Expand Your Wineblog Horizons

I am continually surprised at the level of creativity and insight that abounds in the Wineblogosphere. Expand your wine blogging horizons and visit a new blog or two.  Jump to the Basic Juice, “Great Wine Blog” links to get a listing of the sweet anarchy that is wine blogging.

This week I’ve added two, new-to-me (though both blogs have been around for some time), wine blogs to my list:  NoBullGrape & Huge Johnson’s World of Wine.  Read the creeds of both sites to get a sense of their approaches to wine...

From NBG:

NoBullGrape is a straightforward discussion about the wine world designed to identify, explore and share great winegrowing locations that are integral to making wine unique. Over hundreds of years, noble grape varieties have proven that they make great wine. Yet, all grape varieties -- both noble and lesser known -- only prosper in certain places. In fact, the air, weather, soil, etc. of those locations have a direct impact on making wines unique. This discussion is committed to these great (and sometimes yet to be discovered) places and the people whose wine brings these places to life.

From HJWOW:

I believe that wine is a beverage that should be enjoyed frequently, alone or with meals. I believe that wine, since it is made from a fruit, should produce a liquid reminiscent of that fruit, not cedar, moss, pipe tobacco, barnyards, manure, pencil lead, or band aids. As such, I believe that good wine can come from any country, but it must be labeled in such a way that the consumer doesn't need an atlas and a wine encyclopedia to figure out what's in the bottle. I believe that the United States should not trail the civilized world in wine consumption per capita and that neo-prohibitionists, wine snobs, and liquor distributors are all joined in a trilateral commission to hinder wine consumption. I believe that wine needs to lose its elitist image by embracing alternative packaging, alternative closures, non-vintage wines, stronger branding, and lower retail prices. I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last........uh....sorry, I got carried away.

My tastes for wine diverge from Huge’s (I happen to dig cedar and barnyard in my glass), but that’s OK.  Wine is a big tent.  There are styles sure to appeal for everyone.  And I do wish HJ had continued to channel Bull Durham and bring the credo home..

It’s obvious from NBG’s creed that the ethos of this blog is the magical mystery that is terroir.  It’s a unique approach that is often overlooked by those new to wine.  I invite you to check out both sites - you’ll enjoy mind-expanding winecentric experiences at both blogs.  Cheers to HJWOW & NBG!