Blog Index

James Laube

Contrasting Wine Styles Demands Attention

Posted: 05:11 PM ET, 07/21/08

Batman or ABBA?

Contrasting cinema styles did battle last week when two potential blockbusters opened in movie theaters. I was amused this past weekend to hear about all the excitement and anticipation for the newest Batman film, The Dark Knight, which seemed to win out with movie fans (and their money), although the feel-good musical Mamma Mia! drew well, too. Read more

James Suckling

Bad Memories and Global Warming

Posted: 01:12 PM ET, 07/21/08

I was thinking about this yesterday when I was getting over my jet lag at a friend’s pool in Tuscany. We had had a light lunch with a couple of bottles of Champagne and some whites, and I brought up the subject of the weather this summer. I've heard so people here say that the summer hasn’t been very warm. Read more

Bruce Sanderson

Caveat Emptor and Other Wine Service Faux Pas

Posted: 10:13 AM ET, 07/21/08

In light of our recent restaurant survey, I’d like to share a few of my recent wine service experiences.

I was in Buffalo and Ontario earlier this month and dined at two upscale restaurants. On both occasions there were fundamental flaws in the wine service. Read more

James Suckling

Bitter Bottles of Friendship

Posted: 02:34 PM ET, 07/18/08

One of my best friends has been staying in my house in Tuscany since I left for the West Coast on business about a week ago, and I found out that he has been cherry-picking some of my best bottles from my cellar. I just know about one night when he pulled the corks on a 1997 Petrolo Torrione, 1997 Roberto Voerzio single-vineyard Barolo and a 1997 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto. Read more

Maynard Keenan

Signing Off

Posted: 11:14 AM ET, 07/18/08

First of all, my apologies, fellow bloggers and blog readers. I've been so busy with babysitting the vineyards and blending the 2007 juice that I forgot to blog. This is probably a good time to sign off and focus on the work, since technically this blog is supposed to be about me traveling around the globe and Over Indulging. Read more

James Laube

Name That Brand: Now That's an Odd Bird

Posted: 01:51 PM ET, 07/17/08

You might think it’s easy to name a wine brand. I know many people right now who are wrestling with what to call their new wine. Some have common last names already in use, and therefore can't use them. Others are seeking a deeper, more meaningful expression or extension of their ego, passion or mission, and that makes finding the perfect name a challenge. Read more

James Suckling

When a Syrah Outshines a Rock Band and Playboy Bunnies

Posted: 04:43 PM ET, 07/16/08

The 2005 Sine Qua Non Syrah Atlantis Fe 203 1A saved my evening in Las Vegas a couple of nights ago. It started out pretty well, with a private party in the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms. My friend Tim Ozgener of C.A.O. cigars had invited me for cocktails and a cigar before a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert that he had organized in the Rain club of the hotel. Read more

James Laube

Presidential Advice: Hail To The Grape

Posted: 12:50 PM ET, 07/16/08

President Bush is scheduled to visit Napa Valley on Thursday to tour California and assess damages caused by this summer’s wildfires.

Here’s a piece of friendly, non-partisan advice: embrace California wine, or for that matter, American wine and include all the states. Read more

Bruce Sanderson

A First Look at the New Krug Brut Champagne Vintage 1998

Posted: 11:11 AM ET, 07/16/08

Olivier Krug was in New York last week and invited me for a preview taste of the new 1998 vintage Brut Champagne. It will be released in a few months, likely hitting retail shelves and restaurants by September with a retail price of $290.

“[1998] was an interesting year,” said Krug, fresh off his Paris flight. Read more

James Molesworth

To Taste or Not to Taste? That Is the Sommelier's Question

Posted: 10:48 AM ET, 07/16/08

In this year's annual Restaurant Awards issue, Wine Spectator conducted a poll via our website that netted some very interesting consumer feedback in regard to today's level and style of restaurant wine service. Read more

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