|
|
Robert Parker: Vintage Lawyer
by Bitter Success
03:48 AM, March 26, 2009
“I can easily turn off the analytical faculties and just enjoy the wine for its pleasurable, hedonistic qualities.”
Name and current title?
Robert M. Parker, wine critic and founder of eRobertParker.com.
That’s a cool title. But what do you really do? What’s a day in the life of a wine critic?
I have been a full-time wine critic since 1983. It is hard to describe an average day. Approximately three months of the year are spent visiting wineries abroad and in the United States. Of the other nine months, probably a total of two months is spent tasting wines in my office’s tasting room. The rest of the time is spent documenting the tasting notes, writing my reports for my journal, The Wine Advocate, and writing whatever book I am working on for my publisher, Simon & Schuster. I have written 14 books, and a 15th is in the works, which is essentially a new book every two years.
Until I brought on a few colleagues a number of years ago, I tasted a minimum of 10,000 wines per year. Today it is closer to 5,000-6,000 since I no longer visit or taste wines from the regions for which my colleagues are now responsible. My job requires a great deal of discipline as well as very focused tastings—and an enormous amount of passion and energy. More than anything else, my passion and energy, in addition to the fact that wine is so diverse and fascinating, explains how I have survived for thirty years doing this.
Where did you go to Law School? Did you make Law Review?
I went to the University of Maryland undergraduate school as well as the University of Maryland School of Law. I graduated in the top third of my class, but I wasn’t Law Review material.
What kind of law did you practice?
Between 1973 and 1983, I practiced as a corporate banking lawyer, specializing in the Uniform Commercial Code and Bankruptcy Law. In 1983, I retired fully from the practice of law. I worked that entire time for the Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore. This was primarily an agriculture bankruptcy and uniform commercial code law practice.
Did you like being a lawyer?
I never felt totally comfortable as a lawyer, and my primary interest, even prior to law school, was the study of wine and how compelling this beverage could be. While it’s easy to say I wasn’t happy as a lawyer, that’s not totally true. Law school deserves a great deal of credit for the success I have enjoyed in the field of wine. The difficulty of the studies, the discipline required, the deductive way of thinking, and the comprehensive, detailed, meticulous research required of a lawyer have all been applied over the last thirty years in evaluating and studying wine.
In addition, the 50-100 point scoring system for which I have become so well known was used at the University of Maryland Law School. Ironically, I had dinner with the dean of the University of Maryland Law School recently, and she informed me they have abandoned that system. However, I don’t intend to do the same since I believe it makes the writer very accountable, and when accompanied by thorough, meaningful tasting notes, it offers a purposeful guide for the wine consumer.
How did you transition from law to wine?
I was never quite sure how to make a living by writing about wine full time. When I launched my guide, The Wine Advocate, in 1978, most wine writers were actually part of the wine trade, or existed because of the largesse of the wine trade. The idea of an independent publication with no advertising and working separate and apart from the wine trade seemed somewhat far-fetched. I began by mailing out 2,000 free copies of the first issue to wine retailers in the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas, began receiving paid subscriptions, and slowly but surely gained credibility.
When you left the law, what did you drink to celebrate?
I remember exactly the day I left my job as a lawyer to launch into what seemed to be an uncertain career in the field I loved. My wife bought some filet of sole from a local fishmonger, and I splurged on a bottle of 1976 Dom Perignon champagne. We sat on the floor at the coffee table in our tiny apartment outside of Washington, DC, listened to music, savored the champagne, and enjoyed the filet of sole with almonds that she prepared. It was a celebration I will always remember.
Were you always fond of wine?
No. I did not know anything about wine until around age 20. I am the product of a middleclass farming family that never consumed wine, so I was never exposed to it as a young person. Certainly in college I partied, but the drink of choice was primarily beer and strong alcohol.
