Women Wine Critics Board

Feiring's Fantasy: Alice Feiring Saves the World from Robert Parker

Mary Baker — Sat, 10 May 2008 13:10:44 -0700

The font of the title is pleasantly wacky, and the title itself promises a dream-like escapade in which Feiring daydreams herself “saving the world” and falling in love with a superhero winemaker. Not a bad concept. This is not a journalistic effort like other recently released wine books, To Cork or Not to Cork, The Billionaire’s Vinegar, First Big Crush, Wine and Philosophy. This is a personal essay on a personal point of view. The book is a small-format book—hardbound, 5 ½ “ by 8”, 158 pages exclusive of acknowledgments and index, and can easily be read in a few hours. In the introduction she says, “I am hoping to intrigue those who want wines that truly have a story to tell. Once people experience these wines and winemakers, once they know that wine truly does have soul and character, it will be difficult for them to cozy up to wines made by the numbers and not from the heart.” I hope that this book fulfills her mission. Unfortunately . . .

Inside a Wine Scam

Mary Baker — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:20:07 -0800

Ever get one of those annoying scam emails asking you to accept stolen credit card numbers and send your product overseas? Who are these scam artists? Who are their victims? Can they be stopped? Dover Canyon Winery has just published a five-part series of articles called Inside a Wine Scam. The series has resulted in FBI subpoenas for the operators accepting money transfers at a remote location in Oklahoma. In a surprising twist, the 'front man' for the scam may herself be a victim of 'work from home' fraud.

Wine, Women and Lawsuits

Mary Baker — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:10:33 -0800

Errol at Washington Winemaker in Bellevue, Washington relates the story of three women winemakers being threatened by the U.S. Olympic Committee for daring to use the name 'Olympic Cellars' for their winery, which is located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State'. Gee fellas, I think the Olympic Mountain range has been around longer than your trademark. The mountain range name was made official in 1864 and was in common and published use before that.

New for 2008: The Wine Book Club

Mary Baker — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 14:18:29 -0800

From popular wine reviewer "Dr. Debs" at Good Wine Under $20: "In the spirit of the New Year, a group of bloggers decided to start an online Wine Book Club. Many of us want to read more--hands up if you've got a stack of books sitting on your bedside table with an inch of dust on them . . ." The first bi-monthly book is Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy, and the discussion will be hosted by Philadelphia retailer David McDuff at McDuff's Food and Wine Trail.

Make Benefit Glorious Zinfandel

Mary Baker — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:33:03 -0800

"Consumer Learnings for Make Benefit Glorious Zinfandel Future" Christian Miller, owner of Full Glass Research--a wine industry research firm--chose this title for an opinion study on Zinfandel as a joking reference to the movie Borat. (See the movie's wine episode here.) And it’s pretty appropriate, because depending on who you talk to, zinfandel means different things to different people. There’s an almost Babel-like confusion involved in the language of zinfandel.

Cool Links, Newsletters, Blogs and More

Mary Baker — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:00:00 -0700

Women Wine Writers on the Web has an interesting library of links to women's wine newsletters, blogs, books and more. Definitely a recommended stop. To find wines you're reading about at a shop near you, try WineSearcher. This free service will show you which stores have your target wine in stock, along with the price and ordering options. (A paid upgrade provides even more information.) Don't have the time to read wine blogs? But you'd like to stay on top of the hottest wine news? Wine Life Today features the hottest wine blog posts on the internet. Most of the referrals come from other wine bloggers, so when they toast an article, you know it's good stuff, and worth reading. Interestingly, it's always the oddball stuff that wine bloggers enjoy . . . so don't expect to find the usual wine reviews and commentary. Looking to upgrade your wine notes from lined school paper to something a little more . . . elegant and efficient? We recommend CellarTracker. This free online site lets you store your wine purchases, tasting notes, and more. Additional features let you see fellow members' tasting notes. And creator/owner Eric White is very open to feedback and suggestions.

Advertise on the Women Wine Critics Board

Mary Baker — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:43:52 -0700

Advertising on the Women Wine Critics Board ABOUT US This blog is compiled and edited by Mary Baker, co-owner of Dover Canyon Winery in Paso Robles, California. Mary has considerable experience in the California wine industry, and the blog is open to all writers who are passionate about wine. It is updated at least three times per month with guest articles and wine news. OUR READERSHIP The Women Wine Critics Board attracts an audience interested in fine wine, wine-related travel and wine appreciation experiences. As of June 2007, the number of unique visitors coming to the site on a monthly...

Gunman Crashes Party, Leaves with Wine

Mary Baker — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:12:22 -0700

Christina Rowan of Washington DC thought quickly and calmly when a gunman crashed a backyard barbecue and held a gun to a 14-year-old girl's head. Moments later, the gunman left with a glass of wine and a smile. Read the whole story.

Tennessee Hypocrisy

Mary Baker — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:15:17 -0700

As many of you know, one of the rallying cries of the anti-wine-shipping crowd has been "Protect Our Minors!"

How to Tell a Wine Geek from a Cork Dork

Mary Baker — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 07:22:05 -0700

Recently, at a dinner with friends, one man's date turned to me and complained, "He's so boring. All he ever talks about is wine. All day long he talks about wine." I probably looked hurt, because I was just as engrossed in our discussion of Syrah as he was. Lorraine leaned toward me and whispered, "She's right, you know. We're all hopeless wine geeks. Look at us from an outsider's point of view."

In Harmony with the Land

Mary Baker — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:40:34 -0700

During her presentation at the recent Hospice du Rhone event held in Paso Robles, California, Sophie Armenier of Domaine de Marcoux in Châteauneuf-du-Pape showed a striking close-up photograph of two hands, side-by-side, each holding a handful of dirt. One hand held a soil so fecund you could smell its earthiness; the other hand held a soil that could best be described as beige. Armenier did not elaborate on the image, but luckily, moderator Kelly McAuliffe pressed her on exactly what we were seeing. Because it wasn’t part of the formal presentation she had prepared in her very able English, Armenier offered the information in French for McAuliffe to translate. My French was good enough for me to realize that these soils were from two different nearby vineyards, but I missed the kicker. The dark soil was from Domaine de Marcoux’s organically and biodynamically farmed vineyard, the other was from only five yards away.

Cultivating a Life

Mary Baker — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:35:18 -0700

In At Home in the Vineyard: Cultivating a Winery, an Industry, and a Life, Susan Sokol Blosser talks about their wild card decision to plant a vineyard in Oregon in the 1970's. But it's also the story of a young, idealistic bride who has been groomed to "please" her husband and family. Said bride is confronted with unhappy investors, disgruntled family members, distributor ennui, divorce, and disastrous vintages. But along the way she collects some overly affectionate geese, useless peacocks, a three-legged cat, and some loyal staff members.

The Illusion of Objectivity

Mary Baker — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 08:46:50 -0700

"Dr. Debs" at Good Wine Under $20 has written an insightful piece on the differences in wine writing between men and women . . . Wine Writing and the Problem of Objectivity, or Is There Room for a Nigella Lawson of Wine Writing? Here are some excerpts: Here's what I think: wine points and the illusion of objectivity are related problems. The leading culprit for giving folks the idea that wine reviews are objective is, alas, the 100-point scale. This is not an entirely novel perspective, but I think it bears repeating.

Men Are 'Wine Bluffs' According to UK Study

Mary Baker — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:07:13 -0800

A new study in the UK News says Men 'Pretend To be Wine Buffs To Impress'. The article says: "Almost one-in-four men try to impress friends or dates by pretending to be wine buffs, reveals a new survey. However, most risk being exposed as buffoons according to the poll, which found knowledge of the drink is low despite soaring popularity.

A Wine Amateur in France

Mary Baker — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:00:00 -0800

When my husband and I decided to book a trip to France last February, our main goal was to take in the country while sipping delectable and plentiful French wine, whether we were in Paris or the Burgundy region. I had come a long way in my wine journey—all the way from the fruitiest Arbor Mist in my wine-drinking infancy stage, to an interest in somewhat more complex flavors at a reasonable price. Having never been to France, I hoped my husband and I would fit right into the wine-sipping culture of the bistros and brasseries we’d heard so much about. We had heard that the French drink wine during lunch and dinner; that bottles cost only as much as soda or a jug of iced tea here in the States, and—perhaps the silliest of all—that wine gushes out of fountains in the center of Paris. Of course we didn’t believe this last rumor, but it was enough to convince us that we were in for a luxurious and relaxing trip. Among our more pessimistic expectations was the rumor of the snooty French, who we thought would sneer at our paltry attempts to speak their language, even though we had practiced "bonjour," and "Deux verres de vin rouge, s'il vous plaît," for a month or more. Through what I hoped to be a wine-induced haze, we wouldn’t be able to see their narrowed eyes, nor understand any whispered French insults.

