Comments on: Georgian wine on my mind (or Back in the USSR)

By: Do Bianchi

Do Bianchi — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:07:28 +0000

Mark and Ceri, thanks for stopping by.

Mark, I actually met the guy who makes Musar when I was in Aspen. He invited me out to Beirut. Would be fascinating to visit him… Thanks for the interesting perspective about wine and politics. I was inspired to write that post by your blog…

Ceri, I entirely forgot that Gravner sources his amphorae from Georgia. I’d love to taste through the wines you mention… thanks for the insightful comment….

By: Ceri

Ceri — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:32:30 +0000

Funny – I have been thinking of Georgian wine lately as well.
There is a new importer here in SF, Christopher Terrell (terrellwines@gmail.com), who barely looks 21, has traveled extensively through the area and is exceptionally knowledgeable on all things Georgian.
He is working with Teliani Valley winery – which produces an array of wines from: Rkatseteli, Mtsvane, Tsolikouri, Sapteravi, Aleksandrouli, Mujertuli – I’ve tried several other Georgian wines in the past and they all seemed… “eh, that’s interesting…(but not that good)” – his, are good. Especially the amphora aged Mtsvane and at a fraction of the cost of other amphora aged wines… Most of his wines are retailing for $16-$24

By: moodylaw

moodylaw — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:33:28 +0000

Susannah:
Try these guys … http://www.selectwinesllc.com/repofgeor.html
MWM

By: moodylaw

moodylaw — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:23:28 +0000

Paul D:

I think you missed the point. Can you imagine watching criminals tried for their crimes by the Senate with a 1971 Clos Ste Hune? Add some Roast Pheasant and Choucroute and you might just declare yourself in heaven.

Where the history of wine is the history of civilization, doesn’t it make perfect sense to combine politics with wine? Isn’t this apropos for a country (titularly sovereign) that not only may have given us the word wine, but also may be the seat of wine production several millenia ago (Hugh Johnson: The Story of Wine).

If your enjoyment (bloviating about the merits of berry versus cherry) is tainted, perhaps that only underscores the reasons for your apparent political persuasion. Facts and history (whether the history of the past eight years, or that of the past seven thousand) take a back seat to being able to afford and blatter about the world’s finest and most expensive wines.

No matter, apparently, that the likely upshot of this administration’s conduct will be that the rapidly growing number of Indian, Chinese and Russian Billionaires (while the equivalent number in America diminishes) will enjoy their Coca Cola/Chateau Latour blend while we fight harder and harder to produce fine wine in New Mexico as a “suitable” alternative.

Jeremy – thanks for the post. Keep it up. Partisan rancour will inevitably be invited (my suggestion is to ignore it). Intelligent discussion was your aim. Perhaps we can foster that.

Paul D – would you prefer to drink Chateau Musar or Chateau Schrapnel?

MWM

By: Do Bianchi

Do Bianchi — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:04:20 +0000

Thanks to everyone for the insightful comments. I’m not sure that my blog is the place for political commentary but I felt compelled to write something about Georgia. The situation is complicated and the Times published an editorial by Gorbachev today where he says the coverage of the conflict has not been “fair and balanced” and he’s probably right. Thomas Friedman’s editorial was also interesting.

By: Paul D

Paul D — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:06:21 +0000

Could any of you find Georgia on a map before this week? Aware of what was going on there for the past 5yrs or so? Your brilliant preventive solutions that were discussed? Funny, no harsh words for the belligerent Russians who are actually the ones responsible? Brilliant.

If Obama wants to exercise & shoot hoops on a day when Russia inevitably cuts off gas supplies to the Ukraine or launches another invasion . . . the problem is what?

I don’t care if you link to Sean Hannity or the equally partisan airhead Maureen Dowd. Why the heck do people taint something enjoyable & pure like food / wine with political commentary?

By: Simona

Simona — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:18:59 +0000

An Italian saying I’ve been saying a lot these past years.

By: Susannah

Susannah — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:29:47 +0000

J,
Unbelieveable. I’m sure your Russian friends aren’ that surprised though. We shouldn’t be either. George is mountain biking during this all and remember what he was doing during Katrina?
I’ve never tried a Georgian wine. I think this will be the week. Suggestions are welcome.
S.

By: adrian

adrian — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:36:53 +0000

Off topic but Dr.Vino wrote an Op Ed in today’s NY Times about the low carbon footprint of boxed wines.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/opinion/18colman.html?hp

By: moodylaw

moodylaw — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:54:24 +0000

Can Bush and Cheney be goaded by an emboldened Putin into wreaking further havoc with the United States and its legacy?

Highly likely. Wine lovers should be – en masse – getting involved in the International wine scene by promoting America’s shame at the current administartion.

Impeach them: https://impeachbushandcheney.wordpress.com/.

Imagine how well a botlle of 1971 Clos Ste Hune would go down while watching opening statements given in the Senate … Imagine how Georgia’s vinous legacy may be destroyed by the acts of politicians who couldn’t care less about man’s second oldest passion.