Joe Roberts tasting Lamoreaux Landing rieslings, while John Witherspoon (r) stares blankly
By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief
Photo by Neil Sjoblom
Joe Roberts, also known as 1WineDude in the wine blogging world, was one of the first people to sign up for TasteCamp -- this year and last. He's enthusiastic about tasting wines from around the world and even talks up some of his local Pennsylvania wineries if you corner him (I have).
He's also a fellow Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so he'll continue to be invited to events.
So, without further ado, here is his TasteCamp 2010 Q&A:
Was this your first visit to Finger Lakes wine country? No. I've been to the Finger Lakes a few times over the past several years, mostly as a wine buff!
Had you ever had any Finger Lakes wines before? And if so, what was your impression of them? Yes, certainly those I've purchased for myself as well as a steady stream of samples over the past year or so. Generally, in the past I'd found the rieslings to be really, really, good, the sparklers and dessert wines to be good, and the reds to primarily be not-so-good.
After tasting a larger sampling of the wines being produced in the Finger Lakes, what is your impression now? I was amazed at the quality improvement in the red wines from the area, versus even just a few years ago. The improvement is staggering, really. The rieslings continue to impress, especially those from Wiemer which seem to have handled well the transition to new ownership.
What, in general, impressed you the most? The people, of course -- passionate winemakers and (in some cases woodchuck-eating) grape growers for the most part, and the level of passion and wine knowledge from the bloggers/writers who participated is beyond impressive.
What, in general, underwhelmed you the most? The variable range of quality in the wines not just between producers but also within portfolios made by the same producers. I'm all for experimentation in emerging wine regions, but not all of those experiments should be put on the market because when they're not very good they undermine the perception not only of the individual brand for that producer, but also of the grape growers and the region in general. I was unpleasantly surprised at that quality level variation.
What tasting or vineyard walk was and will be the most memorable for you? Well, I don't see how anyone could EVER forget meeting someone like grape grower Sam Argetsinger!
After so much online interaction with the attendees, which person surprised you the most in person? Wow. Impossible question to answer, so many of the attendees impressed me! I will always keep fond memories of sharing sake on the boat with Richard Auffrey and Richard Schnitzlein during the after-party -- great people, very knowledgeable and engaging; and that sake was out of this world!
If you had to pick one, what would your wine of the weekend be? Another VERY tough question. It's a tie: the 2008 Hermann Wiemer Magdalena Vineyard Riesling for its pure fruit expression, and the 2008 Red Tail Ridge Pinot Noir for its "surprise!" factor.
The caption of this photo is pure brilliance. Poor Spoon, our favorite punching bag.
Posted by: Evan Dawson | May 18, 2010 at 03:01 PM
Poor, poor Spoon...
Posted by: 1WineDude | May 18, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Whoops - forgot to mention: Go Steelers (except for the team members who are criminals)!
Posted by: 1WineDude | May 18, 2010 at 03:33 PM
Glad to see you have standards, Joe. ;)
Btw, cheers to safe and enjoyable Malbec-based travels upcoming. Love that dirt-ball Cahors wine.
Posted by: Evan Dawson | May 18, 2010 at 03:37 PM
I wonder when 'Spoon will notice. We do it out of love, of course.
Joe, I trust that you'll also serve as Remy's bodyguard? Rumor has it that some wineries in that part of the world don't share the affection that we have for the big lug from north of the border.
Posted by: Lenn Thompson | May 18, 2010 at 03:40 PM
That's just me, but I rather see Remy acting as Joe's bodyguard...
Posted by: Julien Marchand | May 18, 2010 at 04:43 PM
Julien, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Remember that.
Posted by: Lenn Thompson | May 18, 2010 at 04:45 PM
Glad to the caption is getting some laughs! :)
Evan and Lenn of course I know the harassing is out of love! Of course, I have a good sense of humor, thick skin, and love you guys too, so I can take it. ;)
Posted by: john witherspoon | May 18, 2010 at 07:58 PM
Remy is Canadian, so by definition that means it is >99% certain that he cannot fight.
As for the dirty Cahors wine - I get the feeling that I'm about to land in the heart of Brett-Land... but trying to keep an open mind! :-)
Cheers!
Posted by: 1WineDude | May 18, 2010 at 08:52 PM