Pinot Grigio imports

[tear wah]

Botofogo/KC Whippet,


1. What specific dirty lowdown practices is KJ guilty of?

2. KJ Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay and has been for years. Many wineries add juice harvested at different brix to blend for a flavor and textural profile. Isn't blending of varietals into a wine legal and common practice? As long as 85% of the juice is the varietal name stated on the label, it can use that varietal name. Are all Cabernet Sauvignons 100% Cabernet, harvested at the identical brix at harvest? I think not. Are all of your favorite chardonnays 100% chardonnay? I'll bet not. ALSO, FYI, Jess Jackson's application to the BATF to require a higher percentage of varietal content to qualify for varietal labelling was vigorously battled by Gallo and others. Why? Jess Jackson's application for a California Coast appellation was vigorously fought by Gallo and others. Why? Do you doubt that chardonnay from Sonoma County is superior to chardonnay gorwn in Modesto? Also, the r.s. in KJ Chard is about 0.7%, this is by no means a sweet wine.

3. KCWhippet, I meant no offense to you by not knowing your gender. I have not begun participating in these forums until very recently. I apologize for any unintended offense that was taken.

4. How long ago was Jed Steele at KJ? Wines and wineries evolve. Please call kendall-Jackson and ask them to send you wine technical data plus a list of their vineyards. If you are still judging KJ by wines they made over a decade ago, you're not being fair.

5. I contend that Jess Jackson is the most ambitious winery owner out there. Ever had Cambria wines? Cardinale? Stonestreet? Lokoya? Hartford/Hartford Court? Verite? Matanzas Creek? Jess owns all of these. Any idea how much he gives to charities? Any idea how many small family farms he supports? Are you aware of his support of the small family winery through the Family Winemakers Group, or his battles with the three tier system to allow interstate direct shipping?

6. Jess Jackson is not the enemy people see him to be. Botofogo, my guess is that you have never met the man and really know nothing about him other than what some jealous or soundly defeated competitor of KJ's has fed you and you have chosen to believe. You're not alone.

7. KJ was accused of adding sugar to its wines by Innkeeper. This is a false accustaion. If Innkeeper meant something else, then he/she should say what he means. Otherwise, your credibility goes down the rubes.

8. Adding sugar was the accusation. I stated that wineries with far higher price tags than KJ add sugar. That is a fact. If Californnia had Burgundian weather and KJ added sugar, would you still criticese them? I think you would.

9. Gallo sells far more cases of products than KJ, no one can dispute that. A discussion of their philosophy and product line sheds more light on the subject than the numbers imply. KJ wines more Gold, Silver and Bronze medals that any other winery. I stand by my belief in KJ's success and position in the industry.