98 Points: Jancis Robinson

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Before we get to the bright and worthwhile subject of the day today, some housekeeping: notably, it's been awfully quiet around here lately. And I apologize. Here are some excuses, flimsy and otherwise:
  • Frog-kissing. Any discussion or experience of wine requires maintaining an open mind, because you never know when you'll fall in love with that wine you know (or think) you won't love. (Rioja, I'm looking at you.) And sometimes the frog-kissing goes on for way longer than you'd like. That's been the case for a lot of this year. (Some notable exceptions will be covered here soon.)
  • Illness. While on Thanksgiving holiday in Europe, a rather violent and ill-timed GI variant of norovirus made its mark while en route between Dublin and Paris. What was formerly-known as the City Of Light is now (and hopefully only temporarily) is seared in memory as the City Of Scratchy Toilet Paper. One measly glass of Lebanese wine the whole time there seemed like sacrilege - at it was.
  • Death. No way to sugar-coat this: my mother died this past week. It's complicated. And, yes, this kind of thing affects taste buds - and writing ability.
Now onto something WAY more deserving of your attention.



Jancis Robinson, a legend in the wine world, and whose Oxford Companion To Wine was a mainstay in preparation for my somm exam 20+ years ago, is the subject of a beautifully-produced podcast. It matters not one iota if you are interested in wine, this could very well be my heartiest recommendation of the year. Richard Hemming, MW, humbly and deftly guides the listener through a lilting narrative journey through Jancis' life. Any casual observer of the human condition will find much to enjoy along the relaxing and intriguing path, littered with interviews with Ms Robinson and those in her orbit. I dare you to not be in a better mood after listening to any of the episodes. 98 points.