Author Archives: intoxreport

How Fenn is My Valley?

Posted on August 3, 2016 by intoxreport

To answer the titular question, pretty Fenn.  I’m sitting inside Fenn Valley Winery in the city of Fennville, speaking to the most prolific winemaker in the Fenn Valley appellation. Not only that, but Brian Lesperance—said winemaker—is the grandson-in-law of the … Continue reading →

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Mari By Any Other Name Still Has a Kick-Ash Tasting Room

Posted on July 23, 2016 by intoxreport

When I first wrote about Villa Mari in 2014, it was just beginning to take shape, emerging from a pretty hillside along Highway 37 and forming itself from the living stones like one of the Nephilim in Genesis 6. Meanwhile, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Michigan, Old Mission Peninsula | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The ‘Grade-School Play’ Concept of Writing Wine Books

Posted on July 14, 2016 by intoxreport

People in Traverse City don’t seem to understand the ‘grade-school play’ concept, at least when it comes to wine books. Take the main branch of the Traverse City Library on Woodmere.  Please. On Wednesday, I made my dutiful, semi-annual trip … Continue reading →

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Drawing Blancs: Three From Marlborough

Posted on July 3, 2016 by intoxreport

You can slice them and dice them, rank them and spank them, praise them or raze them, but there are really only three region on the planet that regularly produce Sauvignon Blanc of any true splendor—the Loire, Bordeaux and Marlborough, … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, NEW ZEALAND | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Arnaud Bardary,MS: What Sort of Wine Goes With Forearm?

Posted on July 1, 2016 by intoxreport

The proud addition of ‘MS’ after one’s name is the professional pinnacle, the authoritarian apex, the superstar summit to which everyone in the industry aspires. After years of tastings, countless tomes devoured, endless sessions with those of similar consuming interests, … Continue reading →

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Good Seed Makes Good Crop: The Franciscan Focus

Posted on June 30, 2016 by intoxreport

Here’s a life lesson, Grasshopper—and especially if you are a grasshopper:  Never turn down an opportunity to interview a man named Turnipseed. If he happens to be socially engaging, well-versed in the art of enology and willing to pick up … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Mt. Veeder, Napa, Oakville | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Burgundy, 2014: Terroir vs. Tempests

Posted on June 27, 2016 by intoxreport

When I asked a prominent Burgundian vigneron at what point during a growing season a winemaker knows for sure that the vintage will be great, she replied:  “On the day of harvest.” To me, that single upchuck of cold, hard … Continue reading →

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Ten Things You Never Thought Could Be Turned into Alcohol: #11 Will Blow Your Mind!

Posted on June 10, 2016 by intoxreport

Every once in a while, I take a breather from my professional schedule to make fun of Drink Me magazine, which continues to show up in my inbox despite me not subscribing to it and never doing anything but make … Continue reading →

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The Cult of Brumont: Alchemy in a Glass

Posted on June 7, 2016 by intoxreport

I met Alain Brumont at The Stand, over a nice dinner arranged by local wine merchant Elie Boudt, and when I gripped the knotted, platter-sized hand of Brumont in greeting, I was struck with an overwhelming moment of déjà vu. It … Continue reading →

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Ktima Gerovassiliou: Grecian Formula Number One

Posted on June 3, 2016 by intoxreport

The Greeks have been at it for six thousand years, and the presumption is that they’ve learned a trick or two.  Something that has eluded them, however, by intention or intractability, is making wine names that un-Greeks can pronounce. Of … Continue reading →

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