Category: Ramblings and Rants

Happy Thanksgiving From Vinography
I hope you aren’t home surfing the Web on Thanksgiving, but in the off chance you happen to stop by
Thoughts On Older Vintages of Wine: Are They Worth It?
A post on a fellow wine blog got me thinking the other day about older vintages of wine — buying
Everyone Has Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations
Yes, everyone who does anything with wine publishes a list of recommendations for Thanksgiving wine. And that is precisely why
If Only You Had a Personal Chef….
Want to have a gourmet meal at home that you don’t have to cook, but can’t afford the personal chef?

My Conversation With Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Regular readers know that I have both a good amount of respect for Robert Parker, the founder and author of
Chinese Wine and Wine Culture
Our friend Bertrand Celce who is a freelance photographer and writer maintains a wine blog about French wines and wine
Eight years, $27,000, and the Menu From Heaven?
Here’s something to remove from your list of things you want to be the first to do: visit all the
California “Garagistes” Winemakers
I occasionally like the subjects and so rarely like the writing in the wine section of the San Francisco Chronicle
Buy Your Own Wine At a (Five Finger) Discount?
I’m not about to set up a police blotter on this site, but couldn’t help sharing the slightly humourous and
Food For Your Vote
After you’ve gotten your $1 glass of wine at the Ferry Building, why not stroll over to RNM where they
Wine For Your Vote
I love San Francisco. Thanks to Sam over at Becks & Posh for pointing out the fabulous offer from the
The Architecture of World Class Restaurant Service
What is it that really defines exceptional service in a restaurant? The attitude? Knowledge of the food? Respect? In a
How to Order in French: A Cheat Sheet
Oh, yes, I’m getting around to learning French (again). One of these days. But until I do manage to augment
The Legendary Year For Bordeaux: What Does 1982 Taste Like?
THE BACKGROUND Picture this: the young Robert M. Parker, Jr. has been selling his newsletter, The Wine Advocate for four
Three New Appellations in California
Well it may not exactly be breaking news, but in the last few weeks, three new appellations were created in
Undrinkable Now, But Not In 20 Years? What is Going On Here?
Consider this: 1995 Beaucastel 93 pts. Robert M. Parker, Jr. “The classic 1995 Chateauneuf du Pape will require discipline. Like
The State of Wine Writing and What Wine Writers Think
In my weekly trolling of all things wine, I recently came across this interesting article from Wine Business Weekly. It
Mondavi: Exit, Stage Left…
Thanks to H. Johnson for his recent entry on the familial infighting and restructuring at the original 800 pound gorilla
Parker Predicts The Future of Wine and I Respond
What should appear before mine eyes as I leaf through my latest issue of Food and Wine Magazine? Yea, verily,