Editor:

This letter is for Tim Patterson, in reference to his "Cellar Scene" in the April 2006 edition. I liked your article for the thorough research you did. You interviewed suppliers of tannins (and compounds to remove tannins), winemakers and academics. I feel alone on the side of noninterventionists, but I'm a firm believer in terroir. Some of my best wines were ones in which I didn't fine or filter.

I concede that in the world of wine, the desires of the average wine buyer drive the market. If the people buying the most wine want sugar, they'll get it. The popularity of Beringer White Zinfandel attests to this. I'm fortunate in that the winery where I work is small. I don't have to make wine according to the desires of the stockholders, marketing team, focus group or board of directors.

s/ Greg Gove
winemaker
Peconic Bay Winery
Long Island, N.Y.
via e-mail



Editor:

In the March 2006 edition, page 28, in the "Long Island Bets On Merlot " article by Mort Hochstein, the second paragraph says: "Vignerons on Long Island compare their position and maritime climate to that of Bordeaux and grow the same classic grapes-Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Malbec and Petit Verdot."

Something is wrong, if some North Americans classify Chardonnay as a Bordeaux variety.

s/ Elias G. Phiniotis, Ph.D.
wine industry consultant
Kelowna, B.C.
Canada
via e-mail


Editor:

I found your article "What Were Your Best/Worst Business Decisions?" (Thomas G. Dolan, February 2006) very interesting and refreshing.

I am on the business side, and sometimes these (topics) are not highlighted.

Thanks for the article.

s/ Quinton Jay
vice president and
general manager
Artesa Winery
Napa Carneros
via e-mail