Author Archives: intoxreport

When Wine Writers Go Rogue…

Posted on September 9, 2014 by intoxreport

Among my roster of social media fīda Achates, I number a number of wine writers.  Most wine writers, in fact.  It’s not because I particularly like wine writers; on the contrary, I dislike the bulk of them with the sort … Continue reading →

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Why Swiss Cheese Is Holy: Raclette-Making in Sutton’s Bay

Posted on September 8, 2014 by intoxreport

The only thing more mid-America wholesome than church-going is cheese-making, so it’s fitting that John and Anne Hoyt—after years of bouncing around temporary Leelanau digs—landed inside the defunct Sutton’s Baby Bible Church.  Although it must be said, I can understand how you … Continue reading →

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Bryan Ulbrich: Putting His Left Foot Forward

Posted on September 4, 2014 by intoxreport

Sitting outdoors on one of those quintessential Traverse City summer afternoons that are chilly and hot simultaneously, Bryan Ulbrich pours a glass of something special. At least, he maintains that it will be special; the vines are young and this … Continue reading →

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Teague Fatigue: When Wine Writers Scrape The Bottom Of The Limousin Barrel To Make Deadline

Posted on September 1, 2014 by intoxreport

Unlike Lettie Teague, I don’t have to come up with wine column ideas.  I am beholden to no man, woman, trannie or Murdoch meat grinding daily like The Wall Street Journal; I can write when, how and about what I … Continue reading →

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Saved By The Bell: Willis Hall Winery Is Down, But Not Out

Posted on August 29, 2014 by intoxreport

Like a lot of whizbangs from his generation, John Bell sidled into his wine compulsion via Mateus and Lancers—those primitive, popular Portuguese pots of plonk that in the prehistory of American wine appreciation were revered simply because they were wine, … Continue reading →

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Grand Traverse Distillery: Taking Their Best Shot

Posted on August 26, 2014 by intoxreport

It’s an interesting question in any case: Does appellation play the same role—or any role—in defining a liquor’s quality as it does a wine’s? Or is it purely marketing schtick? I ask because a wine’s regulated place-of-origin is intimately woven … Continue reading →

Posted in LIQUOR, Michigan, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Water Bored: The Ice Bucket Challenge

Posted on August 21, 2014 by intoxreport

You know how when Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett it just sort of ‘felt right’?  Or, ever reminisce about the warm, gushy, non-sexual feeling of utter contentment that poured over you when Gary Cherone started singing with Van Halen?  For … Continue reading →

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Hot Wine: Summer In The Vineyard

Posted on August 18, 2014 by intoxreport

First of all, unless its mulled, there is no such thing as hot wine and second, other than maybe Verónica Martínez or Amy Freeman, there is no such thing as hot winemakers—but that’s a lament for a different logarithm. The … Continue reading →

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Wearing Their Hearts On My Mitten: Michigan Wine Competition, 2014

Posted on August 15, 2014 by intoxreport

I certainly hand it to the grape council that represents my Mitten: They are one sincere bunch. Such punkling puns aside, I mention this because The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council held its 37th Michigan Wine Competition on August 5, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruit Wines, Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, MIDWEST, Old Mission Peninsula | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Robin Williams: Art, Alcoholism And Suicide

Posted on August 12, 2014 by intoxreport

Never mind that he was born in Chicago, went to high school in California, lived just north of San Francisco and drove around Napa like he owned the joint—which, in part, he did. Here in Detroit, Robin Williams will always … Continue reading →

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