I admit. I'm biased toward natural cork. There is mystique associated with the ritual of cutting the foil wrap, inserting the cork screw, and pulling the cork out; the ritual is filled with anticipation and excitement of discovering how the wine inside the bottle has aged to its fullest potential. Its really the way to enjoy the art of wine. With the mystique and anticipation also comes with disappointments. Yet, that is all part of the art of wine experience. It does not matter whether the ritual is held at Per Se, at Applebee's, at home, or outside patio on a midnight summer. The ritual is not complete without natural cork; or said differently, there is no mystique in opening a bottle of wine like you would a bottle of Coke.
This was before I read "To Cork or Not To Cork" by George Taber.
It was few years ago that I read another Taber's books: "Judgement of Paris". I'm a Taber fan now, having read two of his books. I'm impressed with how Taber can write books on wine with passion and excitement yet without a hint of arrogance that the very topic brings to the masses.
Taber brought the debate of cork or non-cork to a whole new level. He's void of any bias or preconceived notion one way or the other on this debate. He covered different types of stoppers - from natural cork, composite cork, synthetic cork, glass stopper, screw tops, and other types - with as much science that one can bring to the art of wine experience.
It was an eyeopener for me to see how wide-spread the issue of "corked" wine is in the industry. It was educational to read what we know about "corked" wine and what we don't know. Now with more knowledge of the science of wine experience, you appreciate more the art of wine experience. The debate will go on for at least another generation or two. We will not likely to see any clear winner in this debate.
Based on what we know today, I'm a bit more knowledgeable about the science of wine experience to better appreciate that to enjoy the art of wine experience, we sometime have to do away with rituals and traditions and challenge something new; because there is always new discoveries that can awe us.
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Judgment of Paris by George M. Taber
I will admit that I have a bias towards wine from California, Oregon, and other U.S. states. Perhaps its out of my sense of patriotism towards things Made in U.S.A.. Or maybe because I learned to enjoy wine with California wine. My first wine experience was with a bottle of Chardonnay from Sonoma. I recall visiting Robert Mondavi winery to learn how wine is made. And it helps that its easier to understand California wine and that California produces some of the best wine in the world.
California wine has long history, long as the history of California. However, it was not always considered top-class as it is now. As I was learning about California wine, I had heard vaguely about a “competition” in Paris in the 1970’s where a bottle of California wine received the top prize. “Judgment of Paris” covers the event itself, the stories behind the tasting, and how the tasting perhaps changed the world of wine. The book was written by George Taber, the only person from the media that covered the tasting.
The tasting took place on May 24, 1976 in Paris. It was not highly publicized leading up to the tasting. It was organized by a wine shop in Paris to show case some of the up and coming California wine. But the panel of judges was prominent figures in the wine industry in France. The result was surprising – where California wine took first place in both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon categories.
The book was written objectively. The author did not take any sides, but rather “reporting” the events leading up to the tasting, how the tasting was conducted, and how it was felt in the wine world. The first half of the book brought to life the stories behind the wine that took first place. These were the stories of winemakers, producers, winery owners that helped make the winning wine at the tasting. The book also covered how New World wine began to be competitive with wine from France and other Old World wine producing countries; perhaps thanks in part due to the tasting. I enjoyed reading the book and learned to appreciate California wine more.
Chardonnay
Chateau Montelena 1973
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973
California wine has long history, long as the history of California. However, it was not always considered top-class as it is now. As I was learning about California wine, I had heard vaguely about a “competition” in Paris in the 1970’s where a bottle of California wine received the top prize. “Judgment of Paris” covers the event itself, the stories behind the tasting, and how the tasting perhaps changed the world of wine. The book was written by George Taber, the only person from the media that covered the tasting.
The tasting took place on May 24, 1976 in Paris. It was not highly publicized leading up to the tasting. It was organized by a wine shop in Paris to show case some of the up and coming California wine. But the panel of judges was prominent figures in the wine industry in France. The result was surprising – where California wine took first place in both Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon categories.
The book was written objectively. The author did not take any sides, but rather “reporting” the events leading up to the tasting, how the tasting was conducted, and how it was felt in the wine world. The first half of the book brought to life the stories behind the wine that took first place. These were the stories of winemakers, producers, winery owners that helped make the winning wine at the tasting. The book also covered how New World wine began to be competitive with wine from France and other Old World wine producing countries; perhaps thanks in part due to the tasting. I enjoyed reading the book and learned to appreciate California wine more.
Chardonnay
Chateau Montelena 1973
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973
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