The recurrently "snooty" Wine Spectator

[Bucko]

Okay, here is a shameless plug for my wine reviews column, mainly on the less expensive wines. As many of you know, and for those who don't, I was the New Releases Editor for Wine Trader. Jerry helped get me started in wine writing years ago, then into wine judging, finally into doing new releases for his magazine. He taught me a lot about the wine business, and more importantly, he taught me that there are a LOT of good wines out there for less than $20, basically ending my days as a trophy hunter. I sure do miss him.

Currently, I receive about 90-120 bottles a month as samples, and I was at a real loss as to where the heck I was going to put the reviews, since the future of Wine Trader is so uncertain. I write for the Olympia, WA newspaper, but it cannot begin to handle the volume that I receive.

I called and talked to an old friend from Compuserve days, Robin Garr, and he said that he would be happy to have me do New Releases for his Wine Lovers' Page, which is vying with Wine Spectator as the most busy internet wine web site.

My wine review address over there is http://www.wineloverspage.com/bucko/
I do not like to give numerical ratings to wines, because people's tastes vary so much that it is futile. Wines that I think are really good for the price, I note as good values.

I hope that I do not PO anyone for the plug -- it is just a way to keep a bit of Jerry alive for me -- giving reviews for some decent wines that do not grab all of the spotlights like the cult wines do, but that also do not require a second mortgage to purchase. Hope some may prove useful, which is my whole purpose.

Bucko