Wine

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    Wine Library TV

  • Dr Vino Visits Wine Library TV – Episode #771

    tv@winelibrary.com (Winelibrary TV)
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:47 pm
    Gary Vaynerchuk tastes some Thanksgiving picks with writer and blogger Tyler Colman (aka Dr Vino). Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version. Wines tasted in this episode: 2007 Selbach-oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett RieslingMosel Riesling 2005 Viking Vouvray Tendre SecVouvray 2007 Michel Chignard Moriers FleurieCru Beaujolais Links mentioned in todays episode. The “Crush It!” Book Tour A Year of Wine: Perfect Pairings, Great Buys, and What to Sip for Each Season Wine Politics: How Governments, Environmentalists, Mobsters, and Critics Influence the Wines We…

  • Wines for a Big Event – Episode #770

    tv@winelibrary.com (Winelibrary TV)
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:29 pm
    Since Gary Vaynerchuk gets so many emails asking about how to pick wines for weddings and other events, he invited celebrity event planner Marcy Bloom to tackle it with him on the Thunder Show. Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version. Comments on this episode(105) Leave a comment › “Not a big fan of this guest, but at least she didn’t get in the way. …” by Phredd “QOTD: The composition of the attendees. Everything flows from that. …” by hasbeen View all 105 › Wines tasted in this episode: 2008 Campuget Blanc Costieres…

  • California Chardonnay Throwdown – Episode #769

    tv@winelibrary.com (Winelibrary TV)
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:19 pm
    Gary Vaynerchuk tastes three serious and highly rated Chardonnays and has some big announcements. Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version. Comments on this episode(194) Leave a comment › “Would LOVE to be able to take advantage of the wine specials, but unfo…” by Dawn S “Long time lurker, coming out AFTER you give something away! QOTD: …” by Paul View all 194 › Wines tasted in this episode: 2008 Brewer Clifton Santa Rita Hills ChardonnaySanta Barbara Chardonnay 2007 Dumol Isobel ChardonnaySonoma Chardonnay 2006 Ramey Ritchie…

  • A Little Update and a Few Statements – Episode #768

    tv@winelibrary.com (Winelibrary TV)
    16 Nov 2009 | 12:45 pm
    Gary Vaynerchuk has a few quick things to say. Comments on this episode(75) Leave a comment › “I can’t see the video, nothing there,…only the title. What a tease!…” by pacw808 “Congrats to the two winners. . .!…” by Chippewamike View all 75 › Wines tasted in this episode:

  • Laid Back Friday with Some 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes – Episode #767

    tv@winelibrary.com (Winelibrary TV)
    13 Nov 2009 | 12:54 pm
    Gary Vaynerchuk is back to the Laid Back Friday couch, tasting some value 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes. Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version. Comments on this episode(470) Leave a comment › “Gary love the show! does anyone know if the blanc ch du pape are also …” by will wilson “THANKS MOTT N GAZ GREAT SHOW. GONNA TRACK THEM DOWN: C DU P 2007. …” by mjr View all 470 › Wines tasted in this episode: 2007 Domaine Lafond Chat Du Pape Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2007 Paul Autard Chateauneuf Du PapeChateauneuf du Pape Rouge Links…
 
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    GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

  • The Wines of Kumeu River

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    9 Nov 2009 | 7:44 am
    Kumeu River Wines was established in 1944 when Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté first came to the small country settlement of Kumeu, about 20 km northwest of Auckland City, New Zealand. When Mick died in 1949, Maté and Katé continued to tend the vines and make the wine. In 1958 Maté married Melba Sutich from Dargaville, whose antecedents also came from the Dalmatian coast. Maté passed away in 1992, and now Melba the couple’s three sons run the family winery and vineyards. Michael Brajkovich, studied Oenology at Roseworthy College in South Australia,then returned to the…

  • In Search of Bacchus – Part 1

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    2 Nov 2009 | 10:04 am
    George M. Taber is author of the “Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the historic 1976 Paris Tasting,” a book chronicling the famous tasting where American wines bested the French in a blind competition. George has also authored “To Cork or Not to Cork: Tradition, Romance, Science, and the Battle for the Wine Bottle,” a book dealing with the most controversial topic among wine producers the world over: how to seal a bottle of wine. Without taking a position himself, George also relates in detail the histories of various closures and the pluses and minuses of each type. The…

  • In Search of Bacchus – Part 2

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    2 Nov 2009 | 10:04 am
    In part 2, we talk more with George about his newest book “In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism,” which cover his visits to such wine regions as: Margaret River, Australia; Central Otago, New Zealand; Rioja, Spain; Douro Valley, Portugal; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux, France; Rhine/Mosel, Germany; and Kakheti, Georgia. Plus, we hear from George about Napa Valley’s current popularity. Click Below to Play the Show: Part 2 Show #251 B (46:13 min 33MB)

  • The Napa Road Show – Part 1

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    27 Oct 2009 | 10:07 am
    It’s always a pleasure to visit Northern California’s Wine Country. There’s so much to see and do – as well as taste and smell. With this in mind, we were quite pleased to accompany a small group recently, and head up to Napa and Sonoma to visit to with some familiar wineries; plus, we were able to make some new friends along the way. Join us as we visit with Mary Rocca and Eric Grigsby of Rocca Family Winery, as well as their winemaker, Paul Colantuoni. We’ll also visit with John Komes and Sean Garvey to see what’s happening at Flora Springs, and then talk with Todd Graff…

  • The Napa Road Show – Part 2

    GrapeRadio Bunch
    26 Oct 2009 | 10:38 pm
    In part 2, we sit down with Randy Lynch and Rob Hunter to hear more about Bennett lane Winery in the Calistoga area of Napa Valley. Then, we’ll head west up over the Mayacamas Mountains to Sonoma County and visit with winemaker George Bursick at J Vineyards and Winery. And finally, we talk with Kimberly Pfendler and her winemaker Greg Bjornstad about bringing their efforts to fruition at Pfendler Vineyard in the famed Petaluma Gap. Click Below to Play the Show: Part 2 Show #250 B (49:35 min 36MB)
 
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    Vinography: A Wine Blog

  • 2003 Descendientes de J. Palacios "Moncerbal," Bierzo, Spain

    17 Nov 2009 | 11:49 pm
    This is one of those wines that I live for. The kind that begins with an unknown bottle thrust in front of me by a friend with a twinkle in their eye, and ends with a profound memory of taste that becomes one of those moments that wine lovers cherish. Such wines are not common, at least not for me, but they are what keep me passionate about drinking and writing and enjoying the world of wine. Occasionally still described by romanticizing writers as "off in a forgotten corner of Northwestern Spain," the winegrowing region of Bierzo can no longer be described as truly unknown. While it remains…

  • What's Next? Wine Labels in Jive?

    15 Nov 2009 | 9:51 pm
    I haven't stopped chuckling this evening since I read a post on Spittoon.Biz, a long running wine blog run by Andrew Barrow over in the UK. About a week ago he reported on the latest marketing efforts by a national supermarket chain to make sure the wine labels on their wines were readable by all their clientele (UK supermarkets often bottle and label their own wines from around Europe). These efforts involved something quite straightforward: translating the back labels of the wines into different languages. Except the languages they translated them into are some of the local dialects of the…

  • Vinography Images: Golden Globes

    14 Nov 2009 | 2:31 pm
    Golden Globes Andy's close-up images of grapes are really special. The translucency of the skin with the light shining through reminds me that each berry is this tiny little body, with its own anatomy and structure. Each golden globe is a complete system, a little planet unto itself. -- Alder Yarrow INSTRUCTIONS: Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting "save link as" or "save target as" and then select the desired location on your computer to save the image. Mac users can also just click the image to open the full size view and drag that to their desktops. To set the…

  • Wine Education as Big Business

    13 Nov 2009 | 9:45 pm
    In an already crowded field of certifications for wine knowledge, add one more: the Parker & Zraly Wine Certification courtesy of Robert Parker and Kevin Zraly. While no doubt well intentioned and likely to be filled with good questions (Kevin Zraly is a renowned wine educator) it's hard not to see this as more than yet another revenue stream in the Robert Parker empire. Did the world need another wine certification? I'd argue no, but who knows. Perhaps people will flock to this one, especially considering the barrier to entry is so low. The first set of eight exams costs $30 apiece, or…

  • Just Where Is That Winery, Exactly?

    12 Nov 2009 | 9:41 pm
    I'm in the middle of a book project. I've agreed to write a chapter in a big wine book that will cover all the major wine regions of the world and the top producers in each region. My area of responsibility will be Sonoma and Marin counties, which the book is combining into a single section. I'm enjoying the process of thoroughly combing through the region's wineries to select the several hundred that I get to highlight in the book, but in the process I'm running up against a conundrum. My charter is quite simple: list a bunch of Sonoma and Marin wineries. But the difference between the…
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    Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog

  • I Should Have Drunk Bad Wine

    Tom Wark
    17 Nov 2009 | 11:10 pm
    I think it's one thing for America's alcohol wholesalers to selfishly and arrogantly take control of state legislatures and cripple consumers' beliefs that their demand is honestly assessed by suppliers and met for the sake of consistency with basic economic laws, all for the sake of multiplying their power, wealth and control of a huge swatch of the American economy. After all, that's business...of a sort.But no matter how ugly the state-mandated three tier system can get, it's not nearly as ugly and damaging and immoral as the work of America's entertainment industry…

  • The Big (wine) Lie

    Tom Wark
    17 Nov 2009 | 10:08 am
    “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”JOSEPH GOEBBELS, Propaganda Minister Under Adolph HitlerCollectively, American alcohol wholesalers act very much like Nazi leader Joseph…

  • A Bad Wine Saga Ends!

    Tom Wark
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:57 pm
      On October 15, 2005 more than 6 million bottles of wine stored at the Wine Central Warehouse in Vallejo were destroyed when Marc Anderson, a Sausalito, California business man set fire to the warehouse in order to destroy evidence of earlier crimes.Entire inventories of wineries productions were destroyed as almost 100 wineries kept their inventories in the warehouse. In some cases, historic library collections of important California wineries were destroyed by heat damage. For the Northern California wine industry, Anderson's self-serving, desperate act was a devastating…

  • Integrity—Bloodied and Scarred

    Tom Wark
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:56 am
    I tend to talk a loud game here at Fermentation about the corruption that surrounds the politics of wine distribution. I tend to accuse politicians of being in some people's pockets on the issue of the three tier system. But rarely do I have the opportunity to point my readers to an example of integrity so obviously bloodied and scarred by bald faced corruption. Allow me.Late last year, the state of Michigan lost a court battle in which they vigorously defended their discrimination against out-of-state wine stores. Michigan allowed in-state wine stores to ship wine to Michiganders. It…

  • Can I Beg A Dose of Common Sense?

    Tom Wark
    10 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am
    The American legal system really is a mess. Whether it's the reluctance of the two parties in congress to address nominees for various federal courts or the constant tort claims, it seems that justice comes at an obscenely slow pace.One of the reasons, however, that justice is often very slow in coming is due to the various lawsuits that are filed that truly seem meritless, a nuisance and meant merely to aggrandize the lawyers filing the complaint.Take for instance this lawsuit recently filed against Beverages & More that claims their "5 Cent Sale" is deceiving. In the Wine…
 
 
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    Serious About Wine

  • Guglielmo Winery

    Mike Carter
    18 Nov 2009 | 3:54 pm
    “Established in 1925, Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill was in need of a brand overhaul. They approached Autograph Creative to take a holistic approach and provide brand consultancy with the aim of better positioning themselves within the industry. The process required an intimate approach and complete transparency about their current positioning and where they needed to be in the future. This detailed approached led Autograph to accentuating their biggest asset – their heritage – and adding a considered modernity to the three brands of wines. Emile’s Table Wine became Emile’s…

  • Wine search engine uses animation to visualize aromas

    Mike Carter
    17 Nov 2009 | 3:10 pm
    Billed as a ‘virtual taste search engine’, Aromicon lists thousands of wines categorised by every imaginable detail. Wines can be browsed by region, grape variety or food pairing, as well as searched by keyword. There’s also the option to browse according to taste, featuring a huge range of subtleties to satisfy the requirements of the most practiced palette—everything from ‘kiwi’ and ‘butter’, to peculiarities like ‘animal’ and ‘blood’ (luckily you can opt to exclude those). Although the site is in German, it’s almost…

  • Skylark Wine

    Mike Carter
    16 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pm
    A new range of wines designed by Inhouse Design for the New Zealand market. These labels showcase the beautiful illustrations of Hello Von, a London based illustrator. Source :: Packaging of the World Share This

  • Zuniga Wines

    Mike Carter
    15 Nov 2009 | 3:15 pm
    Zuñiga is the dream of Eduardo Molina – a 43 year old ex-bank manager with a passion for wine making, who inherited a small winery on the highlands of Barquisimeto in Venezuela. Eduardo asked Bulldog to help him conceptualize the brand around his unique vision and to develop presentation materials that would excite, inspire and ultimately, move investors to become stakeholders in his venture. Bulldog delivered a solution that included a situation analysis and strategic brief for Zuñiga. This served as inspiration for the development of visual recognition elements, including packaging for…

  • Director’s Wine

    Mike Carter
    14 Nov 2009 | 3:15 pm
    New work by Sfaustina for Francis Ford Coppola’s Director’s Wine. Source :: www.thedieline.com Share This
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    The Wine Collector

  • Fine wine prices continue to rise; driven by Asian demand

    Steve Bachmann
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm
    WinePrices.com's wine price indexes continued to rise strongly in October based on 14 auctions worldwide, three of which were in Hong Kong. Of US$25.8 million in proceeds from these auctions, US$13.2 million or 51% was spent in Hong Kong. The top three most actively traded fine wine indexes were up 8%-14% in October after increasing 9%-12% in September.  These indexes are up a stunning 44%-64% year to date.  Wine investors with the stomach to have invested when the economic outlook was bleak are now being amply rewarded.See below for a table of key stats on all of the indexes…

  • Fine wine flash sales

    Steve Bachmann
    11 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am
    A "flash sale" is a generic term applied to limited time (typically 24 to 48 hour) sales featuring a single item, or modest number of items from a single brand or small group of brands, typically at 50%-70% off suggested retail prices.  One of the most well known players in this category is Gilt Groupe, which focuses mainly on "premier fashion and luxury brands."  They have been so successful that numerous competitors have emerged and the selling methodology has spread to other product categories, including wine.  Recent entrants in the wine space include…

  • Stamping out wine counterfeiting

    Steve Bachmann
    9 Nov 2009 | 5:05 pm
    The counterfeiting of any item is more likely when two conditions exist:The item is substantially more valuable than the cost to fake it.The identification of fakes is difficult or inherently subjective.Unfortunately, fine wine easily satisfies both conditions. E.g. counterfeiters can refill empty authentic bottles or digitally print almost any label at low cost.  Identification of fake wine is more of an art form using various clues instead of based on an objective assessment.Authenticating fine wine - What mattersWhat ultimately matters is the wine itself - not the label, bottle, or…

  • New access to mainland Chinese wine market from Hong Kong

    Steve Bachmann
    4 Nov 2009 | 3:17 am
    At the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Wine Fair today, John Tsang, Financial Secretary (on right in photo), announced an important step towards streamlining access to the Mainland Chinese wine market: "I am pleased to tell you that we have just reached agreement with the Mainland Customs to provide customs facilitation measures for wine exported from Hong Kong to the Mainland. We are also discussing with their food safety department, the Administration of Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, to see if we can introduce even further measures." At a later session,…

  • The ultimate book of luxury wine cellars

    Steve Bachmann
    25 Oct 2009 | 5:31 pm
    I don't review many books on this blog but Living with Wine by Samantha Nestor was too tantalizing to pass up.  What wine collector wouldn't want a voyeuristic photographic tour of some of the most luxurious, tasteful, "high design" wine cellars in the U.S.?  After all, how could you possibly design a better one than your friends if you don't have sufficient examples to stimulate how high to set your standards?"Wow" cellars Living with Wine showcases 30 cellars in 256 pages including associated tasting rooms, storage areas, and some perspective from…
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    EveryJoe » Drinks

  • It’s Getting Hot (Toddy) in Here

    Brittany Dow
    29 Oct 2009 | 2:22 pm
    What are you doing for Halloween? Are you going to be sitting on your porch in that zombie costume (that your girl hates) waiting to scare the neighborhood kids? Are you throwing a party that is bound to have scantily clad witches, nurses, and go go dancers? Or are you planning to t.p. your bosses house? Either way each scenario involves cold temperatures. What better way to stay warm then with some festive cocktails. The babes at your party will be more then pleased because we all know booty shorts aren’t exactly fall attire. Image Credit: istockphoto Below are some recipes intended to…

  • Agwa de Bolivia but without the Cocaine

    Amy Tucker
    28 Oct 2009 | 7:45 pm
    I like “weird” spirits. The stuff that most people have never heard of and the stuff that’s maybe a bit hard to find at the corner liquor store is my cup of…well…booze. When I say weird, I don’t mean that in a bad way; I mean it in the nicest way possible. Maybe I should say “different” or “off the beaten path” but weird just seems to work the best. Agwa de Bolivia is a liquor made of coca leaves and in my book, that makes it a “weird” liquor. Before you go searching for a bottle of the green stuff to get high on cocaine,…

  • Root

    Amy Tucker
    23 Oct 2009 | 8:01 pm
    Twitter is a wonderful thing and if you’re not on Twitter, then what are you waiting for? Some will tell you that no one wants to hear about what you’re having for lunch, and while that might be true, you also have an entire world of people and companies to connect with and I think that makes for a pretty awesome thing. Today, a friend of mine on Twitter sent me a link to this new spirit that he had heard of: Root. Go and read Trey Popp’s article. It’s a good one and I’ll wait here. But come back, OK? I’ll miss you! Alrighty. I am no lover of root beer but…

  • Rafaga Recipe

    Amy Tucker
    18 Oct 2009 | 7:00 pm
    A quick word of caution about this drink: this drink involves FIRE. The kind of fire that will BURN you. [Is there any other kind?] My suggestion to you is to try this recipe at your own risk and have a fire extinguisher around just to be on the safe side. Good luck. Rafaga Ingredients: 1/2 oz Dos Lunas Reposado Tequila 1/2 oz Green Mint-Flavored Liqueur 1/2 oz Italian Anise-Flavored Liqueur Directions: These directions are reproduced here exactly as they were emailed to me by Dos Lunas since I don’t want to go monkeying around with something that could really hurt you. The traditional…

  • Port-A-Pint: Put a Pint in Your Pocket

    Amy Tucker
    15 Oct 2009 | 5:46 pm
    Have you ever gone to a party only to find that all of the party cups ran out just before you made your way to the keg? Of course, you could always resort to the tried and true keg stand, but if you’re wearing a skirt…well…that’s probably not such a great idea. Trust me. Now, to your cupless hands’ rescue comes Port-A-Pint which promises to make sure that you always have a cup handy for your favorite frosty beverage. How has no one thought of this before?! Image|Neatorama Post from: EveryJoe Port-A-Pint: Put a Pint in Your Pocket
 
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    Food & Wine: Articles

  • Weekly Meal Planner: December 26, 2009-January 1, 2010

    17 Nov 2009 | 5:09 pm
    Sign up for the Dish, F&W’s free twice-weekly newsletter, for our weekly meal planner. E-mail: 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 Saturday, December 26 Daily Menu Greek Baked Pasta (left) Greek Salad Broccoli, Shiitake and Red Onion Roast Crusty Bread Chocolate-Hazelnut Baklava Sunday, December 27 Daily Menu Lamb Chops with Parsnips (left) Braised Green Beans with Tomatoes and Garlic Green Salad with Nutty Vinaigrette Maple Custards with Sugared Pecans Monday, December 28 Daily Menu Smothered …

  • Weekly Meal Planner: December 19-15, 2009

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:56 pm
    Sign up for the Dish, F&W’s free twice-weekly newsletter, for our 2009 weekly meal planner. E-mail: 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Saturday, December 19 Daily Menu Choucroute Garnie (left) Boiled potatoes Steamed Leeks with Mustard–Shallot Vinaigrette Tarte Tatin   Plus: 12 Days of Holiday Baking Sunday, December 20 Daily Menu Meat Loaf with Red Wine Glaze (left) Roasted Broccoli with Lemon, Pine Nuts and Basil White Beans in Tomato Sauce Lemon Pudding Cakes   Plus: 12 Days of …

  • Weekly Meal Planner: December 12-18, 2009

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:38 pm
    Sign up for the Dish, F&W’s free twice-weekly newsletter, for our 2009 weekly meal planner. E-mail: 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Saturday, December 12 Daily Menu Lasagna-Style Baked Pennette with Meat Sauce (left) Salad of Mixed Greens with Mushroom Vinaigrette Smoky Kale and Olives Frozen Chocolate-Chip Meringata Sunday, December 13 Daily Menu Lentil and Swiss Chard Soup (left) Watercress and Cucumber Salad with Creamy Sherry Vinaigrette Crusty Bread Deep, Dark Chocolate Pudding Monday, …

  • Weekly Meal Planner: December 5-11, 2009

    17 Nov 2009 | 3:20 pm
    Sign up for the Dish, F&W’s free twice-weekly newsletter, for our 2009 weekly meal planner. E-mail: 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Saturday, December 5 Daily Menu Osso Buco with Citrus Gremolata (left) Mushroom Orzotto Mixed Greens with Olive Vinaigrette Rustic Pear and Hazelnut Crostata Sunday, December 6 Daily Menu Kibbe in Yogurt Sauce (left) Parsley Salad with Pine Nuts and Lemon-Tahini Dressing Buttery Couscous Monday, December 7 Daily Menu Ham, Soppressata and Two-Cheese Stromboli (left) …

  • Weekly Meal Planner: November 28-December 4, 2009

    17 Nov 2009 | 3:09 pm
    Sign up for the Dish, F&W’s free twice-weekly newsletter, for our 2009 weekly meal planner. E-mail: 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 Saturday, November 28 Daily Menu Spiced Smoked Ham with Mango-Cranberry Chutney (left) Butternut Squash-Polenta Gratin Chipotle and Tamarind-Braised Collard Greens Coconut Pavlovas with Tropical Fruit Sunday, November 29 Daily Menu Eggplant and Potato Curry (left) Steamed white rice Monday, November 30 Daily Menu Chicken Cutlets with Green Olive and Currant Pan Sauce …
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    Intoxicating Prose

  • Cutting Cheese on Moxon Street

    Douglas Blyde
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 am
    ‘All top gastronomy writers survive on Milk Thistle – you really must start taking it,’ advised Dacotah Renneau, the venerable PR from leading Prosecco producer, ‘Bisol’. In addition to Mark Hix’s tenderly cured salmon, Richard Haward’s fragrant native oysters and La Fromagerie’s artisan cheeses, Dacotah’s tall flutes offered revitalisation. They helped untangle the tightly-bound cliques of food

  • Roasting Guests

    Douglas Blyde
    18 Nov 2009 | 2:32 am
    THERE is, as the adage goes, no such thing as a free lunch. Owing to the intensity and expectation of organisers, I found a recent meal at Borough Market’s British restaurant, ‘Roast’ occasionally hard to digest.Invited by England’s largest wine producer, ‘Chapel Down’, who are based in picture postcard, Tenterden, Kent, seven professionally-inclined foodie carrier pigeons were sat strategically.

  • Lisbon, Part Three

    Douglas Blyde
    13 Nov 2009 | 9:17 am
    UNLIKE the majority of summits and symposiums, Bacchus’ ferment was a constant bedfellow at the European Wine Bloggers Conference. Held at the ‘VIP’ Grand Lisboa, an angular, orange pen for drab suits, with pebbly feng shui bits and a bar menu boasting ‘bee fillet’ (the sting was in the price) I hope our conference room made other guests jealous. Pallets of crystal glasses stretched across

  • Off the Rails

    Douglas Blyde
    10 Nov 2009 | 1:40 am
    PRESSED against the tinny fuselage of train number two – the Metro – we darted under Paris from the elegant Gare du Nord to jagged-looking, ‘Fritz Lang’ like hell, Gare Montparnasse. Our next transport, announced by a hectic, tick-ticking departures board, would cut to Basque border town, Irun, best known for a festival which recreates the Peninsula War. With perfect timing, the TGV slipped the

  • Dawn Bubbles

    Douglas Blyde
    9 Nov 2009 | 6:47 am
    ANDREW, author of ‘Spitton.biz’ forced me to go to the wine bloggers conference in Lisbon. I’ll be honest – the idea of actually paying to take a seat amidst 150 self-important, klaxon-loud alcoholics held all the appeal of acupuncture through the heart (which I suffered last week). He dressed it up, of course. We would start at St. Pancras Champagne Bar and then weave through four countries on
 
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    El Bloggo Torcido - Twisted Oak Winery

  • El Jefe on Good Day Sacramento!

    El Jefe
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:57 pm
    OK, this better work! http://gooddaysacramento.com/?articleID=63780 Posted via email from twisted oak winery

  • OK this is too early. Getting ready for my 8am on Good Day Sac.

    El Jefe
    20 Nov 2009 | 6:43 am
    sent from El Jefe's small annoying device Posted via email from twisted oak winery

  • Pouring tonight at Best of Sacramento

    El Jefe
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:57 pm
    sent from El Jefe's small annoying device Posted via email from twisted oak winery

  • Didn't I see that in the Paris catacombs?

