Working Hard...on the wine

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1. DRINKS ARE ON ME: “Ever read a wine review that didn’t make sense? That’s not what I do. I once read a review that likened a white wine to “the sound of a flute in a still meadow.” What the fuck does that even mean?! Plain and simple, you won’t find that shit here. I write in a language all can understand and lack pretentiousness.” – Dale Cruse, Blogger

That's a Big, Powerful Wine! - DRINKS ARE ON ME

Previous Position: #1. Despite Dale’s most recent post “Going Public With My Weight Loss,” (February 07, 2010) this blog remains #1 in my list. It’s short, it’s ‘quippy,’ and the pictures never fail to please. Don’t miss the special contributions of flash fiction based on a single photo, such as “Wanting the Last Drop,” (January 27, 2010.)

2. The Palate Press: “A modern on-line wine magazine, seeking out and publishing the very best wine writers and writings on the internet.” – About The Palate Press

Previous Position: #3. Despite a seemingly constant flurry of oh-too-standard wine reviews (available mostly everywhere,) The Palate Press climbs a spot on my list by merit of some incredible editorials that are fresh and inviting. Examples such as “Big Chili, Bold Wines,” (January 24, 2010) and  “The On-Premise Silver Lining: When Restaurants Get Wine Right,” (February 2, 2010) keep me reading, and keeps them climbing. Extra points for their contributions to the Wine For Haiti auctions, a successful program for a good cause.

3. Steve Heimoff: “Today, Steve remains an important fixture at Wine Enthusiast magazine, as the West Coast Editor. He writes columns, feature stories, news stories, web pieces, and he reviews about 4,500 California wines a year.” – About Steve Heimoff

Previous Position: #2. An excellent journalist and blogger with inside access to the industry’s most exciting events, Steve drops to the #3 spot by no fault of his own: it’s just that his articles are more lengthy, and I’ve got less and less time. However, his writing is every bit worth the time it takes to read (which, come on, in reality, isn’t hardly anything at all – just a page or so?) — and he garners the most lively discussion on each of his articles, averaging somewhere around 20 intuitive reader comments per post. Look for his shorter, blocked-together tidbits, such as the “Wednesday Wraparound” (Januarary 13, 2010) and the “Friday Fishwrap,” (January 22, 2010.)

4. Fementation: The Daily Wine Blog: “A Blog set inside the world of wine public relations-where the media, the culture, and I mingle.”

Previous Position: Not Ranked. This one is easy; he’s political, he’s opinionated, he likes to outline points in red and bold-faced font, and he even gets my blood boiling on issues. I don’t always agree, but I always love to read. And then he surprises with such gems as “Meditations On A Flat Surface,” (February 4, 2010) where it is neither political nor opinionated; it’s personal, vulnerable, and in it’s own way — very profound. Tom Wark earns his spot on this list.

5. Vinography: “A respected source for non-mainstream wine writing, and one of the most influential wine blogs on the Internet…Vinography publishes new content daily to a global readership.” – About Vinography

Previous Position: #4. Vineography is a great resource, but they slip a spot, mainly because it lacks the personal appeal of the other listed blogs. They are a great spot for keeping current with the industry and leading events; but they necessarily are a bit lackluster in the overall engagement and reading experience. Still, a place to keep abreast with the who’s-and-what’s of the wine world. They are a solid round-out for the top 5 of my list.

Image by Gabriel Yanki

According to the post: “a leading climate change researcher says the United States wine industry is “doing nothing” to study the problem.”

Professor Greg Jones of Southern Oregon University predicted changes including warmer and longer growing seasons, warmer dormant periods, reduced frost damage in some areas, altered ripening profiles, and changes in soil fertility and erosion.

Wait, so you’re telling me that our growing season is going to get longer, with warmer winters, AND we’ll have less frost damage?

Too bad for the guys down under, as I do appreciate their grievances. But I’m in Virginia, and that sounds amazing. And until common sense and emails from “leading UN researchers” start saying I should worry about climate change, then I think I’ll keep my John Deer Hybrid invoice on the back burner.

