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W. Blake Gray

@wblakegray.bsky.social
184 followers 50 following 1.5K posts

Best Online Wine Columnist in the World! 2013 Roederer Award in that category, and they stopped giving out that award immediately afterward. In perpetuity!

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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Excellent article from @EricAsimov www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/d...
nytimes.com
California Wine Producers Are Betting on Good, Moderately Priced Bottles (Gift Article)
Cheap bottles have mostly meant bad, processed wines. The hope is that good wine from well-farmed grapes at a slightly higher price will fill a need.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Was it just a small crop from new vines, or some other reason? I don't know much about the variety but the Campanians told me it's a challenge to grow.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Last night "The Terminator" played before a packed house at the Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco. It was a fairly young crowd and I wondered how many of them work in AI. I heard some laughter early in the film at the depiction of 2029 Los Angeles. But, is it really far-fetched?
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Good luck especially with the Piedirosso. That was a new varietal to me, and apparently it's a challenge to grow, but when it works it's delightful.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Campania has just the kind of wines that consumers today want: three unique whites and even a chillable red. The problem is the region is overplanted with the previous generation's wine grapes: big, tannic reds. Let me help you discover its gems. www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/10/th...
wine-searcher.com
The Four Pillars of Campania Wine | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
Our US editor, W. Blake Gray explores the delightful wines of Campania in southern Italy. Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Tonight I'm planning to see a film that is apparently a documentary from the future. It's called "The Terminator."
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Cinema hot take, re "Digger:" The director won an Academy Award for Birdman, but the movie wasn't actually good. Neither was Amores Perros, which I suffered through earlier this year.
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Reposted by W. Blake Gray
Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 30/09/2026
This is priceless. Check out how local news is reporting on Sen Eric Schmidt’s clown-show grilling of Jack Smith. They found Jack Smith at the game… “Top corner, section 109, row 1. In fact, that seat doesn’t even exist in Atlanta.”
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Joe DiMaggio
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The NYT story about this murder is nowhere near as interesting as this NY Post story. nypost.com/2026/09/28/u...
nypost.com
Slain New York Times exec was in vicious fight with in-laws over being trans, wife tried to pull medical tubes out of his body: court docs
According to court records, McKinsey transitioned in 2010 from female to male. According to the petition, Chen said McKinsey was a “disgusting queer” and a “pervert.”
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Reposted by W. Blake Gray
Randall Grahm @randallgrahm.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Rampant leafroll virus in Napa Valley in the’60s and early’70s maybe partially responsible for those elegant 12.5% wines of the era.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Ted Hall writes an interesting LONG post about red blotch virus, but skips a very important point. In a warming world, ripening slowed by red blotch virus might help keep wines from becoming overripe. ted241.substack.com/p/the-virus-...
ted241.substack.com
The Virus We Planted
Napa Valley’s Next Phylloxera Crisis?
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"Vins de garde" means wine for aging. Randall is on to something here.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I don't have a subscription, so I haven't read the article. BUT living in San Francisco, I use the term "toxic empathy" a lot. It's getting a little better, but we've seen a lot of empathy for drug dealers and shoplifters, and not much for law-abiding citizens.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I agree with this, about wine-focused Substacks/Instagrams etc. But I spent a lot of my career writing about wine for general newspaper readers. I heard from many who want wine demystified. And you're right, they're unlikely to visit a wine content site. It's a largely unserved audience right now.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I'm going to a new movie today about a hit man. Top US jobs, according to Hollywood movies: Police, 50% of population Hit men, 15% Scientists, including mad scientists, 12% Superpowered heroes, 9% Prostitutes with hearts of gold, 6% Pedro Pascal, 4%
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It's not jealousy; it's evolutionary psychology www.realityslaststand.com/p/the-scienc...
realityslaststand.com
The Science of Why Women Hate Sydney Sweeney
Intrasexual competition, guy’s gals, and the vulnerable young men the controversy overlooks.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
We're not the target audience for demystifiers. I wonder what percentage of American consumers would welcome such demystification. I'd guess it's at least a third.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A PR firm sent me a list of the 10 US states with the highest binge-drinking rates. What do they have in common? None are major wine producing states. Wine drinkers tend to not be binge drinkers.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
As a Baltimore Orioles fan, I'm happy for you and a little jealous. This year's White Sox give hope to us all. There has never been a better weekend for you to drink the best sparkling wine you can get your hands on.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Thank you! And congrats on the White Sox. No matter what happens from here, that's a turnaround for the ages. It's almost as if they had a little help from above.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
It's there to keep you awake for the late movie.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I didn't break the story about Artesa being sold. What I DID get right, and I don't believe any other media outlet has yet, is the true identity of the seller. It was sold TO a family-owned company, but it wasn't sold BY one. www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/09/wi...
wine-searcher.com
Wine Country Woes: Crisis or Opportunity? | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
California's recent winery upheavals aren't necessarily the bad news wine story that the media keep pushing. Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This is not a popular position on this site, and that's why I'm posting it here. It IS a popular position among American voters, including among Democrats. Is this worth losing Congress over? www.foxnews.com/outkick-spor...
foxnews.com
Democrat politicians are betraying their own voters on trans sports issue
Jean Chadbourne and other registered Democrats say their party is alienating its own base by refusing to protect women's sports from trans athletes.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
BTW, nice and important article on youth mental health. The pandemic shutdown was a giant experiment in reducing socialization for people at different stages of life. There may be lifelong repercussions that we won't fully know for decades.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I used to write about entertainment and I first published a Top 10 list in my college newspaper. #3 was the very first comment I received. It's fair and accurate!
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
In honor of the New York Times publishing its Top 100 TV Shows of the 21st Century, I would like to share the greatest column ever written about such Top XX lists. I have written such lists myself and have received each of these comments. www.npr.org/2011/12/14/1...