    El Jefe
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:57 pm
    sent from El Jefe's small annoying device Posted via email from twisted oak winery

  • Links to all CULINARY CLUCK entries!

    El Jefe
    13 Nov 2009 | 6:09 pm
    Grilled Chicken Breast on Foccaciahttp://twistedoak.posterous.com/culinary-cluck-entry-grilled-chicken-breast-oArroz al Horno http://twistedoak.posterous.com/culinary-cluck-entry-heidi-pickmanRub and Jerk Chickenhttp://twistedoak.posterous.com/culinary-cluck-entry-rub-and-jerk-chicken Most Wanted Chickenhttp://twistedoak.posterous.com/culinary-cluck-entry-most-wanted-chicken-or-rChicken Chili Relleno Casserole http://twistedoak.posterous.com/culinary-cluck-entry-chicken-chili-relleno-ca Posted via email from twisted oak winery
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    The Pour

  • Guilty Plea in Multimillion-Dollar Wine Arson

    By ERIC ASIMOV
    18 Nov 2009 | 2:12 pm
    A wine entrepreneur pleaded guilty today to setting a fire at a California wine storage facility that destroyed some six million bottles, valued at from $100 million to $400 million.

  • False Demons

    By ERIC ASIMOV
    17 Nov 2009 | 3:04 pm
    In "Liquid Memory: Why Wine Matters, '' Jonathan Nossiter says wine is a battleground of good against evil. It's not.

  • The Roots of Fine Wine

    By ERIC ASIMOV
    13 Nov 2009 | 9:55 am
    Is wine from grapes grown on ungrafted vines like cheese made from unpasteurized milk?

  • Six Years of Thanksgiving Wisdom

    By ERIC ASIMOV
    9 Nov 2009 | 2:47 pm
    The distilled wisdom of six years of Thanksgiving wine tastings.

  • Vintage Baseball

    By ERIC ASIMOV
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:12 am
    Some baseball announcers are like fine wine, others are like plonk.
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    Wine Camp Blog: a points-free zone

  • Links for 2009-11-19 [del.icio.us]

    Craig Camp
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    Built on the Cornerstone « Wannabe Wino Wine Blog Wannabe Wino reviews 2005 Cornerstone Cellars Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

  • Cabernet Colors - November in Yountville

    Craig Camp
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:36 am
    Cabernet Colors - November in Yountville Posted via email from Wine Camp Blog/Posterous Edition

  • Fall colors - Napa November

    Craig Camp
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:35 am
    Fall colors - Napa cabernet vines near Yountville on a November morning. Posted via email from Wine Camp Blog/Posterous Edition

  • Last harvest - Cabernet vines ripped out after harvest 2009

    Craig Camp
    12 Nov 2009 | 9:05 am
    Last harvest - Cabernet vines ripped out of a Yountville vineyard after harvest 2009. Posted via email from Wine Camp Blog/Posterous Edition

  • Ripasso

    Craig Camp
    9 Nov 2009 | 1:03 pm
    Smooth. Is there a smoother red wine made than Valpolicella? Add a touch of ripasso richness and you get a great wine bargain. Ripasso, the process of adding the pressed grapes from Amarone to Valpolicella causing it to referment, elevates Valpolicella from a lovely everyday wine to one worthy of special occations. The 2006 Capitel della Valpolicella Ripasso from Montrasor is such a wine. Ripe, round and velvety without a touch of heaviness, it delivers an excellent wine at a very fair price - under $20.
 
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    Blisstree » Recipes

  • Homemade Candy Corn

    Heather R.
    29 Oct 2009 | 11:08 am
    I never really would have thought you could make your own candy corn at home until one of my family members sent me a link with instructions. She knows how much I love candy corn so being able to make my own at home might be trouble! Your candy corns won’t look the same as the ones you buy at the store, and they do taste a little different (the store bought are usually flavored with honey) but that’s ok — you’ll still impress your family, kids and friends when you present them with these! Homemade Candy Corn from suite101 2-1/2 cups of powdered sugar 1/3 cup nonfat…

  • Homemade Donuts

    Heather R.
    28 Oct 2009 | 8:29 am
    I don’t know why, but we always have donuts with our chili for Halloween dinner. I can’t figure out how a sweet pastry was paired up with a bowl of hot chili, especially since the kids leave for trick or treating not long after anyway! Though ours were always store-bought when I was growing up, I think this year I’m going to make my own. That way I can also have some fun with the glaze or sugar by adding some orange or black food coloring for the kids to dip the donuts into. If you don’t feel like going to the trouble of waiting for dough to rise but still want…

  • Unique Looking Serving Bowls From MoMA

    Dexie Wharton
    28 Oct 2009 | 7:57 am
    Babyboop sounds like a strange name for a bowl, doesn’t it? Well that’s exactly the name of this divided-pod looking bowl with 4 compartments. Babyboop Bowl is an elegant looking stainless bowl perfect for casual cocktail parties with a few friends on a Friday night or during weekends. The bubble-like section could hold finger snacks like nuts, wrapped candies and such. The size opf Babyboop bowl is approximately 12w x 8d x 1.5″h. You can find it at MoMA store for $100 for non-members and $80 for members. If you’re looking for handmade porcelain serving bowls, check…

  • Take-Out Antipasto

    Dexie Wharton
    27 Oct 2009 | 6:02 pm
    Last Friday, which is usually our take-out pizza day, the Husband came home with a box of pizza, wings, garlic bread and a plate of antipasto. That last one was a surprise. It has been a while since I’ve actually started a meal of pizza and wings with antipasto. Antipasto is a serving of different kinds of cured meats, olives, peppers, marinated vegetables, and cheeses. Sometimes there are also anchovies, and toasted bread. The are other additions which really depends how authentic the restaurant or the person serving it wants it to be. Antipasto is a plate of goodness that…

  • Overnight Oatmeal

    Heather R.
    27 Oct 2009 | 9:43 am
    One of my favorite ways to take care of breakfast for my family is to have it either prepped and ready to go by morning, or to have it completely done by morning. I especially like things like cinnamon rolls that can hang out in the fridge overnight before being put in the oven first thing in the morning, and I love doing oatmeal in my slow cooker during the night as well. The most important thing to keep in mind when you’re leaving the slow cooker on when you’re sleeping is to make sure there is absolutely nothing around it that’s flammable. When I had a smaller slow cooker…
 
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    JancisRobinson.com

  • Tesco - a store audit (Tasting articles)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Tesco enjoys that peculiarly English distinction of being roundly castigated by everyone but their shareholders for being an extremely large and successful company – an easy target, no less. Their business model is proven; their profits continue to balloon; they must be doing something right. In.

  • MW Symposium 2010 discount (Free for all)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Book before the end of the year if you want to get a discount on the 2010 Masters of Wine Symposium. Back in August in Something for the weekend Jancis previewed the next MW Symposium, to be held in Bordeaux, 24-27 Jun 2010. This is a reminder that the early-bird discounted rate expires at the end.

  • California 2009 - now the grapes are in (Inside information)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    As I reported here , in a 24-hour period in mid October, between 2 and 10 inches (5–25 cm) of rain fell in central and northern California vineyards, and it continued to rain, lightly, for four more days, with high humidity – not good for grapevines and the Californians who farm them,.

  • Rhône 2008 - some top producers (Tasting articles)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    More Rhône tasting notes below from some top producers. (Rayas and Clos des Papes to follow shortly.) See Rhône 2008 coverage – a guide for a brief introduction and links to related articles, including the first and second tranches of tasting notes A–L and tasting notes M–V . The wines are.

  • Australia's magic bullet? (Don't quote me)

    18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    What a shame it is that the global balance of mongering is so askew. Wail as we might, mongering of fish and cheese becomes scarcer whilst mongering of war and hate seems to proliferate. If only the mongers among us would swap their guns and flags for halibut and munster, surely the world would be.
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    Grapes and Grains

  • Flying the Boozy Skies

    David Flaherty
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:05 am
    So, there I am reading the NY Times over a cup of coffee, when I see an article about Singapore Airlines hiring Master Sommeliers to help them select wines.  What, I thought?  Are you frickin serious?!  I mean, we all know the airlines are scrimping and saving in every damn corner of this industry, and now they’re dabbling in fine Bordeauxs?  But then I thought about it some more… Let’s say I’m a well-heeled jet-setter zipping around Asia in first class.  I want my glass of bubbly when I sit down, and I want my Roasted Venison Loin for my mid-afternoon snack.

  • Ciders: How do you Like them Apples?

    David Flaherty
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:08 pm
    Autumn is the bite of a harvest apple. Christina Petrowsky All hail the glorious apple.  Man’s relationship with this versatile and forbidden fruit goes back thousands of years.  Today, there are over 55 million tons of apples produced worldwide each year…now that’s some serious fanaticism. I was tasked to bring in 6-8 new ciders for our restaurant and wine bar…shit, I thought, I know nothing about ciders.  In fact, I’d only drank the low-end, horrible stuff while living in England and NOT had good experiences.  But I went to work, and was stoked at what I found.

  • The Great Porter and Pilsner Showdown

    David Flaherty
    31 Oct 2009 | 9:49 pm
    Sometimes you gotta do your homework.  And when it comes to beer drinking, this ain’t homework you’ll go into kicking and screaming. In an attempt to further my beer education, I caught a ride to Brooklyn’s Bierkraft and began grabbing single bottles of anything that looked unfamiliar or whispered my name in a sweet Irish brogue as I walked by it on the shelf (”Psst, O’Flaherty, you wee bastard, pick me…free me from my shelfish prison…”).  I ended up with mostly an array of bizarre Belgian, Italian and French beauties. But I also focused on…

  • David & Goliath: Rock Art Brewery vs Monster

    David Flaherty
    17 Oct 2009 | 12:41 pm
    Owning a microbrewery is a labor of love.  Often times, the genesis is a mad homebrewer’s hobby growing so big that their basement, kitchen, garage and children’s closets become so clogged with gear that they HAVE to go pro. This is what happened to Matt and Renee Nadeau who are about to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Rock Art Brewery.  But now they’re being attacked. (Personally, as a homebrewer living in a tiny one- bedroom apartment in Queens, it has certainly been a challenge and I can tell you that one corner of our bedroom is so overloaded with hoses, brushes,…

  • A Taste of: Badger Blandford Fly

    David Flaherty
    14 Oct 2009 | 5:08 am
    English Pale Ale, Blandford Fly, Badger Brewery, Hall and Woodhouse, Dorset, England (5.2% Alc) In the small, sleepy town of Blandford Forum in southern England, a tiny predator lurks at the banks of the River Stour. Rumors abound as to its actual size; some claim it is mere millimeters, while others claim it is the size of a pterodactyl.  But all can agree on on one thing:  the bite from the Blandford Fly is vicious, leading to fever and swelling.  The cure?  Beer, of course. Local, Nick Malden (whom I met while scuba diving in Costa Rica where we were both honeymooning), tells this…
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    My Wine Education

  • Featured Cincinnati Wine Events: Nov 20-27

    Michelle
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:07 am
    Since I missed last week by spending all of my time in an airport on Friday, I thought I'd include today in, well, today's list!  Since it's a holiday week, it's a short list, but Saturday is jam-packed. At the bottom of the list, pay particular attention to the various winery events happening on Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you're in Ohio or Kentucky, I guarantee at least one winery near you is having some sort of event. Wineries I haven't ever heard of came out of the woodwork! You should definitely hit up all the regular tastings this weekend. Place like Dep's Fine Wine & Spirits (I…

  • Post-Thanksgiving Winery Spectacular Spectacular

    Michelle
    19 Nov 2009 | 8:24 am
    Really. Just avoid those malls after Thanksgiving and head straight to all of your local wineries. They're waiting for you. In Ohio, we have the annual barrel tasting. On Saturday, Nov 28, you can visit five Ohio wineries to try unreleased vintages and current wines. Barrels @ Harmony Hill You can visit our friends at Harmony Hill and Kinkead Ridge, along with Burnet Ridge Winery, Henke, and Woodstone Creek. Hours and costs at each winery vary, so make sure to double-check the web site before you head out on your winery journey for the day. Barrels @ Kinkead Ridge Additionally, Elk Creek is…

  • Paint & Etch Your Own Wine Glasses

    Michelle
    18 Nov 2009 | 7:19 am
    I got a sweet email today from a local stained glass artist. Mary Jane Riggi has had a stained glass studio in Cincinnati for over 25 years. She has also been an adjunct professor in various aspects of stained glass at the University of Cincinnati's Communiversity program for almost as long. What does that have to do with the wine blog? Well, Mary Jane is hosting a wine glass painting class. Imagine painting your own stained glass wine glasses and giving them as Christmas gifts? I'm sort of in love with this idea. The class is just one evening, Friday, 12/4 or Friday, 12/11/09, from 6:30 -…

  • Under the Weather ...

    Michelle
    17 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am
    We're on a slight break here at My Wine Education, brought on mostly by the fact that I've been hit (rather hard) by the flu. Bleh. We'll be back as soon as I can taste wine again. ;-)Cheers, Michelle

  • Going Once, Going Twice, Sold!

    Michelle
    12 Nov 2009 | 5:27 am
    I've always wanted to go to a wine auction and the accompanying dinner. If I could find someone to drive to Chicago with me on the morning of Dec 4, I might just try to go to this. 1982 Bordeaux ... wow! Even if I don't make it to Chicago, I will definitely try to watch the auction online on Dec 5. For full effect, I've literally just pasted in most of the press release: Hart Davis Hart to Auction Important Single-Owner Wine Collection on December 5th in ChicagoEstimated to bring $3-$4.5 million, it is the largest single cellar wine auction offered in the United States in 2009 to…
 
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    Wilf's Wine Press

  • Are You Passionate About Wine...?

    Wilf G.K
    5 Nov 2009 | 10:03 am
    A new book, 'Living with Wine' by Samantha Nestor is eye candy for anyone with a passion for wine. It could easily have been titled 'Living with the Passion for Wine'. Samantha Nestor is well qualified to write a book such as this. She is the special projects editor at Metropolitan Home magazine and regularly appears on television and radio shows. I am an amateur photographer and love to see great photographs. The pictures in this book by Andrew French are stunning. I was equally pleased to see Alice Feiring's name on the cover. She is definitely one of my favorite wine personalities and has…

  • Those Tiny Tasty Bubbles in your Wine........

    Wilf G.K
    20 Oct 2009 | 4:16 pm
    .....tickling your taste buds on your tongue. When I first read that Champagne bubbles improve flavour in a Decanter news report I was intrigued but baffled when I read this sentence. " ..discovered that many aromatic compounds were more likely to be present in the bubbles than in the wine itself". If they were not in the wine in the first place then how would they suddenly appear in the Champagne bubbles? But the following article in RSC made a little bit more sense. So just how many of these precious little bubbles in a bottle of Champagne will bring us those delightful flavours? A…

  • Low Cost Wines, Media, Scandalous...lets get it straight!

    Wilf G.K
    24 Sep 2009 | 8:38 pm
    It must have been a slow day around the National Post office. Lets see how can we blow this one up to grab some attention. California couple buys a bottle of "BC" wine and discovers it is California wine. Add the word "scandalous" and you have a story. It worked because the story was copied and repeated many times. I have a problem with this kind of reporting. First of all buyer beware. Do read the label! There is a market for inexpensive wines and the big three wine producers mentioned in the article are there to supply you with what you are prepared to pay for your wine. Secondly, this has…

  • A New Kind of Wine Doctor !

    Wilf G.K
    15 Sep 2009 | 1:23 pm
    Should a doctor recommend wine for your health? There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that drinking wine, particularly red wine may be beneficial to your health and well being and yet doctors are loath to recommend a glass of wine (or two) to their patients. Their common concern has been their fear of the possibility of turning you into an alcoholic. This seems rather an unfounded fear. If you have it in your genes to become an alcoholic,you don't need your doctors blessing to become one. So I was pleased to see one enterprising doctor do a little smart marketing. I congratulate him for…

  • What Kind of Wine Are You?

    Wilf G.K
    28 Aug 2009 | 11:11 am
    It never ceases to amaze me the amount of money that is wasted on frivolous research. While half the world is starving to death researchers are telling us what kind of personality you have based on the type of wine you prefer. And marketers just love it. You will be debonair, smooth and smart when you eat our pretzels or any other product they want to promote on TV. OK, they tell us that it will allow them to figure out why the Western world has so many obese people and solve the problem. I think not. Ah, but trust those Texas tasters to figure it out. The wine division of the Texas…
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    Catavino

  • Catavino’s Travel Woes: How We Got Screwed by Delta

    Gabriella
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:02 am
    In the course of our lives, we have all experienced difficulties with air travel. Whether it’s a canceled flight, excessive turbulence, poor airline food or rocket high prices when checking in your luggage, we’ve all been there. What doesn’t happen often is when an airline makes you pay twice for the same ticket. Last July, when arriving to the airport, ridiculously excited to get on our way to the USA to attend the WBC, we made the one fatal error that you pray you never make in your life as a traveler. We misread the ticket and thought the 11:20am flight was actually,…

  • Final Thoughts Regarding Wine Future 2009

    Gabriella
    16 Nov 2009 | 2:22 am
    As you all know, Ryan and I went to Wine Future with a team of 4 additional people: Michael Oudyn, Raymond Magourty, Eduardo Benito and Juan Manuel Gonzalvo. Robert McIntosh was also a key player on our team, adding an immense amount to the Live Blog and Twitter stream, while perfectly balancing his other hat as a Dinastia Vivanco representative. All of these people deserve full recognition for their fantastic work, determination and passion in making our Wine Future social media campaign work seamlessly. We are very proud of each of their contributions, and hope this is just one of many…

  • Wine Future Conference: Brief Overview of Day 2 – La Rioja, Spain

    Gabriella
    15 Nov 2009 | 5:06 am
    Editors note: Wine Future – This is the fifth post from Wine Future LIVE www.catavino.net/wine-future-live – read Day 1 morning and Day 1 afternoon, Parker Tasting and Ryan’s Speech on the Future of Social Media and Wine. We’re doing our level headed best to report to you exactly what we saw and experienced at one of the most important wine conferences in 2009. What you see below is brief summary of Day 2, focusing on a few sessions and written by Michael Oudyn. To see a more expansive report, check out the Live blog. We’ll be posting more articles and photos in…

  • The Grand Garnacha Tasting of Robert Parker – Wine Future Conference

    Raymondo
    13 Nov 2009 | 8:26 am
    It was a little tricky to get in. This was the showcase event. The world’s most famous wine writer, and arguably, the single most important individual in the global fine wine trade had come to Rioja for the first time in almost 30 years. Robert Parker was holding court. The great and the greater were there, and even a few nobodies, such as myself. For me, the attraction of the WineFuture conference in Rioja has been the caliber of the speakers and the debate around the issues facing the wine sector, but there was no doubting, by virtue of the queues and the visibly high security…

  • Ryan’s Speech at WineFuture Conference in Logroño, Spain

    Ryan
    13 Nov 2009 | 6:32 am
    Ryan’s speech in the written form without any of the additional notes and information that occurred during the conference. When Robert Parker first started his newsletter in 1978, no one believed that an amateur outside the wine world could say anything worth listening to about wine. Then 1982 happened in Bordeaux, and Parker won the day. I may be simplifying a bit, but what he was responding to at the time was a problem in the fine wine trade with conflicts of interest and unscrupulous salesmen hawking plonk with fine wine labels attached. At the time the wine industry needed a shake…
 
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    Dr Vino's wine blog

  • Beyond Thunderdome: on Gary Vee’s Wine Library TV

    Dr. Vino
    19 Nov 2009 | 3:17 pm
    When Gary Vaynerchuk asked me on the “thunder show” I was afraid. Not of him even though he’s an entrepreneur, wine retailer, dynamo, and internet phenom. No, I was afraid he would make me eat dirt. (As he made Conan do.) In the end, that didn’t happen and there was nothing to fear. Not only is Gary a very nice guy, we had a fun conversation too. So if you have 33 minutes that you are wondering what to do with, check out the segment where we talk and taste three wines. (Or see it on his site.) Gary also has a couple of books out, 101 Wines and a business book called…

  • Wine education: Italy and US compared [pictures]

    Dr. Vino
    18 Nov 2009 | 6:30 am
    I recently posted about a pamphlet that our six-year-old son brought home from school equating wine and pot. A friend living in the Veneto, Italy writes in with this comparison: I thought I would share the work that our son brought home from his Montessori pre-school today: filastrocca del vino. A page of rhyming verse about making grapes into wine. Followed by pages to color about grapes + wine including a smiling Chianti bottle. Their fall learning unit was covering varietals through learning about grapes. After the jump, find the text of the rhyming verse and a couple more pics (no…

  • Department of Greenwashing: Ceci La Luna lambrusco

    Dr. Vino
    17 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am
    Are some in the wine trade exploiting consumers’ willingness for environmentally friendly products when the practices don’t measure up to more than a pile of manure? Consider an example. In late summer, The Moment blog at nytimes.com wrote a paean to lambrusco, the purple fizzy wine from Emilia-Romagna. The author had high praise for one in particular: “a rustic biodynamic beauty from Cantina Ceci, whose mild, deep fizz buoys its brooding purple embrace.” At least one New York City retailer also calls the $16 wine Biodynamic, a process of grape growing (and, to a…

  • WSJ: wine-rating system is badly flawed

    Dr. Vino
    16 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am
    Saturday’s WSJ catches up with Robert Hodgson’s research on the randomness of gold medals in wine competitions. In case you missed our discussion here and many others on them there internets, you can check out the WSJ article for a recap. The story also applies the discussion to wine ratings and scores, underscoring their inherent subjectivity even though pallets of wine are bought and sold every day on these snapshots. The author, Leonard Mladinow, wrote a book last year called “The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules or Lives” (amazon; aff). In it, he has a…

  • Advertorial, 7-11, chocolate milk, freer trade – sipped and spit

    Dr. Vino
    13 Nov 2009 | 5:59 am
    SIPPED: the hard question; SPIT: advertorial During what looked like an innocuous segment on Thanksgiving wines, Evan Dawson, a local TV news anchor, asks Leslie Sbrocco, wine book author and TV host, some tough questions. And they’re not about the turkey. Tune in to about 1:50 when he asks her about the Beringer wines she recommends: “Do you have a relationship with them that involves any sort of compensation?” Her reply: “Yes, this media tour is with the Beringer portfolio of wines.” The FTC would be proud of Dawson! [13WHAM] SPIT: double standards Speaking of…
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    NAPA VALLEY WINE RADIO

  • Goosecross: Pressing Cabernet Franc

    Nancy
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:44 am
    It’s all glamour, working at a winery!  In this 2-minute video you’ll see the Cabernet Franc being drained and the grape skins being shoveled out of the fermentation tank and pressed after the fermentation is over.  Enjoy!  Click here to view the embedded video. More videos

  • Goosecross: Savoring Saffron

    Nancy
    13 Nov 2009 | 5:02 pm
    Just to be honest, I’m not the cook in the family – no interest, no talent. Fortunately, my husband is, and in spades, and he keeps the battle of the scale going for me Saffron Crocus So, imagine someone like me faced with the prospect of using saffron – nope – ain’t gonna happen. Waaay to intimidating!  That is, until I listened to this Fun Fact from our great friend at Let’s Go Cook Italian, Diane DeFilipi.  Two minutes of saffron made simple.  Maybe I’ll give it a try… Or get my husband to More Fun Facts

  • Goosecross: What is Fermentation?

    Nancy
    12 Nov 2009 | 3:45 pm
    In this 2-minute video wine fermentation,  the conversion of grape juice to wine, is explained.  Enjoy!  Click here to view the embedded video. More videos

  • Goosecross: Not All Pumpkins are Created Equal

    Nancy
    8 Nov 2009 | 5:10 pm
    Getting ready for Thanksgiving?  Give a listen to this two-minute Fun Fact on the best pumpkins for baking!         Speaking of Thanksgiving, Colleen has a great Thanksgiving menu for you on our homepage!  Of course it includes pumpkin pie, which is absolutely delicious with a glass of our Chenin Blanc.  So much to be grateful for!  Happy Thanksgiving! What wine do I serve on T-day?

  • Goosecross: Wine Trivia du Jour

    Nancy
    6 Nov 2009 | 11:52 am
    Which of the following is the least likely technique for making sweet wine?           a.  Letting the grapes rot b.  Drying the grapes c.  Adding sugar d.  Adding alcohol Whaddaya think (keeping in mind that truth is stranger than fiction, in this case)  ;-)  Find out in our Wine Trivia Challenge!  Go ahead, ace it  
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    NAPA VALLEY WINE RADIO BLOG

  • NVWR® 94 – Heritage Turkeys

    David
    9 Nov 2009 | 11:00 pm
    Have you thought of serving a “Heritage Turkey” this Thanksgiving? Scott Boggs of Hudson Ranch (here in Napa Valley), talks to our friend Sherry Page of Culinary Getaways about how they farm their produce, pork, eggs, and poultry including heritage turkeys. He’ll tell us about these historic varieties, how they’re raised and why they’re an excellent choice for your Thanksgiving table.

