Q: My favorite wine reviewers

The most enjoyable part of subscribing to the WSJ is the Friday reviews by Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher. Haven't seen their article in three weeks. Does anyone know if old Rupert axed them or are they just on vacation?
Walt

[Robin Garr]

I don't know, Walt, but my recollection of living in Metro NYC, as I assume they do, is that - sort of like in Europe - everyone who CAN get out of town in August DOES get out of town in August.

I don't know, Walt, but my recollection of living in Metro NYC, as I assume they do, is that - sort of like in Europe - everyone who CAN get out of town in August DOES get out of town in August.

Robin,
I hope you are correct. They are the only reviewers where I have actually bought some bottles they recommended without first trying them. Their reviews are easy to read, descriptive and I like the good, very good, excellent type of rating. Oh yeah, I have been thinking about buying the cigars that Marvin rates but certainly won't follow his wine or restaurant reviews.
Walt

I enjoy their column as well, and always look forward to my Friday WSJ.

They take vacation every year at this time, and return, I believe, the Friday after Labor Day. Or shortly thereafter.

Do you all participate in Open That Bottle Night? I get a large group together, make a ton of food, and we all share either wine we've been hanging on to or wine we've been meaning to try. It's a lot of fun.

I enjoy their column as well, and always look forward to my Friday WSJ.

They take vacation every year at this time, and return, I believe, the Friday after Labor Day. Or shortly thereafter.

Do you all participate in Open That Bottle Night? I get a large group together, make a ton of food, and we all share either wine we've been hanging on to or wine we've been meaning to try. It's a lot of fun.

Patti,
I like the idea but have not done it yet.
Walt

[James Roscoe]

They are favorites of mine. A friend diligently cuts out their article every week. I give him a nice bottle every Christmas. I like the OTBN idea, but have never remembered to do it. Patti, maybe you can get it going here. Some good notes should come out of it.

I think that's a really fun idea. It would be great to see the different ways we all would come up with to celebrate it. My parties are very informal, but from reading the reviews people come up with great menus and great wines.

The date will be February 28th I believe.

I'll bring up the topic again after the new year.

[James Roscoe]

Thanks Patti! I look forward to it!

They are the reason I developed a liking and appreciation for wine (such as it is). I read their column at lunch as soon as I can snatch the WSJ from my boss. I have also read three of their books, including the memoir Love By The Glass.
What I appreciate most is how they bring wine down to my level. Unlike most every other WSJ columnist, their good values really are affordable.

Regarding reviewers, I like Robin's "30 Second Wine Adviser".

[Robin Garr]

Regarding reviewers, I like Robin's "30 Second Wine Adviser".

Thanks for the props, Howie, but for the record, I think Dorothy and John are fine wine writers, too. I don't always agree with their specific recommendations, but I like the way they talk intelligently about wine for average peeps and draw a nice balance between not snobbing up or dumbing down. That's sort of where I aim, too, but I think they hit that target very well.

I have also read three of their books, including the memoir Love By The Glass.

I think that Love By the Glass was one of the best books on any subject that I've read in recent years.

[David M. Bueker]

Favorite wine reviewer: David Schildknecht is tops for me hands down. Our palates are exactly aligned.

Favorite wine reviewer: David Schildknecht is tops for me hands down. Our palates are exactly aligned.

Although I think he likes Marcel Deiss a WHOLE lot more than you do!

Cheers,
Bill

[David M. Bueker]

Favorite wine reviewer: David Schildknecht is tops for me hands down. Our palates are exactly aligned.

Although I think he likes Marcel Deiss a WHOLE lot more than you do!

Cheers,
Bill

True, but I can totally understand what he sees in the wines.

[Robin Garr]

Favorite wine reviewer: David Schildknecht is tops for me hands down. Our palates are exactly aligned.

