Joel Goldberg's Blog
New posts every Tuesday, sometimes more or less often
"NO, THANKS" TO JUDGING
New York wine writers Lenn Thompson and Evan Dawson won't
judge at wine competitions, and urge other journalists to follow
suit. The complaints are valid -- but their prescription doesn't work for states like Michigan.
WEATHER FLIP-FLOP, 2010
So far, Michigan's warm, early-maturing 2010 vintage looks like a winner for red wines -- while California is suffering one of its coolest summers in years.
A "WHAT-IF?" FANTASY
Two high-profile politicians who carried water for Michigan's wine wholesaler cartel lost big in the primary for Governor. So let's take a trip into fantasyland, where politicians do what's good for the state, rather than their contributors.
KNOW A GOOD BYO? PLEASE SHUT UP!
Michigan's consumer-unfriendly laws make most BYO illegal. So publicizing places that quietly allow it doesn't necessarily do them any favors.
Wine competitions may hate the name
Robert Hodgson. He's putting numbers to longtime concerns about judging quality
and consistency.
GUESS WHO CRASHED THE PARTY?
Yes, thank you, I believe I WILL try some Michigan Cabernet Franc next to that '86 Cheval Blanc
OLD MISSION'S CAPE CONNECTION
Mere coincidence that Old Mission's two South African-trained
winemakers grabbed all the awards at the Cab Franc
Challenge? Maybe not...
WINE WRITING'S ETHICAL THICKET
Why does wine writing tolerate murky ethics and apparent
conflicts of interest that wouldn't be acceptable in other areas of
journalism? The new AnnArbor.com is the latest media
outlet to ignore such concerns.
Kalamazoo retailer Stingley believes Cab Franc has the chops to become
our state's flagship. And he's organizing a one-of-a-kind event to help
make it happen.
Wine Calendar 
Ode to the Leelanau Winemaking pioneer Larry Mawby pens a poem about his home
The South Will Rise! Wyncroft's Jim Lester likes his region's future 
