Retrospective Review Volume III, Number 6

In the summer of 1982, Volume III, Number 6 offered the following articles: One Winedrinker’s Opinion – A Case For Old Burgundies, Coming Attractions, 1979 Bordeaux, California Cabernet Sauvignons, More 1979 Red Burgundies, Distinctive New Wines, California Chardonnays, Selected Tasting Notes, Barrels and Bottles, and Cellar Notes. We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume […]

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW: VOLUME III, NUMBER 4 (FEBRUARY– MARCH, 1982)

In the early months of 1982, Volume III, Number 4 offered the following articles: One Winedrinker’s Opinion – To Decant or Not to Decant?, Coming Attractions, 1976 Sauternes, California Chardonnays, California Cabernet Sauvignons, Selected Tasting Notes, More 1978 Red Burgundies, More 1978 Rhones, and Barrels and Bottles. We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume […]

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW: VOLUME III, NUMBER 3 (DECEMBER – JANUARY, 1982)

As we began 1982, Volume III, Number 3 offered the following articles: One Winedrinker’s Opinion – Wine Prices Are Coming Down, Brut Champagnes, Sparkling Wines, Distinctive New Wines featuring the great 1978 Chalone Pinot Noir, California Cabernets, Zinfandels, 1979 Red Burgundies, and 1979 Red Rhones. We are currently reproducing  Volume III, Number 3 of The […]

RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW: VOLUME III, NUMBER 2 (OCTOBER – NOVEMBER, 1981)

We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume III, Number 2 of The Underground Wineletter. Also there is a Retrospective Review which has an updated review of each article with commentary on what we got right and what we got wrong. This format will be followed with each successive issue. So Volume III, Number 3 […]

Retrospective Review: Volume II, Number 5 (April – May 1981)

We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume II, Number 5 of The Underground Wineletter. Below you’ll find an updated review of each article, where I will go over what we got right and what we got wrong. We will follow this format with each successive issue. So Volume II, Number 6 will be coming […]

Retrospective Review: Volume II, Number 4 (February-March, 1981)

  We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume II, Number 4 of The Underground Wineletter. Below you’ll find an updated review of each article, where I will go over what we got right and what we got wrong. We will follow this format with each successive issue. So Volume II, Number 5 will be […]

Retrospective Review: Volume II, Number 3 (December-January, 1981)

We are currently reproducing a copy of Volume II, Number 3 of The Underground Wineletter. Below you’ll find an updated review of each article, where I will go over what we got right and what we got wrong. We will follow this format with each successive issue. So Volume II, Number 4 will be coming […]

Retrospective Review: Volume I, Number 5 (April-May, 1980)

We are currently reproducing a copy of the fifth issue of The Underground Wineletter. Below you’ll find an updated review of each article, where I will go over what we got right and what we got wrong. We will follow this format with each successive issue. So Volume I, Number 6 will be coming next. […]

Retrospective Review: Volume I, Number 4 (February-March, 1980)

In Volume I, Number 4, February-March 1980, we began with why the “Underground Wineletter? Are We Terrorists?” In this edition I wrote why we began the wineletter, what we set as objectives and our approach. Then, as now, our interest is in drinking wine and reporting on it’s merits as objectively as possible. We expect criticism, especially when our comments may be unfavorable. But, our only objective is to offer opinion that is constructive and in the end everyone – producer, distributor, retailer and consumer – should benefit. The “Underground” reflects our commitment to be as free from outside influence as possible. As we said then: “This is our battle.” Not exactly the stuff to satisfy Genghis Khan, but we think Thomas Jefferson would approve. And, far away in some remote and well-stocked, sub-celestial cellar, Bacchus smiles, nods approvingly and proclaims “Finally on earth, The Underground Wineletter, Veni, Vidi, Vici.”

Retrospective Review Volume I, Number 3 (December-January 1979-1980)

In this our third issue, Edward Lazarus kicked off with “Woes of a Burgundy Drinker” speaking to the fact that back then a lot of wine was spoiled by excessive heat either in transit or after arrival when many wines were stored in unrefrigerated warehouses. In Southern California, there are many weeks each year when temperatures range between 80-100 degrees. Northern California is generally cooler, but even so, temperatures can reach the same highs. This is disaster for wine storage – particularly Burgundy. Burgundies, both red and white, are among the wines most sensitive to excessive heat.

And, 30-40 years ago, many, if not most, wine storage facilities used by wholesalers and distributors were not refrigerated. So true to our mission we were straightforward with our call “must consumers deal with spoiled wines as well?” Today things have changed as now wines are transported in a temperature-controlled environment to their destination , which is temperature-controlled as well. We’ve made progress and today, thankfully, spoiled wines are a rarity.