tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post5885880181706516379..comments2024-03-22T00:35:12.415-07:00Comments on HoseMaster of Wine™: The HoseMaster of Wine™ at the Napa Valley Professional Wine Writers SymposiumRon Washam, HMWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-86549320045852249212016-03-14T18:45:53.696-07:002016-03-14T18:45:53.696-07:00Andrea,
Yes, but the one word you can easily remov...Andrea,<br />Yes, but the one word you can easily remove from your second description is the word "minerality." It contributes nothing. My point is precisely that it's a lazy word that is too broad and empty of actual meaning, and I think your description actually proves my point, doesn't contradict it. Now "crushed rock, tongue on stone [Larry will be thrilled], flinty, clean warm rocky dirt," while overstating it, is nice. <br /><br />And I'm also not sure anyone cares that "minerality" means something to them. I know that when I hear it used, I yawn and wonder when the person who used it is going to stop talking.<br />Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-47043708925689630382016-03-14T16:12:20.553-07:002016-03-14T16:12:20.553-07:00I agree that minerality as a wine descriptor is ov...I agree that minerality as a wine descriptor is over used and too broad to have any real meaning when it is used over and over again in print. But there is a way to use minerality in a description of one style vs another when selling wine in a restaurant. <br />As in “Pinot Noirs from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA feature dark red fruits, with aromas of forest floor, earth, and mushrooms….(picture yourself walking through an Oregon Forest…smelling the damp rich loamy black soil, moss, wet leaves & mushrooms.) As opposed to Pinot Noir from the Eola –Amity Hills which feature a general character of blue-black fruits, rich acidity, and minerality, with notes of crushed rock, tongue on stone, flinty, clean warm rocky dirt.”<br />This is the kind of thing that many consumers want to hear when choosing a wine in a restaurant. <br />They get minerality on a level that means something to them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14492139062470928546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-31776447783189177752016-03-13T11:28:12.982-07:002016-03-13T11:28:12.982-07:00Andrea,
Thank you. There are certain wine writers,...Andrea,<br />Thank you. There are certain wine writers, Peynaud and Hugh Johnson among them, whose works will last. There is little of that being produced now, myself included, of course. Satire, like fish, usually smells after a short period of time. So when fools say we are living in a Golden Age of Wine Writing I remember first and foremost that they are fools, and I should be grateful to have them as targets.<br /><br />I wonder what Peynaud would have made of "Natural Wines." This is, after all, the Golden Age of Natural Wine.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-73560282960804105092016-03-12T23:09:26.553-08:002016-03-12T23:09:26.553-08:00Ron...thanks for the gracious invitation. The foll...Ron...thanks for the gracious invitation. The following is something I cut out of a wine magazing 20 + years ago that is still in my wallet, dog eared and shared with lotsa folks. It has become my personal mission statement.<br /><br />A conversation with Emile Peynaud:<br /><br />One of my favorite quotes is a conversation between Emile Peynaud & a French Producer, Dubourdieu, (Bordeaux).<br /><br />"Actually, I never studied under Peynaud, but I admired his work and devoured his books, especially The Taste of Wine. He was a man for all seasons, at once scientist and practical hands-on winemaker. He could talk to the Chateau owner just as easily as the cellarmaster & convince them both. He said "The wine should taste more of the grape than the grape itself...wine is the revelation of the hidden character of the fruit." He also said something that profoundly influenced me. He said "Better a genuine small wine than a fake grand wine." Once at a dinner, I asked him what he thought of my wines. At first he did not answer. Finally, he said "That is of no interest." I was completely dumbfounded! After a long pause, he explained, "We don't belong to the same period. You must make the wines of your time." His answer was particularly profound. A Wine, if it is to be human should be beyond time, in constant evolution, otherwise it becomes merely an interesting museum piece.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14492139062470928546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-87033434295270175602016-03-12T18:29:55.978-08:002016-03-12T18:29:55.978-08:00Andrea,
Many thanks for taking the time to comment...Andrea,<br />Many thanks for taking the time to comment. And that's a nice quote from Hugh. Very English way to write about wine, but one that tends to be overshadowed these days by lengthy lists of adjectives. Of course, reviewing 40 wines in a day means one cannot write that way, but it reveals a mindset that isn't that prevalent among writers, particularly American wine writers.<br /><br />Nice to have a working sommelier here, Andrea. I hope you regularly comment.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-81776751700571153452016-03-12T15:32:58.858-08:002016-03-12T15:32:58.858-08:00Ron,
You inspired me to dig out my copy of Hugh Jo...Ron,<br />You inspired me to dig out my copy of Hugh Johnson's book a Life Uncorked that he autographed to me at dinner at Bacar in SF when the book was released in 2006.<br />Hugh was instrumental in teaching me about wine through his books and PBS special.<br />As I leafed through this highly entertaining tome, (the whole chapter on Champagne is especially wonderful) I came across the menu from the lunch on the back of which I wrote the following:<br />Hugh says "It's not what it's like...It's what it does that's important! So, Verbs are more important than Adjectives, as in "the Wine emerges with Confidence"<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14492139062470928546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-53293678637106627842016-03-07T11:35:34.907-08:002016-03-07T11:35:34.907-08:00Hosemaster!
