Hip Winemaker: Ames Morison
I asked a handful of my favorite up-and-coming winemakers, such as Ames here, to answer a few questions about things I thought readers would like to hear about. Read on for Ames' responses, and check out his winery, Medlock Ames, if you'd like to taste his take on the great world of wine.
Interview with Ames Morison
New Orleans native and former Peace Corps volunteer Ames Morrison powers his Alexander Valley winery with solar power and bio-diesel fuel. His "green" wines are made with sustainable and organic grapes and are quickly gaining the attention of critics.
- best white under $10, hands down?
Dr. Loosen Riesling "Dr. L"
- best red under $10, hands down?
E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone
- your favorite pink wine?
Domaine Tempier Bandol
- fav bubbly?
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame
- fav new "hip" wine region?
Central Otago New Zealand
- a really great glass of wine, to me, is like________
a time machine. It's like reliving the year in which the wine was made.
- best white over $30?
Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Silex.
- best red over $50?
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanee-Conti. I've only tasted this wine twice, but it is really beyond comparison. Sadly, it is quite a bit more than $50.
- best wine you've ever had?
Wow! So many, but I would have to say the Talbott Diamond T Chardonnay. When I drank it for the first time, it made me want to become a winemaker.
- quick advice for the wine novice?
Get to know your local wine merchant. This person has a vested interest in teaching you about wine, and they often derive particular pleasure from finding and sharing the great wine values. Anyone can recommend high-scoring wines, but these merchants revel in finding often overlooked gems.
Taste his wines