The Conversation.
5 things about wine worth sharing this month.
Ciao everyone,
here are 5 things I thought were worth sharing this month:
UPCOMING EVENTS
11th March: The Dirty Dozen Tasting (TRADE ONLY)
10th and 11th May: WSET Level 2 at Corinthia Hotel (only 1 places left)
19th May: SWIG Italian New Releases (details coming soon)
Simon J. Woolf wrote an article arguing that wine scores are a waste of time. He is wrong, but he makes compelling points to support his thesis. Whether you like it or not, Parker points are as much a part of the language of wine as Michelin stars are for food. I like the way Decanter uses them, dividing them into three medals (bronze, silver, gold). This is also how we make our top recommendations in our reports. I understand why critics are wary of points as they create more enemies than friends. Especially at a time when winemakers are the only ones reading.
I was chatting with Mike Best MW about the meaning of wine writing. I struggle to recall articles that shaped my view of wine. But I can name those that influenced me in music, like many of Lester Bangs'. In response, he shared an incredible piece with me called Wine is Also a Dream by Andrew Jefford. You should read it.
I spent a week in California discussing 2021 Barolo with the legendary Jamie Goode. You can get lost in conversation with him about anything technical in wine. If there's anyone in our industry we could compare to Richard Feynman, it’s him. If you want a glimpse of how deep he goes, check out his new podcast.
Thanks to Sara Danese for asking me about my favorite wines from our 2022 Bolgheri event. If you asked me at gunpoint to recommend only one bottle, it would be Michele Satta's Piastraia. I've been following Giacomo Satta's work for many years. Taking over from his father is a big responsibility, and for years, he’s been experimenting to find his path. But with this vintage, it feels like he’s made it his own. We're going to offer it to our private clients at SWIG later this year. If you’d like to grab a bottle (or a case!), you can sign up here for our Italian offers.
If you've watched the movie SOMM, you know about Yannick Benjamin. He is the most well-known figure in the world when it comes to wine and disabilities. I spent a week with him in Verona last year, and his mentality, strength, and work ethic are contagious. In his time of need, the US wine trade is coming together to help him with his medical bills. We should do the same. Every contribution can make a difference!
This month on One Bottle Three Questions, David Roper, Senior Winemaker at Villa Maria, discusses common cellar problems and their solutions, as well as market fluctuations and the challenges and opportunities in grape supply.
PS. RIP Gene Hackman. If you’ve ever talked to me about cinema, I’ve mentioned The Conversation. A couple of weeks ago, I was staying at a hotel facing Union Square in San Francisco. Every morning, I’d wake up early, walk around, and play that hypnotic piano theme on repeat. WATCH IT!
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