NYT Times Article on Wine and Pregnancy

Mary Baker — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 09:04:01 -0800

Those of you who enjoyed Daniel Rogov's thought-provoking piece on Wine and Pregnancy, will also want to read this week's New York Times article, The Weighty Responsibility of Drinking for Two.

Make Up or Break Up

Mary Baker — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 17:55:26 -0700

Wine Tasting: From Both Sides Now

Mary Baker — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 07:00:00 -0700

I approached a table, greeted the staff and asked for a tasting of their Cabernet. The pourer answered his cell phone while reaching for a bottle and proceeded to pour the Cabernet on my wrist, in my glass, and on his table, without missing a beat on his phone call, which he continued. I looked at the other pourers and tasters as I was wiping off my arm and glass. They just shrugged.

Red, White and Drunk All Over

Mary Baker — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 07:00:00 -0700

This week we are joined by award-winning wine writer Natalie MacLean, who has just published her first book, Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass. Natalie joins us below for a Q&A session about her book, and if you have any questions for Natalie, please post them here! Natalie tastes sensuous pinot noir in the ancient cellars of Burgundy while discovering the mysterious tenets of biodynamic viticulture from such colorful characters as the tiny, ferocious Lalou Bize-Leroy, part-owner of France's acclaimed Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. She pulls on sturdy boots to help with the grape harvest at California’s Bonny Doon Vineyards—and gets to the root of the anti-establishment philosophy of winemaker Randall Grahm, notorious for his experimental wine techniques, love for unfashionable grapes, and fondness for naming his wines "Cardinal Zin," "Heart Has its Rieslings," and "Big House Red" (whose grapes are grown just down the road from one of California’s state prisons). Natalie takes a job as undercover sommelier at a five-star French restaurant, spends a day helping customers in a high-end New York wine shop, wades into a famous feud between Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson, two of the world’s best-known critics and, back home, invites friends over for a casual wine tasting. Along the way she teaches us—painlessly and often hilariously—how to face a telephone directory-sized wine list without fear, what questions to ask to get exactly the wine you are looking, what those scores out of 100 really mean, and how properly to expectorate.

Don't Call It "Pink"

Mary Baker — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 10:56:38 -0700

If there is a single wine that has come to be firmly associated with women that wine is the one thought of by may people as "Pink Champagne". It is probable that this association started somewhere during the heyday of the flappers, those young women who considered themselves so bold and daring during the 1920's, when the rage at Charleston and Black Bottom dance parties became something called Pink Champagne. Nothing could have given Champagne a worse name . . .

Elegance and the Spittoon

Mary Baker — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:17:36 -0700

Let's start off with one given - spitting can never be elegant. But at wine tastings, especially if you are going to be tasting more wine than you would normally drink, it is one of the few ways of maintaining one's sanity, sobriety, and dignity. For professionals who sometimes taste 40, 50 or even 100 wines at a sitting, it is also a way of assuring that their livers, kidneys and brains will continue to function in some sense of normalcy until they reach a ripe old age. Georges Duboeuf can spit into a spittoon two meters away from where he is sitting without getting a drop of wine on his shirt, the floor or his neighbor. There are not many, however, who have mastered that odd task. Nevertheless, there are several ways in which you can maintain if not elegance, at least a sense of dignity while spitting:

Do “Chick Wines” Really Exist?

Mary Baker — Thu, 25 May 2006 20:30:26 -0700

Are wine geeks mostly men? How about those point-chasers? This week we are joined by Christian Miller, proprietor of Full Glass Research and director of research for Wine Opinions. If by "wine geeks" you mean people who drink wine frequently, have distinct opinions about wine brands and styles and spring for expensive wines regularly, the answer is no. Men are somewhat more likely to purchase more expensive wines. The gender difference does grow starker as you go up the price spectrum. When asked if they have ever bought wines priced $100 or more, 45% of Wine Opinions males say yes vs. 24% of females. Furthermore the wine collector skews clearly male. They are much more likely to have 100 or more bottles at home, whereas females are more likely to have 1-12 bottles at home. BUT there is a big asterisk on these numbers. Income has a strong influence on high end wine purchases, and females on average report lower household incomes than males. In fact, when you correct for income distribution, female and male purchasing patterns are substantially the same except for those 100+ bottle collectors, who still skew male. Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator readers skew male, 4-1 for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 2-1 for the Wine Spectator. Males also stated higher influence on buying decisions for these publications, so it is reasonable to assume that the "point-chasing" is a more of a male activity.

Is Grappa Only for Men?