  • NVWR® 93 – Italian Food of the Renaissance

    David
    20 Oct 2009 | 12:01 am
    In this episode I had a chance to sit down with our friend and Italian Connection, Diane De Filipi of “Let’s Go Cook Italian“, to talk about the Italian food of the Renaissance. She’ll tell us about the Renaissance cooking class and meal that’s featured in her wonderful culinary excursions to Italy and the foods of the day for peasant and king. Relax and listen as Diane takes us back in time.

  • NVWR® 92 – Wine Blending: When and Why?

    David
    29 Sep 2009 | 12:01 am
    There are so many ways to look at blending when it comes to wine – blending the varieties, different vineyards, locations, and barrel lots – it goes on and on. In this episode, Winemakers Geoff Gorsuch and Jeff Booth talk about the endless possibilities with Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education. There are so many ways to look at blending wine – blending the varieties, different vineyards, locations, and barrel lots – it goes on and on. In this episode, Winemakers Geoff Gorsuch and Jeff Booth talk about the endless possibilities with Nancy Hawks Miller, our…

  • NVWR® 91 – Sherry Page Visits the Fatted Calf

    David
    8 Sep 2009 | 12:00 am
    This episode is likely to give you a severe craving for sausage, bacon, salami or a good steak. Our great friend, Sherry Page of Culinary Getaways learns some amazing things about the world of artisanal charcuterie from Taylor Boetticher, founder and co-owner of the Fatted Calf in Napa. Enjoy!

  • NVWR® 90 – History of Wine Words

    David
    18 Aug 2009 | 12:00 am
    Did you know that the word “gourmet” referred to a lover of wine long before it had anything to do with food? Or that the word “libation” originally meant an offering to the gods? If you love wine and you love words, this episode is for you! In this phone interview, etymologist Charles Hodgson, the author of History of Wine Words, tells Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, about the origins of some of the words and about writing this fun and fascinating book!
 
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    New York Cork Report

  • Chateau Buffalo: A True Commitment to New York Wine

    Julia Burke
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:05 am
    By Julia Burke, Niagara Escarpment Correspondent It’s exciting to find a great selection of New York wines in a shop. But a wine store devoted entirely to New York State? Carl Schmitter, owner of Chateau Buffalo in Buffalo, NY, is proving that it can work. Now in its fourth year, Chateau Buffalo, located in the city’s hip, offbeat Hertel Avenue neighborhood, focuses exclusively on wines from Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, the Niagara Escarpment, and Chautauqua. Without favoring a particularly region, Chateau Buffalo’s selection simply offers what Schmitter considers…

  • Announcement: The New York Cork Report 2009 Wines of the Year

    Lenn Thompson
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:28 am
    By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Today I'm proud to announce that, for the first time in this blog's existence, its editors will be naming the New York Cork Report 2009 Wines of the Year on January 11, 2010. Over the course of 2009, the three regional editors for this site -- myself, Bryan and Evan -- tasted hundreds of New York wines from our respective beats. That's the pool from which we're pulling from. We don't pretend that we've tasted every single New York wine released in the 2009 calendar year (which is required to be eligible) but we've tasted more…

  • Fermentation Winespeak

    Tom Mansell
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:30 pm
    By Tom Mansell, Science EditorHave you ever smelled grape juice? Not Concord or Niagara juice but grape must that's about to become wine? It doesn't smell like much. It's kind of like fresh mown grass. How does this relatively un-aromatic juice evolve into complex, aromatic wine?  Most everybody's grapes are in (except for the ice wine grapes) and it's now time for winemakers to figure out how best to turn their grapes into quality wine. Surprisingly, magic is not involved.  Now in the spirit of Harvest Winespeak last month, In this edition of Winespeak,…

  • Brooklyn Brewery Brown Ale

    Kevin Burns
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:26 pm
    By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Brooklyn Brewery is widely considered one of the best breweries in New York State, and with good reason. In addition to making great craft beer, the brewery is credited with being one of the pioneers of craft beer in the empire state. And, while their Brooklyn Lager is their flagship beer, one of my favorite beers is their Brooklyn Brown Ale.    Brooklyn Brown poured a dark brown color with a tan head. The nose was nice and clean and gives off light malt and hops. The first sip was sweet with a hint of caramel. The middle is…

  • Keegan Ales Mother's Milk

    Kevin Burns
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:21 pm
    By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist One of my favorite breweries in New York is Keegan Ales in Kingston. In addition to making great beer, they are the closest microbrewery to my hometown of Ellenville. I have previously reviewed their Joe-Mama's Milk Stout, which was created from their original stout, Mother's Milk.   In a past interview, I asked Owner Tommy Keegan to talk about Mother's Milk's origins. “There’s a lot of dry stouts out there, so we wanted to be different. We actually started out making an oatmeal stout, but then we added a 50 lb bag of…
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    Chez Ray Winemaking

  • Comparing pressed-dry with extended maceration wines

    jorray
    8 Nov 2009 | 1:48 pm
    For the 2008 Chez Ray vintage, I tried an experiment, separating the vintage into two batches: one batch pressed dry (ie, immediately as fermentation completed); and the second batch pressed after extended maceration.Today, I have some recently bottled sample batches of 2008 merlot and zinfandel to compare between these two pressing techniques.Let's start with the Chez Ray Merlot, 2008:Pressed dry: The pressed dry merlot shows medium dusty red in the glass. Aromas are bright, bold, plumy and yeasty. A strong inky, alcoholic component. On the palate, a bright but bold mid palate impact,…

  • Pressing the 2009 Mendocino Zinfandel

    jorray
    1 Nov 2009 | 2:17 pm
    After three weeks of cold (approx 62 degrees F) fermentation, today I pressed the 2009 Mendocino Zinfandel which was acquired as fresh grapes.Yield was approximately 9 gallons from four crates of grapes.

  • *** Chez Ray Zinfandel, 2004, Lodi, CA - Wine Review

    jorray
    28 Oct 2009 | 7:15 pm
    By way of background: The Chez Ray Zinfandel, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.In the glass: Medium to deep red.On the nose: Fruity, lightly smoky, wet red cherry.On the palate: Smooth, red fruit in the middle of your mouth. Like a gob of blackberry that has all the tartness removed. Kinda nice in that respect. Balance of the flavors include a general even sweetness, tiny bits of acids crawl up into your cheeks.And the finish: Sweet acids slowly fade away, and with them any hints of fruit.In summary: Pleasant, though not intense…

  • *** Chez Ray 2005 Late Harvest White Blend - Review

    jorray
    23 Oct 2009 | 4:33 pm
    The 2005 Chez Ray Late Harvest Blend consists of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, late harvested, acquired from Brehm Vineyards from vineyards in the Columbia Gorge area of Washington State (coded 05LHUM and LH57). They were fermented with Cote des Blancs yeast, and aged with a small toasted oak sleeve.In the glass, this shows as light yellow with gold highlights. Aromas are metallic and oily - you've just stepped into my mechanics garage on a night when he's spinning disco tunes! On the palate, a bright sweet middle starfruit is the first note. It is followed by acids that drive the sweetness up…

  • ** Chez Ray Pinot Noir (P4), 2004, Lodi, CA

    jorray
    20 Oct 2009 | 3:46 pm
    By way of background: The Chez Ray Pinot Noir, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.In the glass: Deep pink-red with a brickish cast.On the nose: Overcooked, almost baked, red berry fruits. A bit of motor oil with the overcooked stew. Nothing to write home about (except maybe to say, "Get me outa here!").On the palate: Far more presentable on the palate. Sweet red fruits on the mid-palate, not cloying, but fresh. Just a touch of vegetable in there too. Firm, lightly acid, sweet and still rich, a touch of tannin move in after the acids…
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    Spirit of Wine

  • Zagat Wine Club (zagatwine) individual wine reviews

    jorray
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:42 am
    To find our independent reviews on individual wines that make up the introductory Zagat Wine Club package, (zagatwine) click on this search.Check out Wine Deals at Amazon.

  • **+ $$ Alain Jaume & Fils Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone, 2007, France - Wine Review and Rating

    jorray
    19 Nov 2009 | 3:55 pm
    This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your own pairings of wine, cheese and/or chocolate tastings from a wide assortment. In the case of wines, some 300 to 500 labels are said to be available at different times. In this case, we tasted on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago IL, and focused on a combination of bold wines that were said to be excellent pairings with sturdy hard cheeses.By way of background: Alain Jaume & Fils Reserve Grand…

  • *** $ Villa Farnia di Farnese Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 2008, Italy - Wine Review and Rating

    jorray
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:44 pm
    Find Montepulciano d'Abruzzo at WineZap.By way of background: Villa Farnia di Farnese is made of the montepulciano grape from the southeastern Italy region of Abruzzo. Winemaker Filippo Baccalaro finished this at a modest 13% alcohol. It was acquired as part of the introductory Zagat Wine Club selection. It also seems to be a regular component of other wine club offerings, including such as WSJWine (Wall Street Journal Wine) and 4seasonswine."ZagatWine" - part of the broad Laithwaites Wine group from the UK - is promoted by the well known Zagat Survey group, offered by founders Nina and Tim…

  • ***+ $$$ Twisted Oak Red, 2005, Calavaras County, CA - Wine Review and Rating

    jorray
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:03 pm
    This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your own pairings of wine, cheese and/or chocolate tastings from a wide assortment. In the case of wines, some 300 to 500 labels are said to be available at different times. In this case, we tasted on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago IL, and focused on a combination of bold wines that were said to be excellent pairings with sturdy hard cheeses.By way of background: Twisted Oak Red from Calavaras County…

  • ** $ Eguren Tempranillo, 2007, Castilla, Spain - Wine Review and Rating

    jorray
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:48 pm
    This tasting was conducted at Eno, a wine and cheese and chocolate tasting restaurant that is based in about half-a-dozen locations across North America. The concept is fairly unique: you build your own pairings of wine, cheese and/or chocolate tastings from a wide assortment. In the case of wines, some 300 to 500 labels are said to be available at different times. In this case, we tasted on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago IL.By way of background: The Eguren Tempranillo, 2007, hails from Castilla, Spain, and is finished in a lighter style.In the glass: Mid-red.On the nose: A mild,…
 
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    The Cork Board

  • Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

    Oliver J
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm
    Things are moving right along and believe it or not the Thanksgiving holiday is nearly here. Here are a couple events slated for this weekend that will be worthwhile if you’re looking to taste and/or stock-up on some solid Napa Valley juice. Saturday, November 21st From 8am – 4pm Baldacci Family Vineyards, which is located at 6236 Silverado Trail, will host its first annual ‘garage sale’. That means you’ll be able to find several Baldacci Family wines for sale–many at discounted prices. In fact, the winery is promising to have 50% off some current vintages…

  • St. Helena’s Go Fish reviewed, Napa Valley’s ‘top secrets’ exposed

    TrevR
    18 Nov 2009 | 8:28 pm
    It’s mid-week and there’s plenty of Napa Valley news out there. Without further delay, here are a couple stories worth calling to your attention… A review of Cindy Pawlcyn’s Go Fish Go Fish, long one of our favorite sushi and seafood restaurants in the valley, was reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle today. Here’s a quick excerpt: The vibe: A striking blue, black and white decor speaks of fresh seafood. If there are any doubts, just take a peek at the sushi case of glistening fish or rows of oysters and clams behind the bar. The crowd: Upscale yet family…

  • Photos: Hotel Luca and Cantinetta Piero soon to open in Yountville

    TrevR
    17 Nov 2009 | 8:28 am
    As we made our way through Yountville this past weekend we noted some significant progress being made on Hotel Luca and the accompanying restaurant, Cantinetta Piero. All told, the property will include a 20-room “luxury hotel, spa and restaurant” that was inspired by Tuscany and created for the Napa Valley. Cantinetta Piero will be run by Executive Chef Jason Balestrieri who will aim to provide “approachable, fun, lively, modern” Tuscan food. Several years in the making the property is clearly nearing completion and is expected to open for business sometime later this…

  • Mid-November sights from Napa Valley

    TrevR
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am
    This weekend we were out-and-about quite a bit–enjoying the beautiful Fall days and taking in the scenery. Here’s a glimpse into what we saw… Color Contrast: A red-orange vineyard in the heart of Yountville Vineyard Sunset: A Yountville vineyard watches the last light of the day slip behind the western hills TechTags Plugin [ Napa | Napa Valley | wine | winery | napa vineyard | November in Napa Valley ] Share and Enjoy:

  • Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

    Oliver J
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:52 pm
    It is a gorgeous time of year in these parts, the vineyards are all shades of red, orange, yellow and green and the air is crisp and cool. This weekend there are a few events that should be worth your time to check out, particularly since none of them cost a dime to get into… Saturday, November 14th Between 11am – 1:30pm at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, filmmaker Rudy McClain will be on-hand to sign copies of his new DVD ‘Merlove‘. The event is free and open to the public–call 707-963-7774 for more details From 3pm – 7pm Uncorked at Oxbow will host a…
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    Celebrate Wine

  • Need a Good Wine for Thanksgiving?

    12 Nov 2009 | 7:53 pm
    © xybermatthew Good Wine Under $20 has a very useful piece at the moment geared to wines for Thanksgiving.Whether you prefer sparkling, rosé , white, or red wine, I'm sure there's something here that will suit your palate and your budget. And I made sure that you could still get the wine I've listed below. We're all too busy to hunt out wine that's no longer available in the market!The article looks at three sparkling wines, three rosés, five whites, and three reds. I'm going to ...

  • Seen that? - Let My Wine Breathe

    8 Nov 2009 | 6:19 pm
    Let My Wine Breathe at Celebrate Wine Many (many) years ago while at a college party, I was hanging out in the kitchen with a few friends when a party-goer, a young man about our same age, walked in with a bottle of ...

  • The Spanish Wines of Toro

    29 Oct 2009 | 7:51 pm
    © Rivard Mercury News had a feature recently on the growing popularity of wines from Spain's historic Toro region. Vines have been planted in Toro, about 100 miles northwest of Madrid, for hundreds of years and winemaking has been documented since the 1st century B.C. But the region was recognized as a Denominación de Origen only in 1987. The primary grape is a local version of tempranillo known as tinta de Toro, and many small, impossibly gnarled bush vines are quite old — some 100 years ...

  • Schwarzenegger Signs Bill to Liberalize California Wine Laws

    24 Oct 2009 | 2:38 pm
    © Donnaphoto Decanter.com is reporting on a change in California's wine laws that will allow wineries more freedom to market their products directly to the local public.Sponsored by the Wine Institute, the law will allow winemakers to sell their wines in licensed venues away from the winery. The bill will also allow customers to take home unfinished bottles. The change is highly significant for local winemakers, as more and more wineries are opening tasting rooms and winery-owned bars, particularly in cities. The new law, which goes ...

  • Seen that? - Woman Becomes Her Own Winery

    20 Oct 2009 | 6:18 pm
    Woman Becomes Her Own Winery at Celebrate Wine I can't tell you how many times I've fantasized about having my own winery. I've envisioned myself walking through my vineyard selecting the perfect grapes for my perfect wine. One woman is now living my ...
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    [Spittoon] Full Postings

  • Wine and Food Matching - Notes from a Fells Tasting

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:55 am
    Given the synergy between wine and food it is somewhat surprising that of the dozens of trade tastings only one or two lay on food specifically for the wines available for tasting. A prefect showcase you would have thought for the unique cuisine of South Africa to be displayed against the countries wines at the recent South African Mega Tasting. Rather than slithers of delicious indigenous game or slices of home-produced cheeses we had to slum it with an over-chilled sandwich, a bag of crisps and an apple. And a Mars Bar. Logistics and cost I imagine are the main stumbling blocks but the…

  • Not Just Wine: Douwe Egberts Coffee

    18 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am
    I draw the line at drinking a strawberry milkshake, complete with strawberry garnish, paper parasol and pink bendy straw, in a bar on a Friday night (unlike two male friends!) but, and this surprises quite a few for some reason, I'm rather partial to a pint of real ale, the odd gin and tonic or two, late night rum and cokes, ice-cold Thames tap-water and the odd German wheat beer. Hence my participation in Mark Dredges' beerswap. A decent coffee is THE only thing to get me brain into gear of a morning too... Despite the apparent wine-centric focus on Spittoon the intention was to have…

  • A Wine For Fish Pie

    18 Nov 2009 | 12:35 am
    Chardonnay should be the wine of choice when matching with fish pie; unoaked preferably. You need something ripe and silky to accompany the creamy element; a wine also with a little herby complexity to the flavour to match the mix in the dish (in this instance parsley and dill). The new Billingsgate Fish Market Cookbook supplied the recipe, as detailed on SpittoonExtra. Naked Wines provided the wine, a rich, unoaked Chardonnay brimming with ripe peach and nectarine flavours with that required herb component. Wine Tasting Note: Amadio Wines Fetch Unwooded Chardonnay, 2008, South Australia…

  • Chapel Down Lunch at Roast

    12 Nov 2009 | 1:00 pm
    Last Tuesday saw a sprinkling of the crème de la crème of the food and wine blogging fraternity gather at Roast in Borough Market. For some reason they invited me along too. Chapel Down were the hosts looking at raising the profile of their English wine range in a food/wine matching environment. The chef at Roast, Lawrence Keogh, constructed various dishes to accompany wines from the Chapel Down cellars; some matches worked beautifully, others less so. Myself, that man-about-town who keeps popping up in all the cool places, the delightful Gourmet Chick, the lovely Liz of Gastronomy Domaine,…

  • Spar Gives Wine Speak Some Local Flavour

    5 Nov 2009 | 12:20 pm
    A slightly odd-ball marketing idea; a national supermarket chain implementing wine back labels in the local dialect. Nothing like demystifying the incomprehensible into the ununderstandable... or summat... The idea apparently is to find a "more palatable way of talking wine with its consumers". Spar has translated a number of its wines, adding various local dialects such as Scouse, Geordie and Scottish to its tasting notes. An example: Original translation: "A truly great Merlot which is ablaze with succulent blackcurrants and blueberries. This Merlot has legs like a thoroughbred, strong and…
 
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    Snooth Blog

  • Snooth announces 250,000th Registered User

    philip
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Snooth registered user base growing by 500% per year New York, NY (November 16, 2009) — Snooth, the world’s largest wine site, today announced that it had added its 250,000th registered user. This milestone comes a few months after Snooth announced its 100,000th registered user earlier this year. Over the last twelve months Snooth’s registered user base has grown over 500%, with a 300% growth in overall traffic over the same time period, to todays figure of over 1 million users per month. The number of registered users, those who sign up to have a profile on Snooth, is currently…

  • Scheduled Maintenance

    mark
    9 Nov 2009 | 2:05 pm
    The tech team at Snooth will be performing regular maintenance on our systems Wednesday, November 11 from around 12AM ET. The site will be unavailable during this period. We expect the maintenance will last for no longer than one hour. Thank you for your patience.

  • Sorting, Voting, and Sharing

    mark
    27 Oct 2009 | 3:22 pm
    This week we have a number of updates focussed on making Snooth more interactive and social. First off is a bit of functionality that users have been asking about for a while. When you’re browsing the prices for a wine, you can now sort the merchants by featured status, name, price and even bottle size. We’re excited to continue helping people find better prices for wine, and this should make it even easier to do just that. In 2009 Snooth spent a lot of time working with food and wine. In partnership with Epicurious.com and MyRecipes.com we were able to bring you recipe pairings…

  • Amazon quits the wine industry

    philip
    23 Oct 2009 | 4:35 pm
    Today marks a sad day for the wine industry: Amazon Wine, yet to launch, may now never see the light of day. I’m sure many retailers, wholesalers and even some wineries are breathing a collective sigh of relief at this news, for Amazon, with its history of pricing, service and operations, threatened many a wine business. For you and I, as wine consumers, this is bad news. Its also bad news for Snooth, as a company that is fighting the good fight to help demystify the arcane and convoluted world of wine. While Amazon may have ultimately become a competitor of Snooth, they stood the best…

  • Spam and Delete

    mark
    13 Oct 2009 | 4:30 pm
    Spam, spam, spam! When we first started building Snooth, there were only a few stalwarts here using the site, adding content and reviews and browsing the forum. (To be completely fair, the forum didn’t even exist back then.) Unfortunately, one of the prices of growing a community these days is fighting the war against spam. A while ago, spammers started to create accounts on the site and would message 10-20 users before abandoning their accounts. You, the users of Snooth, would have no recourse other than to write to us, and we would delete the user, but we always knew we could do…
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    Beyond the Bottle

  • WillaKenzie 2007 Chardonnay Clos Marco Willamette Valley

    Thad W.
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:28 pm
    In the glass, the WillaKenzie 2007 Chardonnay Clos Marco Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a very light, greenish gold color, offering notes of pear, melon and yeast on the nose along with minerals and wet stone. This Oregon chardonnay had a very nice texture in the mouth, delivering a mix of crisp acidity and a bit of honey ending in a nice, lasting finish. Flavors of pear and peach were present as well. We paired the WillaKenzie with smoked salmon pasta that was tossed in a sauce of sauteed shallots, olive oil, this wine, and fresh dill. A green leaf salad...

  • It's all inconsistent subjectiveness, folks...

    Thad W.
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:18 pm
    Over the weekend, I had an interesting exchange with a reader who stated that I was "completely wrong" in my evaluation of a particular wine. Even after pointing out the fact that my assessment was purely subjective, this person was bent on trying to prove me wrong, essentially inferring he was right. Let me be clear: there is no right or wrong when it comes to evaluating wine, for smell/taste remains in the nose/mouth of the drinker. Furthermore, a drinker's impressions of wine are rarely consistent when returning to the same bottle. Not convinced? Then I encourage you to read...

  • Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard

    Thad W.
    17 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pm
    Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. In the glass, the Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir Elton Vineyard was a clear, ruby red color delivering floral notes of red and black fruit along with cedar and wood. In the mouth, this Oregon pinot noir was well balanced, with good texture and bright acidity. Tannins were present as was a predominant flavor of oak, even though 20% new French oak was used. We paired the WWV Elton Vineyard with grilled beef tenderloin and sauteed cremini mushrooms served on a bed of egg noodles with...

