Musings

East of Eden

Submitted by Clark Smith on Tue, 10/30/2007 - 7:56pm

2007 Harvest Challenges

Submitted by Clark Smith on Sun, 10/21/2007 - 1:37pm

I hope a winemaker blogger can be forgiven some inactivity this time of year. As the 2007 harvest winds down, I thought a short note would be helpful to other winemakers struggling with harvest decisions.

To Screwcap or Not to Screwcap?

Submitted by Clark Smith on Thu, 09/27/2007 - 8:36am

Clark,

My wife and I had to wonder why you, who leverages science so well in your wines, opt for corks instead of screwcaps. I'm sorry to say we wondered this because we got a corked bottle of Faux Chablis, but it did lead to an interesting topic.Hope you're well,
Derrick

Dear Derrick:

Bummer! I owe you a bottle.

A Plea to Wine Educators Everywhere

Submitted by Clark Smith on Mon, 09/24/2007 - 12:00am

OK, I’ve had it. There is no sadder state of affairs, no more urgent education requirement in the U.S. wine scene than to get Americans to understand serious dry rosé. What is wrong with people?

Project 23

Submitted by Clark Smith on Fri, 09/14/2007 - 12:00am

Mr. Smith,

Your article spurred me to thinking and after talking to a few winemakers in the Central Coast (which I write bout) I decided to propose a collaborative experiment. I would appreciate your thoughts on the idea.

-Arthur
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Arthur:

Some Like It Hot

Submitted by Clark Smith on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 12:00am

This week's blog is posted at Appellation America.

Less Is More

Submitted by Clark Smith on Wed, 09/05/2007 - 8:08am

Dan Berger’s article in Appellation America offers a brilliant insight: overripe wines are wimpier. And as a winemaker weary of apologizing for youthful leanness and austerity, these words are a breath of fresh air.

He’s right! Today’s overpriced prune bombs may offer cheap thrills to impact thrill-seekers who lack the stones to appreciate good structure, minerality and integrity serious wine offers. But they’re wimps.

Resistance is Futile for Appellation Pioneers

Submitted by Clark Smith on Mon, 08/06/2007 - 6:28am

Ye builders of appellations beware. The bell tolls for thee.

Washington State corporation Ste. Michelle has joined forces with rapacious Italian giant Antinori to assimilate Napa Valley collectible Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, following in the footsteps of another appellation pioneer, Carneros Creek Winery, swallowed up just a year ago year, while a third namesake winery, Dry Creek Vineyards, struggles against insolvency to maintain independence.

Comments on Two Erudite Pieces on Terroir

Submitted by Clark Smith on Wed, 07/04/2007 - 12:48pm

The Unsung Hero of Uruguayan Tannat

Submitted by Clark Smith on Sun, 06/24/2007 - 1:10am

Postmodern Winemaking