I've giggled at your stories for...Hosemaster! <br /><br />I've giggled at your stories for years! I see you tried to smear WF readers in a few posts back, I would expect nothing less. Looks like it got a lot of likes! :) Sorry that it feels like welcoming newcomers into wine (and the wine writing industry) is a closed field. I say this with respect, and I hope we meet someday! <br /><br />Meanwhile, those "countless graphs and pie charts" were sourced with permission from Which Winegrape Varieties are Grown Where? by Kym Anderson at Univ. of Adelaide. it is an incredible database of wine grape information. It's really awesome, I highly recommend it. <br /><br />Now, I will get back to licking rocks! <br /><br />-Madeline<br />Madeline Puckettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00864439072307753393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-13831808393143608302016-03-04T21:06:19.980-08:002016-03-04T21:06:19.980-08:00Thomas,
Well, if you were Somebody, I'd have l...Thomas,<br />Well, if you were Somebody, I'd have lampooned you. Enjoy your anonymity. And if you send me one of your books, don't autograph it, but do send me the crayons so I can use it properly.<br /><br />My Gorgeous Samantha,<br />Thanks, My Love. Without being silly, it was very rewarding to have folks appreciate what a satirist brings to a conversation. This era we live in is a great one for satirists. A rare time in history when satire is showing its power and relevance--from Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Samantha Bea, and so many far more talented than I. Satire is transcendent at the moment. That many folks (important, in a weird sense, folks) were kind to me, said nice things about my work, was very important to me. That I not pull my punches because of their kindness is even more important to me.<br /><br />I love you, Samantha. More than you know.<br /><br />Mike,<br />Minerality as texture? Hmmmm. So minerals have texture? I don't know, Mike. I think I understand your point, but it's still vague, and still, to me, a lazy way of talking about what you're tasting. If it's texture, what else has a minerally texture? I realize I'm in the minority on how I feel about the subject, but I still think it's as lazy and as undefined as "natural wine." How's that for a cheap shot?<br /><br />Jim,<br />I love Donald Westlake! Elmore Leonard before there was Elmore Leonard. Wonderful, smart, witty writer. My favorite autographed books, I have some from Tim O'Brien, for my money one of the great American authors of his generation, remind me of the gift of writing, the hard work of writing, the humanity of writing. But I don't want the books pre-autographed, I want to be there when they sign them, or, at least, know they were personalized to me. Some folks want autographed baseballs (I have those too), or autographed jerseys from famous athletes--books are SO much more.<br /><br />Man, where the hell are you? Hope our paths cross soon!Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-88322425745465450632016-03-04T12:04:00.762-08:002016-03-04T12:04:00.762-08:00Love it when you get all sentimental, and I share ...Love it when you get all sentimental, and I share your awe of meeting writers I adore. One of my prized possessions is a post card from Donald Westlake, after I wrote him a letter about a non-mystery book he'd written. Of course, I can't find it now, but that's another story. It's with my collection of Herb Caen notes, wherever they are.Jim Caudillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09163559952765216636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-83710083448957034192016-03-04T10:22:02.825-08:002016-03-04T10:22:02.825-08:00Thank you for your informative and entertaining po...Thank you for your informative and entertaining post. Sorry to have missed this year's symposium, especially your presentation, Hugh Johnson's appearance and the panel on minerality. Hope they recorded the sessions and make them available. I plead guilty to sensing minerality in wine, and to saying so, but aside from a possible suggestion of salinity in a wine I feel that minerality has more to do with texture than flavor. Certainly no one tastes traces of slate, granite and the like in a wine, but the shape and build of a wine can suggest the feel of minerals. However, it is a challenge to convey that impression beyond the shorthand of "minerality." And once you go there, yes, it is a slippery slope.Mike Dunnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14496499437274796935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-82228879346274371592016-03-04T08:57:07.425-08:002016-03-04T08:57:07.425-08:00Ron My Love,
