Congratulations to Kermit Lynch! Berkeley wine importer and merchant Kermit Lynch will be awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by the French government at a private ceremony next year. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the award is France's highest accolade and is given primarily for military achievements, although 10 percent of the awards are now given for cultural accomplishments. Several Americans in the food and wine trade have won this award, including Julia Child, Robert Mondavi and Robert Parker. Other Americans who have won this award include Leonard Bernstein, Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Gregory Peck and Ronald Reagan. While Reagan and some of the other recipients may be questionable choices, this award is a valuable recognition of the great work Kermit has done over the years to bring great French wines to the American consumer. Kermit is a competitor and in the grand traditions of American commerce I am usually obligated to condemn his work and many of his selections. But, in truth, people like me would not be in business today without the groundbreaking work of Kermit and Robert Haas before him. Kermit fought the fight for the small, quality vigneron before it was fashionable to do so and created a standard that companies like mine look to emulate and hopefully enrich. Most importantly, Kermit brought lots of wine to the American table which never would have made their way here without all his work. Raveneau, Chave, Tempier, Humbrecht, Joguet, Coche, Vieux Telegraphe, Thierry Allemand, Marcel Lapierre and so many others..... Kermit richly deserves this honor and the French government should be congratulated for their choice. I can now go back to badmouthing.....
Kermit ROCKS!!!
Hear Kermit speak! http://grape.tiwi.net/GR-2006-01-02.mp3 |