Category Archives: CALIFORNIA

John ‘The Guru’ McClelland: Last of the Old Guard

Posted on February 19, 2016 by intoxreport

When the guy in the cartoon panel wants to ask the guru about the meaning of life, he has to climb up the side of some mountain in the Himalayas.  When I want to ask John McClelland about the meaning … Continue reading →

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

Lodi: I’m Tokay, You’re Tokay

Posted on February 17, 2016 by intoxreport

Introductory chapter to ‘Starstruck In Lodi Again’, set for release August, 2016 Miami bears the burden of an unfortunate nickname: ‘God’s Waiting Room—Where Old Folks Go to Die’. If that’s the case, South School Street is where old folks go … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

What if Wine Had Won the Tipple War?

Posted on February 9, 2016 by intoxreport

Postscript from ‘Norton Wine: Walking Off To Look For America‘, set for release this June. Whether it’s ‘what if’ scenarios proposed by historians, or the not-entirely-discountable notion that if Britain had won the Revolutionary War slavery would have ended fifty … Continue reading →

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Beam Me Aboard, Scotto

Posted on October 25, 2015 by intoxreport

If the most exciting thing that’s happened to you in a motel room this year has been tasting cider with Paul Scotto, welcome to my world. Nevertheless, I have raved about the family cidery— ‘Cider Brothers’, named for Paul and … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Gypsy Canyon Wine with Thai Dogs: Match Made in Doggie Heaven

Posted on August 2, 2015 by intoxreport

A perfect recipe for the dog days of summer! Thai Dogs Ingredients: 1/2 pound cups fresh squid, cut into bite-size rings 1 large onion, chopped 2 chopped garden beetles 4 ounces Việt-Huong Fish Sauce 2-3 fresh Thai chili peppers 2 … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Whip: It Good

Posted on July 7, 2015 by intoxreport

Some of the world’s greatest wines are single varietal.  There are the towering Chardonnays of Montrachet, the suave and potent Pinot Noirs of Romanée-Conti, the hedonistic Rieslings of the Rheingau and the pure-Furmint Tokajis of Hungary. You’ll run into some impressive … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Central Coast | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I Came, I Wente, I Conquered

Posted on March 14, 2015 by intoxreport

Vini, Vidi, Vente.  That’s Latin, baby. Wente Vineyards makes this claim without braggadocio: They are the oldest, continually-operating family-owned winery in California. As, their scrapbook must look like the walls of Harvard School of Law’s graduating class—generation after generation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Arroyo Seco, CALIFORNIA | Tagged | Leave a comment

Noblesse Oblige: The Stillman Story (Again)

Posted on February 19, 2015 by intoxreport

The other day I claimed I didn’t ‘do’ obligatory, but in that, I was a bit economical with the truth; I shat yon bull, I yanked yon chain, I committed a terminological inexactitude. In short, I lied. Because every year … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Paso Robles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Droning On About Smith-Madrone

Posted on January 2, 2015 by intoxreport

Nothing like new friends and new wines to introduce the New Year along with the anticipation of making new enemies over our old opinions on wine, eh? Although I am sure my pal Julie Ann Kodmur will not unpal me … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Spring Mountain District | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Repaying The Piper: Napa Vintage, 2011

Posted on December 18, 2014 by intoxreport

Sean Piper has been remarkably supportive of my personal amble through the alleys of annoying wine disquisition, and today, it’s payback time. See, in the spirit of a genuine anti-journalist, I operate this column on a purist catechism of quid … Continue reading →

Posted in Napa | Tagged , , | 1 Comment