Avenue Vine

Here’s a smartening of thoughts from the world of wine rating–

Appellation America publisher/CEO Roger Dial Wrote: At last, the wine literati has its own Steven Colbert. With lines like "Yes, we can thank the 100-point system for the internationalization of wine. Finally we can taste real terroir, rather than bad winemaking and unsanitary cellar conditions," I am joyfully back at Colbert's Washington Press Club salute to the President.

The next piece? Will it be in the defense of those poor California wine factories appropriating appellation names like "Napa," "Champagne" and "Chablis" for their rivers of "terroir-defining" (read: totally sanitary) schlock? Only a Colbert-type genius could make "international" and "terroir" co-habitants of the same meaning-space. Bravo!

Taylor Eason, author of the syndicated wine column, Corkscrew, wrote: (I) enjoyed Mike Lynch's article on wine ratings. At first in my wine writing career, I resisted ratings like the plague, but my editors and readers clamored for them. It saddens me, but they are the reality of the wine business. Sigh....

And Jake Higgins, a "wine professional for 20-plus years," wrote: (I'm) not completely convinced, personally, but hilarious writing. Keep it up.

From Michael Sarro, who styles himself grapemaster at St Martin's Grapeschool: Did I detect some tongue in cheek from Lynch? I enjoyed the article of Mr. Lynch's surrender treaty to the 100-point system. It was a capitulation to the great unwashed, rather than to his own sensibilities. It would be like being married to your one true, high school sweetheart, and then deciding to run off with Britney Spears just because she's available, and more well known than your current wife, whom you love.

Phil Zimmerman wrote: What 100 point scale? Who are we trying to kid? There is no 100 point system when only the last 30 points are used. Don't we need to do like the Olympics, and recalibrate? A 90-point wine should be something, but is too often just a bit above ordinary.

From Jamie Mendenhall: I do want you to know that I truly enjoyed your article on the 100-point system. It was a pleasure to read. I was just wondering after I read it, and noticing the publications you mentioned—do you not read Stephen Tanzer of International Wine Cellar? Thank you again for the article. It is a treat.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW...