In memory of Daniel Rogov

Very sad news indeed.

Although I was only an irregular reader of Daniel's forum, Daniel always seemed to be a smart, gracious host, and of course, a highly skilled taster. His death is a tragic loss for all of us who enjoy wine.

So many of us knew Rogov only in print, but not in person. I had intended to change that: before Daniel's illness was known, my husband and I had started talking about a trip to Israel. Bob has never been to the Middle East and I had never been to Israel, so what better time to go than while we have a friend there whose ability to open the doors to food and wine would make it the trip of a lifetime? Alas, it shall never be, not like that. I am so, so sad. So how overjoyed was I this morning to find a Vaynerchuk-like video of a solo Daniel tasting and talking about wine. This fills in so many gaps--the voice, the accent, the gestures, the little asides. For any of you who shall also never meet him, at least on this earth, this is perhaps the next best thing. Nine minutes of Daniel, in his own words.

http://www.israeli-wine.org/2011/02/17/daniel-rogov-tastes-kosher-israeli-wine/

Thanks so much for that, Jenise. Two things struck me about it. One was his obvious pleasure in the corned beef. His line about how you don't need to die, just taste the corned beef and you'll get to heaven was wonderful. It was funny how analytical he was regarding the wine while all that went out the window with the corned beef. Second, the "Any wine that makes me smile is a good wine". How much more succinctly can it be said?

When Warren Zevon was asked what he had learned in dealing with a terminal illness, his answer was, "Enjoy every sandwich". I think Rogov knew this from day one.

ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, דין האמת

Jenise wrote:
So how overjoyed was I this morning to find a Vaynerchuk-like video of a solo Daniel tasting and talking about wine

Jenice,

I should post this link to the last video of Vaynerchuk+Rogov. Now that Vaynerchuk vidoes are history (may he live long and prosper), and Rogov is not with us any more (hope he is still smiling at us),
this is an hilarious way to remember:

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2009/02/27/evaluating-kosher-wines-with-daniel-rogov-episode-632/


Eli

Very sad news indeed. Mr. Rogov was a highlight of this site. While I didn't always agree with him, I always wanted to hear his opinion which was always well thought out, well stated, and delivered with true passion. I greatly enjoyed the several discussions we had. I will greatly miss him. My sincere condolences to his family. I feel like we all lost a true friend.

Glenn Mackles

Though my interactions with him were relatively minimal, his graciousness and insight were striking. His passing is as saddening as it is surprising.

Joshua Kates

I collected a bunch of eulogies (in Hebrew and English) here: http://goo.gl/wnDR4. I also posted a number of videos, more for those who never "met" him and some of which were already posted above.

Thank you, Daniel, for your gracious and insightful remarks. It was a joy to read your comments and I'll miss you.

Best
Drew

Sad to hear this... I only corresponded with him a few times, but my memories are of a true gentleman. May he rest in peace.

[James Roscoe]

A truly great individual who reinvigorated this forum. It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to him. He was one of the truly amazing people it has been my privilege to know.

There are few really astute knowledgeable wine critics in our field. He was clearly one, passionate and insightful. Although I never met him, I feel like I did. I wish I had. Regrets.

Thank you, Rogov, for all the times we met in the chat. May you rest in peace.
/Anders

Imagine a food and wine critic in the holiest of lands. The same place were heaven and hell co-exist for many thousands of years.

We are way beyond understanding of the abilities of this great man.

He taught us what no other could – and we are yet to inhale his ways through every drop of wine we taste.

May I live to learn what you taught me old friend.

Wow. I have been off the board for a few weeks now and this is quite a shock. How terrible.

Haven't been around myself lately. I am very sorry to hear this. I often read his posts and of course couldn't fail to notice what a gentleman he was. My condolences to his family and friends.

This is a good life!

I didn't know Daniel, but I often tip-toed over to his space on this great forum, and enjoyed his opinions very much.

So, Shalom to Daniel Rogov.

Coming late to this sad news. Before he moved his forum to WLDG community I came across some of his notes about early wines from Alex Gambal. I had met Alex at the Nantucket Wine Festival (1999?) when he was presenting some of his 1997 wines and Daniel Rogov was one of the early wine critics to take note of Alex's wines.
A great life ended.