  • WillaKenzie 2008 Pinot Blanc Estate Grown Willamette Valley

    Thad W.
    15 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm
    The WillaKenzie 2008 Pinot Blanc Estate Willamette Valley (13.8%) was a clear, light green-yellow in the glass delivering floral fruit notes of peach, apricot and apple along with hints of talc and minerals. This Alsatian style pinot blanc offered a rich mouthfeel, with crisp acidity and a slightly sweet finish (.3% residual sugar). We paired this certified sustainable wine with some comfort food: black beans w/sauteed onions on steamed rice with grated cheddar cheese and fresh chopped tomatoes on top. At $18, the WillaKenzie 2008 Pinot Blanc offers a terrific quality-to-price ratio. I am…

  • Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Riesling WV

    Thad W.
    15 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm
    Full Disclosure: This wine was provided as a free sample from the producer. The WVV 2007 Riesling Willamette Valley (10%) was a clear. light golden yellow in the glass with faint notes of petrol, wet stone, and minerals. In the mouth, this Oregon riesling offered nice floral honeysuckle flavors with crisp acidity leading to a slightly sweet finish (residual sugar = I found this Willamette Valley Vineyards riesling to be a terrific wine, one that we enjoyed on its own as well as a lead to a various meals over the three nights we tasted it. Depending on where you...
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    Good Wine Under $20

  • Thanksgiving Wine Under $20: My Picks for 2009

    4 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    It's that time of year again, when people take to their computers in search of Thanksgiving wine recommendations. (vintage Thanksgiving image from an 1894 cover of Harper's Bazaar)This is my fourth roundup of wines on GWU$20 that I think will pair beautifully with your turkey dinner--and they're all under $20. Whether you prefer sparkling, rosé , white, or red wine, I'm sure there's something here that will suit your palate and your budget. And I made sure that you could still get the wine I've listed below. We're all too busy to hunt out wine that's no longer available in the market!If you…

  • Vinho Verde--Just Because

    2 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    Just because it's Monday...Just because you got paid this weekend...Just because you feel like fish tacos for dinner...Just because you have some roasted cashews or almonds...Just because you're trying to stay out of your kid's candy stash...Vinho Verde.It's not profound. It's not prestigious. It's not something you see on every restaurant wine list.But it is perfect for those "just because" days when you have no plans, nothing much to celebrate, and want to drink an interesting wine anyway.Try this one on for size: the 2008 Trajarinho Vinho Verde ($9.99, domaineLA; $8-$10 elsewhere) It's…

  • Today on Serious Grape: Wine Survival Strategy for the Holidays

    1 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    As 12:01 AM today, it is officially that festive time of year known as "the holidays." It is a time of joy, of family celebrations, gift-giving, and--hysteria.Before you hit the panic button, go out now and get yourself a mixed case of wine so that you've got bottles on hand for emergencies that include: we have nothing in the house for dinner, two people just stopped by with pumpkin bread, and extreme mall fatigue. (photo by dumbledad)This week on Serious Grape I've got a shopping list for a mixed case of wine that will help you cope with most holiday emergencies. Head over and check it out,…

  • Gemischter Satz--It's Austrian for Delicious

    28 Oct 2009 | 5:30 am
    If you hear "Gemischter Satz" You may be tempted to say "God Bless You!"But the appropriate answer is "They're delicious, aren't they?"Gemischter Satz are special wines from Austria's capital city of Vienna. Made from a blend of white grapes that are grown together in the field, then picked and fermented at the same time, there was a point not too long ago when the mania for "single varietal" bottlings threatened this age-old tradition of Austrian field blends. Happily, the tradition was maintained, the grapes remained planted in gloriously mixed vineyards of Gruner Veltliner, Weissburgunder,…

  • The Red Wines of Calabria: Fruity, Funky, and Fabulously Affordable

    26 Oct 2009 | 5:30 am
    This month I've been getting to know the red wines of Calabria--and they've surprised me. When I mentioned Calabrian wine to most people--even Calabrians!--they scoffed at the quality of wine produced in this region of Italy. But I liked the rusty funkiness, the fruitiness, and the great value that I found in the wines I tasted. And though these wines came from southern Italy, they reminded me of French wines from Burgundy and the Beaujolais.Take the 2004 Vintripodi Arghillà ($19.99, Wine Expo) This wine, a blend of Nerello Calabrese and Alicante, has the certain funky pungency that is…
 
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    Family, Love, Wine Blog

  • Winery Marketing: “Trust Agents” Outlines How to Win Hearts and Minds

    Melissa Dobson
    12 Nov 2009 | 12:10 pm
    Chris Brogan & I at SM2Day Conference As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m a huge fan of Chris Brogan and the book he co-authored with Julien Smith entitled “Trust Agents.”  (And Chris’ blog,  newsletter…) Okay, I know I’m gushing. This isn’t meant to be a blatant push for Chris and Julien or their book.  But one of the things I believe you come here for is my opinion on discoveries that can help you to grow your business and keep you on track to continue to engage with and build a community of enthusiasts for your winery brand.  I…

  • Chris Brogan: “Ways to Be Human From a Distance”

    Melissa Dobson
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:24 am
    Photo provided by Wendy Piersall (@eMom) http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendypiersall/ / CC BY 2.0 Do you ever read a blog post and want to shout out loud, “Yes, exactly-what he just said!” while you eagerly devour each word to the finish? That’s how I felt, although I didn’t shout it aloud, when reading a post titled, “Ways to Be Human at a Distance” by Chris Brogan, Community and Social Media thought-leader and co-author of New York Times Bestseller “Trust Agents.” Like many of you, I’m challenged every day to keep in touch and up-to-speed…

  • Seneca Lake Wine Touring on a Beautiful Fall Day

    Melissa Dobson
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:51 pm
    Cynthia, Janelle and I at Red Tail Ridge Winery It’s not often that I have the opportunity to have a “girls weekend” like I used to before I met Rich, and I definitely miss my girl time.  (Don’t worry, Rich is well aware of this and was brave enough to offer not only to host my friends for the weekend, but also to drive us for our wine tour on Saturday  ) It really is a blast to get together and explore the beauty of the region along with the wines and especially to see who likes and dislikes each of the wines we taste together.  The only things I knew about my…

  • Social Media Quick Tip: Post Quality Content on Twitter

    Melissa Dobson
    19 Oct 2009 | 7:23 am
    photo courtesy of Heron Hill Winery If you’re a winery public relations and marketing person or owner who wears this hat, your head may be swirling with questions about how social interactions on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are changing the way we “pitch” bloggers and writers and land coverage.  I know that it’s at the top of my list of things to pay attention to and I’ll continue to share what I discover with you here. This social media quick tip demonstrates a very simple example of how a local winery’s public relations person posted content…

  • Interview: Facebook’s Andrew Bosworth Talks Facebook for Wine Businesses

    Melissa Dobson
    9 Oct 2009 | 4:49 am
    Video Source: WITS YouTube Channel Here’s a video interview from the Wine Industry Technology Summit earlier this year that addresses some basics of how Facebook can help wineries differentiate their brands.  There’s also some discussion around privacy settings, content appropriate for personal profiles vs. business fan pages. Key takeaways: Emphasis on the importance of telling a story Engage with your customers It’s not enough to have a good wine product, how will you differentiate your wine? Find the stories that consumers can latch onto Your ability to communicate with…
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    Enobytes Wine Blog

  • Know Before You Go; Tasting Room Etiquette

    Marc Hinton
    11 Nov 2009 | 7:01 pm
    In my column today in The Oregonian, I give insight into the rules of etiquette when visiting your local tasting rooms. I’m sure many of you will be visiting your local wineries this holiday season, and those who live in the Willamette Valley are fortunate to have so many great producers on this less traveled route who make phenomenal wines at reasonable prices, including many organic and biodynamic certified wineries. Be prepared to hear a lot of vocal pride for the wines from the 2008 vintage that will be poured and even more enthusiasm for the wines that will be produced from the…

  • Wines for the Holiday

    Pamela Heiligenthal
    9 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm
    Holiday dinner pairings…if you fret the challenge of finding the perfect pairing, you’re not alone. It’s daunting to think about what goes with what; turkey is sort of like chicken, so should I serve it with a Chardonnay? Can I serve the same wine with oyster dressing as I would a sausage dressing? What about smoked meats? Sauces? Candied yams? Pumpkin pie? These decisions would make anyone go nuts. Holiday meals are usually so varied when it comes to flavor, texture, sweetness level, acidity and oil content that it’s almost impossible to find the perfect match as the…

  • October 2009 Monthly Wine Picks

    enobytes
    28 Oct 2009 | 12:01 am
    October 2009 Wine Picks 2007 James David Muscat Blanc, Central Coast, CA 2005 Dominio de Tares Mencia, Castilla y León, Spain 2007 Fulcrum Wines Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA 2007 Domaine Jean Bousquet Malbec Finca Lalande, Mendoza, Argentina

  • Writers, Reviewers and Social Media

    Marc Hinton
    27 Oct 2009 | 6:32 pm
    There is an undertow reverberating through the wine blogosphere lately about the importance of the difference between wine reviewers and wine writers. I may have an opinion that illuminates a bit of the puzzle and defines the difference.  I would like to delineate the specific properties in the intellectual inventory of individuals that resemble that remark on my latest post on Wine Bytes,  my wine blog on OregonLive. Check it out for another good read and be sure to give me your two cents on the matter.

  • Saveur Magazine Lists Enobytes as “Best of the Web”

    enobytes
    21 Oct 2009 | 12:01 am
    As seasoned home cooks await for magazines like Gourmet and Bon Appetite to hit the newstands, professionals and die-hard enthusiasts’ wait (like addicts) for the next Saveur to hit their desk (and for obvious reasons). Since 1994, the magazine continuously pushes the envelope to pack every issue with the passion and expression of cutting-edge innovations, culinary styles and techniques, which measure to a quality others languish to obtain — and when a publication like Saveur Magazine names you as a “Best of the Web”, well, that’s some news worth celebrating. In…
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    winehiker witiculture

  • Links for 2009-11-16 [del.icio.us]

    17 Nov 2009 | 12:00 am
    The western ridge above St. Supery Winery's Dollarhide Ranch Robert Skalli, co-owner of St. Supery Winery, loves this spot atop the western ridge above Big Lake at Dollarhide Ranch, where I scouted a few routes for potential future winehiking on a bright and clear mid-November day. With just a little effort, reaching the top of this ridge affords supreme vineyard views.

  • The western ridge above St. Supery Winery’s Dollarhide Ranch

    winehiker
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:51 am
    Robert Skalli, co-owner of St. Supery Winery, loves this spot atop the western ridge above Big Lake at Dollarhide Ranch, where I scouted a few routes for potential future winehiking on a bright and clear mid-November day. With just a little effort at putting one foot in front of the other, you, too, can enjoy these same supreme vineyard views. You might enjoy a tasty post-hike lunch, and wine too! ~winehiker Posted via web from winehiker’s posterous

  • Caroline: a dark poem for a darkling season

    winehiker
    20 Oct 2009 | 4:06 pm
    When the light of Summer fades, the heart can grow restless - and Love, like the lengthening nights of Autumn, can drift despairingly into shadows. Caroline The wind that whips The cold that bites On chilly North Dakota nights Urges me on My spirit warms As I know I’ll soon be in your arms You tease my heart You fill my mind I crave your tender love so kind Yet struggle on The driving sleet Drains me for I am incomplete I know it’s true A man it seems Had preyed upon your thoughts and dreams I knew that I Must see this man My true intentions not so grand I found him soon His eyes…

  • Links for 2009-09-09 [del.icio.us]

    10 Sep 2009 | 12:00 am
    Flickr Photo: Romp thru the Redwoods

  • Rue Saint Jacques San Francisco

    winehiker
    9 Sep 2009 | 9:22 pm
    via vids.localwineevents.com From Video Juice: Jazzy. Gustatory. Sensational. Destination. Posted via web from winehiker’s posterous
 
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    The Cork Board

  • Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

    Oliver J
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm
    Things are moving right along and believe it or not the Thanksgiving holiday is nearly here. Here are a couple events slated for this weekend that will be worthwhile if you’re looking to taste and/or stock-up on some solid Napa Valley juice. Saturday, November 21st From 8am – 4pm Baldacci Family Vineyards, which is located at 6236 Silverado Trail, will host its first annual ‘garage sale’. That means you’ll be able to find several Baldacci Family wines for sale–many at discounted prices. In fact, the winery is promising to have 50% off some current vintages…

  • St. Helena’s Go Fish reviewed, Napa Valley’s ‘top secrets’ exposed

    TrevR
    18 Nov 2009 | 8:28 pm
    It’s mid-week and there’s plenty of Napa Valley news out there. Without further delay, here are a couple stories worth calling to your attention… A review of Cindy Pawlcyn’s Go Fish Go Fish, long one of our favorite sushi and seafood restaurants in the valley, was reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle today. Here’s a quick excerpt: The vibe: A striking blue, black and white decor speaks of fresh seafood. If there are any doubts, just take a peek at the sushi case of glistening fish or rows of oysters and clams behind the bar. The crowd: Upscale yet family…

  • Photos: Hotel Luca and Cantinetta Piero soon to open in Yountville

    TrevR
    17 Nov 2009 | 8:28 am
    As we made our way through Yountville this past weekend we noted some significant progress being made on Hotel Luca and the accompanying restaurant, Cantinetta Piero. All told, the property will include a 20-room “luxury hotel, spa and restaurant” that was inspired by Tuscany and created for the Napa Valley. Cantinetta Piero will be run by Executive Chef Jason Balestrieri who will aim to provide “approachable, fun, lively, modern” Tuscan food. Several years in the making the property is clearly nearing completion and is expected to open for business sometime later this…

  • Mid-November sights from Napa Valley

    TrevR
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:41 am
    This weekend we were out-and-about quite a bit–enjoying the beautiful Fall days and taking in the scenery. Here’s a glimpse into what we saw… Color Contrast: A red-orange vineyard in the heart of Yountville Vineyard Sunset: A Yountville vineyard watches the last light of the day slip behind the western hills TechTags Plugin [ Napa | Napa Valley | wine | winery | napa vineyard | November in Napa Valley ] Share and Enjoy:

  • Cork Bits: ideas for your Napa Valley weekend

    Oliver J
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:52 pm
    It is a gorgeous time of year in these parts, the vineyards are all shades of red, orange, yellow and green and the air is crisp and cool. This weekend there are a few events that should be worth your time to check out, particularly since none of them cost a dime to get into… Saturday, November 14th Between 11am – 1:30pm at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, filmmaker Rudy McClain will be on-hand to sign copies of his new DVD ‘Merlove‘. The event is free and open to the public–call 707-963-7774 for more details From 3pm – 7pm Uncorked at Oxbow will host a…
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    Confessions of a Wino

  • Hardys in “Freshcase”

    Alastair Bathgate
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:14 pm
    Fred is completely tee-total.  Whilst she is my wine “Nose” and can smell an Eton Mess on a Chateau Latour from 100 yards across a landfill site, ne’er a drop of liquor passes her lips.  This poses a problem for a Wino like me.  Every time I open a bottle I have to consume it all, save for tomorrow, or discard the un-drunk contents, which upsets my doctor, overfills the fridge, or keeps the drains clean accordingly. So the thought of a boxed wine is most appealing.  Hardys claim this new 2,250ml (3-bottle) enclosure keeps the wine fresh for 6 weeks! The packaging is…

  • Château La Garde 2003

    Alastair Bathgate
    16 Nov 2009 | 12:14 pm
    Surely it’s a W?  Why do I seem to disagree with most leading economists, investors and politicians?  In my wine tainted mind, a double dip recession is more certain than ever.  In the UK, at least. We have temporary low purchase tax, temporary hyper-low interest rates and temporary Bank intervention, pumping money into the economy on a scale not seen since RBS started furnishing Sir Fred Goodwin with his pension. This all has to change in the near future.  The economy is being propped up on all sides and as that artificial support unwinds it is hard not to be gloomy.  Interest…

  • Lynch-Bages 2005 – Swans Nil

    Alastair Bathgate
    14 Nov 2009 | 3:12 pm
    Silence please.  There is a time and a place for a little reverence.  I have just opened my first bottle of a very important wine.  Château Lynch-Bages 2005.  A wine that even en-primeur, cost me over £50 per bottle. The Sunday Times Wine Club advised me to wait until 2010, but I could be dead by then and I am an impatient man….oh and I have 12 bottles so I can afford to experiment early.  So Fred had a placed a fillet steak on the skillet and I released the special one from its enclosure. Actually, I now have only 10 bottles.  The first was really badly corked.   Lieutenant…

  • Gotham Bar and Grill, New York

    Alastair Bathgate
    12 Nov 2009 | 11:42 am
    This is just the sort of place I imagined an upmarket New York restaurant would look like.  Solid, spacious, salubrious and snobby, and that is a compliment.  It is expensive in the evening but if, like me, you are on a budget, there are some great deals at lunchtime.  I visited in September 2009 and unlike former customer, Monica Lewinsky, I managed to keep my stains on the tablecloth. My first course was Asparagus salad, dainty and tasty with a Dijon dressing that rivals my own. My second, Hanger steak (chef, Alfred Portale’s own cut) was tender like fillet, tasty like rump,…

  • Cork and cork at Quinta da Lagoalva de Cima

    Alastair Bathgate
    8 Nov 2009 | 6:30 am
    There’s always a danger that things can get a tad introspective at conferences like EWBC, so it is great to get the opportunity to broaden ones horizons out in the field, or terroir, if you will.  A trip to see how cork is produced was, inevitably, sponsored by Amorim, who almost silently supply one quarter of the world’s natural wine closures.  A heavyweight, if there were ever such a thing, in the cork world. My first ever visit to a cork “forest” (I use the quotes because the trees were planted so sparsely a Premier League football pitch could…
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    Smells Like Grape

  • Press Release: Politics, Wine and Fair Trade Collide at Online Wine Auction

    10 Nov 2009 | 11:13 am
    Online Fundraising Auction Supports Efforts to Give Wine Merchants Right To Ship Wine,Consumer right to buy the wines they want(Sacramento, CALIF)—Beginning today and running through November 19th, Specialty Wine Retailers Association (SWRA) and WineCommune.com are sponsoring the "Wine Without Borders" Online Fundraising Wine Auction. The online auction of wine will raise funds to support the effort to overturn state-sponsored discrimination against online commerce and give wine lovers real access to the wines they want, but can't find at their local wine outlets. To view the various lots…

  • Bring Back Summer

    16 Oct 2009 | 7:00 pm
    I heard there is already snow on the ground not thirty miles from here! *gag* I'm not ready for another long winter. With luck, I think we can still squeeze out a few days of New England autumny goodness before winter sets in. Enter Truro Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay.We probably wouldn't have been able to procure this bottle from the 2007 vintage if it hadn't been a sample since Truro has been sold out for some time. I do wish we could have gone in person last summer to sample the wines and I'm sure we will some day. I think wine always tastes better at the winery, and I don't mean that in…

  • A good Pinot under $10? Hellz ya.

    5 Oct 2009 | 6:12 pm
    That's right folks, this is the best Pinot Noir under $10 that I can remember having. Of course it's French (the best source for food-friendly Pinot IMHO), and also of course a Vin de Pays. This is seriously good fall food wine: Dynamite with beef stew or butternut squash lasagna. Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but the bottle is empty...yeah so...don't really have much in the way of tasting notes for you other than that it tastes like Pinot: Nice bright fruit on the attack with lots of subtle beef-stew-complimenting cocoa and spice in a mellow yet undulating finish. We never buy…

  • $10 Tuesday: Go-to Garnacha

    3 Aug 2009 | 3:54 pm
    Here is another damn fine under ten dollar wine from Bodegas Borsao (Campo de Borja D.O.). We paid $8 but, I've seen it for as low as six and change.The 2007 vintage is all about the blackberry: A hint of tobacco and stewed cinnamon stick and blackberry, blackberry, blackberry. It's super fruity but still shows best when paired with bold spicy dishes with lots of garlic. Great pizza wine!This is my new favorite go-to eight dollar red!

  • The Spirit of Cape Ann, Ryan and Wood Distillieries

    27 Jul 2009 | 7:00 am
    My good friend Joey is the driving force behind the community blog Good Morning Gloucester. Joey has a lot of love for Gloucester and the small businesses of Cape Ann and is quick to promote others. Recently, he did a series of interviews at Ryan and Wood, Inc. Distilleries. The interviews give you a sense of how a distillery is set up, the fermentation process, and how the stills work. I hope you enjoy these.Part IPart IIPart IIIPart IV
 
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    wineconversation.com

  • The value of a tasting note

    robert
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:51 am
    Image via Wikipedia I’ve been meaning to write about this for some time, I even drafted a post, but recent events have prompted me to complete it. What is a single tasting note worth? Ryan Opaz of Catavino recently asked this question on twitter after a discussion we had, and it still has me thinking. I suppose one could argue that tasting notes are worth exactly what you pay for them. In most cases, such as blogs, wine social networks and twitter, the answer is NOTHING. They are free! They are given away as they are shared by those tasting wines mainly for their own enjoyment. But this…

  • The future of wine writing

    robert
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:23 am
    Blogs and the future of wine writing I want to get a post up about my experiences of the Wine Future conference, but before I do that, I want to address something that has bothered me since the final session. In that final session, Jancis Robinson said, in answer to a question about the future influence of blogs: “… (there is a) huge generation of people … who are dying to communicate about wine and are very frustrated that dinosaurs like me, and my colleagues who write columns in the National Press, in Britain anyway, refuse to move out of our ’slots’ and make…

  • Live Blogging from the Wine Future Conference in Rioja

    robert
    12 Nov 2009 | 8:30 am
    I’m busy live-blogging the Wine Future Conference in La Rioja. You can follow along too, and see what we feel was coming out of the event: Wine Future Conference – Logroño, Spain

  • Crush It! A book review

    robert
    10 Nov 2009 | 8:03 am
    Crush It Well, I ‘crushed it‘ in one sitting on the plane on the way to Lisbon for the EWBC. Gary Vaynerchuck’s Crush It! is a book intended for an audience of entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the opportunities offered by social media. These opportunities are easier to capitalise on in an age of ready-made blog platforms, template fan pages on facebook and free plug-ins to carry out necessary tasks, so I use the term entrepreneur to mean all those interested in starting their own money-making business, even those with minimal investment or risk. That’s all of…

  • From Bloggers to Gangs and the Future of Wine

    robert
    9 Nov 2009 | 5:20 am
    I’ve only just returned from the European Wine Bloggers Conference (EWBC) in Lisbon, but instead of collecting my thoughts and writing them up, I was straight into the next project which was to be the voice in social media of The Wine Gang at their first wine tasting. The Wine Gang (Olly Smith, Tim Atkin, Joanna Simon, Anthony Rose & Tom Cannavan) asked me to help share information about the event they were planning with the world. It is interesting that more and more of the wine trade are recognising the possibilities of Social Media not just to do traditional things, such as get…
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    Vino Sense

  • Popular, Powerful California Cabernet

    Roberto Viernes
    18 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    California Cabernets are still some of the most popular and powerful wines on the market. They may not be selling as quickly as they used to, but there is no shortage of great California Cabernets being produced at the mid- to high range.

  • Restaurant Wine List Pet Peeves

    Roberto Viernes
    11 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    What bugs you most about wine lists when you dine out? I have my own pet peeves, but I’m sure you have your own.

  • A Gadget To Age Your Wine Quickly

    Roberto Viernes
    4 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
    During a wine tasting, one of my guests asked me about the equipment that supposedly ages the wine for you in a short period of time. You know, that little hot plate-looking device that you can program to age your wine quickly. It claims to age your wine for a number of years in a matter of minutes. He asked me if I thought that they worked.

  • Unmasking A Wine’s True Character

    Roberto Viernes
    28 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am
    It’s Halloween time. Do you have your costume figured out? Are you going to be a ghoul or a fool, a fairy or furry? For many, it’s fun to dress up and be something or someone else for a night. Some let go of their inhibitions (in good and bad ways). Costuming can be fun and outrageous, and even spooky.

  • The Unglamorous Side Of A Sommelier

    Roberto Viernes
    21 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am
    Have you hugged your sommelier today? Sommeliers are those rare (especially in Hawaii) stewards who put together the wine program and serve you the wines in a restaurant. These ladies and gentlemen have to be quite passionate about wine because, as a sommelier in a restaurant (and I speak from experience), you are not the highest-paid person.
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    Woot Wine! - One Week, One Wine

  • Been Doon So Long, Written by Randall Grahm - $19.95

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm
    What Is To Be Doon?(pant…pant…) “At last, I’ve scaled the mountain…are you…are you really…him?”“Yes. It is I, Randall Grahm. Step forward, o seeker of knowledge.” “Wow! I can’t believe it! I’m really talking to you! The founder of the great Bonny Doon vineyards! One of the pioneers of California-grown Rhône varietals! And a lifelong champion of lesser-known grapes against the oppressive orthodoxy of the status quo!” “True, true. Why have you come here?” “To pick your brain about, like, wine and stuff! I mean, you’re in the Who’s Who of Cooking in America…

  • Kent Rasmussen Carneros Estate Pinot Noir -Three Pack

    19 Nov 2009 | 11:40 am
    Primo CarnerosDon’t just read Kent Rasmussen’s wisdom about Carneros and Pinot Noir. Drink it.If you’ve seen his recent Wine.Woot guest blog post, you’ve learned a thing or two about Pinot Noir and Carneros from Kent Rasmussen, a guy who knows. You’ve learned how California produced lousy Pinot until the early pioneers realized it needed cool weather. You know that a windswept, forgotten corner of Napa called Carneros gave birth to the first high-quality California Pinot Noir back in the ‘60s. And you know that despite the rise of other cool wine-growing regions, it still produces…

  • Ursa Vineyards Petite Sirah - Three Pack

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am
    Scout’s HonorTough gig, being a wine scout, lemme tell you. Everybody thinks it’d be a nonstop adventure. They think every day is like stumbling across Mickey Mantle playing on an alkali field, or Lana Turner working the soda fountain at a drugstore. Truth is, it’s a grind. You strike out way more often than you get on base. And you almost never hit a home run. You hear about some sensational Merlot up in the mountains, you spend days or weeks tracking it down, and the stuff tastes like Windex. You spit it out, shrug it off, and hit the road again. Nature of the game. So my hopes…

  • 2007 Anne Amie Cuvée A Müller-Thurgau - Four Pack

    17 Nov 2009 | 10:00 pm
    Know Your Anne AmieUh-oh. This looks serious: a varietal with an umlaut in the name.Nah, don’t be frightened by the harsh Germanic sound. This white grape they call Müller-Thurgau is a real sweetheart. They already know that in Germany, where Müller-Thurgau is the second-most widely planted grape. It can thrive in a wide variety of weather and terroir, it produces a mild and fruity wine, and is just as good young as it is aged – all qualities that make it an economical choice for large-scale wine producers. Not that that matters to Anne Amie. They keep yields low on their estate…

  • Jocelyn Lonen Two - Pack

    17 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm
    It’s All About FamilyThere’s something about drinking a wine from a small family winery. To know that each sip comes from a love and a passion that was handed down to the next generation. To know that each bottle is a tribute to the progenitor’s dream, and that if the kids screw it up, they might just have to deal with the founder’s angry vengeful spirit some dark and stormy night. Today’s two pack of Jocelyn Lonen Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful example of the way a labor of love can become a form of respect. This wine has been overseen by Brandi Jocelyn Pack,…
 
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    1 Wine Dude

  • What We Drank When I Got Fired

    1WineDude
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:03 am
    Technically, I wasn’t fired, I was laid off.  Also, it won’t happen for another 14 months. And I wanted to get laid off so that I could collect a really nice severance package and take a sabbatical for a few months after it was all over, de-stress, and pursue the wine angle full-time for a little bit. The strange part about it is that if I’d agreed to relocate I would still have a very lucrative job at the same company – but after 13+ years, I’ve basically had enough of that high-stress corporate environment (making a very long story very short). Don’t get me wrong, I’m having…

  • The 12 Days of Abstinence

    1WineDude
    17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    As my twitter friends are already (painfully) aware, I’ve been sick for the better part of two weeks.  What began as a bout with either a bad cold or a mild flu became a full-on assault from a (very) nasty case of bronchitis.  Fever, coughing, meds, antibiotics, and definitely no wine. It was suggested to me by a few folks via twitter that I should write about the experience of my forced abstinence.  Initially I was hesitant, because no one wants to read about somebody hacking up brown goo, getting no sleep, and taking various meds – well, maybe only medical students, and…

  • Leaving The Nest: Zen Wine On Wine Biz Radio

    1WineDude
    16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    A hearty shout-out to Randy and Kaz, the hosts of the excellent KVSY radio program and on-line podcast Wine Biz Radio, were very kind in mentioning and discussing my recent post on how to better appreciate wine despite the light-speed pace of how we consumers tend to evaluate our purchases these days.  The WBR podcast also includes an in-studio interview with August Sebastiani, and a phone interview with uber-social media man Gary Vaynerchuk to discuss his best-seller book Crush Itso it’s worth a listen even if you have no interest in what they they had to say about my recent article…

  • Slumming It: The New (Old) Wine Strategy

    1WineDude
    13 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Meet the New Boss Same as the Old Boss - Pete Townshend, Won’t Get Fooled Again I get a lot of wine samples (and no, I have not yet properly pimped out my wine storage to accommodate them all).  I know that many of you (because you’ve told me) hate it when I say that, because supposedly this is some sort of wonderful problem to have.  However, that position is based on two assumptions that generally are totally wrong: The wine samples are primarily for my enjoyment. The wine samples are primarily very good wine (or, alternatively, the wine samples primary purpose is to keep me…

  • Zen Wine: The Death of Wine Multitasking (via Chuck Norris)

    1WineDude
    11 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    As much as social media wine wizards and millennials rail against established wine media, most of them (myself included) share with those ‘old media’ types a similar and mistake-prone approach to wine evaluation and appreciation. And that is, the rapid-fire assessment, review, and perfunctory judgment of any given wine.  We are judge, jury and executioner of the glass’ contents, often within the span of two minutes. We see this happen all the time – in fact in some cases (like certain Twitter Taste Live events, or the “speed dating” wine blogging at the Wine Bloggers…
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    BerlinKitchen

  • 2005 Bassermann-Jordan Freundstück GG

    20 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am
    „Freundstück ist eine Einzellage in der Germeinde Forst im dt. Anbaugebiet Pfalz. Bei der bayerischen Lagenklassifizierung von 1828 wurde diese als Pfälzer Spitzenlage bezeichnet. Der nach Süden ausgerichtete Weinberg in 120 bis 130 Meter Seehöhe mit 5 bis 10% Hangneigung umfasst 3,5 Hektar Rebfläche. Der Boden beseht aus Buntsandsteingeröll mit Tonteilchen auf einer Kalkplatte.“Immer wieder erstaunlich, diese 05er sind eine Wonne im Moment. Bieten im Moment viel Trinkspaß und man hat irgendwie das Gefühl die werden nicht mehr besser. Also, warum warten?! Aufmachen und…

  • Diel 09

    14 Nov 2009 | 11:59 pm
    Ein weiteres Beispiel für die hervorragende Traubenqualität im Jahrgang 2009 - Grauburgunder auf dem Weingut Diel für die Cuvée VictorAnother example of the fantastic grape quality of the vintage 2009 - Grauburgunder /Pinot Gris at the estate Diel for the Cuvée Victor

  • CO

    14 Nov 2009 | 9:04 am
    Hochzeitswein von Carolin&HO und der liebe HO hat mir für unsere Flitterwochen ein paar Flaschen zugeschickt. :-)Ein echtes Lustmonster, genau das Richtige für ein Brautpaar bzw. für eine Hochzeitsfeier. Ein Riesling der einen berührt mit seiner cremigen & barocken & lasziven Frucht à la Wachau (Marillen!) und dazu noch exotische Anklänge von 1001 Nacht. Wie immer bei Weinen von HO darf eine prägnante Mineralität nicht fehlen.....Extrakt, Dichte und Finesse par excellence.Ach, genug gequatscht. Einfach geiler Stoff und die Kehle runter damit.

  • Lorbeer Huhn

    13 Nov 2009 | 1:46 am
    1 chicken600-700g fingerling potatoes20 fresh bay leaves100g green olives5 clove of garlicolive oilPreparation/Zubereitung1 Huhn600-700g Drillinge bzw. La Ratte 20 frische Lorbeerblätter100g grüne Oliven5 Zehen KnoblauchOlivenöl

  • DRC

    12 Nov 2009 | 3:21 am
    Fässer von DRCBarrels from DRC
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    Good Grape: A Wine Manifesto

  • Making the Muse

    jlefevere@gmail.com
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:54 pm
    I’m learning that developing the new darling on the wine scene is one part zeitgeist and three parts effort. Marketing effort, that is. Yes, agencies that do wine PR and marketing, mostly those doing large umbrella campaign work for country or varietal associations, might be the under-acknowledged heroes in the wine industry, bringing new varietals to light via a focused effort on creating mindshare. In the past, I have naively noted that country association advertising in wine glossies was a waste of money.  Ah, the precociousness of youth.  What I didn’t know at the…

  • Vin de Napkin - If a Politician Paid Lip Service

    jlefevere@gmail.com
    16 Nov 2009 | 6:15 am
    As related to politics, the phrases “exceedingly complex” and “party faction” have nothing on the wine business. I’m convinced that the wine world is not only a microcosm of our world at large, but also emblematic of our politics – notably the special interests. Seemingly, there are as many special interest groups in the wine world as there are lobbyists on The Hill. I’ve been doing a lot of regional travel lately and listening to my fair share of talk radio with all of the windshield time. When I get tired of sports talk and NPR, I flip to whatever…

  • What Nascar and Tony Stewart can teach Wine Media

    jlefevere@gmail.com
    14 Nov 2009 | 5:56 pm
    There are two different categories to write about wine topics that will elicit a fervent response – you can write about hot button issues like points scoring or you can write about the navel-gazing three-headed monster known as “online wine writing” encompassing: • Online wine writers vs. mainstream writers • Credibility and ethics • Monetization Each will cause a response with a certainty normally accorded prognosticators predicting the sun coming up tomorrow.  I note this because it is only after weeks of procrastination coupled with a hardy…

  • Life’s Rich Pageant

    jlefevere@gmail.com
    11 Nov 2009 | 6:00 pm
    I must be on every wine retailer email list under the sun—too many to count and the usual suspects, too—K&L, Garagiste and a number of others from around the country.  This, of course, is different than the physical flyers, brochures and catalogs that show up in the good old fashion mailbox, which are also numerous—Kermit Lynch, Crush Wine & Spirits, Sherry-Lehmann, and a host of others. I read through these emails and catalogs just to see what’s going on and who is selling what—much the same way that I flip through the Pottery Barn catalog even…

  • Wine Writing: Beyond the Slope of Enlightenment

    jlefevere@gmail.com
    10 Nov 2009 | 9:48 am
    The year 2009 will be known for many things: notably the most difficult economic period of time since The Great Depression, a circumstance that has left little unaffected.  However, less notably, 2009 will also be known as the year that our wine media intractably changed forever. Despite much virtual ink being spilled this year about mainstream wine writers and their amateur counterparts on the Internet (bloggers and such), it’s still a conversation fraught with teeth gnashing and in situ analysis;  it’s a crystal ball gazing conversation about the great big maw known as…
 
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    Pinotblogger: the Capozzi Winery blog

  • Sniff Taints With Me for 2 Straight Days At UC Davis

    Josh Hermsmeyer
    17 Nov 2009 | 12:17 pm
    Honestly, ask yourself: have you sniffed taint recently? I mean really sniffed taint? Rigorously. Methodically. Intensively. Do you know how to rectify your taint after you’ve sniffed it? Are you certain? Did you know that not all taints are foul smelling? Some folks think some taints smell pleasant. It really depends on the person. There is so much to learn about taints, in fact, that UC Davis has put together a 2-day taint symposium. There you can go and sniff taints – uninterrupted – with your peers. It’s really quite exciting. I’ll be going. Will I perchance…

  • Über Wine Review #3 – “Shit-de-merde! A Brett Bomb”

    Josh Hermsmeyer
    16 Nov 2009 | 8:51 pm
    Shit-de-merde! This wine is all Brett, all the time. Unless you have an aversion to the flavors and aromas of actual wine, it is best to stay away. Only the most jaded fruit and floral aroma haters need apply. Based on this one dimensional sensory profile I guessed France, and from there the Rhone. I was half right. To find out which famed producer made such a wine, click here.

  • An Open Letter to Former Michigan Rep. Barb Farrah

    Josh Hermsmeyer
    12 Nov 2009 | 11:16 am
    Ms. Farrah, I thought you should know that I just finished reading Tom Wark’s recent post on your unconscionable support of HB6644 late last year. This was a bill that, as far as I am able to discern, was almost completely anti-consumer and anti-competitive, benefitting only the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers. That you counted the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association as your single largest contributor; that you rammed the legislation through committee in a single day; that you introduced and sponsored the legislation at the end of your last term; and that after…

  • Stop Saying “Trading Down”. It Makes You Sound Like A Tool.

    Josh Hermsmeyer
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:01 pm
    After reading the latest issue of Practical Winery & Vineyard and seeing the term “trading down” misused by an un-named CEO no less than three times in one paragraph, I wanted to gouge my eyes out with my Dixon Ticonderoga 1388. Stop using it. Just stop. Saying that consumers are “trading down” right now betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of what the entire “Trading Up” phenomena actually was. Silverstein, Fiske and Butman deserve better! Here is the authors’ own definition of the term (emphasis mine): “consumers who selectively trade…

  • Über Wine Review #2 – Surprised By Excellence

    Josh Hermsmeyer
    3 Nov 2009 | 4:40 pm
    My second review starts with the following words: A gorgeous dry white that was so aromatic and balanced that I thought it was an excellent example of Gewurtztraminer from Alsace, one of my favorite wine regions. Was I right? Click here to find out.
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    Aristide - Blog di viaggio nel vino

  • Sagrantino di Montefalco e classificazione, ecco le prime informazioni

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:35 am
    Ricevo e pubblico volentieri il testo dell'intervento del prof. Vincenzo Zampi, Ordinario di Economia e Gestione delle Imprese presso l’Università di Firenze, a cui il Consorzio del Sagrantino di Montefalco ha affidato l’incarico di mettere a punto le procedure per...

  • Sagrantino di Montefalco avvia la "classificazione alla francese"

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    18 Nov 2009 | 3:19 pm
    Oggi è una giornata da segnare col circoletto rosso sul calendario. Il 19 novembre 2009 potrebbe essere ricordata come la giornata fondativa di un modo diverso di classificare i vini in base al territorio. Non si tratta di una novità...

  • Winefuture - Rioja '09, i video

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    15 Nov 2009 | 3:19 pm
    La presenza di diversi wine blogger a Winefuture - Rioja '09 ha consentito una notevole produzione di contenuti in diretta e in varie lingue: soprattutto inglese, ma anche spagnolo e italiano (a cura di Aristide, qui e qui). Tra questi,...

  • Live report: Winefuture - Rioja '09 - giorno #2

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    12 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am
    Ecco il live report della seconda giornata di Winefuture - Rioja '09, il summit globale del vino. In diretta da Logroño, Rioja, Spagna. Winefuture - Rioja '09 - giorno #2

  • Live report: Winefuture - Rioja '09 - giorno #1

    aristideblog@mac.com (Giampiero Nadali alias Aristide)
    11 Nov 2009 | 10:45 am
    Ecco il live report di Winefuture - Rioja '09, il summit globale del vino. In diretta da Logroño, Rioja, Spagna, da giovedì 12 a venerdì 13 novembre. Se la disponibilità di accesso alla rete wi-fi sarà buona presso il Rioja...
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    Wine Weekly

  • Wines for Thanksgiving: Peconic Chardonnay

    vinojoe
    18 Nov 2009 | 1:33 pm
    Peconic Bay Winery Chardonnay “La Barrique” 2007 · North Fork, Long Island, NY, USA We’re kicking off the annual “Wines for Thanksgiving” suggestions with this Chardonnay from Peconic Bay Winery. This is a big flavored, fruit-forward wine that has both aromas and flavors of spicy vanilla oak, ripe pear, and honey. The honey vanilla flavor and the buttery texture meld well with the white meat and simply prepared stuffing drenched in similarly simple gravy. For a wine so ripe it finishes with little to no heat. The one thing it does finish with is a hint of…

  • Mailbag: Franciacorta, Price of Nouveau

    vinojoe
    9 Nov 2009 | 11:09 am
    Recent Reader Questions Answered by Vino Joe There are a ton of emails that need to be answered — I apologize, as I just found them all in my spam bin (and all this time I thought no one had any questions!). Here are two of the many questions I’ll be answering in the coming weeks. I was looking for an alternative sparkling wine for the holidays, and I came across some Franciacorta at the wine store but I have never tried it. Do you think it will go well with the food I am serving (chicken, brussels sprouts, squash) at my dinner party? Or is it more of a stand alone wine?

  • Pink Glasses for Breast Cancer

    vinojoe
    27 Oct 2009 | 6:51 pm
    There are still a few days left in October, which is also “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. That means you still have a good (and humanitarian) reason to treat yourself to a set of Riedel Pink “O” Glasses, a limited-edition line that was originally introduced in October 2006. The original Riedel Pink “O” Glass was a Champagne flute sans the stem, and Riedel continued with the tradition by introducing a new pink glass every October. Now they’ve added a Pink CrescendO, which is a Chardonnay/Viognier glass (but don’t let that stop you from using it…

  • The Top Seven Wine Bloggers (not really)

    vinojoe
    23 Sep 2009 | 5:53 am
    No, Vino Joe did not make the list. Rumor has it that I finished 8th. According to Kansas City Wine Examiner Dennis Schaefer, WineOpinions released the list of the top seven wine bloggers according to the wine trade as: 1. Eric Asimov, N.Y. Times, The Pour 23% 2. Eric Orange, Local Wine Events 21% 3. Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 15% 4. Jancis Robinson (tie), Jancis Robinson 13% 4. Alder Yarrow (tie), Vinography 13% 6. Tyler Colman, Dr. Vino 12% 7. Gary Vaynerchuk, Wine Library TV 9% Again this was a survey of wine trade — meaning, the professional drinkers — and this…

  • Red Wine Review: Oxford Landing GSM

    vinojoe
    22 Sep 2009 | 6:54 am
    Oxford Landing Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2006 · The “Rhone Rangers” are gaining fame for growing traditional Rhone Valley varietals in California. However, there are winegrowers “down under” doing the same thing in Australia. This is one example. Though Shiraz is well-known as a wine from Australia, you may not be as familiar seeing the other two grapes from that continent. Grenache is more commonly seen as a varietal wine from France, and Mourvedre is another French grape used almost exclusively as a blending agent. On its own, Mourvedre (a.k.a.
 
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    jamie goode's wine blog

  • Brief Napa reports: Lagier-Meredith at Bottega

    Jamie
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:45 pm
    Americans like to eat dinner early. When I arrived at Bottega for dinner with Steve Lagier and Carole Meredith, some people we already finishing their main courses, and it was just 6.30 pm.Husband and wife team Steve and Carole began their small Mount Veeder vineyard back in the late 1980s, but were both at the time gainfully employed elsewhere, Steve as a winemaker with Mondavi and Carole as a professor at University of California Davis. Carole was the researcher responsible for showing that Zinfandel actually hails from Croatia, among other things.The first thing they had to do was repair…

  • On my way home

    Jamie
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm
    Just about to catch the BART to the airport on my way home from San Francisco. It has been a really fun trip. I spent this morning wandering around the city, and bought a bag, some bubblewrap, sticky tape and scissors. This was to pack three bottles of wine that I wanted to bring back with me, which Clark Smith had given me yesterday. It will be nice to be home: I've been travelling a bit too much recently, and it's unfair on the family. There's a certain threshold of travelling that's just right, though. It's one of the most fun aspects of this crazy job I have, and I feel very lucky to get…

  • Brief Napa reports: Corison

    Jamie
    19 Nov 2009 | 10:37 am
    Corison took me by surprise a bit: it's a smaller operation than I had been expecting, and the wines were made in a style I love: the antithesis of the big, in-yer-face, points chasing excess. Cathy Corison wasn't around (she was in a plane at the time), but I was ably hosted by Maurey Feaver. We tasted and lunched on the balcony of the top floor of the winery, warmed by the late autumn sun, and looking across to the Mayacamas Range and Spring Mountain.Cathy chooses to make the wines in a more restrained, ageworthy style than many here. She picks a little earlier, and so doesn't have to add…

  • Update from the road

    Jamie
    18 Nov 2009 | 10:53 pm
    Tonight was the last of my brief California trip. The focus today was on closures, and a large panel of technical people were gathered to discuss the structure of a forthcoming closures trial which will be sponsored by Oeneo. Actually, it's not a closures trial, but rather a study aiming to look at bottle variation in the market place. When consumers buy a wine on two or more occasions, how much variation do they encounter?It was nice to catch up with David Stevens and Clark Smith, two winemakers who have a technical angle to their work. It was also nice to put some names to faces, including…

  • Brief Napa reports: Saintsbury

    Jamie
    18 Nov 2009 | 5:38 pm
    For my next visit I was off to Carneros, the cooler-climate bit of Napa at the south of the valley, where the influence of breezes from the San Francisco bay are more keenly felt. This is where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive, and Saintsbury was my destination.David Graves (above) was waiting for me when I arrived, and we had a broad-ranging discussion and tasted some nice wines. David and his business partner have been making wine here since 1981, and have established a good reputation.The vineyard is planted in a lyre system, which works well for Pinot Noir. 'It's like a giant bonsai…
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    Weincasting™

  • Gault Millau. Es nervt womöglich schon, aber…

    Charles B.
    17 Nov 2009 | 1:12 pm
    Ja, da isser nun, der Gault Millau 2010. Und immer noch eine Story wert. Nachdem es vor einiger Zeit einen kleinen Winzeraufstand gab, von dem ich gar nicht weiß was eigentlich daraus wurde, ist die aktuelle Ausgabe nun offiziell auf dem Markt. Offiziell bedeutet, dass einige Exemplare schon zum letzten Wochenende in den Handel sickerten. Möglicherweise ein Versehen des Zwischenhändlers Koch, Neff & Volckmar, den wir ja von Denis Scheck kennen. Wenn man der Abteilung Wein in der Verlagswelt etwas mehr Cleverness unterstellen würde, könnte man dabei sogar Absicht vermuten. Aber…

  • Der rastende Reporter oder eine Weinweihnachtsgeschichte [Update: Der Geschichte zweiter und letzter Teil?]

    Charles B.
    11 Nov 2009 | 9:17 am
    Es war einmal vor gar nicht langer Zeit, da wurde mir immer wieder heimlich eine Geschichte vorgetragen, wie sie sonst nur in 1001 Nacht geschehen sein kann. Es begab sich vor vielen Monaten, da hatte ein alter, bärtiger Mann aus einer Hansestadt am Meer, der sich selbst der Weinreporter nannte, eine Idee. Er, als von viel Ruhm und Ehr’ verwöhnter, weiser, geliebter Mann, der sich selbst an der Spitze der Weinszene sah, wollte dies mit anderen teilen. So rief er die Winzer aus dem ganzen Land, sie mögen doch ihre Weine zu ihm schicken, um diese in einem Wettbewerb bewerten zu lassen.

  • Winzer Spezial: Karl Friedrich Aust

    Charles B.
    8 Nov 2009 | 2:17 am
    Googelt man nach dem Namen Austliegt Stefan weit vorne. Spätestens aber nach seinem Abgang beim Spiegel könnte sich das langsam ändern. Denn Karl Friedrich ist ihm, zumindest bei Google, dicht auf den Fersen. Was durchaus erfreulich ist, denn Karl Friedrich Aust ist schließlich Winzer aus dem Elbtal. Und auch kein ganz unbekannter mehr. Inzwischen durchaus auf Augenhöhe mit Zimmerling, Schwarz, Proschwitz… natürlich anders, aber auf Augenhöhe. Nun könnte man mit seiner Steinmetzlehre in der Dombauhütte in Köln oder mit der Geschichte von Alfred Biolek weiter machen. Aber die…

  • Muryan [Polmassick Vineyard]

    Charles B.
    30 Oct 2009 | 9:26 am
    Ok, die Voraussetzungen sind nicht die besten. Der Wein kommt aus Cornwall. Das kennen die meisten Deutschen von den - sogenannten - Romanen von Rosamunde Pilcher. Das Etikett sieht aus, wie aus dem Copyshop. Der Name des Weins lautet aus der cornischen Sprache übersetzt ‘Ameise’. Dazu gibt es keine Jahrgangsangabe. Doch von mir die Info, dass es sich um einen Müller-Thurgau handelt. Aber ich kenne Weine aus Cornwall die durchaus nicht schlecht sind, also geben wir der ‘Ameise’ eine Chance. Und tatsächlich, ein schöner, leichter und süffiger Thurgau. Natürlich…

  • WC Lektüre vom 15.10.09

    Charles B.
    15 Oct 2009 | 4:32 am
    Das System Deutsche Weinkönigin aus den frühen 50ern muss dringend entstaubt werden und sich aus der volkstümlichen Schunkel-Umklammerung befreien. So ähnlich sieht das auch six-to-nine. Aber bitte keinen deutschen Jungwinzerinnen-Kalender. Das Ablichten in Reizwäsche sollte weiterhin mittelprächtig talentierten C-Promis überlassen werden. Eine Alternative um das Konzept Weinkönigin breiteren Schichten zugänglich zu machen, kommt aus Berlin-Kreuzberg. Denn gibt es jetzt auch dort eine Weinkönigin: Stefan Bolz aus Wedding. Mal sehen, wie sich die Gute bei der nächsten Wahl zur…
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    Brooklynguy's Wine and Food Blog

  • By the Glass - Domestic Cheese Edition

    18 Nov 2009 | 8:00 pm
    We've been delving further into domestic cheeses lately with some very good results, mostly. It continues to fascinate me, the challenge of pairing wine with cheese. In my opinion, which in this case is even less well informed than most of my other opinions, red wine is just too difficult to pair with cheese. They both tend to have such powerful aspirations, how can they avoid doing battle with one another? I find myself wanting to drink whites with cheese, the only question being whether or not the wine should have residual sugar. We've tried the cheeses I mention below several times, with…

  • What to Eat and Drink when you Cannot Drink Wine

    16 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Last week, for the first time in several years, I was really sick. I didn't have a drop of wine for five days. Sounds crazy, but it's true. Imagine not drinking wine for five whole days! You'd have to be in prison, or shipwrecked, or completely knocked out with the flu.My cold was bad enough so that I didn't even miss wine, actually. But one must eat and drink, even when sick. So what does a guy like me think about ingesting when he's on the sick-wagon?Phở. Chicken soup might be more traditional for us Americans, but when I'm sick I immediately think of Phở, the traditional beef noodle…

  • Corked Wine Etiquette - Poll Results and some Thoughts

    11 Nov 2009 | 5:45 pm
    Here is the question I initially asked: You and several other guests are at some one's house for dinner. The host serves a wine that is corked. What do you do? I put up a poll on the left sidebar of the blog offering various ways of handling the situation. The choices were:1) Immediately inform everyone that the wine is corked.2) Wait until everyone has had a chance to taste the wine, then inform the group.3) Wait until everyone has had a chance to taste the wine, hope that some one else informs the group, if no one does, inform the group yourself.4) Don't say anything unless the host notices…

  • Brooklyn Blind Tasting Panel #2 - Poulsard

    8 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Jura wines are kind of obscure, outside of the wine-geek world. Finding them requires seeking them out, your local shoppe is unlikely to carry them. And because they are not wines of obvious and immediate pleasures, they take some time to get used to, a little patience even. This means they may never really catch on here in America, like foreign films or soccer, but that's fine with me. They tend to be small production wines, and they already have fans that show the same level of devotion you see at English football stadiums. Some of the wines are already very hard to find, and I don't need…

  • Action Required - Please Take the Corked Wine Etiquette Poll on the left.

    6 Nov 2009 | 7:42 am
    I'm looking for your feedback on corked wine etiquette:You and several other guests are at some one's house for dinner. The host serves a wine that is corked. What do you do? Please use the poll on the left sidebar to give your answer. Poll closes on Wednesday of next week. I'll tell you why I'm asking after that. If you think I omitted something in the poll responses, please let me know in the comments.Thanks!
 
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    ~ Through The Walla Walla Grape Vine™ ~

  • TЯU Cellars: It Sparkles!

    Catie
    18 Nov 2009 | 10:01 pm
    On one of the glorious warm Autumn days last month, Robin (friend and mentor) and I went downtown Walla Walla to take in the sites, snap photos, check out a few tasting rooms and relax with lunch and a glass of wine.There is no way to escape the turquoise-colored accented building on Main Street and it also has a way of drawing you inside. If you were dropping by Tru Cellars to pick up a bottle of wine for a dinner party, this tasting room has more than wine. Before you left you could also find a fashionable dress or purse for the evening.Once Robin and I made our way through the first room…

  • Plumb Cellars: It's Damn Straight Wine!

