Recent content by chaad thomas

I prefer the swoops of the curvier 1st Gen Code 38s to the newer Gen2 chassis design, but I have not used a Gen2 tool, so maybe the proof is in the pullin'! I have used a Gen1 Code38 for years and they work very well, better than any other; I would be utterly shocked if someone as savvy as the...

The 'waiter's friend' type are at the pinnacle for me. Of the cheapies, the Winner is the undisputed king, IMO. Only two truly great corkscrews have existed insofar as I can determine. The lesser of those was the Kershaw Sommelier from the '90s. Beautiful geometry, perhaps the best. The...

I haven't been to Passopisciaro, but I have tasted several, single vineyard Etna nerello mascalese and cappuccio barrel samples that, if the opportunity is there to visit those plots and taste the wine, I think would be a great insight into the terroirs of Etna.

Thanks, Peter!

These are great for restricting pour speed, and I use them for tastings because they really slow the flow, and force people to think about how much they're pouring, which reduce serving size. However, those same qualities make them unsuitable for home use for me, or even sales call use, really...

Peter, Where did you get the Haley's? I'd like to pick up several, but had been hesitating due to cost. Chaad

Pete, Try www.barsupplies.com Also, check out the Haley's Corker on the same site. I've seen several ITB folk over the years using those, and they have the benefit of being less tall than the Tully (or FlopTop), which might be helpful if you're sticking them in a refrigerator or bag.

'98 Vilmart "Cuvee Creation"!!

Tully Topper:

I'd recommend a peppery schioppettino with that, tazzelenghe, or cab franc, especially one from...wait for it...Friuli!

I guess that's a stalling point in the discussion over what to call their traditional method sparklers, as despite my preferred "British Original Method" ( "It's da bomb!") taking in both English and Welsh producers of such, the downmarket association with British Wine might be asking too much...

As I understand it, the dimples are for assessing clarity and color. Because I guess asking the question, "What to get a wine guy for a gift" often results in tastevins, I have 3 now, but the only appreciably distinctive one, and my favorite, has a silver 1839 5 franc coin brazed in the bottom...

What's wrong, that they practice Lutte raisonee, or that they inoculate, or both? The KL site above says they use indigenous yeast, but that fact does not preclude inoculation, does it? I think typically "indigenous yeast" is used analogously to "wild yeast," which itself is typically used to...

Proietti also has his own, eponymous label, and his '07 Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC "Passo di Brecciara" is my favorite example of Cesanese from among the six or so I've tried (which is not many!). I do agree with your assessment of quality being uneven; the problem, I think, is that the...

Hmm. Sounds like I'll stick to Contratto's Asti de Miranda when I want aged moscato. That shit is bangin'.