Author Archives: intoxreport

I’m Butch, The HoseMaster is Alfalfa and You’re Darla

Posted on September 14, 2015 by intoxreport

A note was passed to me yesterday during wine class—it was from Barbara, that pretty girl in the back with the Category Merchandiser nameplate on her pinafore. The note said: “I may not always get what you and The HoseMaster … Continue reading →

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Left Coast Cellars: Mea Culpa Wine

Posted on September 11, 2015 by intoxreport

When somebody says ‘Europe’ I don’t think of Russia.  When they mention the Eastern seaboard, my mind does not conjure up an image of Boca Raton. Me, I’m from the Midwest.  The ‘mid’ part I get, but not the ‘west’: … Continue reading →

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Foillard Morgon 2013—Lesson Learned: Renounce Tasting Notes Forever

Posted on September 7, 2015 by intoxreport

A week ago, Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford published a good column on tasting notes.  It shadowed Bianca Bosker’s July New Yorker article referring to the ‘state of modern winespeak’.  Hers was, in turn, a reaction to James Suckling’s stylistic evaluation … Continue reading →

Posted in Beaujolais, FRANCE, Gamay | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

I am the Holy Troller and I Shall Lay my Vengeance Upon Thee

Posted on September 4, 2015 by intoxreport

May I venture a guess?  If somebody told you that you were quoted in some wine article in The Atlantic, you’d probably light up like a Buddhist monk with a gas can and a Zippo, right? You’d look for bragging … Continue reading →

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Long Live the Rothschildren: The Pink of Perfection

Posted on August 30, 2015 by intoxreport

No serious debate that the first family of wine is Rothschild, at least from a historical perspective.  They are to wine what the Kennedys are to political dynasties, what the House of Medici is to art patronage, what the Simpsons … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, FRANCE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Anthony Road: Don’t Start The Revolution Without Me

Posted on August 28, 2015 by intoxreport

Talking to Peter Becraft is an unexpected treat—many winemakers express a sort of taciturn shyness and meet the media under duress—it’s part of the package deal of self-promotion. But Becraft is the opposite.  He’s gregarious, funny, charming and intense about … Continue reading →

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Participation Trophies at the 2015 Michigan Wine Competition

Posted on August 22, 2015 by intoxreport

Over the past couple years, Michigan wine country has been whumped in the nads by Mother Nature, and it’s fair to say that deadbeat Father Nature has missed a few support payments too. The winter of ’13-’14 was desperately long, … Continue reading →

Posted in Michigan | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fox Run: For Whom the Bell Toils

Posted on August 21, 2015 by intoxreport

Our paths first crossed between Michigan and New York; same latitude, same longitude, exact same moment, with a scant 30,000 feet between us. That’s because while I was driving to Finger Lakes to interview winemakers, Finger Lakes winemaker Peter Bell … Continue reading →

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The Munchkin of Ink Thinks I’m #Stupid. Read On.

Posted on August 17, 2015 by intoxreport

Old age may not guarantee wisdom, but it does encourage a bit of caution.  As a result, I’m wary of using the word ‘stupid’ to dismiss people I don’t know.   I roll my eyes at those memes that say ‘Stupidity … Continue reading →

Posted in GENERAL | 11 Comments

Finger on the Pulse: Wine and Water

Posted on August 16, 2015 by intoxreport

You may not know it, but the Ohio Turnpike comes with its own soundtrack.  It kicks in as soon as you leave the onramp and consists primarily of white Gospel music. If you’re not familiar with that genre, let me … Continue reading →

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