    Catie
    13 Nov 2009 | 11:00 am
    I mean - - come on! What else would you name a winery where the majority of the co-founder's are in the construction business and interior design and decorating business? Plumb Cellars, of course!Plumb Cellars was created by a Walla Walla group of friends who love their wine: Margo and Gary Kagels, Edie and Dale Johnson, Crandall Kyle, Chip Madsen, Taylor Sokolowsky, and Meagan & Judah Anderson-Pira. In 2006, Meagan Anderson-Pira, along with the rest of the wine-team, created their first vintage of their flagship red blend, "Damn Straight." If you are wondering about Meagan, let me tell…

  • Walla Walla Fall Release Highlights

    Catie
    9 Nov 2009 | 9:09 pm
    Lately my motto has been, "So many Walla Walla wineries and so little time - - and only one of me." And with the best intentions, I still didn't make it to all of the wineries on my list.When I go wine tasting I like having another wine-geek with me to bounce off tasting notes and talk about the politics of wine and styles of winemaking. Jason Baggett, second-year student at the Walla Walla Institute for Enology and Viticulture and assistant at Mannina Cellars ventured out with me on the Saturday morning of Fall Release 09.Our first stop was at Castillo de Feliciana Castillo Vineyard and…

  • Fall Release Weekend in Walla Walla!

    Catie
    5 Nov 2009 | 3:02 pm
    It’s time for Fall Release in Walla Walla and what does this mean? Well, the truth of the matter is every first weekend in November, Christophe Baron of Cayuse Vineyards opens his doors to all of his fans who are on “the list” to pick up their “futures.” It also means it's a great time for the other wineries to show and shine! And what does this mean for the rest of us who are on the main Cayuse waiting list or on the chain of waiting lists to get on the waiting lists? (Hmmmph, I lost my place on the list in the “divorce” – phhhhtttt!) It means there are plenty of other great…

  • Game On! 8-Bit Vintners

    Catie
    3 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    When it comes to gaming I plead ignorance, but I wasn’t always. In the early 80’s I polished my skills on Ms. Pacman. I was in a situation of "if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em." At the time, my young step-son and his friends were very much into arcades and when we took the kids out for pizza after a football game, they became glued to the video games.Mike James, self-proclaimed gaming geek and owner/winemaker of 8-Bit Vintners realized while gamers were busy slaying dragons and saving princesses, these heroes with square box weapons needed their own wine. I could hardly wait to try…
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    Sour Grapes

  • There are only two types of wine

    Lar
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:19 am

  • The Corkscrew Winter Wine Fair

    Lar
    13 Nov 2009 | 2:44 pm
    If you’re planning on skipping the rugger this Sunday, then you could do a lot worse that paying a visit to the Westbury Hotel where The Corkscrew are running their Winter Wine Fair. Like their summer fair, this is for a good cause, the IAS, the Irish Association of Suicidology. The wines There are over 100 Different wines to sample from all across the wine world, reds, whites, roses, sparkling, fortified & dessert, with discounted prices for purchases made on the day. Nice. When, where and how much? Sunday 15th of November from 1pm –6pm, The Westbury Hotel. To get a ticket…

  • Tickled Pink

    Lar
    13 Nov 2009 | 2:29 pm
    For glamorous girls (and boys) who just love to dazzle (I just love dazzling, don’t you?), Pink is the sparkling wine to be seen with, okay that’s a bit much, but for 16 yoyos, you can’t go wrong with this little pink number. This one is a blend of  Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, produced by Yellow Glen in South Australia. I’m being absolutely honest in saying this is actually a very decent bottle of bubbles. It’s fresh, bright, cheerful and  refreshing. Light pink colour nice soft strawberry mousse flavoured, and quite delicate. Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness…

  • Curious Wines New Zealand Tasting, Dublin

    Lar
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:36 am
    Second of my visits to the Antipodes in a week. First Australia, now New Zealand. Curious wines and Joyce Austin (from New Zealand Boutique Wines) presented a great range of New Zealand wines on Friday evening. Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinotage. Whodathunkit? But we drunk it. Anyhoo, Curious wines know how to put on a show and Joyce gave a fantastic overview of the wines and the industry in New Zealand. Blind tasting There was also a blind tasting of four wines, which made for a lively exercise for all attendees (wines were tasted without knowing grape, label or price). When we…

  • Landmark Australia: The Tutorial Experience comes to Ireland

    Lar
    9 Nov 2009 | 12:39 am
    While Australia and Chile battle it out for the hearts, minds and wallets at the “entry-level” in supermarkets, there’s a little bit of work to do to convince punters to reach for an Aussie for that special occasion, whether as an anniversary gift, father’s day etc. or when out for a nice meal. So. that’s the challenge facing Australian wine and a challenge which has been met head on. Last week, John McDonnell of Wine Australia hosted a tasting with Dermot Nolan (Master of Wine). The theme was Landmark Australia and Dermot talked through some of…
 
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    LISSON

  • ma chute du Mur

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    9 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am
    Ma Chute Du Mur n'était longtemps pas accompagnée d'images, de celles qu'on peut voir encore cette année sur tous les écrans, comme le relate le monde dans son article d'aujourd'hui. Je n'étais ni à Berlin, ni ailleurs en Allemagne, ni devant un écran de télévision, ce soir du 9 Novembre 1989 [...]

  • tour de maison du vin naissant

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    4 Nov 2009 | 4:44 am
    ce n'est pas tout, de se pâmer dans les éloges des vins des millésimes précédents, même si cela console des déceptions de la récolte. Pendant ce temps, c'est le vin nouveau, qui demande notre attention et nous remplit d'espoir. Il y a un peut plus d'un mois, c'était encore du jus de raisin [...]

  • ma modestie en pâti...

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    26 Oct 2009 | 3:19 am
    mais cela fait bien chaud dans mon coeur de vigneronne... de lire tant d'éloges sur mes vins après la visite de Luc Bettoni et Yannik Poirier sur le blog de Yannik. Je les avais déjà savouré pendant la dégustation à la cave, parce que je n'avais pas l'impression, que leurs commentaires sur [...]

  • et pendant que la cuve fini sa fermentation...

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    21 Oct 2009 | 10:59 am
    oui, même si la récolte nous n'as pas laissé dans la joie à cause des importants dégâts par les animaux sauvages, nous avons quand même eu le travail habituel de vinification - à petite échelle, mais qui se déroule comme chaque année, documenté depuis le début de ce blog il y a plus que 4 ans [...]

  • un rêve Canadien

    Iris Rutz-Rudel
    5 Oct 2009 | 2:33 am
    Même si les vendanges 2009 à Lisson ne nous ont pas donné tout le plaisir habituel de ce moment tant attendu de l'année vigneronne, il y a aussi eu des moments de joie partagée et de plaisir. Plaisir, parce que le dernier jour dans le Mourvèdre tant attendu derrière la maison, il était quand [...]
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    Lyke 2 Drink

  • CNN Vital Signs Features Pints for Prostates

    Rick Lyke
    29 Oct 2009 | 10:51 am
    During the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Sanjay Gupta to talk about Pints for Prostates and how we use the universal language of beer to reach men with an important health message. CNN also sent a crew to Colorado for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting and Great American Beer Festival. The interview started airing internationally today. You can check it out here:

  • Tuesday Tasting: Prager 2004 Royal Escort Port

    Rick Lyke
    27 Oct 2009 | 5:50 pm
    Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we head to Napa Valley to sip a great port.A few months back a couple of bottles arrived at my door from Prager Winery & Port Works in California. I have to admit that I don't regularly drink port and, in the heat of the North Carolina summer, I decided to place the bottles in a wine rack and wait for cooler weather. The time has come to crack open one of the bottles.Prager 2004 Royal Escort Port is a dark ruby red 19 percent alcohol by volume wine that is made…

  • Beer Tap TV Covers Denver Rare Beer Tasting

    Rick Lyke
    27 Oct 2009 | 9:20 am
    Erik Boles and the fine people at Beer Tap TV have posted an interview they did at the inaugural Denver Rare Beer Tasting last month. Check out this video to see how they are helping the Pints for Prostates campaign reach men through the universal language of beer.

  • Is Cheap Whisky a Scottish Birthright?

    Rick Lyke
    25 Oct 2009 | 11:56 am
    Living in Scotland means that you can get a decent bottle of Scotch at your local supermarket for under $12. That may all change because of a Scottish government plans to combat binge drinking and it has distillers upset.A plan would set minimum per drink charges for alcohol sold in supermarkets. That would mean that supermarket-brand Scotch would increase in price to $18 a bottle, effectively raising the price to what some branded Scotch labels sell for at retail.Whyte and Mackay, a 160-year-old distiller, says the new minimum pricing plan would have a major impact on its volume. Distillers…

  • Rock Art Brewing Should Send Flowers to Monster's Lawyers

    Rick Lyke
    14 Oct 2009 | 6:42 pm
    Be honest. How many of you had heard of Rock Art Brewery in tiny Morrisville, Vermont at this time last week?This small brewery was plodding along like many of the craft brewers in this country. Making some pretty good beers, building a loyal following of beer geeks and fighting for shelf space against companies that can afford to run ads during weekend football games.Then some lawyers from Hansen Beverage Co., which markets Monster Energy Drinks, decided to come to the rescue. You see Rock Art has been selling a brew called The Vermonster for the last couple of years. Hansen says that could…
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    Wannabe Wino Wine Blog

  • Affordable Wine at a Restaurant

    Sonadora
    20 Nov 2009 | 2:36 am
    When I go to a restaurant and want wine, I pretty much expect to get ripped off. Really. I often go in and see crappy bottles of wines on lists that I KNOW sell for $6-10 going for $30-$50. So I’m always pleased when I see something on a wine list for a price that isn’t out of this world high. We went to dinner at Bilbo Baggins Green Dragon Pub in Alexandria, VA the other night and I saw a table card announcing a partnership with the Wine House in Fairfax to bring 2 wines from Lil Rippa at a reasonable price to the restaurant–the Sauvignon Blanc for $15 a bottle and the…

  • Built on the Cornerstone

    Sonadora
    19 Nov 2009 | 3:33 am
    *Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Cornerstone Cellars. Ah Cornerstone, how I love thee. Let me count the ways. One, your wines are delicious. Two, your Cabernets are elegant and refined. Three, your wines are delicious….wait, I already said that…but t deserves to be said again. I do need to write a post about visiting Cornerstone’s new tasting room this past summer, but for the moment you’ll have be content drooling over this lovely wine I drank the other night. After I finally felt better and had given my palate a couple extra days to recover, we…

  • WBW #63-Find Your Wine Muse

    Sonadora
    18 Nov 2009 | 7:34 am
    Oh dear, this month WBW really crept up on me. If you don’t follow me on Twitter (and WHY don’t you follow me?) you may not have seen that I’ve been pretty sick and even had to cancel the trip to Portugal that I was so looking forward to.  I’ve only been tasting wine again for a couple of days and here it is WBW. I’m generally always up for a challenge and a challenge is what my friend Rob, of RB Wine Post, our WBW host, set us to this month. Rob asks us to find our wine muse. He set us to the task of going to a wine we know well and have had many times or a…

  • Back on the Wine Train

    Sonadora
    17 Nov 2009 | 4:18 am
    *Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample in order to participate in the online Wines of Chile Carmenere Tasting. As you may or may not know from my Twitter feed, I’ve been pretty sick the last few weeks. I hadn’t tasted any wine in weeks, so I was excited that I felt well enough to participate at least partially in the extremely cool online video Wines of Chile tasting. Although I only felt up to tasting two of the bottles that night. I chose the 2007 Viu Manent Reserva Carmenere as one of my two. The wine had a real cork closure, clocked in at 14.5% alcohol by volume, and…

  • Visiting Corison Winery

    Sonadora
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:32 am
    Ages ago after I wrote a piece about the appellation St. Helena tasting I attended last year, I received an email from Cathy Corison. One of her wines was among the offerings at the media tasting that day and she offered to have me stop by her winery on my next visit to CA. Due to very conflicting schedules I missed out on visiting her on my next two CA trips, but was finally able to catch up with her on my final day in Napa after the 2009 Wine Blogger Conference. My friend Loweeel is a HUGE Corison fan (though he bemoans the fact that the Petite Sirah vines were removed from the property),…
 
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    Wino sapien

  • Some young punks - Passion has red lips 2008

    Edward
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:07 am
    South Australia. Cabernet sauvignon (54%), Shiraz (46%). Screwcap. Approx $A25.Seductive at first, with spice, dark chocolate and blackberries. Lush, sweet and creamy, like a wet kiss, this is rounded and plump with seemingly no hardness. Later on, reality and oxygen play their part and the nose takes on a herbaceous and varnish like edge, while in the mouth it seems less integrated, with more ink and a hint of portiness and heat.Very good.88.Now - 2014.PS - I would have bought this even without the eye catching Sin on Wheels label. . .http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Support Wino…

  • Clonakilla Riesling 2009

    Edward
    17 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am
    I've been reading and viewing Smalltown. A beautiful book about the ugliness of small Australian towns. Curiously most of the ugliness seems isolated to South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. There are no images from Victoria or Queensland and only a few from New South Wales (the image above is the Barrier Hwy in NSW).The introductory text is by Tim Winton. It's pointed and insightful, and the sentiment expressed in the following quote reminds me how awful it was to build a house and listen to the excuses of the builder."Tradespeople are not immune to the spirit of untouchable…

  • Plastic cork

    Edward
    16 Nov 2009 | 3:27 pm
    It's been a while since I came across one of these, I think this might be the 5th one in over 3 years and 820 bottles. . . This one reminded me of how stiff and ungainly they are. Have you ever tried to reseal a bottle with a plastic cork?The inscription talks of 5 senses, I find this far too narrow and unimaginative. For a start, what about our sense of time, place, direction, pressure, fear, humour and style. . .http://feeds.feedburner.com/WinoSapien Support Wino sapien and click here for the original context

  • Carchelo Jumilla 2008

    Edward
    16 Nov 2009 | 4:51 am
    Jumilla, Spain. Monastrell (0.4), Tempranillo (0.4), Cabernet sauvignon (0.2). 14% alcohol. Plastic cork. Approx $A25.The stripes reminded me of leggings, which should have been warning enough. . . I have a problem with cute bottles, finding them hard to put down, regretting the decision only later.My old copy of the Oxford Companion to Wine has this to say about Jumilla. . . central, Southern Spain producing mainly strong, often coarse red wines. . .The label states 14%, but it seems much bigger in its proportions. Not a wine for wimps, this is concentrated, assertive and very inky. It…

  • Five profound wines

    Edward
    13 Nov 2009 | 7:01 am
    I had a superb meal at Jackson's, matched with a collection of amazing wines. With the exception of the Vat 1, all were new to me. The striking thing, was the vitality and spark within. The three whites were electric in their own way, the Vat 1 sending shivers down my spine, while the Ostertag is the closest I've come to a vinous Chanel No. 5. The Moric Blaufrankisch is dangerously good and makes just about every other red wine I've tried in the last few months seem pedestrian.Emmerich Knoll Schutt Smaragd Riesling 2007 (Wachau, Austria) - Citrus and slate, while in the mouth it is mineral…
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    Vinos Chilenos de Chile

  • Acto académico de reconocimiento al profesor Alejandro Hernández

    pelado
    26 Oct 2009 | 9:54 pm
    Podrian Uds. ayudarnos a difundir la siguiente invitación entre sus asociados, proveedores y empresas colaboradoras?: Luis Barrales, Decano de la Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal de la Universidad Católica de Chile y Tania Zaviezo, Directora del Departamento de Fruticultura y Enología, tienen el agrado de invitar a Ud., al acto académico de reconocimiento al [...]

  • XII Congreso Latinoamericano de Viticultura y Enología, en Noviembre, en Uruguay

    pelado
    26 Oct 2009 | 12:35 am
    Los días 11, 12 y 13 de Noviembre de 2009 se realizará en Montevideo, Uruguay, el XII CONGRESO LATINOAMERICANO DE VITICULTURA Y ENOLOGÍA, organizado por la Asociación de Enólogos del Uruguay, bajo el patrocinio de la Organización Internacional de la Viña y el Vino (OIV). Teniendo como eje las temáticas: VITICULTURA Y ENOLOGIA, COMERCIO EXTERIOR Y MARKETING DE VINOS, connotados [...]

  • Exportaciones de pisco chileno crecen el primer trimestre

    pelado
    29 May 2009 | 2:17 am
    Los envíos chilenos superan en más de 4% a los de sus competidores peruanos, quebrando así la tendencia de 2008. Un auspicioso comienzo de año vive el sector pisquero nacional: las exportaciones crecieron 171% comparadas con los primeros tres meses de 2008, alcanzando los US$ 228.500, según ProChile. De paso, los envíos nacionales superan a los peruanos [...]

  • Jornada de Capacitación en Gestión Ambiental y Producción Limpia Vitivinícola

    pelado
    15 May 2009 | 5:47 pm
    Enviado por: Carolina Díaz Con el objeto de reforzar el conocimiento en relación a la gestión ambiental y producción limpia de empresarios y profesionales ligados al sector vitivinícola, el programa de CORFO, Colchagua Tierra Premium en conjunto con la Corporación Chilena del Vino (CCV) y el Consejo Regional de Producción Limpia (CPL), realizarán una jornada el [...]

  • Crisis en la industria del Vino

    pelado
    11 May 2009 | 2:54 am
    Cada economía a escala tiene sus propias variables específicas, pero lo que ya comienza a pasar en Europa en la industria del vino, dará la clave de lo que en definitiva se produzca en Chile y Argentina. El consumo y los precios del vino caen en los principales mercados de todo el mundo y el [...]
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    On the Wine Trail in Italy

  • The Wine Week, So Far (looking for a wine of the week)

    Alfonso Cevola
    18 Nov 2009 | 10:09 pm
    It’s just been three days this week so far but it feels like a week or more. Evening events, tastings, wine dinners every night this week so far (with more to come) along with full day’s work, working lunches even. And then there are the deals.Two truffle wine dinners this week. I am all truffled out. Some lovely Nebbiolos though. The Produttori Barbaresco 2005 is gorgeous. I still can’t believe when Etienne de Montille was at the house recently, he was jonesing for Nebbiolo. Too much great Pinot Noir can be too much of a good thing? I reckon.Before I head back to Austin tomorrow and…

  • O-N-D Halftime Report: A Three-Tier Crusaders Gamebook

    Alfonso Cevola
    15 Nov 2009 | 12:44 pm
    Only 39 selling days till ChristmasThere are all kinds of things to distract one in the wine business these days. Confluences abound, yet points of view are so diverse that to troll the top 100 wine blogs is to get a combination of blunt head trauma, whiplash and a serious case of confusion. The last week I have been going around in the car trying to sell cases of wine, and believe me it hasn’t been all that easy. And folks that I am talking to, they are saying the same.So halfway through the precious holiday season of wine selling (and buying) we’re looking at a slow start. O-N-D, the…

  • Master Class in Gruner and Nero D'Avola at a local Bacaro

    Alfonso Cevola
    14 Nov 2009 | 3:23 pm
    A cicchetti feast for vegans and a panino-fest for porchetta-loversHow often does one get the opportunity to travel around a state visiting great wine people with a master sommelier like Damon Ornowski? Last week, while my amigo was noshing it up in Nashville with Kermit, we were terroirizing the Texas countryside with a car full of Gruners and Nero D’Avolas. An unlikely pair of wines from the polar opposite ends of Italy (the Gruner was off the map from the Wachau).Last week in Houston, our rolling wine show pulled up to the steps of a friend’s new place. Lynette Hawkins recently opened…

  • Klaatu Burrata Nikto

    Alfonso Cevola
    10 Nov 2009 | 11:14 pm
    Funny, some of the convergences in life. Just a few observations from the road. Maybe it’s all the high- sugar, high-acid wine I’ve been trying from Kracher. But when I got an email today from Sausage Paul that the burrata was in, and I’m not, I stared into the sky and asked, why me?Yeah, no, life is rolling along pretty well. I’ve got with me a road warrior selling-machine as we waltz the show across the Texas; no guitars, only corkscrews, when needed. So far, so good. Let’s see, any other clichés I can cram in here?Tasting high-sugar, high-acid wines from Austria has been an…

  • Italian Wines: This is Your Moment to Shine

    Alfonso Cevola
    8 Nov 2009 | 9:35 pm
    Bordeaux is in the tanks, Australian wines are on the decline. Elite California wines are having an identity crisis, and Spanish wines suffer from not having a large enough base. Argentina is emerging because of their affordable and drinkable wines. So Italy, where does that leave you?I get a call from a restaurateur. He wants me to come to his restaurant to taste wines and meet a winemaker. For years he has wanted to show in his place the wines from his region, Emilia-Romagna. One time I worked for a company that brought in wines for him, from Predappio. Predappio was where Mussolini came…
 
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    Budget Vino

  • Great bargain wine article in the San Francisco Chronicle

    Dorian Kendal
    12 Nov 2009 | 11:24 am
    A great article about bargain wines written by Jon Bonne of the San Francisco Chronicle. His bargain recommendations may be a little more relevant to those of us in the San Francisco Bay Area, but a good piece of journalism nonetheless.The link to the article is found hereLet me know if you've ever had any of the recommended wines. Curious to hear your thoughts.Thanks Jared B. for sending this my way!

  • The perfect budget beverage to bring to a Sunday brunch- Cava and OJ

    Dorian Kendal
    28 Oct 2009 | 6:01 pm
    This past Sunday, my friend Melissa invited me to join her and some friends at a nearby park for an ad hoc brunch. It was pretty last minute, but I was hungry, and it was so darn nice outside. I should have stayed home and worked, but I convinced myself that a few hours away from my laptop wasn't going to hurt me in the long run. Completely unprepared, I ran to the nearby Safeway, where I pondered what I should bring with me to the park. I walked the aisles a few times, struggling to make a decision. Then, as I was about to give up, I passed the alcohol section. Suddenly it hit me- Mimosas.

  • VIDEO ALERT!!- "$10 (or less) wine"

    Dorian Kendal
    17 Sep 2009 | 6:28 pm
    Its been a couple weeks, and the Commonwealth Club finally posted the "$10 (or less) Wine" panel discussion on YouTube. Give it a watch if you have some time. It's pretty enjoyable if I do say so myself. Definitely let me know what you think. It was my first panel so don't be overly critical. :)

  • Panel Summary- article in SF Examiner

    Dorian Kendal
    13 Sep 2009 | 5:34 pm
    I was hoping to have a link to the Commonwealth Club panel to share, but it's yet to be loaded onto You Tube. The minute I the Club sends it too me, I'll make sure to post it. Overall, the panel was great fun. I'm curious to see what you all think.In the meantime, here's a link to an article written about the event. Quick point about the article- it should have read "under $10." Not sure where the author came up with $12.Enjoy.Back to wine reviews this week....

  • Budget Vino selected to join Commonwealth Club panel on $10 and under wines!

    Dorian Kendal
    18 Aug 2009 | 3:16 pm
    I am really excited to announce that we have been selected to join a panel discussing $10 and under wines at the Commonwealth Club on August 26th. The panel discussion will be recorded and syndicated on NPR and other stations countrywide. This is a pretty big deal for us as The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. The club was founded in 1903, and has played host to a diverse and distinctive array of speakers, from Teddy Roosevelt in 1911 to Erin Brockovich in 2001. Along the way, Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and…
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    Write for Wine

  • Drink This: Wine Made Simple

    WordPress
    17 Nov 2009 | 9:27 pm
    I just received a publisher’s advance copy of the book Drink This: Wine Made Simple and I can’t wait to read it. Yes, I received a free review copy, but quite frankly, I suspect I would have bought it when it’s released next week. I deliberately used the word “suspect” because I haven’t read it yet – it literally just arrived in the mail. But the publicity from Random House makes me look forward to cracking it open. Written by four-time James Beard award-winning food and wine writer, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, the book is described as having answers…

  • Nine Washington Wines Make Top 100

    writeforwine
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:31 pm
    Wine Spectator just published its Top 100 wines for 2009, and the largest number (ever) of Washington wines made the list. It’s also the first time a Washington wine has been #1 — 2006 Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet. The Spectator’s list is based on score, value (reflected by release price), availability and an “excitement” factor.  The list won’t be made generally available until Wednesday – but props to Seattle wine blogger Sean Sullivan for publishing the list today. For full details, along with Sean’s reviews of each wine, please check…

  • Experience William Church Winery and Enter a Contest

    WordPress
    15 Nov 2009 | 4:56 pm
    Experience a bottle of wine from William Church Winery and enter to win a great contest! This is one of the easiest contests I’ve ever seen! First, you get to enjoy a bottle of William Church wine. If you don’t have one, go to the Woodinville winery and buy one – and if you mention this contest, your purchase is 10% off! Easy-peasy! Second, create a wonderful experience when you open the bottle of wine. That’s easy too. Enjoy the bottle with a friend or family, savor the great taste and the great company …. maybe pair it with your favorite appetizer or meal.

  • Love to Meet You Saturday!

