How A Piece About Bordeaux Speaks To A Larger Issue In Journalism

A few days ago The New York Times ran this piece about Bordeaux, and how it's supposedly falling out of favor with young wine drinkers. A few of my friends forwarded me the piece, and wondered what I thought of it.

After an obligatory eye roll, I can tell you exactly what I think of it: I think it's nonsense. More importantly, it's yet another splashy headline aimed at getting clicks and forwards, the currency of attracting online advertisers. This is key, especially when discussing a news organization in the red as much as the Times.

Let's get back to the wine. The article submits that young wine drinkers are abandoning Bordeaux for other French wines, namely because Bordeaux is so expensive. Other wines, such as those from the Loire region and Beaujolais, are less expensive, but they also don't taste the same. Bordeaux is known for being full bodied and complex, and for a lot of people that's exactly what they want with dinner. Other times, though, you may want something lighter, which is when maybe something from the Bandol region might be nice.

To say that Bordeaux is falling out of favor is ridiculous. To hear it coming from a food writer is even more perplexing. Yes, Bordeaux is expensive. So are BMWs, and there are reasons for that. If you want a cheap wine, try a gallon of Yellow Tail, but if you want something that goes well with a steak dinner, a cheapo is not going to cut it. Brodeaux is also not as outrageously priced as the piece might lead you to believe. Chateau D'Arcins has a wonderful 2005 Bordeaux that you can pick up anywhere for less than $25. Chateau Puy-Blanquet, which I often send to clients, also has a 2005 Grand Cru that retails for about $30.

Wines are, ultimately, a flavor. Some you will like, others not so much. I don't like pistachio ice cream, but I wouldn't tell someone not to eat it or that it's not fashionable. The wines of France are a varied bunch, and worth exploring on every level. To compare them as one lump group is doing them a disfavor. Perhaps this writer might consider putting down his Trader Joe's Two Buck Chuck and try some new things.

I have a student in my class right now, a former quant, who often talks about his frustration with the media and how they report financial issues. He also laments sensational headlines that don't really explain the problems clearly, that often treat bankers and traders as, in his words, "mad scientists in a backroom." As someone who put together the formulas that moved our markets, he hopes to write about it with an expert's perspective.

Overall, maybe that's the problem. Maybe the issue these days is not only are news outlets competing for eyeballs on the web -- hence the crazy headlines -- but some journalists simply don't have the background to write intelligently about their beats. There's been a lot of turnover in the industry lately. Someone who was writing about entertainment a year ago might take a business writing gig to pay the bills, knowing nothing about the markets. Everyone needs to make a living. Maybe this Bordeaux piece is just symptomatic of a larger issue across the field.

2005 St. Emilion Wine Tasting

Gary V. is a man after my own heart with his bit about 2005 St. Emilions today. Video below highlights two great ones and one dud. (?!?!)

I also love that he gives a shout out to Chateau Puy Blanquet. I have sent their bottles to clients and I think they've got great 2005s. If I can get my hands on one I also often bring them to parties, if only so that I can sit in a corner and drink it myself.

My Priorities, Always In Order

This is the Bordeaux in question. Totally worth going out in the snow to get it. One of the best I've had in a while.

Agenda, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Who Says Recovering From A C-Section Is Hard?

Pauline and André, originally uploaded by thomasr9.

All I know is that I have The New York Times and the Weekend FT is get through while a 10 pound sack of sugar sleeps on my chest.

And people, where is the Bordeaux that I requested last week? I can imbibe now and would prefer something with a soft tannins and a strong finish.

Other advancements: I seem to be deflating enough that I can now wear my rings and not need lotion to get them on and off. Hooray for small victories.

In About A Week Or So I Can Return To My Regularly Scheduled Bordeaux Consumption

, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

Feel free to send a case or so. Preferably a 2005, St. Emilion, Grand Cru or better.

Push Presents, La Pauline Style

Long before The New York Times thought it was a trend, and the hipsterati, in turn, thought it was bizarre and bourgeois, I thought that Push Presents were the norm. My dad got pretty rings for my mom each time she had a kid, and growing up I though that it was a nice gesture. Don't all men get jewels for their wives for major milestones and holidays?

The way I see it, if I'm going through the pain and trouble of having a baby, it would be nice if there was a trinket or two waiting for me at the end of it all. Most women make the mistake, though, of asking for expensive diamonds and the like. Keep your diamonds for your cotillions and your weddings. Push Presents should be simple and practical, which, incidentally, is the Tao of Pauline: Keep it simple and practical and you'll never disappointed.

On my wish list is:
Baccarat's Psydelic Earrings. I have the matching necklace, which I wear almost daily and get tons of compliments on. I struggle though, to find matching earrings. These would be wonderful.


While we're on the Baccarat kick, I love this Tourmaline necklace. It's simple, but it still has a twist of modernity that keeps it interesting. It's also a large necklace, and I like large accessories.


I could def shove some diapers and bottles in this. Louis Vuitton bags are worth every penny because they're tough as nails and you can run them into the ground. If and when they do break or fray, LV fixes them for you, often for a very low price..


Motherhood is rough. This 1982 Bordeaux would be a nice salve.

A Perfect Night On Planet Pauline

Four deals are closing up this week, which means that I have some time to still for a bit. In honor of free time, yesterday I strolled over to the local wine shoppe and picked up a bottle of a 2005 St. Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux. This stuff is amazing and goes does like butter.


All that work left me hungry, so I picked up a burger at La Bonbonierre, an old diner on Eighth Avenue. You'd be amazed at how well burgers and Bordeaux go together.

Finally, I needed entertainment. On Animal Planet there was an amazing show about baby cheetahs. It's a fascinating show about repopulating the worldwide cheetah population. Go learn something,

Alternate entertainment: Clueless.

...and that's how you have a perfect evening at home, a la Pauline!

I know I've Reblogged Gary Vaynerchuck's Wine Library episodes before, but today's installment is about 2004 Bordeaux. We all know how much I love Bordeaux -- I was even at a tasting at the Alliance Francaise last week -- and I need to spread the Bordeaux gospel more. If it stops just one person from drinking Yellowtail, my work will be done.

As usual, Gary explains the wine well and why everyone is so ga-ga about it.