My buddy Russ Kane, an indefatigable wine blogger, writer, and all-around good guy, has won this year’s Press Award from the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. I met Russ this past September at a press event hosted by several South Plains wineries, grape growers and Texas Department of Agriculture. After two days of tastings, I was reduced to making comments like, “Hmmm…fruity,” while Russ held forth on acidity, balance, texture, and all those other things guys like me have to fake. He took pity on on me, and we’ve been friends ever since.

Russ paid me a visit a few weeks ago during his North Texas Wine Tour. As we unloaded his car, I noticed a large Rubbermaid container full of books. He said, “Oh, that’s my traveling library.” Yet another reason we get along.

More at: http://byhenrychappell.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-buddy-russ-kane-indefatigable-wine.html