    WordPress
    12 Nov 2009 | 1:10 pm
    My good friends at William Church Winery have asked me to be a “special guest” at their Woodinville tasting room on Saturday – I’ll talk about blogs and Twitter, and you can taste the new release of their fabulous Bishop’s Blend, along with delicious appetizers from Preservation Kitchen restaurant. You’ll also find holiday gift packs, 20% discounts, and William Church gear for holiday gifts. And that’s not all – you can also enter their new contest (with some very cool prizes) – details are on their website. The 2007 Bishop’s…

  • Come Meet Me at William Church Winery

    writeforwine
    7 Nov 2009 | 8:19 am
    If you’re anywhere near Woodinville next Saturday (Nov. 14), please stop by William Church Winery to meet me and to taste the new release of their fabulous Bishop’s Blend, along with delicious appetizers from Preservation Kitchen restaurant. You’ll also find holiday gift packs, 20% discounts, and William Church gear for holiday gifts. The 2007 Bishop’s Blend is bound to be as popular as its predecessor, and at $19, you just can’t miss. As my friends Rod and Leslie at the William Church say, “Our goal with Bishop’s Blend is always to deliver flavors…
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    Appellation Feiring

  • Millerton. Tasting Saturday: Living With Wine

    If you live near Millerton, please stop by. Samantha Nestor and I, along with wine cellar designer Fred Tregaskis will be on hand to discuss the new book and drink Viennese wines from Darcy & Huber. --- Being included in Eric Asimov's Wednesday's column on winebooks was a treat. However hearing that my writing was besides the point was a big Ouch! ( I'm sure he didn't mean to be mean to me. I'll try not to take it that way.) The book, lovingly produced by Samantha Nestor, is a beaut, and expensive and a great gift. It might be the last of the great coffee books. But I must beg to differ. I…

  • Been Doon For the Liquid Memories (Saved by the Wild Bunch and Real Wine)

    Saturday night. The wind stopped, as did the rain and I pulled up to the bar at i Trulli on 26th Street. My first glass, a very appealing '07 Pelaverga from Castello di Verduno. Birthday dinner, not mine, ensued. Delicious dinner. Risotto-toothsome, perfect, under an icing of black truffles, what can be bad? Panelle, creamy, more like polenta, atop a very epplant and cracking fresh caponata. The other two had whatevers. They're not really about wine geekery so I chose the $56 safe bet, the Barbera from Castello (as the guest of honor was not as charmed as I by the Pela.) The first bottle went…

  • Wine, Mouthfeel and the Dilemma

    "I would like a smooth wine." I've overheard this request plenty of times. I've also heard a sommelier describe a wine in that manner, and my heart sinks. Since when did texture become a selling point? When did it become part of an enological additive, something decided before the grapes came in. When did it become something like cheesecake, where the 'mouthfeel' is almost its identity, much the way people will debate a knaidel, golfball or puchy (airy). Maybe I'm the one here with the Cubist face in a world of symmetry. True I'm the first to pounce on the crusty potato at the bottom of the…

  • Kant Would Have Something To Say/Vin Naturel & Suckling

    I'm not sure opposites attract. Most of my friends seem to connect over similar palate, I mean my close friends 'get' the wines I love. Even my one friend who's a rabid right winger--extremely close, love her dearly--but when her sort were not drinking French, she shopped the Loire, We're animals and sniff out like-smelling creatures in friendship and in love. Or at least I do, maybe I'm peculiar that way. That said...... ...the Wine Spec Critic who lives on the property of a famed super Tuscan producer and I have a friend in common. Anthony is a fanatic about natural wines and presently on a…

  • Chauvet, Neauport and Natural Wines

    Eleven PM, Ten Bells, wondering where vigneron Thierry Puzelat was, oh, probably out there in Brooklyn getting a black eye or something, while I was drinking K, the gorgeous Marsanne from Dard et Ribo, which Guilhaume Gerard and Cory Cartwright graciously, generously, oiled me with. I didn't catch the vintage but would have to be 2008, though tasted more like the kick ass 2007, decanted. The night was just rolling, I was chatting, and Charnay-based, ever thinking vigneron Eric Texier ran over to me and urgently asked, 'What's the guys name!" Eric last year in France. Eric, give me a clue!' I…
 
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    The Wine Cask Blog

  • Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 G. Duboeuf wine review by (PB)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:21 pm
    This is the annual release of the Nouveau (meaning "new") wine release in Burgundy made from the Gamay grape. It is a worldwide celebration as this wine is made to guzzle being only weeks from the grapes having been on the vine. Are you ready for this?2005 had the best nouveau I had tasted ever and this year's Nouveau is as good and possibly even better!Georges Duboeuf is one of the gigantic negociants of this wine so you will find it virtually everywhere for around $10 a bottle.Review:The hue of this wine is amazing--it is the deepest, most highly pigmented purple to black cherry Nouveau I…

  • Labouré-Roi Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 Wine Review by Billy

    19 Nov 2009 | 3:08 pm
    Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day! This third Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day where Gamay grapes that were grown this year, made into wine this year, bottled this year then sold and ideally consumed TODAY! This is proof once again that wine is wonderful. Nose: Tart Cherry Pixi Stix aromaPalate: tart and fun. Crisply acidic with a tannin burst at the end. Tartness softens with a bit of breathing (10-15 minutes)Finish: short and spiked with tart candied cherry.Overall: Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a cause for celebration. Raise a Glass and do so with friends! For reference, I paid $11…

  • Vina Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2007 Wine Review (NW)

    18 Nov 2009 | 2:01 pm
    Tasting notes:Citrus, pear, and a nutty layer on the noseBeautifully textured on the palateLively finish of tropical fruit, honey, and toasty notesA clean, vivid style of Chardonnay has been emerging out of Chile, and here's another. They're also loaded with fruit flavor, as is this one. Don't miss what's happening with this varietal. And if you happen upon a bottle of this for $18 or so, don't miss grabbing one for your next sea bass. Raise a glass!--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

  • Paul Hobbs 2004 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Review by Billy

    17 Nov 2009 | 7:15 pm
    Nose: Rich cedar, smoke, cracked pepper and blackberry/plum compotePalate: incredibly smooth and silky feel. Soft structure, malleable.Finish:warm blueberry compote finish with some spiciness and wet tobacco notes.Overall: very nice and soft. A softer Napa cabernet sauvignon with full flavor and elegance. A Romantic wine. A high end steak house listed this at $160 which is probably 60-70 higher than a wine retailer can get it for.--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

  • 2005 Bordeaux Chateau du Domaine de L'Eglise Pomerol Wine Review by Billy

    17 Nov 2009 | 7:10 pm
    Nose:inky salt water taffy, tar, lush blackberryPalate: juicy macerated berries, pepper, firm acid core with tannins that play at the edges.Finish:more juicy dark berries with cedar notes, anise at the back of a very long finish.Overall: Young and juicy. This will continue to become more and more complex as it matures and the flavors settle. I was out at a very fancy restaurant on business where the restaurant charged about $160 for this bottle.--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies
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    Zinfully Delicious

  • music test

    PreppyDude
    27 Oct 2009 | 1:02 am
    -file:///Users/Duane/Desktop/09%20Rush%20Over.m4a Posted via email from preppydude's posterous

  • It's Just Dinner

    PreppyDude
    11 Sep 2009 | 5:08 pm
    Spinach, Polenta & Summer Veggies w/ Spicy Pork

  • Dayton Foodie News

    PreppyDude
    25 Aug 2009 | 7:50 pm
    The Last Clambake of the Season              Tuesday August 25th thru Saturday Ausgust 29thClambake Whole Main LobsterLittle Neck Clams, Shrimp, MusselsRed Potatoes, Sweet Onions, Corn on the Cob$39.50We recommend reservations so that we may prepare to serve our guests at the highest level. Help us help you. Please call Josef or Brian or you can make them on line at www.laubergedayton.com Posted via email from preppydude's posterous

  • A slimmer me, just a few short years ago

    PreppyDude
    23 Aug 2009 | 12:55 pm
    Thanks *Shele* for the flash back photo. Does six years count as way back? Posted via email from preppydude's posterous

  • Dayton Foodie News of the Week

    PreppyDude
    20 Aug 2009 | 6:25 pm
    Along with our excitement in announcing our new Executive Chef Jared WhalenL’Auberge is proud to announce the arrival of our new Sous Chef Hilary Ambrose Jr.Mr. Ambrose brings to L'Auberge fantastic continental experience. He apprenticed at the 5 star Carlisle Bay Hotel and Resort in Antigua. He then apprenticed under Executive Chef Stanley Wong at the Famed Spice Market of Jean Georges in New York City. Hilary worked for the Eclipse Restaurant Group in Hong Kong and  most recently moved to Dayton Ohio and to L'Auberge from Macau where he worked for the Eclipse Restaurant…
 
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    Santa Cruz Mountains & Santa Clara Valley Wines

  • The sad state of California chardonnay?

    Dave
    17 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    I've had my head down with work and family recently, so I'm grateful to Christopher Watkins over on Ridge's 4488 blog for drawing my attention to Laurie Daniel's piece on California Chardonnay. I found it a little odd that while writing for the San Jose Mercury she managed to cite examples of good Chardonnay from all over the state with the exception of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Hardly anyone here is making the "cookie cutter" buttered toast style she was complaining about, and most of them are very reasonably priced.Now obviously the region boasts two of the finest producers in the world in…

  • 2008 Stefania Chardonnay, Chaine d'Or Vineyard

    Dave
    16 Nov 2009 | 3:44 pm
    Having opened two of the recent Stefania releases you knew it was only a matter of time before I got to the last one, the Chaine d'Or vineyard Chardonnay. Chaine d'Or vineyard, pictured above, is located off Highway 84 in Woodside, to the east of Skyline Drive. It's a little over an acre on a cool southerly slope. The vines were planted a little over 20 years ago by Jerry and Anne Anderson in the grounds of their home. The Andersons made wine under the Chaine d'Or label for many years, but have now retired and the vineyard and winery is now managed by Paul and Stef Romero. The old Chaine d'Or…

  • Pinder 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gallaway Vineyard

    Dave
    15 Nov 2009 | 9:50 am
    I had this earlier in the year and wasn't particularly knocked out by it - I'm afraid it hasn't got any better since. The nose shows pear drops and a vegetal note. There isn't much fruit, just some tart redcurrant with a touch of oxidation. Tannins are still there on the finish. The sink enjoyed it more than I did. No rating.

  • Famous Last Words

    Dave
    13 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pm
    You know how I finished my last post on Stefania saying I'm definitely going to try to hold on to the 2007s for a little longer? That may prove to be harder than I thought. I collected my latest shipment a little over a week ago and have already got through three bottles of the 2007 "Haut Tubbe". On the nose it's slightly funky, with notes of lavender, brambles and pine. With air some eucalyptus showed. On the palate the tannins first appear soft, though on the final glass they were firming up. There's plenty of acidity and a complex blend of fruit dominated by blackcurrant and with hints of…

  • Attention Bargain Hunters

    Dave
    10 Nov 2009 | 9:55 pm
    Clos LaChance are having another big sale this weekend. Unlike the last couple of sales, the wines on offer this time are all their own label. There is a 50% discount on about 15 different wines, as well as a massive case discount to $8.25 on the Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay. The sale starts on Thursday for wine club members, Friday for the general public. For more details see their website.
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    Stefania Wine

  • Follow up on Hiring

    Paul Romero
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:10 pm
    I've heard from a number of people who are wondering if we're interested in setting something up in their city or when we're thinking of expanding into their city.Maybe a little back story is needed here. I've had a lot of people in the industry wonder why in the world we're even trying to do retail and restaurants. Basically they'd love to be in the position we are of selling most of our wine direct and of selling out before its time for the next release. For many, many wineries, this is where they are trying to get to.One reason we have focused on selling locally is that we're local. That…

  • We're Hiring

    Paul Romero
    17 Nov 2009 | 5:24 pm
    http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/fbh/1469120211.htmlOne of our goals for 2009 was to establish a presence in the local market here in the South Bay. We tried a couple of local distributors, but were not happy with the results and I fired the second one on October 1st.Rather than try a third, we decided to do it ourselves. We hold a type 17 and type 20 permit from the State which allows us to wholesale our wine directly. We're going to do that. Our biggest draw back has been neither Stefania or I have sales experience and we both have very limited time with everything else going on.If you know…

  • Getting in Barrel

    Paul Romero
    15 Nov 2009 | 12:41 pm
    We spent all day yesterday in the winery getting several wines into barrel. Today we went back for a few hours to finish up some minor tasks and do a punch down on the last wine we still have fermenting.First up for today was to totally fill the Chardonnay barrels. As the Chardonnay is fermenting it creates a lot of gas, and bubbles so if you filled the barrels completely wine would explode out the top. As fermentation slows down you keep adding a little more wine until it's completely done, then you top off the barrel.We used this wine to top up the last air space in the barrels. If you've…

  • Fatigue

    Paul Romero
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:04 am
    This is really when fatigue sets in for us. We've been going now for 2 months solid, and things that are not 100% essential just seem to fall off the radar. We're still getting the dishes done, and the bed made, but after that, a lot of things are 'extra' and just have to wait. That's why we've had so few blogs lately.Here's were we are at though this morning.The Chardonnay is in barrel, 100% topped up and we've started the routine of stirring the lees every two weeks. We're not sure if has completed Malolactic yet, we'll have to send off for a lab test in another few weeks. There are 5 full…

  • Thank You Veterans

    Stefania
    11 Nov 2009 | 9:13 am
    We appreciate all veterans; Past, Present & Future.Thank you for your service and courage.
 
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    Organic Wine Journal

  • Long Meadow Ranch

    Adam Morganstern
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:46 pm
    Long Meadow Ranch is showing Napa Valley vineyards can do more than just grow great grapes. The Hall family is using the land to also produce organic olive oil, eggs, herbs, produce and grass-fed beef. Read the story by Drew Stoga over at FlypMedia.

  • Millton Vineyards Receives Demeter Certification

    Adam Morganstern
    18 Nov 2009 | 7:40 am
    Pioneers in biodynamic winegrowing in New Zealand since 1983, James and Annie Millton’s winery, Millton Vineyards has recently received Demeter Certification. “It is great to see that my twenty six years of experience as a biodynamic winegrower are proving to be a useful foundation for the growth and acceptance of this methodology,” says James, who was instrumental in developing the Demeter wine standards in conjunction with the NZ Biodynamic Association. Demeter is the only ecological association that has built up a network of individual certification organizations for…

  • John Williams of Frog’s Leap

    Cathy Garrard
    17 Nov 2009 | 12:50 pm
    John Williams, owner of Frog’s Leap Winery and a pioneer on the Napa organic scene, is a man of analogies. When asked about grapes from irrigated vineyards, he conjures up an entirely different fruit. Irrigated grapes, Williams says, lack the flavor of those from dry-farmed vineyards like his own. “It’s like bland tomatoes that are grown hydroponically. So what do you do with a flavorless tomato? You serve it with salt and pepper, balsamic vinegar and basil with mozzarella on top.” And that’s precisely the kind of manipulation he sees happening with wines produced on irrigated…

  • Nedbank Green Wine Awards – South Africa

    Adam Morganstern
    11 Nov 2009 | 6:14 am
    The inaugural Nedbank Green Wine Awards were announced today at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town. The Nedbank Green Wine Awards have come about due to the increased popularity and consumer interest in this category. Nedbank was the natural partner for the awards due to their ongoing involvement with conservation projects. Their support for the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative through the Green Trust has been in effect since the organizations inception in 2004. The Green Wine Awards are two pronged: Best Wine from Organically Grown Grapes, and Best Environmental Practices Award. Best…

  • Radikon

    Michael Tulipan
    10 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Stanko Radikon’s is making some of the most striking and unusual wines coming out of Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia today. His uncompromising views have brought him acclaim and a devoted following around the world. He acknowledges that his wines are not for everyone. They are unusual enough to make our sommelier in Venice ask if we knew what we were ordering. I assured him that we did, and that we were off to Friuli to visit Radikon himself. Radikon’s land hugs the side of a hill in Oslavia, nestled between the town of Gorizia and the Slovenian border. To the north are the Julian Alps,…
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    Jancis Robinson

  • Tesco - a store audit (Tasting articles)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Tesco enjoys that peculiarly English distinction of being roundly castigated by everyone but their shareholders for being an extremely large and successful company – an easy target, no less. Their business model is proven; their profits continue to balloon; they must be doing something right. In.

  • MW Symposium 2010 discount (Free for all)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Book before the end of the year if you want to get a discount on the 2010 Masters of Wine Symposium. Back in August in Something for the weekend Jancis previewed the next MW Symposium, to be held in Bordeaux, 24-27 Jun 2010. This is a reminder that the early-bird discounted rate expires at the end.

  • California 2009 - now the grapes are in (Inside information)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    As I reported here , in a 24-hour period in mid October, between 2 and 10 inches (5–25 cm) of rain fell in central and northern California vineyards, and it continued to rain, lightly, for four more days, with high humidity – not good for grapevines and the Californians who farm them,.

  • Rhône 2008 - some top producers (Tasting articles)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    More Rhône tasting notes below from some top producers. (Rayas and Clos des Papes to follow shortly.) See Rhône 2008 coverage – a guide for a brief introduction and links to related articles, including the first and second tranches of tasting notes A–L and tasting notes M–V . The wines are.

  • Australia's magic bullet? (Don't quote me)

    18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    What a shame it is that the global balance of mongering is so askew. Wail as we might, mongering of fish and cheese becomes scarcer whilst mongering of war and hate seems to proliferate. If only the mongers among us would swap their guns and flags for halibut and munster, surely the world would be.
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    Wine Brands

  • Tasting and Branding

    9 Nov 2009 | 2:57 am
    Last week I was invited to the "Panorama" Tasting of the on line store Millesima.com on Sauternes and Barsac. I was privileged enough to taste château d'Yquem 1998, 2002 and 2005, Château Climens 1998, Château Rieussec 1997, Château Rabaud-Promis 1997, Château Coutet 1998 and 2004, château de Fargues 1996 and 1997. Many others were presentend but I was not able to taste all of them. Useless to say, those wines were gorgeous and it was a delight to go through the beautiful chais of Millesima, talking to wine makers and other passionate wine lovers while tasting those classics.Of course,…

  • Adegga, the technical wizard behind EWBC

    5 Nov 2009 | 1:06 am
    Since the Social Media Report by VinTank published a couple of months ago, the notoriety of adegga.com increased tremendously and got a much deserved attention. Founded in Portugal by Andre C. Ribeirinho, adegga.com is a very innovative company whose technology is well advanced.In spite of being Portuguese born, adegga.com is an international platform available in Portuguese, French, English, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. Adegga.com and its team, the two Andres and Emidio, were the technical wizards behind the EWBC: all technical problems and glitches were solved with energy and efficiency by…

  • EWBC Goes Green - Part 4

    2 Nov 2009 | 12:50 am
    Back to work and to reality after 3 days in sheer bliss working on wine and social media, meeting my virtual (but good) friends and getting to know more people.Technology people are very often environmentally conscious as they mostly try to work without paper and if they use it, recycle it. They're also aware of the environmental risks created by discarded computers' parts and technological waste. That's why I was not quite surprised when I got the pre-package of the conference sent by email by Gabriella Opaz. Under the self-explanatory title, "EWBC Supports Sustainable Living", our Dream…

  • European Wine Bloggers Conference - Part 3

    1 Nov 2009 | 1:28 am
    Saturday Oct. 31st was THE day of the EWBC conference. We actually worked hard going from one session to an other one, getting in touch with each other and working on important topics: what is a social wine brand? What is the impact of the social media on wine travel? How can wineries answer the challenging issues brought by social media? What kind of relationship can wineries and wine bloggers build? What is the future of the social media in the wine industry?Of course none of us brought a definitive answer to any of those questions. But a few ideas emerged of the lively and sometimes…

  • European Wine Bloggers Conference - Part 2

    31 Oct 2009 | 12:20 am
    Our first day of conference ended last night with a grand buffet and the pouring of the wines of the Douro Boys. But before we were rewarded by such a feast, we had to work hard through two tastings.Both tastings were a real initiation to Spanish and Portuguese wines. Esteban Cabezas, Marketing Director of the Wine Academy of Spain, conducted a fascinating tasting of the fortified, dessert and natural sweet wines from Spain and Portugal usually featured during the Vinoble Fair (Salon de los Vinos Nobles) held in Jerez from May 30 to June 2, 2010. Esteban made a brilliant presentation of the…
 
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    McDuff's Food & Wine Trail

  • Ramen Setagaya

    David McDuff
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:30 am
    When my friends Joe and Nattles suggested lunch at Ramen Setagaya as the initial meeting point during our recent raid on Manhattan, I could hardly decline. There's very little in the way of good ramen in Philadelphia. And besides, it would mark stop number three on my ongoing tour of East Village noodle houses.Ramen Setagaya, which occupies the front half of a relatively tiny storefront space on the west side of 1st Avenue, is more urbane and less homey than Rai Rai Ken, far less buzzy and NY-cosmo than Momofuku Noodle Bar. Rai Rai Ken strikes me as the kind of place one might find on in a…

  • Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo

    David McDuff
    17 Nov 2009 | 5:37 am
    It's been a little over a year now since I last had the chance to meet up with Giuseppe Vajra and to taste through a range of his family's wines in formal fashion.  It was great to see him, a pleasure I hope will be repeated before long.  As always, it's pleasure of a different sort to drink – not just taste – the Vajras' wines in a more relaxed setting.  I did just that over the course of two nights last week, savoring a bottle of Vajra's 2006 Langhe Nebbiolo with two very simple and drastically different midweek meals.  Giuseppe's description of the wine, not of how…

  • Morgon, Morgon, Morgon

    David McDuff
    16 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am
    When friends called to say I should stop by on Friday night because they'd opened a couple of interesting bottles of Morgon, I figured the least I could do was add a third to the mix. After a wee glass of the Crémant de Loire "Brut Sauvage" NV from Château des Vaults (Domaine du Closel) to whet the whistle, we started off with my contribution to the trio. Morgon (Lot S), Marcel Lapierre 2007 $22. 12.5% alcohol. Cork. Importer: Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, CA. Marcel Lapierre makes three lots of his regular Morgon each year, in roughly equal thirds: one that sees no filtration or addition of…

  • Another Gravel-Grown Chinon

    David McDuff
    13 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am
    Cabernet Franc: when it's ripe enough to overcome its weedy tendencies and left well enough alone to be able to express its true self, there are few other vines that speak to me so clearly. It's a vine, like Pinot Noir or Riesling, that when grown in the right place seems to possess an immutable capability to express not just the flavor of the grape but a clear sense of its origins.Take Chinon as a perfect example of one such Franc-centric place of origin. The wines of Chinon – again, when they're made well enough to retain their transparency – speak differently of their overall place…

  • Tuesdays at Rosamunde

    David McDuff
    11 Nov 2009 | 4:30 pm
    Six days and seven nights a week, Rosamunde Sausage Grill makes it their business to grill up what I'm told are some of the best sausages available on the streets of San Francisco. I wouldn't know, though, as I've only been for lunch on a Tuesday, when the usual offerings of forced ground pork and game make way on the open-top grill at Rosamunde for hand-formed patties of ground beef.Tuesday at Rosamunde's is "secret burger day," a weekly ritual that begins with a delivery of of fresh, Niman Ranch beef and ends as soon as the last of the day's 200 half-pound hamburgers is ordered by one of…
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    gottannins.com

  • Wine apps on the iPhone

    11 Nov 2009 | 9:22 am
    When tasting wine, I like to remember what I’ve had and what I thought of it. Since I am the proud owner of an iPhone, I thought I would check out some of the apps that are available. When researching wine tasting applications for the iPhone, there were several features that were important to me; Fellow user reviews Cost Ability to add tasting notes Other miscellaneous features I found seven applications that seemed to fit (or attempt to fit) my criteria; Hello Vino Wine Steward Cellar Wine Pad 2 Tasting Notes Wine Words iSommelier After reviewing the cost, features and benefits, and…

  • Savanna Samson, Small Town Girl From Long Island Turned Winemaker

    7 Nov 2009 | 11:09 pm
    According to Bill O'Reilly (No Spin Zone), Savanna Samson is "blond and tan with full lips and long legs, an unmistakable smoldering sexuality emanates from her very being. That's where Savanna's resemblence to the "typical" adult film star ends..." In addition to being one of the most well known stars in the adult film industry, Savanna Samson is a winemaker, a classical dancer, a writer, and a singer. Having  a lifelong passion for wine she launched her wine business in 2005. The first wine, Sogno Uno, was called a "very fine wine - very good" by no less an authority than Robert…

  • Review - 2006 Buena Vista - Pinot Noir - Carneros

    3 Nov 2009 | 10:33 am
     We enjoyed a bottle of 2006 Buena Vista Pinot Noir - Carneros tonight. It was paired with some risotto and steamed salmon served with some onions and tomatoes. The Carneros region tends to be great for growing Pinot Noir because of the moderate temperature caused by the fog.     Buena Vista's 2006 version has a bit of black cherry on the nose, the finish is fairly pronounced, and the wine is not very tannic.  We purchased the bottle at Von's in San Diego and would recommend it with lighter fare. It will run  you approximately $25. In a rather odd note, the notes…

  • Don Reha, Winemaker, Orfila Vineyards, San Diego, CA

    4 Aug 2009 | 7:35 am
      Don Reha joined the Orfila Vineyards in 2009 after Leon Santoro passed away in January of this year. He has grown up in the wine industry with experience on his childhood family vineyards in Ukiah, CA (Mendocino County). As a winemaker his career started at Fetzer Vineyards in Redwood Valley and studied at UC Davis focusing on Enology and Fermentation Sciences.  Gottannins is happy to provide you with some of his insight. Enjoy! What was the first memory you have of wine?   When my Great Uncle, Joseppi Lorenzi, would give us kids a small “Cheez-Whiz” glass of half wine…

  • Buying Basics - Story by Shoestring Magazine

    3 Jun 2009 | 12:04 pm
     Melissa Massello, founder of Shoestring Magazine, recently spoke with us on our thoughts for her story "Bargain Booze Buying Basics."    Along with Craig and John from one of our favorite stores, BinEnds Wine in Boston, Noah from Crushpad, and Adam Levin from Snooth, we provided thoughts on topics such as wine clubs and helping relax state-to-state shipping laws.   The article can be found here: http://www.shoestringmag.com/eat-drink/eat-drink-bargain-booze-buying-basics Please feel free to leave your comments there. Enjoy. 
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    Vinix: latest wine tastings

  • Mamuthone

    19 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Giuseppe Sedilesu, Mamoiada, Italia Etichetta di grande fascino. Scura, nera ed elegante senza orpelli, non lascia indifferenti. Capsula soddisfacente e sughero di ottima fattura(sardegna non a caso) Versandolo nel bicchiere il vino si apre subito a profumi dai toni molto scuri, cupi, una sorta di continuum sensoriale con l'etichetta. Il colore si attesta su un rubino pieno che lascia intendere un vino in piena fase di vigore, vivo e pronto, sicuramente non in fase calante o matura. I profumi che si avvertono sono quindi quelli della forza di un vino capace di evolvere ancora per qualche anno…

  • Santa Lucia - Novello Toscano

    17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Imbottigliato da C.S.C. SOC. COOP. AGRICOLA, Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Italia Profumo delicato e fragrante. Fruttato, dolce, fresca. Buono come aperitivo, e con dessert secco.

