While searching for some leads recently, this “Manuscript Edition” popped up from the web. I haven’t scrutinized it yet but thought others might appreciate knowing about it as well. Cheers!
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:AizsRqtFRpUJ:wines.mobi/ws/Philip_Seldon_-_Complete_Idiots_Guide_To_Choosing_Wine.pdf+mastroberardino+taurasi+“wine+list”+restaurant+maryland&cd=9&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nows there’s a name I’ve not seen in awhile.
I rather dislike the titles for some of those books (“XXXXX for Dummies”, “An Idiot’s Guide to XXXXX”, etc) as being rather condescending.
But some of them contain useful information…for the beginner/uninformed/novice/whatever…but I’d not label those folks as
“Dummies” or “Idiots”…they can be very bright on other subjects.
This book has been out for some 10+ yrs I believe. I’ve browsed thru it several times over the yrs, just for old times sakes. Even though
some folks would characterize me as an “idiot”, I’ve never felt compelled to buy the book. It’s not a book for the wine geek.
PhilipSeldon is a name that few wine geeks know any more. In the mid-'70’s, he founded a wine magazine called “Vintage”. It, and
DeeSindt/DickSherwin’s “Wine World” were the wine publications of the day. Both went under in the early-mid ‘80’s. But they, Robert Finnigan’s
newsletter, Connoiseur’s Guide, RobertLawrenceBalzer’s newsletters were where the wine geek went for information. This was, of course, well before
AlGore invented the InterNet, back in the good ol’ days when folks actually penned letters, rather then sent e-mails.
Then along came
the WineSpectator, published by the late BobMorrisey out of SanDiego, a newspaper/tabloid format that became THE wine publication.
Then, unlike now, it was a very good source of wine information. There was also some mimeographed (anyone remember mimeograph machines,
and that particular fragrance they emitted??) rag put out by some lawyer back in Monkton, but I suspect it sank into oblivion…don’t know for sure.
Anyway…back to Seldon. He also published an Architecture magazine out of NYC I believe. He was a person that was prone to sue at the drop of
the hat, I was told. There was some very interesting articles in Vintage, written by some famous folks. I was one of the less famous writers. Did articles
on The Zinfandels of the Esola and Eschen Vnyds, our LosAlamos wine breathing experiment, another article on our study of travelling effects
on wine, one on Calif Barbera, a couple of others I seem to recall. During my brief writing career there w/ Vintage, I had a number of interactions
with Seldon. He seemed reasonably bright and I liked the guy. There were a lot of other folks who had more frequent/personal interactions with
him that had the opposite opinion.
During the later yrs of Vintage, HankRubin was Seldon’s editor. This was when I became a good friend of Hank’s. HankRubin is another name
that wine geeks should know…but few do. He was the founder of the PotLuck restaurant in Berkeley. He is the real founder of California cusine,
with its focus on fresh/local ingredients. AliceWaters used to eat there on a weekly basis, well afore she started ChezPanisse. Hank is truly
a legend. He’s still alive and living atop NobHill w/ his wife, Lillian Rubin (a very highly-regarded nation-wide known psychologist w/ some very
good books to her credit). Last saw him about 3 yrs ago and he was getting feeble…but the mind was sharp as a tack. Google Hank Rubin
for the full story. A true gentleman & a legend. Anyway…I guess Seldom stiffed Hank on payment for his services and they parted ways.
Vintage went under soon thereafter.
I gather Seldon is still alive, in NYC. According to AlexBespaloff (another name wine geeks should know), when I last talked to him shortly after
he moved to LasCruces, Seldon would still show up to wine tastings in NYC from time to time. But I gather he keeps a pretty low profile
these days.
I still have my complete collection of Vintage and Wine World magazines and WineSpectators. For that reason alone, “idiocy” would characterize
me well.
Now…you know the rest of the story.
Tom
Thanks for your background info, all of which is news to this newbie.