. <br /><br />peace always,<br />Petepgrant8258https://www.blogger.com/profile/13054205199816203232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-26186208009466176132010-07-29T21:49:40.365-07:002010-07-29T21:49:40.365-07:00Charlie,
Vin used to say, "Opinions are like...Charlie,<br /><br />Vin used to say, "Opinions are like shithead scoring systems--everybody's got them." My opinions are just informed by a profound ignorance of wine marketing.<br /><br />Andy,<br /><br />Don't know Don Galleano, but hear he's a real Wallbanger. And maybe I should know him.<br /><br />Thanks for all the nice Tweets you've sent my way. I appreciate it.Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-79610142883938029692010-07-29T21:17:15.994-07:002010-07-29T21:17:15.994-07:00Ron, not sure if you've spent any time with my...Ron, not sure if you've spent any time with my buddy Don Galleano in Cucamonga, but he dispenses similar wisdom, though with more liberal use of the f-word.Andy Perduehttp://www.winepressnw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-89773316343158398292010-07-29T19:01:14.091-07:002010-07-29T19:01:14.091-07:00Choke down Zinfandel?
Sam!
============
Ron,
Vi...Choke down Zinfandel?<br /><br />Sam!<br /><br />============<br /><br />Ron,<br />Vin obviously taught you well. Who else could have come up with the 1,000,000 point system? Who else could have invented Owl In Meadows? Who else could have recognized Trebbiano as the wine grape that is best when it is not made into win. <br /><br />As for sommeliers, it used to waiters in restaurants that had bad attitudes. Now they are all named Bruce and want to be your friend.Charlie Olkenhttp://www.cgcw.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-75249590578866291962010-07-29T18:47:32.394-07:002010-07-29T18:47:32.394-07:00John,
Vin didn't want me to use his last name...John,<br /><br />Vin didn't want me to use his last name in the piece, though I'm not sure he has a last name. Or that anyone cares. As to space opera porn, so "Star Wars" with graphic sex? Hmmm. Well, I'd ask to help with the casting couch but I'm underqualified. <br /><br />Amy,<br /><br />Yeah, that Vin is full of, well, wisdom.<br /><br />My Gorgeous Samantha,<br /><br />Not sure Vin is crazy, just a tetch foul-mouthed and full of stupid opinions. In other words, it's like I have a twin!<br /><br />I love you!Ron Washamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10386836101202976147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-8392838190612948202010-07-29T18:35:49.317-07:002010-07-29T18:35:49.317-07:00Well this might explain how you can choke down Zin...Well this might explain how you can choke down Zinfandel, you were "raised" by a crazy person.Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-28010234025760968942010-07-29T09:23:42.585-07:002010-07-29T09:23:42.585-07:00This can be said for many careers:
What makes a gr...This can be said for many careers:<br />What makes a great sommelier is a shitty goddam attitude<br /><br />And, hey, don't you have some questions to write?winebookgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01108898075062843791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-52869717862492273422010-07-29T09:08:41.526-07:002010-07-29T09:08:41.526-07:00OK Ron you have crossed a line. For years I have b...OK Ron you have crossed a line. For years I have been working on producing a porno space opera based on my wine industry experiences under the screen name "Van D. Spenser" - awfully close to the character of your mentor. Who is not me BTW. I don't think a seize and de-cyst is in order, but maybe I can get you "on board" (so to speak) to do the screenplay and write dialog for the actresses?John M. Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18343670865804216103noreply@blogger.com