California makes funny wines

[Loris]

Read here:

http://www.davidstuff.com/wine/california.htm

Do you know other Californian Chianti?

[Elissa]

excellent maps and grape lists.

added to bookmarks

Edited July 11, 2003 by lissome (log)

[hollywood]

When I first started drinking wine in California, Paul Masson seemed to be everywhere in the low to mid range. The winery somehow managed to get Robert Lawrence Balzer to write stuff that described and complemented its wines. PM always had odd stuff--Rhine Castle, Light Chablis, Johannisberg Reisling, Gamay Beaujolais, "Chablis," "Burgundy," Sylvaner, etc. The thing is what I recall was always mediocre at best. PM is still around. It just doesn't seem as ubiquitous.

[Andre]

Great post, thanks.

Actually the first Californian wines imported to the holly land were Paul Mason's Chablis and Burgundy [ Early 80's ].

[Loris]

I found some funny and interesting links about Paul Masson

Paul Masson today:

http://www.epinions.com/content_1366007940

The old winery:

http://www.mountainwinery.com/

The Chateau:

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/santaclara/mas.htm

Very cheap wines indeed:

http://wine.shoppingsavvy.com/Paul-Masson-...n-Burgundy.html

http://wine.shoppingsavvy.com/Paul-Masson-...ine-Castle.html

Dulcis in fundo:

http://www.antique-hangups.com/1207b.htm

[hollywood]

Sounds like Paul's heirs cashed in their chips.

[Fat Guy]

Bonny Doon tends to have clever wine names, for example:

Critique of Pure Riesling

The Heart Has its Rieslings

Heart of Darkness

Although, I'm not sure anyone can top Fat Bastard.

[Elissa]

I found some funny and interesting links about Paul Masson 

The Chateau:

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/santaclara/mas.htm

Masson was able to weather the strains Prohibition placed on the wine industry be selling grapes to the wholesale market and by receiving a special dispensation to sell medicinal wines

Edited July 12, 2003 by lissome (log)

[NeroW]

Although, I'm not sure anyone can top Fat Bastard.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Fat Bastard is the best name for a wine. Ever.

[ctgm]

Bonny Doon tends to have clever wine names, for example:

Critique of Pure Riesling

The Heart Has its Rieslings

Heart of Darkness

Although, I'm not sure anyone can top Fat Bastard.

I love Bonny Doon's Cigare Volant (Flying Saucer). Aparently Mr. Graham saw one when he was walking in the vineyards!! (Edit: found this not to be true but it was a law in Chateauneuf that banned flying saucers from landing/over-flying the vineyards)

There are some weird names out there:

Utter Bastard

Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush

The Dog's Bollocks

Check out http://www.winelabels.org/labels.htm

Nice to see that some people have a sense of humour. Unfortunately many of these wines are diabolical and have to have a silly name to sell.

Edited July 14, 2003 by ctgm (log)

[Elissa]

Apologies in advance, but this came today via e-post and I couldn't help but share:

Dirty Dozen: the top 12 suggested names for a Wal-Mart brand wine:

12. Chateau Traileur Parc

11. White Trashfindel

10. Big Red Gulp

9. Grape Expectations

8. Domaine Wal-Mart "Merde du Pays"

7. NASCARbernet

6. Chef Boyardeaux

5. Peanut Noir

4. Chateau des Moines

3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar!

2. World Championship Riesling

1. Nasti Spumante

:cry:

Edited July 15, 2003 by lissome (log)