Mary Baker — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 09:57:31 -0700

If there has been anything at all "odd" about my continued devotion to grappa and marc it has been that over many years I have never seen a woman sidle up to a Parisian, Lyonaise, Tuscan or Piemontese bar to start her day with a glass of this stuff. For reasons I know not, perhaps of cultural or social habit, perhaps because of genetic differences that determine the level and type of pain we fid pleasurable, women seem not to be attracted to this beverage. Whether the habit has come to be considered too macho or too vulgar escapes me, but with only two notable exceptions, my daughter and a dear friend named Debbie, I have never found women to share this habit with me.

Appellation America Selects Two WWCB Writers

Mary Baker — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:35:36 -0800

We are pleased to announce that two WWCB writers have been selected as regional correspondents by AppellationAmerica. AppellationAmerica is a new online publication devoted to promoting appellation consciousness across North America. In addition to articles and reviews, the Appellation Discovery Program seeks to identify threads of commonality and pinpoint terroir-based signatures in the wines of each appellation, if such commonality exists, or is developing. Mary Baker will be covering the Paso Robles appellation with articles, wine reviews, roundtable discussions, and Discovery Panel tastings. Laura Ness is the regional correspondent for the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Score! Is Wine a Spectator Sport for Men?

Mary Baker — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:36:04 -0800

Most wine ratings have scores—men are obsessed with scores. It’s a sports thing. But does that mean there has been some secret conspiracy to keep women from enjoying wine to the fullest possible extent? It’s not like scotch or cigars, or those things men seem to have an innate affinity for, and for which they construct secret dark clubs in which to ensconce themselves and enjoy their sacred pleasures. Do women tend to drink different wines than men? I don’t think there’s a study on that one yet. Now, that would be interesting! It used to be assumed that women preferred pink or white wine, while men would not be caught dead wearing or drinking pink. The number of pink shirts and ties on SportsCenter puts the lie to that.

Wine Adventure: Breaking New Ground in Bringing Wine Information to Women

Mary Baker — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 09:40:34 -0800

This week we are joined by Michele Ostrove, editor-in-chief of Wine Adventure magazine. Michele discusses the concepts behind the creation of Wine Adventure, and her plans for the future. Feel free to join in discussion about Wine Adventure by clicking the 'Comment' link below. "While I don’t necessarily agree with the premise that women want something different in a wine, I do view these campaigns as a positive sign that our buying power and interests are finally being recognized. Hopefully, not too far down the road, we won’t be “dumbed down” to in wine advertising, ignored by restaurant sommeliers, or assumed to only have a palate for low-calorie, “light” wines."

Of Blondes, Blow Driers, and Q-Tips

Mary Baker — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 16:51:58 -0800

This recent article at Taste California Travel, The Women of Winter: Hot Wines from Women Winemakers (Taking the Heat in a Whole New Way) reminds me of a late night crush at Tobin James Cellars years ago, when I was sort of interning with Toby during a vacation from my full time winery office job. Just before 2 am, the press broke down. A gasket and plate separating the motor from the electronics had blown, so grease and oil sprayed all over the delicate electronic components. At 2 am during harvest, we could not expect an electrician for at least an hour, maybe two, and meanwhile we were looking at two tons of half-pressed fruit attracting every fruit fly in twenty miles.

Chauvinism and Wine Tasting — Sex Role Misunderstandings

Mary Baker — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 09:33:00 -0800

There are two popular wine-related beliefs making the rounds these days, both of which deserve to be put to rest because they are nothing more than pure and unadulterated nonsense. The first of these would have us believe that men are better qualified to taste wine than women and the second that some wines are more appropriate for men and others for women.

In Defense of Downtrodden Merlot

Mary Baker — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 07:00:00 -0800

Not since James Bond ordered "shaken not stirred" has a movie character had so much impact on a potent potable. In this case, I’m talking about Miles from Sideways, but I’m not talking about Pinot Noir. Indeed, his passion for Pinot brought legions of the movie’s fans to make it their wine of choice, but arguably, his condemnation of Merlot has had far greater impact. Once almost as ubiquitous as Chardonnay, Merlot has fallen from grace. It’s no longer cool.

Casting Calls for "The Wine Makers"

Mary Baker — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 15:09:55 -0800

Producers of "The Wine Makers," a PBS reality series to be filmed in the wine country of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, will start casting for the show next month. Set to premier in spring 2007, "The Wine Makers" follows six men and women as they compete for a chance to create and launch their own wine label.