Archive for September 2014

The Paris Exposition of 1889 was the largest of its time. Between May and October, nearly 30 million visitors strolled its exhibits. Celebrating 100 years since the revolution, the Paris Exposition was designed to showcase the greatness of France alongside its European rivals. The Eiffel Tower, completed just in time for the opening, served as…

Preparing my tasting notes for tomorrow’s release of the 2013 vintage of Pinot Gris, I am tasting back through the previous five vintages. I love this wine; I love the freshness of the young wines, and the complex way they will evolve with bottle age. As Virginie Boone of the Wine Enthusiast comments, the Occasio…

The story of our Chardonnay begins during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, when he ordered the planting of oak forests to ensure a sustainable supply of wood for the French Navy. A century later, steel replaced wood as the material of choice, and the forests were returned to more peaceful purposes. The…

Our local newspaper, The Independent, last week ran a front-page article about a Livermore winery that ran afoul of State regulators for allegedly using unpaid volunteers at their establishment. Substantial penalties were handed out, and the violation may force the winery to close its doors. The reporter suggested that the use of volunteer labor is…