I guess I will continue my wicked ways and enjoy my red wine and good bourbon even though the WHO says there isn’t a safe level for healthy drinking. And when I run out , I’ll hop into my gas guzzling SUV and drive to the nearest liquor store to get more..
I also enjoy your Substack articles which are very informative.
I am less concerned about the WHO ( same guys who tried to blame COVID on a pengolin? ) than I am wine snobs. Prices are outrageous at retail and absurd in restaurants. It's no wonder youth are turning to cocktails , not only are they cheaper but it doesn't take any work to know which vintage of Gin & Tonic to order.
The industry is killing itself by catering to old rich people and ignoring new younger wine drinkers. Napa used to be a fun and welcoming place to enjoy and learn about wine. Today you need a reservation and an AmEx platinum card to get in the door. Where did the bouncers come from and who are they ? The real wine people are still passionate and charming (often quirky) but if the youth don't now the secret handshake or have a trust fund , they are not getting in.
The wine industry needs to go back to its roots and teach beginners (young and old) about wine or it will die a slow death.
Karen not to Worry...your Job is safe. Like most trends things change continually over time. Remember when they said Eggs were bad for you and now they are the Miracle Food? Remember when Resveratrol was the new Miracle element and suddenly we were encouraged to drink more Red Wine. It's amazing that with all the technology in our World today we know so much but we know so little. More than ever today People act as though they know the truth but more often it is simply a Bias. The scary reality is that with too many People today if they think about something long enough and hard enough it may become reality to them. It reminds me of a Guy who believed that an Election was stolen from him when it wasn't...but that's a story for another day.
My concern is this...Wine has become arrogant and aloof and most people today can't relate to it. I am an Avid Home Winemaker since 2005 and truly passionate about wine. I want so badly for more people to see how Amazing the Story of Wine is...but that's not close to possible with Tasting fees in places like Napa well over $100. I think people like yourself in the Wine Trade have lost sight of what your mission statement ought to be. If you Truly love wine and I know you do you need to be committed to sharing with people how approachable Wine is and how amazing wine truly is! I was actually saddened when you shared your story of the "59" Charles Krug that you shared with your friends on Easter. I was sad because I could only imagine how amazingly Special that wine was but I will never in my Life have the opportunity to taste that wine! You have access to wines and wine experiences that I will never have. What bothered me more than anything was that you didn't tell me the story of that Wine. Wine to me is the story of People and Place. You didn't tell the story of one of the most storied estates in all of Napa Valley. You didn't mention the Mondavi Family or who was Charles Krug or the fact that the ABV was only 12% unlike wines today. What makes sense to people wanting to learn about wine is who made it and how did they make it. What is the story of that wine. The best wines I've tasted in my life were that much better because of where I tasted it and who I tasted it with. You might have been better served to take that bottle of wine to a class at Napa Valley College and share it with some students that are in the process of becoming lifelong enthusiasts of wine and Wine education. I appreciate what you do Karen and you are without a doubt exceptional at what you do. I have read the Wine Bible multiple times and it is one of the best tools available for a Wine Geek like me. But you and much of Napa need to come back to Earth. My greatest challenge daily is to find $10-$20 bottle of wine that is well-made and worthy of nothing greater than a Wednesday when I just want to enjoy a decent glass of wine. I don't drink $130 of Cabernet on Wednesday nights. Best wishes to you and thank you for listening.
History repeats itself. Alcohol was never perceived as evil or even problematic in 1920 by the population as a whole. But we are seeing 1920 playing out again before our eyes. If we are not careful, we will wake up and wine will be relegated to a history lesson. Institutions like the WHO are seemingly impervious to criticism because we allow them to be. Everyone has an agenda and it is clear that those funding the WHO have alcohol in their crosshairs and we have to unite as an industry to protect what the Lord has blessed us with.
We need more people calling out Tim Stockwells BS research for what it was. Even his own conclusions showed that while 1-2 glasses of wine per day may not be healthy it also showed no health risks. Those who enjoyed in moderation had the same life expectancy as those who abstained. He very conviently minimized this but it's right there in his research.
Thank you for "Nothing Left to Say? The End of Wine Writing" - it's inspired so many conversations and articles (including an upcoming one from me). We need to more outlets if we hope to grow interest in wine and share the tens of thousands of winery stories.
Perhaps wine writers are the authors of their own demise - a surfeit of opinion ( much of it similar ) has given a fertile substrate for A.I to regurgitate . Or it could be that the symbiotic relationship between writers and winery marketing is in senescence!
Loved your piece on wine writing Karen! People might stop drinking wine when climate change is conquered and people around the world are living in harmony. Not to worry about that happening anytime soon! Canned wine? Really? Karen, are you ok?
Found your tasting of canned wines interesting. We have a local wine group and when Covid broke out we wanted to keep it going. So the 1st month of lockdown we got 4 different cans of wine, put them on our members' doorsteps, and then zoomed the tasting. To our surprise, they all tasted decent (especially considering the price), and one couple had the same wine in a bottle and compare the 2, and they couldn't taste any difference.
I guess I will continue my wicked ways and enjoy my red wine and good bourbon even though the WHO says there isn’t a safe level for healthy drinking. And when I run out , I’ll hop into my gas guzzling SUV and drive to the nearest liquor store to get more..
I also enjoy your Substack articles which are very informative.
