THE DRUNK BACKWARD: A NEW WEEKLY RECAP OF THE DEUCE’S INSANITY AND A BRIEF LOOK AHEAD, OR OUT OF THE DIRTY MOUTH OF MADNESS

In a new weekly segment, I would like to recap the past week, not just with the wines I have reviewed, but a little bit of everything going on here with the Deuce.  Everything can be a bit of a whirlwind in this business so it’s good to take a few minutes to reassess what the hell just happened.

Wine Reviewed:  51

Wine of the Week:  Jorge Ordóñez #4 Essencia 2004.  Inventing a whole new rating for one intergalactically fantastic wine, all others paled in comparison, though there were plenty that were pretty awesome just the same.

Good news in the wine biz:  My hero, wine satirist and all-American wisenheimer Ron Washam, aka the Hosemaster of Wine, has been cranking out a steady stream of wine wit lately on his blog, after last year, packing it in.  Glad to see he couldn’t stay away for too long.  Guess us “poodles” are still too damny amusing.  Also, my wine brothers from other mothers, Master Somms Ian Cauble and D’Lynn Proctor are featured in a documentary about taking the final level of the MS exam aptly entitled Somm.

You can catch the trailer here.

Disturbing news in the wine biz:  Another one of my wine writing heroes, the Italian wine guru Alfonso Cevola posted about old friend and MS Devon Broglie, Chief Wine Buyer for Whole Foods, posting a picture of Devon along with a picture, circa mid-70’s, of Burt Reynolds’ infamous Playgirl Centerfold spread (uh-hum).  Next time I see Devon, I am sure I will subconsciously blurt out, “how’s it hangin’?”

The Who-Gives-A-Shit news in the wine biz:  Wine scores.  Talk about beating a dead horse… more defending and dismissing of the 100-point scale from all sides, including Charlie Olken at Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine, Steve Heimoff at Wine Enthusiast, and many, many more.  It is the subject that will not die.  And though I disagree with it, the argument has lost all allure for me.  Until someone comes up with something better, it’s the best we have.

On the homefront:  It will always be a day-by-day thing for my wife and I.  She has been contending with a lot of severe pain issues for some time.  Her doctor believes her to have severe arthritis in her spine.  I am more and more, wanting to see medical marijuana legalized, legitimized and wholeheartedly endorsed by all sides as a way to bring relief to millions suffering from chronic illnesses.  I would give anything just for my wife to have a pain-free day.

What is on my playlist?:  David Bowie, Let’s Dance; Queen, Sheer Heart Attack; Ryan Adams, Ashes & Fire.

What wine(s) is (are) impressing me right now at the store?:  Seven Hills Riesling Columbia Valley 2010, Viticcio Bere 2009, and Chapoutier Luberon La Ciboise Rouge 2009.

Recommended reads, blog or otherwise:  Always check out Samantha Sans Dosage, with wine buyer Samantha Dugan transcending the simple wine jargon with her own personal points of view, passionate reflections, and no bullshit storytelling.  I am rereading Natalie MacLean’s Unquenchable, which is a great book about wine from the perspective of an everywoman – it’s funny stuff.  And I am loving my Christmas present, Nadia G’s Cooking for Trouble cookbook.  She’s awesome!

What’s on tap for this week?:  More action in the whino’s studio as always, a preliminary plan for Grape Tree swag, and of course, the impending breakdown that has yet to happen.  I honestly have no idea.  Each week it is a new adventure in misadventure.