In 1967, I temporarily dropped out of undergraduate school to visit a girlfriend (now my wife of nearly 40 years) who was studying abroad at the University of Strasbourg in France. She was from a more sophisticated family and insisted that I drink carafe wine at the different bistros we visited. I began drinking wine on a daily basis, and even though they were a lot less prestigious and expensive than the wines I drink today, I found them to be fascinating beverages of moderation that were low in alcohol, complemented the food, promoted conversation, and prolonged lunch or dinner. I fell in love with this beverage, and when I returned to the University of Maryland in January 1968, I started a wine-tasting group at the school. My increasing fondness and passion for wine has led to a long, very successful career.
Are people actually born with a “great palate?”
There have been studies done that show people to have what they call “super palates,” but I have never taken the study and do not know whether I have one or not. I do have a very strong sense of smell, which has remained acute and powerful throughout my life. My father also had a great “nose,” so I probably inherited that. I tend to subscribe to well-known writer Malcolm Gladwell’s theory that there is a 10,000 hour rule, which suggests that after 10,000 hours of doing anything, whether it’s practicing the guitar, cooking, or tasting and studying wine, you become quite competent at what you’re doing.
I had immersed myself in this field long before I left the practice of law and began writing The Wine Advocate. I think part of it is just practice, practice, practice, immersion, immersion, immersion, and trying to be objective and open-minded about the multitude of wine styles that exist throughout the world. That in itself probably explains why most people think I have a great palate. While it’s probably not any better than the average person’s, I have worked harder, immersed myself more, and constantly thought and challenged myself on all aspects of wine.
Is it “work” for you to drink wine?
I actually have a very bipolar view of wine. When I am tasting professionally and visiting wine estates throughout the world, I am very focused on spitting, not swallowing, and I am able to maintain a razor-sharp mentality. At the same time, I love wine as a beverage, and I drink it almost every day with my meals.
I can easily turn off the analytical faculties and just enjoy the wine for its pleasurable, hedonistic qualities. This has never been difficult for me. In fact, when I am invited to friends’ homes, I ask them not to quiz me on the qualities of the wine, as I just want to relax and enjoy it.
How do you think the current economy will affect the wine business?
For nearly thirty years, wine seemed recession proof. Prices continued to rise, demand soared, and wine seemed to be far more immune to the currency exchange rates and various recessions throughout the world. However, that has all changed with the current global economic crisis. We have seen the top, rarest wines begin to retreat in price, although the reduction in price for the top wines is far less than the reduction of real estate and stock values. I do think this is the first major correction in thirty years, and I believe it will continue as long as the global economy is turbulent.
The good side to this is that consumers are starting to see wines that were beyond their reach financially become more affordable. Also, many wine lovers are downsizing to less expensive wines and finding that there are great values throughout the world (such as Spain, Argentina, southern France, southern Italy, as well as less prestigious areas of France such as the Loire Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon).
Any “economical” wine suggestions for our audience?
I think the smart money for maximizing the strength of your wine-buying power is to think of the following categories:
— Malbecs, which are terrific from Argentina and often priced under $25 a bottle.
— There are a lot of richly fruity, value-priced wines made from the Shiraz grape in southern Australia.
— France’s southern Rhône Valley, 2007 may be one of the greatest vintages I have ever tasted.
Those wines, especially the value-priced Côtes du Rhônes, are just hitting the marketplace and are terrific wines to drink over the next three to four years. Most cost less than $15-20 per bottle.
In addition, wines from southern Italy, including Sicily, have improved dramatically over the last decade. There are many great values from these regions.
Other areas include Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays from Chile as well as a bevy of terrific offerings from Spain’s Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes. Spain is an awakening giant, and there are an amazing number of great vineyards and old vines (which tend to produce better wines than young vines) making inexpensive wines.
What should law students buy if they’ve got $12 to spend?
The first thing to remember is that price is not proportional to quality. Today there are far more bargains under $15-20 than ever existed in the past. Even at $12 there are some terrific wines.
In 2009, I would focus on 2007 Côtes du Rhônes from the Rhône Valley in southern France, some of the $12-14 Shiraz or Grenache/Mourvdre/Shiraz blends from southern Australia (the Aussies call them GSMs), particularly from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, and some of the low-end whites and reds from Spain. Believe it or not, you can find remarkable quality at that price point if you do a little research.
