By Christopher Reed - November 30, 2004
As the corr here, I found a great story about the world's top expert on Bordeaux wines. He's a New Englander American called Bob Parker who's more likely to be seen in jeans and a workman's shirt, than hobnobbing with wine snobs, but he has such a nose and taste for the finest vintages that his recommendations are amazingly influential around the world.
The French love him and hate him -- love because he can boost prices on their best wines; hatred because he could ruin them on a bad season. But also, he has a consumer's passion, and blasts them for their ludicrous high prices. Good story! Good bloke.
At first the Bully hesitated but then, Parker was about to visit Australia and, although he usually avoided interviews from the non-wine press, he agreed to talk to me because he admired Australia's wine industry. It was a great piece -- I called him "Nosey Parker" to illustrate his down-home origins but great wine discernment, as well as resentment in France for his intrusion. In passing I mentioned what I thought was his evaluation of the best Australian wines.
Unfortunately, I had misunderstood Parker (I love wine, but I'm a Brit in California and don't know that much about Aussie wines). In an entire paragraph I mixed up wine labels with winery names -- and apparently coming from the great Parker, this would have been ludicrous.
When the piece was printed, that para was missing. I wondered why, then got an email from Col who explained my mistake, but said he thought the story was still a goodie.
That was all. But can you imagine my relief! He'd saved me a major stuff up, but said nothing, except to me, and still praised me. I imagined how some ambitious types might have exploited it in their favour and against me.
I immediately knew that here was a super journo, a wonderful bloke and a potential friend in any way. From time to time he did help me in modest ways on the mag. But I never forgot him for the Nosey Parker story. Probably it was typical and you will hear other similar stories.
That's my small contribution towards what I know was his great presence in our difficult and sometimes nasty journalism trade. He was a gentleman. A huge absence.
My sympathies to his family -- a tragedy he should die so young.
Christopher Reed in California.