I've tasted with David often - he's based in Cincy and gets to Louisville for tastings often - and would be inclined to agree. I rarely differ from David's observations when we're tasting together. Which raises the question: How come my palate isn't quite as parallel with yours? I guess it's that weird aversion to Riesling of mine.

[David M. Bueker]

I've tasted with David often - he's based in Cincy and gets to Louisville for tastings often - and would be inclined to agree. I rarely differ from David's observations when we're tasting together. Which raises the question: How come my palate isn't quite as parallel with yours? I guess it's that weird aversion to Riesling of mine.

Probably. I've never quite understood your lack of enthusiasm for the grape.

[Robin Garr]

Probably. I've never quite understood your lack of enthusiasm for the grape.

Me either. I love GV and I love Chenin, so go figure. Riesling just comes across to me as too aromatic. It's like the TV with the contrast and brightness turned up. And I'm talking about *good* Riesling here. I've just about concluded it's just some weird genetic thing.

Probably. I've never quite understood your lack of enthusiasm for the grape.

Me either. I love GV and I love Chenin, so go figure. Riesling just comes across to me as too aromatic. It's like the TV with the contrast and brightness turned up. And I'm talking about *good* Riesling here. I've just about concluded it's just some weird genetic thing.

Robin,

A few people I know have an aversion to Gewurztraminer because they detect too much 'soap' in the wines. These are the same people who won't eat cilantro for the same reason. I wonder if there's a connection here?

As for the Riesling thing, are there other similar grapes you don't like?

A few people I know have an aversion to Gewurztraminer because they detect too much 'soap' in the wines...

Interesting comment. I'm not a cilantro fan, but at the MOCOOL weekend, I arrived at the motel, just on time for a Riesling tasting, hosted by the Noland brothers. First we did a blind vertical, followed by assorted Rieslings from all over the place, so I snuck in a bottle of my home made 2007, just to see how it stood up. Wine No. 1 was very nice, crisp acidity, off-dry, which I thought was mine. Wine No. 2 had an off - soapy taste. However, this was my wine, and didn't taste like other bottles I had opened. Others acknowledged the off taste. I was confused. Was it soap? Did I do a bad job rinsing that bottle? I took the bottle back to my room afterwards and stuck it in the fridge overnight. The next morning, it was re-tasted by several WLDGers; the soapiness was gone and it tasted like the others I had opened. I'm still confused. Perhaps it was because it was bouncing around in the back of my truck on the drive to Ann Arbor? Or maybe it wasn't cold enough? Maybe it needed to be opened for a while?

Favorite wine reviewer: David Schildknecht is tops for me hands down. Our palates are exactly aligned.

Exactly my thought, but more importantly, I think David can articulate his experience of any wine, and contextualize it in great depth, better than anyone I've ever come across. A mind that never seems to rest.

Favorite wine reviewer: David Schildknecht is tops for me hands down. Our palates are exactly aligned.

I (in my personal life, not professional) don't really consciously pay attention to wine reviewers. My reaction, however, when I found out that Parker was sending David to the Finger Lakes to taste was such utter relief (finally someone who will understand it) and glee. I surprised myself with my strong reaction.

[Robin Garr]

A few people I know have an aversion to Gewurztraminer because they detect too much 'soap' in the wines. These are the same people who won't eat cilantro for the same reason. I wonder if there's a connection here?

Possibly, although I'm okay with a good Gewurz, and although I didn't instinctively like cilantro at first, I've taught myself to love it, especially in Asian cuisine. It doesn't remind me of soap, anyway. It reminds me of Crayolas.

As for the Riesling thing, are there other similar grapes you don't like?

Possibly, depending on how you define "similar." I'm not wild about Viognier or Spanish Albariño or many NZ Sauvignon Blancs for somewhat similar reasons: I just find them TOO aromatic ... as I said, the mental allusion is a TV with the color and brightness turned up too high. Maybe something in my taste buds is overly sensitive to an aromatic that's common among 'em?