npr.org
The 20 Unhappiest People You Meet In The Comments Sections Of Year-End Lists
Now is the time when critics make their year-end lists. Unfortunately, you cannot please everyone, and if enough people read your list, you will eventually run into these 20 unhappy people.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
www.npr.org/2011/12/14/1...
npr.org
The 20 Unhappiest People You Meet In The Comments Sections Of Year-End Lists
Now is the time when critics make their year-end lists. Unfortunately, you cannot please everyone, and if enough people read your list, you will eventually run into these 20 unhappy people.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
People on both sides of the pond would LOVE to see Harry Kane attempt some NFL field goals. But don't wait too late, Harry. I wanted to see Carli Lloyd kick field goals, but she was already 37 when she tried. Age matters. www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
nytimes.com
Could Harry Kane really be an NFL kicker? The experts are not so sure
The England football legend is sizing up a possible NFL career but the transition is not as straightforward as it might seem
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Signorello went bankrupt and is being sold at auction. Gundlach Bundschu filed for Chapter 11. Artesa is being sold by a private equity group that bought it just 8 years ago. Is this actually bad news? www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/09/wi...
wine-searcher.com
Wine Country Woes: Crisis or Opportunity? | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
California's recent winery upheavals aren't necessarily the bad news wine story that the media keep pushing. Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The NFL fined a player for pretending to drink while celebrating a touchdown. They called this "offensive" and fined him $14,926. The NFL has beer sponsors. I would like to see them protest on his behalf. nypost.com/2026/09/25/s...
nypost.com
NFL’s double standard over 49ers fullback’s ‘beer’ fine leaves bad taste
We’re throwing the flag on the NFL for this one. Unsportsmanlike hypocrisy. And after further review, the ruling stands. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk gestures after a play against the…
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I make an effort to keep track of what all sides are thinking, but that's unique to certain professions. I'm constantly surprised and disillusioned by how people on both sides, because I interview both, completely believe fallacious information because they refuse to look outside their silo
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Polling is more important than ever, but not of candidates. Social discourse is dominated by loud extremists on both sides. Polling on issues allows us the only objective view of what Americans really think. We're on a site where >90% of posters agree on things that most Americans disagree with.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
When I (and others) wrote about the consequences of a US trade war with Canada, I don't think any of us imagined this. Mac-and-cheese-flavored soda? Come on, that is clearly something for people in the Lower 48. If it was for Canadians, it would be poutine-flavored.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Any story that generates 1000 subscriptions to any newspaper in 2026 is good. Folks who complain about clickbait: this is why we do it. If you didn't click on it, and you instead clicked on the serious stories on which we worked for weeks, we wouldn't. x.com/maxwelltani/...
x.com
Max Tani (@maxwelltani) on X
Per a note to Boston Globe staff today, the lesbian bar story generated 1,000 subscriptions to the paper yesterday. The Globe’s managing editor said it was “by far our best performing story of the year,” and appears to be “on pace to shatter all sorts of Globe records.”
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Shortest honeymoon ever?
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Conversation of the day. I've seen the top part plenty of times; many online randos issue similar demands. Haven't seen the retort nearly enough.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Poll: Canadians and Americans agree, Trump was in the wrong with trade war
Americans say President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada aren’t worth higher prices, as Canadians remain in lockstep behind Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Wineries everywhere are struggling to sell wine. In Napa Valley, that has led some wineries to quietly grumble about whether or not they are getting good bang for their buck from Napa Valley Vintners, whose leaders are very well compensated. www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/09/na...
wine-searcher.com
Napa Valley Vintners Faces Questions over Pay | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
Some winemakers have been grumbling that Napa Valley Vintners doesn't offer good value, so what does it offer? Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Some vintners question whether Napa Valley Vintners is providing enough bang for their buck. That's because the leaders of the nonprofit trade association are making a lot of money. www.wine-searcher.com/m/2026/09/na...
wine-searcher.com
Napa Valley Vintners Faces Questions over Pay | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
Some winemakers have been grumbling that Napa Valley Vintners doesn't offer good value, so what does it offer? Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I tried to vote for The Sopranos, The Simpsons and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but they were ineligible because they started before 2000.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Having suffered through a long tasting of a lot of young Barolos, I don't understand why anyone would want to slow down the aging process of that particular wine.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
One good thing about Nikole Hannah-Jones' story about how she used her daughter to project her own political narrative is this: A lot of grownups today will read it and re-appreciate their own parents. My own late mother thought my education was important. Thanks Mom.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Here's a Harvard-Harris poll from August. Useful perspective for this site. Only 17% of Americans have an unfavorable view of the USA -- but they constitute the core of BlueSky.
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Reposted by W. Blake Gray
American Association of Wine Economists AAWE @wineecon.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Global Per Capita Wine, Beer, and Spirits Consumption, 1961–2025
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Truffle is the bacon of mushrooms
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Why, to please users like yourself? I barely have time to type this before muting you out of my life.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
People forget that Biden didn't do open Q&As with the press for his final 2 years in office. But stonewalling the media really dates all the way back to Obama, who was the least press-friendly president in a very long time. So it's a bipartisan thing. Every president hates journalists. Sigh.
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Congratulations Politico! You really couldn't ask for better publicity. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/b...
nytimes.com
Trump Says He Has Banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico From White House
In an insult-laden post on Truth Social, President Trump said he was instituting the ban because of reporting from the outlets that he deemed “fake news.”
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W. Blake Gray @wblakegray.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Be glad you're writing about cocktails. In the shrinking field of wine writing, we've just been told by an awards committee that AI slop is better than anything any human has written.
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