I am less concerned about the WHO ( same guys who tried to blame COVID on a pengolin? ) than I am wine snobs. Prices are outrageous at retail and absurd in restaurants. It's no wonder youth are turning to cocktails , not only are they cheaper but it doesn't take any work to know which vintage of Gin & Tonic to order.
The industry is killing itself by catering to old rich people and ignoring new younger wine drinkers. Napa used to be a fun and welcoming place to enjoy and learn about wine. Today you need a reservation and an AmEx platinum card to get in the door. Where did the bouncers come from and who are they ? The real wine people are still passionate and charming (often quirky) but if the youth don't now the secret handshake or have a trust fund , they are not getting in.
The wine industry needs to go back to its roots and teach beginners (young and old) about wine or it will die a slow death.
Powerfully said Craig. Thanks for your thoughts.
Karen not to Worry...your Job is safe. Like most trends things change continually over time. Remember when they said Eggs were bad for you and now they are the Miracle Food? Remember when Resveratrol was the new Miracle element and suddenly we were encouraged to drink more Red Wine. It's amazing that with all the technology in our World today we know so much but we know so little. More than ever today People act as though they know the truth but more often it is simply a Bias. The scary reality is that with too many People today if they think about something long enough and hard enough it may become reality to them. It reminds me of a Guy who believed that an Election was stolen from him when it wasn't...but that's a story for another day.
My concern is this...Wine has become arrogant and aloof and most people today can't relate to it. I am an Avid Home Winemaker since 2005 and truly passionate about wine. I want so badly for more people to see how Amazing the Story of Wine is...but that's not close to possible with Tasting fees in places like Napa well over $100. I think people like yourself in the Wine Trade have lost sight of what your mission statement ought to be. If you Truly love wine and I know you do you need to be committed to sharing with people how approachable Wine is and how amazing wine truly is! I was actually saddened when you shared your story of the "59" Charles Krug that you shared with your friends on Easter. I was sad because I could only imagine how amazingly Special that wine was but I will never in my Life have the opportunity to taste that wine! You have access to wines and wine experiences that I will never have. What bothered me more than anything was that you didn't tell me the story of that Wine. Wine to me is the story of People and Place. You didn't tell the story of one of the most storied estates in all of Napa Valley. You didn't mention the Mondavi Family or who was Charles Krug or the fact that the ABV was only 12% unlike wines today. What makes sense to people wanting to learn about wine is who made it and how did they make it. What is the story of that wine. The best wines I've tasted in my life were that much better because of where I tasted it and who I tasted it with. You might have been better served to take that bottle of wine to a class at Napa Valley College and share it with some students that are in the process of becoming lifelong enthusiasts of wine and Wine education. I appreciate what you do Karen and you are without a doubt exceptional at what you do. I have read the Wine Bible multiple times and it is one of the best tools available for a Wine Geek like me. But you and much of Napa need to come back to Earth. My greatest challenge daily is to find $10-$20 bottle of wine that is well-made and worthy of nothing greater than a Wednesday when I just want to enjoy a decent glass of wine. I don't drink $130 of Cabernet on Wednesday nights. Best wishes to you and thank you for listening.
Steve, I take your critique to heart. I SHOULD have told the story of that Charles Krug. Thank you for reminding me of what's important.-- Karen
History repeats itself. Alcohol was never perceived as evil or even problematic in 1920 by the population as a whole. But we are seeing 1920 playing out again before our eyes. If we are not careful, we will wake up and wine will be relegated to a history lesson. Institutions like the WHO are seemingly impervious to criticism because we allow them to be. Everyone has an agenda and it is clear that those funding the WHO have alcohol in their crosshairs and we have to unite as an industry to protect what the Lord has blessed us with.
You are so right Michael.
We need more people calling out Tim Stockwells BS research for what it was. Even his own conclusions showed that while 1-2 glasses of wine per day may not be healthy it also showed no health risks. Those who enjoyed in moderation had the same life expectancy as those who abstained. He very conviently minimized this but it's right there in his research.
Will we have the choice to differentiate between AI and real people content ?
Now seeing more frequent regurgitation of old news !
Thank you for "Nothing Left to Say? The End of Wine Writing" - it's inspired so many conversations and articles (including an upcoming one from me). We need to more outlets if we hope to grow interest in wine and share the tens of thousands of winery stories.
THX Paul... I know you are always hard at work to make wine more a part of everyone's lives.
It took me a bit but I finally published my article in response to your excellent words - https://transformingwine.substack.com/p/talking-to-ourselves
Perhaps wine writers are the authors of their own demise - a surfeit of opinion ( much of it similar ) has given a fertile substrate for A.I to regurgitate . Or it could be that the symbiotic relationship between writers and winery marketing is in senescence!
Wow. An author of my own demise? That makes me shudder.
Loved your piece on wine writing Karen! People might stop drinking wine when climate change is conquered and people around the world are living in harmony. Not to worry about that happening anytime soon! Canned wine? Really? Karen, are you ok?
I know, Peter. It felt kind of surprising but nice to hold a can in my hand...
Found your tasting of canned wines interesting. We have a local wine group and when Covid broke out we wanted to keep it going. So the 1st month of lockdown we got 4 different cans of wine, put them on our members' doorsteps, and then zoomed the tasting. To our surprise, they all tasted decent (especially considering the price), and one couple had the same wine in a bottle and compare the 2, and they couldn't taste any difference.