Category Archives: Wine Spectator

Chilean Earthquake hits wineries hard

By Remy Charest | Published: March 3, 2010
When last weekend’s gigantic earthquake struck Chile, it hit the southern coast of the country particularly hard, but it also hit wine producing regions like Maule, Colchagua and Bio-Bio, close to the epicenter of the tremor. As the shockwaves hit, they caused piled up barrels and bottles to fall to the ground and tanks to buckle [...]
Also posted in Chile, producers, wine trade, wineries | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

California wines for Obama's inauguration – and thoughts about wine at the White House

By winecase | Published: January 19, 2009
I have to say that Americans sure know how to throw a big party. Case in point, Barack Obama’s inauguration, which is drawing an incredible line-up of artists over these few days, and millions of people in tow, to witness this historic occasion. It may be presumed that, at some of these functions, wine will be [...]
Also posted in British Columbia, Bruno Giacosa, California, New Zealand, United States, White Bordeaux, tasting, wine, wine and food, wine trade | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Philosophy and the 100-point rating system.

By winecase | Published: December 8, 2007
I read this very interesting review of a book called Questions of Taste. The Philosophy of Wine, by Barry C. Smith. Heady stuff about subjectivity and authority. The review contains this lovely analogy about the excessive importance taken by rating systems like the Parker/Wine Spectator 100-point scale: So the illustrious British critic Hugh Johnston scoffs, calling Parker’s [...]
Also posted in 100-point scale, philosophy, wine | 1 Comment

My favorite rating system yet

By winecase | Published: November 19, 2007
What’s your favorite rating system? 100-point? 20-point? Five stars? My favorite one, these days, is found on a blog called Grape Juice. Written by “Erin” and “Michelle”, who seem to have a liking for the fruitier side of wine, the blog is full of interesting information, from harvest reports to industry news, like the fact that [...]
Also posted in Canadian wine, Niagara, Wayne Gretzky, grape-juice.ca, ratings, wine | 2 Comments

Here it comes… Wine Spectator's Top 100

By winecase | Published: November 17, 2007
I know, I know, I said I don’t believe in the trophy lists of the wines of the year and such. But it doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re entertaining. Take Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, a trophy that many a wine seller will display proudly to boost sales, in particular with the if-Parker-or-Wine-Spectator-didn’t-give-it-at-least-90-I-don’t- want-to-hear-about-it kind [...]
Also posted in California, Guigal, Ridge, Robert Mondavi, Santa Cruz chardonnay, châteauneuf-du-pape, wine | Leave a comment