So what is your wine manifesto?

[bob_parsons_alberta]

Jamie Goode has put together some interesting thoughts, wonder if Beserkers here have their own wine manifesto?

http://www.wineanorak.com/wineblog/

[Robert_B]

A very nice blog going there.

Thanks

[Randy_Smith]

That’s one long manifesto.

[DougS]

He obviously has some pretty strong preferences, which probably match mine pretty closely. I found this part interesting:

There’s a place for monster, ripe, bad ass wines. It’s just that they aren’t serious.

At first, I thought I agreed. Then I wondered how that could be absolutely true. Sure, many, probably most, wines made that way are not serious, but can none of them be? Why? Does that much ripeness and extraction always mask terroir? What if the wine is from a warm, sunny area? I think I don’t agree with that part, but it’s tough to come up with illustrations of why. Aubert Chardonnay comes to mind first, then probably Cayuse for reds.

I’m sorry I am not answering your question, Bob, but I thought that was worth commenting on.

[Randy_Smith]

Does that much ripeness and extraction always mask terroir? What if the wine is from a warm, sunny area?

It seems there is a consensus among many wine writers that Old World vineyards that struggle to achieve ripeness best express terroir, while warmer areas that easily ripen grapes do not. At least that’s my perception.

I don’t agree with it, either.

[Brian_Tuite]

Manifesto? It’s just wine for crying out load.

[Michael_S_Monie]

@Brian Tuite

Manifesto? It’s just wine for crying out load.

Totally agree that it’s just wine. And a Strad is just a fiddle, a Lamborghini is just a car, and sex is just physical activity.

[GregT]

@Brian Tuite

Manifesto? It’s just wine for crying out load.

My thoughts exactly.

As far as a Strad being just a fiddle, that’s a non-sequitur. This manifesto is like a statement that all violins should be modeled on Guarneri, because Strads are “spoofilated” whatever that means.

I suppose if I were to have a wine manifesto, it would be that the enjoyment of wine is ruined by pretense, over analysis, stating a preference as revealed truth, substitution of opinion for fact, and the exaltation of wine above all other foods, to the point that one would actually create a “manifesto”.

Shades of the Nicene Creed.

Wine isn’t a religion. It’s part of our food intake.

I know a farmer who is obsessed with the terroir of his potatoes. And he’s right. Coffee, tea, corn, carrots, cherries, chickens, walnuts - they’re all “rooted in a place”.

I like Jamie and all, and think he’s got a lot to offer, but WTF are “commercial palates”???

Cripes.

[Michael_S_Monie]

I always find it amusing when someone goes to great lengths to maintain that their attitude with wine is one of a casual, natural involvement, but then hangs out on wine message boards. Do they have message boards for potatoes and chickens? Never mind, they probably do.

[CFu]

@Michael S. Monie

I always find it amusing when someone goes to great lengths to maintain that their attitude with wine is one of a casual, natural involvement, but then hangs out on wine message boards. Do they have message boards for potatoes and chickens? Never mind, they probably do.

Only if people collect potatoes and chickens

[thomasP]

@GregT

@Brian Tuite

Manifesto? It’s just wine for crying out load.

My thoughts exactly.

As far as a Strad being just a fiddle, that’s a non-sequitur. This manifesto is like a statement that all violins should be modeled on Guarneri, because Strads are “spoofilated” whatever that means.

I suppose if I were to have a wine manifesto, it would be that the enjoyment of wine is ruined by pretense, over analysis, stating a preference as revealed truth, substitution of opinion for fact, and the exaltation of wine above all other foods, to the point that one would actually create a “manifesto”.

Shades of the Nicene Creed.

Wine isn’t a religion. It’s part of our food intake.

I know a farmer who is obsessed with the terroir of his potatoes. And he’s right. Coffee, tea, corn, carrots, cherries, chickens, walnuts - they’re all “rooted in a place”.

I like Jamie and all, and think he’s got a lot to offer, but WTF are “commercial palates”???

Cripes.

Hear, hear!

