All posts in March 2012

In his relentless campaign to build the reputation of California wine, Robert Mondavi liked to set Napa Valley against Europe in comparative tastings. According to witnesses, he would badger guests into conceding that while European wine was often good – California wines were “just a bit fruitier” — and by implication, just a bit better.…

A friend of a mischievous turn of mind brought several wines over the other night  all bagged up in brown paper bags.  He challenged me to taste and comment on them. Two were tasted as a pair. They were both clearly pinot and rather good — but startlingly different.  We discussed them at some length…