History of Riesling

[Randy Caparoso]

Well, you guys obviously live in a different world from me. In my world, people are screaming for big, lush, well oaked Chardonnay. Of course, we do our part and encourage them to try other things. I'm sure that they'll eventually come around to it.

Still, it's a matter of respect, folks. It's a matter of respect not to ridicule people for their tastes -- especially when it's an obvious minority. Instead, you guys come across like some kind of taste-police. Perhaps not the worst, but still a form of snobbism. No two ways around it.

And besides, who am I -- or you -- to tell people like Mike Grgich, Ric Forman, David Ramey, David Graves, Philip Shaw, George Bursick, Ed Sbragia, et al. that they're putting out crap? Their Chardonnays are like thunder, man, and an art in itself. But try telling them that what they're making really isn't what people like!