It’s safe

An interesting wine. Ordered it with dinner at The Element in Front Royal, Va. Overall, enjoyable. Can’t say I was crazy in love with it — but at $20 something a bottle in a restaurant, couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy it. With all the mediocre cabs out there, this probably goes on the “it’s safe” list, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to order it again.

Out the Gate: “it’s a bit spritzy,” some sharp fruit
7th inning stretch: almost over spiced
Finish Line: pepper, pepper and spice
Locker Room: after the pepper and spice, I’m burned out. Need a rinse.

On a final note, the food was incredible. This is a Caesar Salad – a big piece of lettuce, shaved and grated cheese, with olive and garlic on the side.

Yeah, and bad writing makes the New York Times Best Sellers List …

… oh wait … well, actually, I guess it does happen, as is proved with André Brunel “Côtes du Rhône Villages” 2007 Cuvée Sabrine Red Rhone Wine — a 90 point Robert Parker wine, and a 91 point Wine Spectator wine, which smells like a sewer. It’s called H₂S — Hydrogen sulfide — and it’s pretty gnarly. So what gives?

How does a wine with an obvious flaw get a 90 pt rating?

In short, I just don’t know. First, lets talk about H2S: “This colorless, toxic and flammable gas is partially responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs and flatulence.” – Wikipedia

In wine, it can smell like anything from matchsticks to raw sewage – as is the case with this bottle. It tends to diminish the fruit qualities, specifically on the nose. It is generally undetectable on the palate.

Drop in a penny

Winemakers can add copper to the wine to “pull out” the H2S. If you find it in a bottle at home, you can do the same – just drop in a penny.  It takes away the sewage smell, but unfortunately … it leaves the wine with all that’s left … pretty much nothing.

Notes:

André Brunel “Côtes du Rhône Villages”
- Appellation Cõtes Du Rhône Villages Contrôlée -
Cuvée Sabrine
2007
Red Rhone Wine
75% Grenache with Syrah, and Mourvèdre

Nose: Raw Sewage
Out the Gate: Not very bright fruit up front
7th Inning Stretch: Balanced acidity, diminished fruits.
Finish Line: Soft Tannins, a little hot (High Alcohol)
Locker Room: PLUM. Plum like I’m chewing on a plum skin. Lots and lots of plum.

Robert Parker Rating

2007 Cuvée Sabrine Red Rhone

Here’s a list of my top five wine blogs. Granted I’ve subscribed to almost twenty in my first week, these are the five that already have me hovered over the “refresh” button:

My Top 5 Wine Blogs – January ’10

1. DRINKS ARE ON ME: “Ever read a wine review that didn’t make sense? That’s not what I do. I once read a review that likened a white wine to “the sound of a flute in a still meadow.” What the fuck does that even mean?! Plain and simple, you won’t find that shit here. I write in a language all can understand and lack pretentiousness.” – Dale Cruse, Blogger

2. Steve Heimoff: “Today, Steve remains an important fixture at Wine Enthusiast magazine, as the West Coast Editor. He writes columns, feature stories, news stories, web pieces, and he reviews about 4,500 California wines a year.” – About Steve Heimoff

3. The Palate Press: “A modern on-line wine magazine, seeking out and publishing the very best wine writers and writings on the internet.” – About The Palate Press

4. Vinography: “The site is now a respected source for non-mainstream wine writing, and one of the most influential wine blogs on the Internet. Featuring wine and sake reviews, restaurant reviews, editorials, book reviews, wine news, and wine event coverage, Vinography publishes new content daily to a global readership.” – About Vinography

5. Dr. Vino: “On this site I make good value wine recommendations and also look at the world through the wine glass, bringing in diverse perspectives and lively reader contributions.” – About Dr. Vino

6. Fermentation: A bonus, a good read, and it should make the list. Too bad I only made room for five? Keep a lookout for this one to rise in ranks next month.