Does California Gets the Message?) February 01, 2008 Its unbelievable how they got away with it, but annual Unified Wine and Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California went on without me. Well, yes, I suppose but I think the statement is about finding terrific wine and California has fallen down on the job. Witty. Sharp. MORE >>

and "California promotes wines that dont suck" Um.since when did fresh herbs become weird?! And millions of people think that California wines dont suck.but that certainly isnt an indication of greatness. Doesnt the fellow realize there would be no California wine without Europe? Now, what could make the fellow happier? Sheesh. MORE >>

I've been wondering recently what it would mean if Hanzell, which planted the first pinot noir vines in California in 1953, received 95+ points from the major trade press regularly. Hanzell is a story book vineyard (literally) that has all the makings to produce $600/bottle pinot noir. Pale hay color, but big Wow! MORE >>

So buckle up and get ready to hear his thoughts on what’s wrong with Riesling from Austria and Australia, screwcaps and their problems, the Loire, California cab then and now, indigenous yeasts, roto-fermenters, small oak barrels, wines over 14% alcohol and why he uses scores! California cabs from the 70s. German Riesling. MORE >>

While the New World producers (specifically California) are using all sorts of alternative technologies and products to make wines that lose that something special. tend to prefer Pinot Noir made in old world regions while I often prefer Cab (or Bordeaux blends) from new world regions. My report on my day in Sonoma coming soon. MORE >>