Oz Clarke Triumphs Over Jetlag

When I invited Oz Clarke,
the prolific and genial British wine writer, to my house to taste some
wines from the Eastern United States, I didn’t want to overdo it. He was
coming fresh from the airport after a flight from London after all, and
the man would be tired.

I needn’t have worried. After more than
30 wines, lots of local cheese and homemade bread, a lengthy meal and a
few ballads, I was the one waving the white napkin of surrender. Clarke
is not only a laserlike palate – he’s a raconteur who has never
forgotten his professional training in theater. That helps him write
entertaining and engaging books about wine, and it gives him amazing
stamina at the dinner table. Excerpts of our discussion about wines near
and far are in my column in Wednesday’s Washington Post Food section. And don’t forget my monthly list of Recession Buster wine recommendations.