Wine Reviews – Page 6 – Ward Kadel

Vintners Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Inductees

February 14, 2011February 14, 2011Vinopanion: Ward Kadel - @drXeNoOne Comment

Last November I had the distinct pleasure to again welcome the newest class of wine legends into the Vintners Hall of Fame (VHoF) at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA. The previous year's luncheon and gala for the 2010 inductees were quite the shindigs and so I was very thankful to be invited back as a member of the wine media. The 2011 class of VHoF members is another set of US wine icons and the upcoming celebratory gala should be another extremely memorable night.

The 9th Annual Pinot Noir Summit

February 5, 2011February 5, 2011Vinopanion: Ward Kadel - @drXeNo4 Comments

I'm very happy to announce that one of the coolest wine events of the year is coming back to the Bay on 02/26/2011 with the arrival of the 9th annual installment of The Pinot Summit (Twitter). Spanning three different segments that day, attending the whole Summit gives you access to almost 9 full hours of delicious Pinot and tasty morsels. It is one of the most educational and complete consumer trade events that I've ever seen and it will definitely leave your bellies and brains full of new flavors of and knowledge about Pinot Noir. Best of all?! I've got an awesome contest to win some wine from one of the Summit finalists! More after the break...

A Grahm of the Bonny Doon

January 21, 2011January 21, 2011Vinopanion: Ward Kadel - @drXeNo3 Comments

Earlier this month, the smashingly charismatic founder and leader of Bonny Doon Vineyard (Twitter) wrote an article that got me thinking...again. Randall Grahm (Twitter) is as much a household name as can be found in the wine biz, as the founder, longtime winemaker and quixotic leader of the alternating huge and boutique Bonny Doon winemaking endeavors over the decades. Part devoted vigneron, part Biodynamic cheerleader, part shaman and part brilliantly funny and educational writer...it is difficult to try and put Grahm in a box. Indeed, if you were to try, he'd probably try and find the best, most neglected grape variety in which to grow in that shaded box. One thing that cannot be said about Grahm is that he isn't willing to risk everything in order to find the best place to grow the best grapes.

Clos LaChance, the PGA and the Frys.com Open

November 18, 2010November 18, 2010Vinopanion: Ward Kadel - @drXeNoOne Comment

Clos LaChance at the PGA Tour Frys.com Open

Sometimes wine can take to you places that are just plain cool. Well, cooler than the usual cool things that come with wine...or something. In any case, last month I had one of those experiences where my interest in wine took me to something new: my first PGA Tour tournament, complete with a winery on site. A golfer for the last few years, this understandably had me a bit fired up. Golf and wine!? Heck yeah! After graciously accepting a PGA Tour Media pass, the Lady, Steve and I headed into the Frys.com Open at Cordevalle and Clos LaChance for a day of sunshine, wine, incredible golf and new vinopanions, all along the cart path.

Having trouble pairing Thanksgiving yums?

November 10, 2010November 10, 2010Vinopanion: Ward Kadel - @drXeNoLeave a comment

Le Wine Buff Thanksgiving pairings - EnjoyBordeaux.com

...then let Le Wine Buffs do it all for you! It's that time again, where everyone eats hours earlier than usual, groans, collapses around 7pm and then finishes up the late night with a whole new plate, yup...it's Thanksgiving! I've spent *months* coming up with painstakingly precise food and wine pairings for my portion of this article, literally until all of the skin was...ok, you're right, I didn't. In reality, I sat on the couch and drooled, thinking of all of the super tasty dishes that I had every year growing up, lovingly prepared by my supermom, Mama Donna.