EXPLORE THE WINE BLOG
Wine is a fascinating subject that often draws attention. Some love it; some don't care about it; I live it as a centerpiece of my life. Wine and spirits it have been an essential part of my life for 50 years. So follow my journey, and we will share our vinous exploration.
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Articles | Food, Drink, & Travel
Food, drinks, and travel—are three categories that can be difficult to navigate. My goal is to guide you and simplify the process.. Please join me on this journey, and we can enjoy the road together.
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Let's Connect
Please contact me for any questions. I am available to write stories, taste, and evaluate wines.
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About Wilfred
Wilfred (Willie) Wong’s 50-year wine career includes roles as Imported Wine Buyer for BevMo!, Chief Storyteller at Wine.com, Wine Judge, and Wine Journalist.
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Wine Stories
Wine and spirits have been an essential part of my life for 50 years. I spend plenty of time researching the subject, and over the years I’ve collected stories I look forward to sharing with you.
My love affair with Geyserville
In the summer of 1975, I wandered into the Union Street Wine & Cheese Center and stumbled onto a flight of 1972 Ridge Vineyards wines. My friend Elaine McIntosh was pouring behind the counter, and that was behind the tasting bar, and that is how I discovered the Ridge Geyserville Zinfandels—later to be reclassified as a red table wine giving the winery more flexibility with its percentage of Zin in the blend. A year later, I contacted the winery and sold the 1973s at our family store, Ashbury Market, and my nearly five-decade love affair continues to grow.
A Luncheon with Beni di Batasiolo
In November 2022 with the San Francisco International Wine Competition in full swing, I took a day off to attend a luncheon with Fiorenzo Dogliani, his associates, and members of the wine trade. The respite from judging was well worth it. With a backdrop of the cuisine from Perbacco, Mr. Dogliani featured five single vineyard Barolos from 2013, a reserve from 2012, and an old soldier from 1996. This opportunity allowed all of the guests in attendance to take a slower and more deliberate look at the wines as opposed to the usual “cattle call” crowded events. Here are my impressions and scores of the eight wines that were presented.
From a mom & pop grocery store to the corporate wine world
A wine journey begins with a long look into the future and building a system that gets you where you want to be. At 21, I was ready. Then, when I reached my mid-thirties, I knew I could not remain in my family business, but I stayed patient. Finally, a decade later, I made substantive changes that catapulted me into a new space; I joined the corporate wine world.