Web Links

One cannot live by wine alone. So, I do things besides drink wine. Here are links to some of my favorite web pages....everything from hedonistic home-roasted coffees to palate-searing chilis to exotic fungi.

Robert Parker
There is no more influential critic than Robert Parker. Love him or hate him, he can make or break the financial success of a vintage with his decree. This web site offers an easily searchable database of his notes going back for years; plus, they are continuing to add older notes. There are other articles, restaurant reviews and more. Expensive, invaluable. (www.erobertparker.com)

Alan Meadows
Alan Meadows used to post his tasting notes for free on AOL back in the “old days” -- say, 1995. He would drink 5 - 15 grand crus a night, blowing away the rest of us pitiful imitators posting our own notes. Now he is probably the top dog for Burgundy critics writing in English. He tastes more Burgundy than anybody, Parker included, and publishes his tough-but-fair comments in an online newsletter. Also expensive, but a must for Burgundy aficionados. (www.burghound.com)

Winery and Vineyard Reports
This is a page at the Oregon Department of Agriculture website that contains current and past reports about Oregon vineyards and wineries. Amaze your friends with your grasp of obscure Oregon wine statistics! Put old ladies to sleep at parties! For real wine geeks only. (http://www.nass.usda.gov/or/vinewine.htm)

Wado Kai
I've been practicing Karate off and on for fifteen years. Here's the website of the national organization to which I belong. (www.uswadokai.com)

Free The Grapes
As you probably know, direct shipping of wine to some states is quite "controversial." This advocacy site has news updates and info about the fight to overthrow obsolete laws that restrict enophile's access to their favorite wines. (www.freethegrapes.org)

Mushrooms
Mushrooms and pinot noir go together like almost nothing else. So, I also go out into the woods in the fall and spring to get some. Here's the web site for my local mushroom geeks club. Check out “Bob's Cream of Chanterelle Soup” in the recipe section! (www.cascademyco.org)

Chili Cookoff
These guys sponsor the best chili cookoff in the country, then post the winning recipes. You haven't had chili until you've had a good pot of red ICS style. (www.chilicookoff.com)

Coffee Roasting
I also roast my own coffee beans. Here you'll find all the info, supplies and green coffee beans you need from the best home roaster supply company in the country.(www.sweetmarias.com)