Monthly Archives: September 2011

Acid in Wine: A Brief and Profoundly Dull Tutorial

Posted on September 8, 2011 by intoxreport

As far as I can tell, the only difference between wine and LSD is that one is legal and the other is not.  Oh, and one makes you feel horny and self confident, fun and brimming with bonhomie and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chardonnay, GENERAL, Viognier | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cellar No. 8 ‘Eight’: Stuck Here In Lodi By Choice

Posted on September 7, 2011 by intoxreport

One of the effects that alcohol has on the human brain, specifically on the nucleus accumbens, is that it makes you go all silly sappy and irrationally nostalgic.  So when a winery recalls it’s founder and his guiding principles in … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Petite Sirah, Sonoma | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tête-à-Tête Wine: Pardon their French

Posted on September 6, 2011 by intoxreport

For us hard drinkers, the Niagara of ‘easy drinking’ wines on the market is like a kick in the beer nuts. In general, when the ‘easy drinking’ tag is looped around a product’s neck, it refers to gentle, unassuming buzz … Continue reading →

Posted in Sierra Foothills, Syrah/Shiraz | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Château Simard, 1999: The Right Bank’s Right Stuff

Posted on September 6, 2011 by intoxreport

If you still find some latent gratification in partying like it’s 1999, at least pour a 1999. Along with Pauillac, Margaux and Saint-Julien, Saint-Émilion posted some sexy swallows in the century’s final harvest, and age-wise, they’re coming into their own. … Continue reading →

Posted in Merlot, Saint-Émilion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pyrenees Vineyards Refuses To Make a Name For Itself

Posted on September 5, 2011 by intoxreport

First of all, I should not be writing this column.  I have seven children and I am on all counts over the creative kick of naming things.  In fact, my youngest daughter is called  La’Taesha Ayala Tanquenika because I totally … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Franc, OREGON | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

R. Müller Riesling: Bunny Wine is Never Funny Wine

Posted on September 5, 2011 by intoxreport

Germans are sticklers for detail.  But you knew that, of course, and possibly did that cute little nose-scrunch thing of yours when looking over the formalities of a German wine label. If you are more familiar with the French AOC … Continue reading →

Posted in GERMANY, Riesling | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Rodney Strong Like Bull, And That’s No Bull

Posted on September 4, 2011 by intoxreport

There’s strength in numbers, and if they happen to have dollar signs in front of them, Rodney Strong Vineyards is pulling down some weightlifting gold.  Growing at a pace of 14% a year (compared to 2% for the category according to … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Sonoma | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mohua: Mo’ Value from Central Otago

Posted on September 4, 2011 by intoxreport

  “Try some Mohua…” ‘Fess up: I’ve worked Detroit restaurants where the response would be, “Try some mo’ whatta?” At that point, one of two things would be in order.  Either a tutorial on Central Otago, where the Mohua (pronounced … Continue reading →

Posted in AUSTRALIA, Central Otago, Pinot Noir | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forchini Vineyards: Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag

Posted on September 3, 2011 by intoxreport

  Fifty out of fifty States now produce wine, including Alaska, where moose blubber is used as a fining agent and the must is strainied through Sarah Palin’s brassiere. Today, every continent has a winemaking tradition except Antarctica, but the geophysicists … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Sonoma, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ravenswood: Better Living Through Joel Peterson’s Chemistry—Particularly C2H5OH

Posted on September 3, 2011 by intoxreport

First off, I love how Ravenswood rolls off the tongue; it conjures up Gothic images—remote, crumbling castles on windswept moors filled with persecuted virgins and hereditary curses. The Ravenswood label, a cryptic crest displaying a trio of stylized ravens with … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Sonoma, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment