Category Archives: CALIFORNIA

Morning Wood vs. Evening Wood: Ravenswood For Halloween

Posted on October 21, 2012 by intoxreport

In the past. I have joined the onslaught of wine writers who come up with something cutesy, silly and obvious to recommend for Halloween—something like Poizon (a wine to ‘die for’), EVIL (upside down label—either that or you’re supposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Zinfandel | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Auld Lange’s Wyne

Posted on October 12, 2012 by intoxreport

I have a nearly unhealthy fascination with twins; one I believe may rival that of Josef Mengele.  I’ll explain, but first, while the implication settles—a wine writer beginning any column, at any time, anywhere, with a direct reference to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Signorello Trims The Edge Of The Fuse

Posted on October 10, 2012 by intoxreport

When does ‘cutting edge’ become ‘trimming edge’?  When Ray Signorello, Jr. gets into the game. I’m not sure if there is a direct translation of ‘signorello’ from Italian into English, but the Latin etymology is all about refinement, gentlemanliness and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, Napa | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coke or Pepi?

Posted on September 9, 2012 by intoxreport

From that bizarre German grape called lemberger to Barefoot Wines to Frog’s Piss Red to Vin de Merde, I am not sure that I trust the mental stability of folks who name their wine after stuff that smells really, really … Continue reading →

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Doused With The Divining Rod

Posted on September 6, 2012 by intoxreport

Some Sorcerers do boast they have a Rod, Gather’d with Vowes and Sacrifice, And borne about will strangely nod Mankind is sure that Rod divine, For to the Wealthiest ever they incline. – Samuel Sheppard, 1651 Miss Divine also had … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A Boyd In The Hand Is Worth Two Anheuser-Busch

Posted on July 21, 2012 by intoxreport

If I was a chef (which I’m not, but I bet this conjecture is close to the mark) and one week I over-ordered, say, lobster, prime rib and maybe Macedonian weasel cheese, here’s what I’d do:  I’d purée them all … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay, Moscato, Riesling | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sammy And Jack, Sammy and Jack; I’m Gonna Get Me Some Sammy And Jack

Posted on July 20, 2012 by intoxreport

The  best part of covering celebrity wines is that you don’t actually have to taste them to finagle columns from them thousands of words long. And do you know why?  Because, my droogies, there’s no need to taste a celebrity … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, GENERAL, Napa, Rum | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What The Heck Does Champagne Have To Do With Golf, Anyway?

Posted on June 6, 2012 by intoxreport

Plenty, dahling.  Crank the Wayback Machine to 1962 when Tony Lema promised reporters at the Orange County Open that he’d force-feed them Champagne if he won—then beat Jack Nicklaus by five strokes and did, becoming known as ‘Champagne’ Tony Lema … Continue reading →

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

Let’s Slip Out Of These Dry Clothes And Into A Wet Martini

Posted on April 23, 2012 by intoxreport

For those of you who think there is only one authentic martini—four parts gin, one part vermouth and an olive the size of Luca Brasi’s left coglione—Louie The Lush and me have an offer you can’t refuse. And speaking of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, Napa | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Frei Vs. Fre: One Has An ‘I’; One Doesn’t. One Has A ‘High’; One Doesn’t.

Posted on April 21, 2012 by intoxreport

Mad Magazine was the fundamental catalyst in my kidhood drive to write humor for a living.  Advancing alcoholism is why I made wine, beer and spirits my venue. Remember that old Spy vs. Spy panel cartoon?  Where the white ‘n’ … Continue reading →

Posted in CALIFORNIA, Dry Creek, Sonoma | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments