Wine bars frighten me. There, I said it. There’s that guy behind the bar whose nose and palate are better than yours, and he can tell you the median temperature on a postage stamp sized parcel of land where maybe one of the grapes that was crushed to make the wine you’re drinking came from. Intimidating, no? Continue Reading »

It’s no secret that the wines of Willamette Valley’s Eyrie Vineyards are among my very favorite on the planet. The wines, particularly the pinot noirs, are full of character and complexity that rival the great wines of burgundy, yet are uniquely Oregon. It was a sad day when Eyrie founder David “Papa Pinot” Lett passed away on October 9, 2008. David Lett essentially invented the modern wine industry in Oregon through the founding of Eyrie Vineyards, and his epic story is truly incredible. I came across this video of David’s son Jason Lett giving the commencement address at the Linfield College in Willamette Valley and was pretty blown away by it. David was also honored with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by Linfield College faculty and trustees, and Jason’s address beautifully tells the story of this legendary wine pioneer and the lessons that can be learned from his journey.

Part 1 of Jason Lett’s 2009 Commencement Address
Part 2 of Jason Lett’s 2009 Commencement Address

Viggo Mortensen reprises the role of “The Man” in the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” which hits screens across the country on Wednesday. The book was fantastic, and the release got me thinking about fine beverage (and liquids) in a post-apocalypse environment.

The Man and Robert Neville, the main character in “I Am Legend”, took different approaches to drinking. Now folks, I haven’t seen either movie (dead tree stories still hold a special place in my heart), so I’m talking about the novels. NO SPOILER ALERTS! The Man won’t touch the stuff, and Neville drinks like a fish for a good portion of the story. So how would you roll? Here’s my top ten: Continue Reading »

6 million bottles of wine are destroyed in a warehouse fire caused by arson in a botched attempt to destroy evidence relating to other crimes. [Fermentation]

The good doctor is pumped about little Italian kids getting wine themed coloring projects. [Dr. Vino]

Team Lenndevours is on a mission to identify the best of the best in New York with their New York Cork Report. [Lenndevours] Continue Reading »

Beverage ratings are ridiculous: this much we know, but don’t take my word for it. The Wall Street Journal is shining a light on the absurdity of the situation, publishing a piece this past Saturday about wine ratings titled “A Hint of Hype, A Taste of Illusion“: Continue Reading »

The Fall Classic was decided in six games, but two debates still rage on. Should players protect their glazzies during Champagne celebrations, and what is the best Champagne to soak your teammates with?

I’ll not wade into the fan side of the goggles debate. It’s a sticky subject that has a lot to do with tradition and general manliness I guess. The medical part, however, should be considered. The AP did an interesting article that consulted an ophthalmologist about the effects of Champagne on eyeballs. Turns out a little bubbly in the eye could lead to a corneal abrasion (this stuff does shoot out of the bottle folks). Having bum specs in a game where you’ve only got a split second to make the decision to swing is tantamount to going to the plate with your eyes closed. Continue Reading »