If you’re going to drown your sorrows in a bottle of wine, what’s the perfect bottle?
There is no perfect bottle of wine because it comes down to what an individual likes. I have seen people who do not like the great Burgundy and Bordeaux wines, preferring a rich, full-bodied, powerful Australian Shiraz or a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. There are so many great wines from so many different wine-producing regions that the diversity and quality of selections available to the wine consumer is fifty-fold greater than it was when I started in 1978.
Finally, any advice for Bitter Lawyers out there looking to change careers?
The only advice I can offer is what my father gave me: If you are in pursuit of the almighty dollar, you may make a bundle of money, but your psychological happiness may not be guaranteed. But if you pursue your greatest passion, chances are you will not only become very good at whatever that passion is, but by being good, you will also love what you are doing, and probably make a sufficient amount of money to live very comfortably.
To find out more about wine worth drinking, check out Robert Parker’s site, eRobertParker.com.
anime cosplay costume
cheap cosplay costume
free shipping cosplay
Replicas-relojes.net supply REPLICAS RELOJES
REPLICAS DE RELOJES ROLEX
IMITACIONES DE RELOJES SUIZOS LUJO
impact of her shoe lace design in which the female. Christian Louboutin Platforms owns the trademark registrations for the "Christian Louboutin" mark.Therefore,it is over obvious that the disputed domains are confusingly similar to its trademark. Several Christian Louboutin Wedges factory owner can appreciate Li Shumei couple of management,louboutin shoes the promise of high salaries and their kids for the school in Dongguan,Christian Louboutin men is famously known for designing high heels shoe. They recently partnered up with champagne house Piper Heidsieck to launch his own champagne. So now you can drink and wear Louboutins, amazing!
supra shoes
supra skytop
supras
haibing101louis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton sale
louis vuitton handbags
haibing101gucci bags
gucci handbags
gucci outlet
haibing101Chanel bags
chanel online
chanel handbags
haibing101MBT Shoes
Anti Shoes
MBT Shoes Sale
haibing101Coach outlet
coach bags
coach outlet store online
V16bmw dvd radio e53 is 70 years of this century, jointly developed by the U.S. armed forces a new generation of bmw x5 aftermarket dvd and positioning system. aftermarket navigation for x5 use the latest trend is the Bluetooth (Bluetooth) wireless technology, GPS receiver bmw x5 e53 navi. dvd sent over the signal. This x5 aftermarket navigation only needs to receive and process satellite signals, the map display device is responsible for the storage and location of overlap. e53 aftermarket can be used to show you the way magellan gps in addition to bmw e53 aftermarket navigation. As the “only acceptable, do not launch” signal is a x5 e53 navication . it is a major feature, so for the security of the bmw x5 aftermarket navigation system is to aid communication networks and supporting bmw navigation aftermarket to the government vehicle anti-theft GPS device, the cost of providing collection solutions. The aftermarket radio with navigation for bmw x5???? apparatus by receiving satellite signals, the electronic map data, timely control of their own orientation and destination autonomous aftermarket dvd player for bmw x5 mode does not charge any user fees, users can choose according to their need to purchase map data. bmw x5 e53 navi. map database from a variety of channels, the most important source of city government agencies to provide the block database. On a good x5 e53 navigation, map number, accuracy and timeliness of data, are important.
A 20-year-old American youth and friend replica designer handbags , opened a little too small for refinery and, subsequently, he and partner conflict, we decided to sell the factory. Auction price is at $ 500, and soon the price rose up: 1000 USD, $ 5000, 1 million, 5 million ... anyone had 7 million, it was also then 7.2 million.
At this point of youth like replica designer shoes , replica designer handbags , suddenly realized what the firm quote 7.25 million, which was developed by it. No further escalation. Youth is equal to "high" buy back their own refineries, partners do not understand the "madness" of young people.
A few years later, the youth has the world's largest oil refinery. This youth is wholesale designer clothing ,replica designer clothes , the world's first billionaire, United States He after domestic professional school graduation, the job suited to one's special training, replica designer sandals ,designer clothes replica , entered a hotel to work as chef. Studies when the school, he “the kitchen skill” studies well, the result is outstanding. But he does not like the chef, at that time the employment pressure was too big, because it cannot be helped, only then “was compelled” to enter this family not designer shoe wholesale , red hat clothing , wholesale replica mac , big hotel. With the cookbook, the pot bowl has to do all day, he even more cheap designer sunglasses , Nike air max ltd , Nike air max 2009 ,Air max 2010 ,replica designer shoes , wholesle replica handbags feels bored. One year later, he could not endure really, decided to resign from the work, moreover under the determination exceptionally firmly, the family member friend advised against repeatedly also does not help matters.
wholesale handbags and encourage you to think gucci bags discount twice about whether you need a cheap handbags on sale for your shopping, whilst ensuringD&G Bags whoelesale that you are still able to get D&G Bags cheap your shopping home. As always, meeting your LV bags 2010 needs is our priority.Also Burberry Bag on saleavailable are other more durable alternatives, gucci bags wholesale ranging from our fold-a-tote bag to shopping trolleys,Burberry Bag which can all be invested in for longer term reuse.The impact made if everyone used one less carrier cheap Burberry Bag, by reusing existing carriers or gucci bags sale other reusable alternatives LV bags sale would be incredible. cheap Burberry Bag Small actions can make a big difference!
In store gucci bags we also have a wide range LV bags for womenof recycled and energy LV bags on salesaving products that will help you minimise your impact on the environment. These include energy efficient light bulbs, solar panelled garden lights,gucci bags wholesale recycled kitchen and toilet paper,gucci bags sale and eco friendly D&G Bags 210 washing up liquids and powders gucci handbags sale plus much much more...Thank you for visiting guccibagonline.com, where you will find thousands of products offered at incredible wholesale prices. A quick look around our site will reveal our massive range of first-rate goods, handbags an sale.such as Burberry Bag,gucci bags,LV bags on sale,D&G Bags 210 and so on .
For most women, discount coach handbags are their essentialfendi bags ornaments in daily lives. discount coach is not only used to store makeup, food, books and pens, etc. it is also a symbol of women' identity and social status. Every person wants to own the latest replica designer Dior Bags like celebrities have. They can take jimmy choo to attend any occasion and party,Gucci Bags or send to one friend as a unique gift, that DB Bags are the best choice at any time.
Have yοu ever heard of the Burberry Bags? If nοt, I suggest that ou bυy CA Bag of them to have а tr . The Fendi Bagsfrom the Spain's toр fashion handbags are in the rise. The handbags are becoming мore and moгe popular with the Hollywood stars within the several years. If you like to pυrsue the fashion, then Juicy Bags brand ED Hardy Bags is what yoυr necessary. D&G Bagsсan show а woman full of elegant, beautiful fаce fendi handbags.
When comрared to the гeal store,Prada Bags online stores do not inсurhandbagsthe overhead chaгges cheap bagsοn renting a spaсe foг the shop and to hire the sales stаff Louis Vuitton Bagsoг to maintain it.handbags juicy Online stores do not have мany of Chanel Bagsthe expenses οf the real stοre and all Gucci handbagsthese savings are рassed on to their customers in order to stay competitive. Theгefore when we bυy your miu miu replica handbags οr other brand of replica handbags online, the cost will behandbags wholesale relatively cheaper than buying in ouгCoach Bags regular stοres. We can also save cheap Coach handbagsа lot οf мoney on the fuel because we don't have tο jimmy bag leaνe the comfort of oυr homes when ωe shop online.
Most οf the regular discount designer handbagsstores opeгate during the hoυrs discount handbags that overlap with our working hours so it is often difficult to visit these stores while we are at work. coach handbags will neveг be а pгoblem ωhen we use οnline stοres. We сan shop аt any tiмe of the day or night.wholesale coach handbags We сan order οur favorite рroducts at а time that is most convenient to us."