[Hank_Beckmeyer]

@GregT

I suppose if I were to have a wine manifesto, it would be that the enjoyment of wine is ruined by pretense, over analysis, stating a preference as revealed truth, substitution of opinion for fact, and the exaltation of wine above all other foods, to the point that one would actually create a “manifesto”.

And yet wine, unlike so many foods, seems to stimulate people to wax poetic. That doesn’t happen with Coca-cola, or Big Macs, or even potatoes.

I’m fine with a manifesto, if that’s what you want to do. Even a manifesto against manifestos (manifesti?).

[Nathan_Smyth]

@Doug Schulman

He obviously has some pretty strong preferences, which probably match mine pretty closely. I found this part interesting:

There’s a place for monster, ripe, bad ass wines. It’s just that they aren’t serious.

At first, I thought I agreed. Then I wondered how that could be absolutely true. Sure, many, probably most, wines made that way are not serious, but can none of them be?

Maybe a little off-topic, but those “monster” wines can make outstanding substitutes for after-dinner Ports or Sherries.

While I’m nibbling away at my strawberry-goo-covered chocolate cheesecake with double-chocolate ice cream, I’d much rather sip on a big thick inky-black unrelenting 15% ETOH Aussie Shiraz than anything 20% ETOH from Portugal or Spain.

[Neal.Mollen]

@GregT

@Brian Tuite

Manifesto? It’s just wine for crying out load.

My thoughts exactly.

As far as a Strad being just a fiddle, that’s a non-sequitur. This manifesto is like a statement that all violins should be modeled on Guarneri, because Strads are “spoofilated” whatever that means.

I suppose if I were to have a wine manifesto, it would be that the enjoyment of wine is ruined by pretense, over analysis, stating a preference as revealed truth, substitution of opinion for fact, and the exaltation of wine above all other foods, to the point that one would actually create a “manifesto”.

Shades of the Nicene Creed.

Wine isn’t a religion. It’s part of our food intake.

I know a farmer who is obsessed with the terroir of his potatoes. And he’s right. Coffee, tea, corn, carrots, cherries, chickens, walnuts - they’re all “rooted in a place”.

I like Jamie and all, and think he’s got a lot to offer, but WTF are “commercial palates”???

Cripes.

AWESOME post

[Bill_Boykin]

@Michael S. Monie

@Brian Tuite

Manifesto? It’s just wine for crying out load.

Totally agree that it’s just wine. And a Strad is just a fiddle, a Lamborghini is just a car, and sex is just physical activity.

A Strad is absolutely NOT just a fiddle.It is a sublime work of art that with very little persuasion produces a more than adequate sound.In the hands of a more than adequate player,it produces otherworldly sublime music that delights,mystifies and traps the senses…much like an 89 Giacosa Collina Rionda Riserva…

Generally speaking,I won’t disagree that a Lamborghini is just a car,but I’m sure there are many who will.

Sorry to hear that for you.It’s a physical activity that can also,when approached with patience and gusto,can also provide sublime music that delights and traps the senses…

[Michael_S_Monie]

Bill: Thanks for the clarifications. I’ll try to do better!

[Kyle_Schlachter]

@Charlie Fu

@Michael S. Monie

I always find it amusing when someone goes to great lengths to maintain that their attitude with wine is one of a casual, natural involvement, but then hangs out on wine message boards. Do they have message boards for potatoes and chickens? Never mind, they probably do.

Only if people collect potatoes and chickens

Backyard Chickens

There are people that talk about eggs like they’re DRC…

Disclaimer: I have 4 chickens.

[Randy_Smith]

Great. Another board to follow.

[Mark_C]

Great music is more transcendent than great wine but most transcendent of all is to listen to great music while drinking great wine!

Ok, here’s my manifesto: I want to drink a ’59 Calon Ségur while Pinchas Zukerman, Itzaach Perlman, Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim and Zubin Mehta play The Trout at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

[Robert_B]

@M Champney

Great music is more transcendent than great wine but most transcendent of all is to listen to great music while drinking great wine!

Ok, here’s my manifesto: I want to drink a ’59 Calon Ségur while Pinchas Zukerman, Itzaach Perlman, Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim and Zubin Mehta play The Trout at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

Thanks