Daily Wine News: Jim Barrett

Posted by David White | Posted in Wine News | Posted on 03-18-2013

James Barrett

WineSpectator.com reports: “James L. Barrett, owner of Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley, passed away March 14. He was 86.” Eric Asimov and Jon Bonné have both penned thoughtful obituaries.

“Many of the wineries that helped build the valley’s, and California’s, reputation for greatness are thriving.” In the San Francisco Chronicle, Jon Bonné commends Napa’s wine pioneers.

“Fortunately, many years have passed since observant Jews were compelled to subject themselves to the plague of bad wine. Now, the kosher choices are vast and the quality fairly high.” Eric Asimov goes shopping for kosher wine.

Eric Pfanner heads to the Province of Asti to get a closer look at real Moscato.

“[Scores] kill the conviviality of the wines and they don’t make people become kind.” On Decanter.com, globetrotting wine consultant Stéphane Derencourt chats with Kyle Schlachter. Meanwhile, on his blog, Kyle tastes through the 2009 lineup of his Derenoncourt California wines.

Table To Grave assembles a great group of somme­liers, writers, and one wine­maker to discuss Chardonnay.

NPR’s Planet Money visits the Outer Coastal Plain to ponder the future of New Jersey’s wine industry.

“A Formula One pit stop coordinator, a farmer, a documentary film star, a Cambridge graduate, a buggy builder, and a winemaker with seemingly unlimited potential.” In the latest newsletter from Weygandt Wines, Sarah Hexter profiles David Clark, whose life is “breath of fresh air in insular Burgundy.”

William Allen of Two Shepherds explains why all America’s Rhone enthusiasts — and wineries — owe Randall Grahm a debt of gratitude.

Richard Jennings shares his notes from this year’s ZAP Zinfandel Festival.

In the New York Times Magazine, Jeanine Celeste sits down with Andrew and Adam Mariani of Scribe Winery.

Tom Wark reviews Nose, a mystery novel from James Conway about a perfect bottle of wine.