You are still beaming and I can'...Ron My Love,<br /><br />You are still beaming and I can't tell you how happy I am for you. You got so much more out of than the year I went and I truly am so thrilled for you. I still remember meeting Alice and getting her booked signed for you, she did hover a bit as she contemplated what she wanted to call you as I recall. And I too am the owner of a couple Gerald Asher books, thanks to you my beloved funny man.<br />Loved your recap here, look forward to more and as always, I love it when I get to hear Ron Washam in your words.<br />I love you! Samantha Duganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05214278596698698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-72729731368447807482016-03-04T06:01:37.660-08:002016-03-04T06:01:37.660-08:00Hell, I'd send you an autographed copy of one ...Hell, I'd send you an autographed copy of one of my books but I don't know your address and you have never skewered me--not that I'm begging for either. <br /><br />500 posts! It's amazing how much can flow out of a 7 inch hat size.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-10761576237555650442016-03-03T21:49:58.521-08:002016-03-03T21:49:58.521-08:00David,
I worked in a restaurant where I saw celebr...David,<br />I worked in a restaurant where I saw celebrities all the time. It would have been inappropriate to ask them for autographs, but I never had the urge anyway. Well, once in a while, but I resisted. Still wish I'd had Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner give me autographs. But writers are different for me. Don't know why. Over the past few years I've collected many wine books signed by the author to the "HoseMaster." Hugh was kind enough to do that for me. And Karen MacNeil graciously gave me a copy of the "Wine Bible" 2nd Edition signed to me as well. Add to those Eric Asimov, Gerald Asher, Alice Feiring (thanks to My Gorgeous Samantha) and many others, and it's a lovely memory of these days as a wine biz satirist. I also have some lovely signed novels from favorite authors. It's a sort of private satisfaction.<br /><br />Rama,<br />Well, there's the HoseMaster voice, where humble never comes into play, and there's my own voice, where it's not so much humble as filled with self-hatred. "Humblebrag" it ain't. Though I get your point. I did wonder how many wine bloggers Hugh Johnson would know. I was genuinely astonished that he knew who I was. More than likely he knows me because I write for Tim Atkin MW, and not because he trolls the intergnats looking for wine blogs.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-25596424680349353712016-03-03T20:56:38.893-08:002016-03-03T20:56:38.893-08:00I haven't followed you long, but this read as ...I haven't followed you long, but this read as an especially humble post, maybe humblebrag? ;) <br /><br />It could become Tsundoku, but I picked up Hugh Johnson's gardening book to see what I may be missing. ramahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11271944299361079121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-38018598468211513222016-03-03T20:55:47.071-08:002016-03-03T20:55:47.071-08:00Ron, what's Hugh's auto like? Seems like t...Ron, what's Hugh's auto like? Seems like the best bet, read one of his Atlas books years ago and found it rather dry but informative, very precise but humble. Funny after my first San Diego wine fest, hung around to meet Ethan Russell a famous rock photographer who had a show at a La Jolla gallery.. got to ask him a bunch of questions and bought his coffee table book Let It Bleed.. said Keith Richards scared him back then.. so when Albert Maysles the director of Gimme Shelter came through town I went to a showing and he said, Keith didn't scare me, he was the most down to earth, and I got him to sign a pic of my book of Keith under a sign that says, Patience please a drug free America comes first... that's been the extent of my book signings, when I covered rock I always found it ludicrous and stupid when writers would try and hang out and write pieces and take pics like they were best buddies with musicians... meeting your heroes, another tough one, often a let down, although Steven Tyler had charisma to burn.. great story in William Goldman's book on meeting Irwin Shaw.. when I started in journalism I read that you don't ask for autographs and pics, you're a writer not a fan.. but I really don't seethe harm.. funny, how people think music and movies are so glamorous, but if you've ever been in a recording studio or on a film set it's BORING with a capital B.. just like I have no interest in standing in some goddamn grape field or over a barrel in a basement.. now, bring out some good wine and pair it with some good food and play some good music.. now we're talking...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11992278224164669829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-86372613713538076492016-03-03T18:30:55.486-08:002016-03-03T18:30:55.486-08:00Thomas,
Not really a great thing to say to your wi...Thomas,<br />Not really a great thing to say to your wife, but, I guess she's used to it.<br /><br />No cash, but an autographed copy of "Wine Folly!" Oh, man, are you going to lern sum stuff.<br /><br />10,002 and counting<br /><br />And, as another side note, my next post will be #500! Seriously, that's true.<br /><br />Fuck that. Time to quit.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-77031435931768104642016-03-03T18:20:56.343-08:002016-03-03T18:20:56.343-08:00Number 10,000! Me?
Just today I was telling my w...Number 10,000! Me? <br /><br />Just today I was telling my wife I have never won any prize in my life. <br /><br />So, how much did I win and how long will it take before I see the cash? I've got plans.<br /><br />By the way, the last time I had my jambu waxed it was a lot more active. <br /><br /><br /><br />Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-4989690120290541412016-03-03T18:00:45.961-08:002016-03-03T18:00:45.961-08:00Thomas,
Like sulfur is a mineral, right? I get lot...Thomas,<br />Like sulfur is a mineral, right? I get lots of minerality in a lot of wines in that sense. And isn't wax jambu what you do when you get a Brazilian?<br /><br />By the way, Thomas, your comment is the 10,000th(!) comment on HoseMaster of Wine™. Really. It's appropriate it was you, of course, you have great tenure here. But I'm astonished that I've had so many comments, and so much interesting conversation here. The comments section is, and always has been, the best part of the blog.<br /><br />Elaine,<br />You were 9,999! So close!<br /><br />Don't we all wish we'd learned at an earlier age to spend our lives with good and peaceable humans? Hugh Johnson most certainly qualifies. I do hope you have the privilege to meet him one day. I'm sure you and he would hit it off.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-14096615902472542022016-03-03T13:43:20.962-08:002016-03-03T13:43:20.962-08:00Ron,
Blood is a better description, especially to...Ron,<br /><br />Blood is a better description, especially to someone who has tasted it, like batuan, calamondins, or wax jambu--each a fruit.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-43615116602990292932016-03-03T12:32:41.244-08:002016-03-03T12:32:41.244-08:00Dear Ron, you silly goof. You already know I don&#...Dear Ron, you silly goof. You already know I don't need to be there to see you. I don't know when, on the other hand, I'll ever meet Hugh. For the rest of my life my primary goal is to spend it with good and peaceable men. Hugh, I am certain, is one. Hawk_Wakawakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15127733191330644369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-71935944122513664032016-03-03T12:26:20.689-08:002016-03-03T12:26:20.689-08:00Thomas,
So, blood? Isn't that iron? Isn't ...Thomas,<br />So, blood? Isn't that iron? Isn't that minerality? Just askin'. Or is blood a better description?<br /><br />Batmang,<br />Not sure. Callas was sort of a Jerry Lewis clone. But funny in a stupid way. Which I like.<br /><br />Elaine,<br />Oh, sure, your regret isn't that you'd get to be there with me? I get it.<br /><br />And, yes, a man to be admired. Seems to be fewer and fewer of them in the wine biz.Ron Washam, HMWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238869156614617705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-74999772972755303402016-03-03T12:22:12.002-08:002016-03-03T12:22:12.002-08:00My one regret is not having been there to meet Hug...My one regret is not having been there to meet Hugh. I would have been crying right along with Andrea. Such a lovely read to witness your brief moments with him. He's a man to be admired. Thank you. Hawk_Wakawakahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15127733191330644369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-36712887235342096822016-03-03T12:07:20.867-08:002016-03-03T12:07:20.867-08:00Two thumbs up.
Two thumbs up.<br />Ricohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05602735006643868739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-84902772656769304762016-03-03T11:57:10.551-08:002016-03-03T11:57:10.551-08:00Gee, I always liked Charlie Callas....what does th...Gee, I always liked Charlie Callas....what does that say about me?Batmanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02652880129952608454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745003136564123305.post-56846947983076767442016-03-03T11:46:41.234-08:002016-03-03T11:46:41.234-08:00For an instant, I read the first in your list as J...For an instant, I read the first in your list as Jane Austen. Must be the after effect of all that sidewalk slamming I did back in the day.<br /><br />The benefits of my pavement excursions: a taste of slate and a taste of blood; the latter took me straight to Hungarian wine.Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07322028233207741737noreply@blogger.com