  • Falanghina - Daunia

    17 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Imbottigliato all'origine dalla Cantina Sociale Soc. Coop. Agricola FORTORE, Torremaggiore, Italia Il colore è giallo paglierino, limpido. Al naso si sente fiori e limoni, anche pocino di legno? Quando si beve si sente frutta tropicale, molto ananas che tira verso anice/liquirizia. Nella fine si sente qualche sensazioni di spezie come pepe bianco. Abbastanza corposo, caldo e secco. Con questo vino si abbina bene primo piatto, pasta con crostacei, bastoncini, pesce bianco non troppo grasso, tonno è sul limite. Guardate loro sito http://www.fortore.it/

  • Châteaux Canon La Gaffelière

    16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Châteaux Canon La Gaffelière, Saint-Émilion, France Serata didattica e molto ben organizzata dall'A.I.S. all'Hotel Venezia di Mestre, era una degustazione alla cieca e il risultato è stato sbalorditivo. Erano GRANDI VINI di Bordeaux come l'Evangile di Pommerol e Vieux Châteaux Certan. A tre di noi quello che ci ha ipnotizzato è stato Châteaux Canon La Gaffelière, del quale abbiamo bevuto fino all'ultima goccia, lo abbiamo preferito anche al Cheval Blanc. Colore rosso rubino molto intenso che sta girando al granato. Grandissima consistenza che da l'idea di avere del velluto nel…

  • Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru Cuvée Henriette

    16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 pm
    Domaine Frédéric Mochel, Traenheim, France Bellissima serata a Naturno in Alto Adige. Si era creata una bellissima giornata e abbiamo finito con una verticale indimenticabile nel tempo. Era una verticale di Riesling, Altenberg de Bergbieten Grand Cru Alsazia, abbiamo iniziato con il 2004 e abbiamo finito con il 1983. In quattro persone abbiamo preferito le annate più vecchie, erano meravigliose! Alcune sembravano dei "giovanotti" ancora. Questo era un 1997, uno dei migliori millesimi in Francia, considerato di gran valore e una grandissima annata per il vino. Si è vendemmiato dopo la…
 
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    Got Tannins?

  • Wine apps on the iPhone

    11 Nov 2009 | 9:22 am
    When tasting wine, I like to remember what I’ve had and what I thought of it. Since I am the proud owner of an iPhone, I thought I would check out some of the apps that are available. When researching wine tasting applications for the iPhone, there were several features that were important to me; Fellow user reviews Cost Ability to add tasting notes Other miscellaneous features I found seven applications that seemed to fit (or attempt to fit) my criteria; Hello Vino Wine Steward Cellar Wine Pad 2 Tasting Notes Wine Words iSommelier After reviewing the cost, features and benefits, and…

  • Review - 2006 Buena Vista - Pinot Noir - Carneros

    3 Nov 2009 | 10:33 am
     We enjoyed a bottle of 2006 Buena Vista Pinot Noir - Carneros tonight. It was paired with some risotto and steamed salmon served with some onions and tomatoes. The Carneros region tends to be great for growing Pinot Noir because of the moderate temperature caused by the fog.     Buena Vista's 2006 version has a bit of black cherry on the nose, the finish is fairly pronounced, and the wine is not very tannic.  We purchased the bottle at Von's in San Diego and would recommend it with lighter fare. It will run  you approximately $25. In a rather odd note, the notes…

  • Don Reha, Winemaker, Orfila Vineyards, San Diego, CA

    4 Aug 2009 | 7:35 am
      Don Reha joined the Orfila Vineyards in 2009 after Leon Santoro passed away in January of this year. He has grown up in the wine industry with experience on his childhood family vineyards in Ukiah, CA (Mendocino County). As a winemaker his career started at Fetzer Vineyards in Redwood Valley and studied at UC Davis focusing on Enology and Fermentation Sciences.  Gottannins is happy to provide you with some of his insight. Enjoy! What was the first memory you have of wine?   When my Great Uncle, Joseppi Lorenzi, would give us kids a small “Cheez-Whiz” glass of half wine…

  • Buying Basics - Story by Shoestring Magazine

    3 Jun 2009 | 12:04 pm
     Melissa Massello, founder of Shoestring Magazine, recently spoke with us on our thoughts for her story "Bargain Booze Buying Basics."    Along with Craig and John from one of our favorite stores, BinEnds Wine in Boston, Noah from Crushpad, and Adam Levin from Snooth, we provided thoughts on topics such as wine clubs and helping relax state-to-state shipping laws.   The article can be found here: http://www.shoestringmag.com/eat-drink/eat-drink-bargain-booze-buying-basics Please feel free to leave your comments there. Enjoy. 

  • Justin's 2007 Orphan Finds a Home

    14 May 2009 | 12:56 pm
    There are wines that you expect to be bad, and there are wines you expect to be good.  Often times an expensive wine, that you expect to be good shocks you with its lack of texture, balance or finish.  However, every once in a while a wine that you don't expect too much from, comes along and makes you smile and tell your friends. Justin's 2007 Orphan is that wine.   The one we bought (we actually bought four of them) was $13.99 from Vintage Wines on Miramar Road in San Diego.  Justin's 2007 Orphan has a screw cap, basic bottle and label design.  The price and bottle…
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    CheapWineRatings.com

  • Lucien Albrecht Cremant D’Alsace – Brut Blanc de Blancs

    In case you haven't seen it yet, you might want to check out the November/December issue of Mutineer Magazine.  This issue includes a column, authored by yours truly, about sparkling wines—just in time for the holidays.  One of the wines included in this article is the Lucien Albrecht Cremant D'Alsace ...

  • Forest Glen Pinot Noir

    This past weekend I did a blind tasting with about 20 wines.  They were grouped according to variety (i.e. all the Cabernet Sauvignon at once, all the Pinot Noir, etc.)  There were a few surprises coming out of the tasting and this was one of them. There are some brands that ...

  • Terra d’Oro Moscato

    I'll be the first to admit, that I'm not a big fan of sweet wine, outside of a few very well-done Botrytized wines.  Nonetheless, I receive some every now and then and I'll still review them for the benefit of those who do prefer sweet wine. Although I'm not a big ...

  • Bridgman Cabernet Sauvignon

    Washington State interests me more and more as a wine region, and I wish I saw more wine from that region on the shelves of my local wine shops.  I expect that over time I'll see more of it showing up in my mid-western locale. I've previously reviewed the Bridgman Chardonnay, ...

  • Doña Paula Malbec – Lujan de Cuyo

    In winery years, Doña Paula is still relatively young, with it's roots going back to just 1997.  It was actually founded by Grupo Claro from Chile, owners of Viña Santa Rita, as they diversified operations into Argentina.  You could say it was a good investment, as demand for Doña Paula ...
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    Rockss and Fruit

  • Tasting reflections from a charity event

    Lyle Fass
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:13 pm
    I did a charity tasting for the organization called Girls Write Now which is a top notch organization that mentors aspiring high school female writers with sometimes very famous counterparts. I was thrilled to be a part of this and organized a tasting based on wines from "Sacred Terroir." Or at least what I thought was sacred terroir.We started off with a 2008 Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Riesling Fass Unterstenbersch which was many people's wine of the night. From the lower part of the Ayler Kupp on grey weathered slate. From tasting I would say this is done in a halbtrocken style. Very…

  • Wines I did not taste at the Dressner Tasting (I didn't even see the list from day 2)

    Lyle Fass
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:39 pm
    The Vins Contes wines were there but I just tasted a slew of Puzelat and just did not feel like doing the same style and grapes over again. So I passed. I like Puzelat way more than Vin Contes. I missed tasting the Herve Villemande wines but I need to get over my Puzelitis and realize there are other good winemakers in the Loir et Cher.I did not taste Texier's whites. Meant to but was too hungover the next day to move much less taste wine.My biggest regret is missing the Chidaine 2007's. I've heard good things about Huet so I imagine Chidaine is not too far behind. Dying to taste Clos Habert…

  • Tupac - I Get Around

    Lyle Fass
    14 Nov 2009 | 4:19 pm
    My favorite Tupac song and video, by far. Classic Hip-Hop. West Coast Gangsta style. The ladies, the head-nodding dancing, Tupac worshipped by aforementioned ladies, great guest verse by Shock G, booty shakin', a pool, abbq, sexual innuendo and all that make a it a classic West Coast early 90's Gangsta video.

  • Travel and Wine: The Ultimate Experience Enhancer

    Lyle Fass
    10 Nov 2009 | 6:45 pm
    Out of all the things people do to enhance their wine experiences from having a cellar, to cooking food, to going to tasting group events or industry tastings, nothing beats traveling to a wine region and experiencing it for your self. From experience not only is the trip enjoyable and enriching, but the experience it allows with the producers’ wines upon return is the real meat of the deal, The real enhancer. This is something you will have forever and that no one can take away from you. Every time I drink a bottle of Michel Tete’s Julienas I have a slew of memories and experiences that…

  • Brief intermission from the Dresnner-fest-a-thon for some old notes

    Lyle Fass
    7 Nov 2009 | 11:14 am
    The 2005 Gonon St. Joseph was tight for around an hour then delivered the goods. In contrast to the lighter styled, almost Burgundian style of the 2004, which is a beautiful drink, this is very chewy, dense, dark and structured St. Joseph. I can see this going 20+ more years. Upon opening the nose was a plethora of dark flowers, dark berry, mineral and earth notes. Also some gaminess and great depth and layering. This smells like Hermitage. Regal nose. The palate was tight, but the finish was still long with some fruit beginning to sneak through. The palate soon opened up and became fruitier…
 
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    Wine Biz Radio

  • Leaving The Nest

    randy
    13 Nov 2009 | 3:30 pm
    What happens when a large wine company spins off a business unit on its own? Find out when Kaz and Randy talk to August Sebastiani, soon-to-be President of The Other Guys, which until the end of the year is a part of Don Sebastiani & Sons. Here’s an excerpt from the SFGate.com article talking about the sale of Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery at the end of 2008 [link]: “I designed our family business so that different pieces can be easily broken off,” said Don Sebastiani, who has two sons, a daughter and five grandchildren. “I mean, how do you pass along a family…

  • Between The Storms

    randy
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:30 pm
    Kaz and Randy find themselves alone in the studio! What do they talk about? Randy recounts his drop-in visit to Cellars of Sonoma and details some of his findings, and Kaz rattles on about grapes, football, current events, and fielding questions from the online peanut gallery! Cellars of Sonoma [link] Share This

  • Merlovin’ The Danes

    randy
    30 Oct 2009 | 3:30 pm
    It’s “guest-tastic” this week, as Kaz and Randy have Bart Hansen of Dane Cellars along to talk about making wine for a certain Disney-type person. Then they welcome Rudy McClain, creator of the movie Merlove, to talk about the movie as well as the downtrodden variety in general. Randy also lets everyone know that the show needs help! Dane Cellars [link] Merlove [link] Wine Biz Radio needs help! [link] Share This

  • Our #1 Fan

    randy
    23 Oct 2009 | 3:30 pm
    Thea Dwelle (our #1 fan!) joins Kaz and Randy to talk about many of the current events in the wine industry. Did you know that Gloria Ferrer must be Scottish? Also, Randy does a first look at a new video game that lets you run a winery in France. He also starts talking up his next book review! It’s a work-in-progress episode! Thea’s blog [link] Wine Tycoon [link] Share This

  • Best In Show, With Guns

    Wine Biz Radio
    16 Oct 2009 | 3:30 pm
    Kaz and Randy get hijacked! Well, not exactly. But they do learn a lot about English Springer Spaniels, perhaps more than any sane person would want to learn in 20 minutes. Best of all, it does actually get a wine tie-in! They also announce the winner of the dog naming contest, the Randall Grahm book giveaway, and of course the next installment of Hardy Wallace, Murphy-Goode Wine Country Lifestyle Correspondent! Share This
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    Discover Wine from Israel - HaKerem: The Israeli Wine Blog

  • Daniel Rogov’s 2010 Guide to Israeli Wines Launched

    Avi
    9 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am
    Rogov’s Guide To Israeli Wines 2010 has been launched. This is the sixth edition of the book which has become a fixture in the wine libraries of wine lovers, connoisseurs and wine professionals alike. The launch party was an intimate gathering of the main wine personalities of Israel, including all the major wine writers and critics in the country, CEO’s of wineries, winemakers and a smattering of people from the PR and media worlds . Matthew Miller, the publisher, introduced the proceedings. The main speaker was Adam Montefiore, wine development director of Carmel Winery and he was…

  • Rogov’s Guide to 2010 Launched

    Avi
    7 Nov 2009 | 1:49 pm
    I plan on posting more over the next week about the launch of Daniel Rogov’s Launch of the Guide to Israeli Wines 2010 and his new Guide to Kosher Wines (Disclosure: I received an invite to the launch party and copy from Toby Press, the publisher). In the meantime, however, here is a video from my mentor Adam Montefiore of Carmel Winery and the ‘Ambassador of Israeli Wines’ for over 20 years and Daniel Rogov.

  • Wine Photos from Sommelier

    Avi
    7 Nov 2009 | 10:41 am
    Here are just a few photos from the Sommelier wine conference held last week in Tel Aviv. I will have a post about this amazing Israeli wine event next week. Pardon the quality as these photos were taken from my cell phone after my (fresh) camera batteries died.

  • Tel Aviv Wine Festival

    Avi
    2 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am
    I’ve previously blogged about the Jerusalem Wine Festival but I haven’t yet had a chance to attend the Tel Aviv Wine Festival which is held at the Tel Aviv Eretz Yisrael Museum, near Tel Aviv University. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera and my cell phone had one indicator left, so I didn’t want to waste the battery by taking pics. Tel Aviv’s wine festival differs in two main ways: it features less kosher wine and it doesn’t only feature Israeli wine. I had a very interesting Francis Ford Coppolla Zinfandel, but that’s not why you came here!

  • Israel’s World Class Dessert Wines

    Avi
    30 Oct 2009 | 1:41 am
    Unfortunately most Israelis associate sweet wines with Kiddush and religious ritual, and therefore the very word ‘sweet’ has connotations of a cheap and nasty wine. Something which is to be avoided, at all costs. However some of the world’s most sought after and expensive wines are sweet, pudding wines. An Eiswein or Trockenbeerenauslese from Germany, Icewine from Canada or Sauternes from Bordeaux are sweet, but it would be a tragedy if a wine lover never experiences them because of a prejudice against sweet wines. The Eastern Mediterranean is famous as being home to some of the…
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    The Tasting Note

  • #211 Crap of the Week: Tie & Cufflink set

    20 Nov 2009 | 2:31 am
    University lecturers, geeks, 14 year old boys and people without a sense of humour.  These groups of people generally wear comedy ties and  comedy socks and I really wish they wouldn't as this type of clothing is just sad.  The only remotely amusing cartoony item of clothing I have ever seen was a pair of boxer shorts with a picture of a hedgehog on them with the words 'Beware of the prick'! And, just to show your Art History tutorial that you are a bit of a wine buff, Tiesplanet.com have this wine related tie and cufflink set for you.  For £14.99, you too can look like a…

  • #210 B-Day, Beaujolais Nouveau

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    The human being is stupid.  How we can say that we have evolved from apes is beyond me when we continue to do absurd and disgusting things?  Take, for example, when we blow our nose.  We know that there is nothing good coming out of our nostrils and into the tissue, but we still have to take a peek when we are done.If we open the fridge and find a bottle of milk that has started to go lumpy, not content with simply pouring it down the sink, we have to take the cap off the bottle and have a sniff first, when we know full well that the solids in the bottle indicate that it has…

  • #209 Immediate Douro

    14 Nov 2009 | 1:04 pm
    There are wine regions in the world, particularly Europe, that make wonderful wines that need time to age.  Sadly, due to commercial needs, these wines often appear on the shelves years before they are ready for drinking, and are consumed way too young.  Inexpensive Bordeaux is a perfect example of this, with some 2007 vintages appearing on the shelves already, and despite this being a forward drinking vintage, the wines are nowhere near ready for consumption.The Douro valley of Portugal is another region that has this problem.  Their wines are often overshadowed by their…

  • #208 "I think this wine tastes wonderful, but I've never tried it"

    13 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm
    Matt Skinner, Jamie Oliver’s head of wine, is coming under a little bit of flak for recommending wines in his book, The Juice 2010, which he hasn’t actually tried.  The book’s deadline was before certain wines from the new world had been released, and there are other critics saying that what Skinner has done is wrong.Skinner’s defence is that there are some wines that are consistent from year to year, but he has shot himself in the foot as in his GQ column he wrote 'It's important to remember that every year is different and that no two years – even in the same spot – will…

  • #207 Wine Web Watch... Wine tasting, Muppet Style

    10 Nov 2009 | 4:00 am
    Sesame Street celebrates it's 40th birthday today, and as you would expect trying to find anything about wine from a show that teaches four year olds the alphabet is pretty hard.  So, we turn to the Kermit the Frog, the only character to transcend The Muppet Show/Sesame Street divide, having a little trouble with a wine waiter in the film 'The Muppet Movie'. Happy Birthday Sesame Street.
 
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    Israeli Wine Direct

  • Richard’s Tweets for the Week on 2009-11-15

    Richard
    15 Nov 2009 | 2:00 pm
    @Loweeel How was the Lelabar Israeli wine event in West Village this afternoon?? in reply to Loweeel # Reading Hannah books before bed, asked her if God was married. She says "silly daddy, boys dont get married, only girls do". Good to know # Oh man I love the book "I Was So Mad" for kids by Mercer Mayer. # RT @EstherSteinfeld: The Blinds.com Periodic Table of Marketing: http://tr.im/EGMG What elements make up YOUR table? Did we forget anything? # Pouring/discussing 2 Israeli wines we have on the menu at Lush Wine & Spirits on Halsted in Chicago this Sat from 6-8…

  • Israeli Winemaker Eran Pick on Field Blending

    Richard
    8 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am
    After I read New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov’s fascinating column about the world of “field blends” I asked Tzora’s UC Davis-trained winemaker Eran Pick to comment. A traditonal field blend is a wine whose grapes are planted side-by-side in a single vineyard, and harvested and fermented together. More typical blends are grown, harvested and vinified (fancy wine talk for “made into wine”) separately. Here’s Eran’s response when I asked him to respond to Asimov’s article and to the concept of “field blending” broadly: Hi…

  • 13Celsius in Houston Carries Wine from Israel

    Richard
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:13 pm
    I know I’m always talking about how much I love Texas, and Houston in particular. Well there’s more good news out of that great state. The fun hipster wine bar 13Celsius (get a brie grilled cheese with house-made mustard, pickles and chips on the side when you go) now carries 4 wines from our portfolio. Please ask about these wines the next time you are there! Flam Classico Tulip Mostly Shiraz Tulip White Tulip Pelter Chardonnay Tweet This Post

  • Why Do Texas and Israel Seem to Click?

    Richard
    1 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    Here is a picture of our table during the recent Houston Cellar Classic (we had 5 wines there!) hosted by The Tasting Room in Houston who now carries five of the wines I import from Israel. I have recently been telling people (and it’s true!) Israel and Texas share the Same Hot Latitude and the Same Hot Attitude I love people from Texas. LOVE ‘ em. I’m excited about all the progress we have made in that great state placing Israeli wines. I don’t quite have explained the deep connection I feel between the energy of what I’m trying to do and the energy of the cool…

  • Israeli Wines Take Stage in Houston

    Richard
    27 Oct 2009 | 7:52 pm
    I received the following email from Jim Veal, Israel’s Director of Trade and Investment Promotion in Houston, late last week. He gave me his permission to re-print an unedited version of his email here for you. Jim was kind enough to pour our wines at the Houston Cellar Classic this past week and he has been instrumental in introducing Texans to great wines from Israel, the birthplace of wine. Richard, I believe the events tonight and tomorrow will be incredible. Tonight, your wines will be served in a Reserve Tasting along with such greats as  B.V. George LaTour Cabernet, Milis, Far…
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    Lisa Shea's WineIntro

  • Ferrari Carano Chardonnay 2006

    13 Nov 2009 | 7:42 pm
    From the Russian River Valley, natural cork closure, 14.3% alcohol. It's delicious, complex, pear, apple, honey, citrus, a nice treat. Long finish. Full Ferrari Carano Chardonnay 2006 Review

  • Wine Cork Trivet Instructions

    7 Nov 2009 | 3:49 am
    Sometimes step by step instructions complete with photos really help you get through a project. Here are my step by step instructions for making your own wine cork trivet! The perfect use for all those corks that are stacking up. Wine Cork Trivet Instructions

  • Conundrum

    28 Oct 2009 | 4:43 pm
    I'm drinking another bottle of Conundrum, I just want to say again how much I enjoy this. I know it's $30 which is not cheap. But it's "comfort wine" to me, so delicious, full of fruity flavors. I suppose I should mention I have a sweet tooth so people who like really dry wines might not enjoy this :)
 
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    Imbibe New York

  • The Garden Wine Bar

    Sistah-K
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:44 pm
    As we entered The Garden Wine Bar at NYC’s Four Seasons Hotel, Caitlin and I chuckled, wondering how she managed to score an invite to this inaugural event.  Grabbing a glass of bubbly and a few nibbles of cheese, we stood at a table where I was happy to be her date.  It’s a lovely [...]

  • Around the World in 80 Sips

    Sistah-K
    16 Nov 2009 | 3:18 pm
    On Friday, Jenn–producer extraordinaire– and I arrived at 583 Park Avenue, an awesome space for which I–in my DM’s and black skinny jeans–felt awkwardly underdressed.  Opening the doors for a press tasting at 5:30, for which we were there on the dot, Bottlenotes launched Around the World in 80 Sips, an event that hits NYC, Chicago, and [...]

  • Spit & Twit at City Winery

    Sistah-K
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:32 am
    At City Winery on Sunday, Wine Twits co-sponsored an experiment in social media and wine called Spit & Twit, to bring users of Twitter together to taste and tweet at the same time.  In case you’re not in the know, as I was not until recently, Wine Twits is an online networking site for those [...]

  • Blue Angel Wines

    Sistah-K
    9 Nov 2009 | 8:33 am
    Friday night, Carlos and I rode the L to meet Caitlin and Alex at Blue Angel Wines.  It’s my second time to this boutique shop in Greenpoint, and I almost enjoy the journey as much as the destination itself.  Turning left from Lorimer onto Ainslie, I pass by my first apartment in the city, but [...]

  • Hospices de Beaune Tasting at Christie’s

    Sistah-K
    3 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am
    Last Wednesday, Christie’s opened their their Board Room doors for a tasting of 17 wines from the Hospices de Beaune, preceding the official auction that Christie’s has officiated since 2005. Taking place on the third Sunday of each November, since 1859, the Hospices de Beaune hosts this auction to benefit the charities of Hôtel Dieu.  For Burgundy aficionados [...]
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    ShipCompliant: Wine Shipping Blog

  • Three Great Options to Get the Latest Compliance Updates

    Jamie Jimenez
    9 Nov 2009 | 1:40 pm
    The constantly changing regulatory environment for wine shipping and distribution poses an ongoing challenge for wineries looking to get their products into the hands of eager consumers.  Three upcoming compliance events will give wineries an up-to-date look at the latest industry changes and provide interactive discussion with a chance to meet the ShipCompliant team. Paso Robles, CA: Wineries in the Paso Robles area are invited to attend “Simplify Your Compliance”, a regional workshop held on Nov. 12 to address legal issues related to compliance with tips, tricks and best practices for…

  • Wisconsin County and Stadium Local Taxes

    Jeff Carroll - VP of Compliance, ShipCompliant
    2 Nov 2009 | 10:59 am
    All businesses registered with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue received a notice (see below) that county and stadium taxes must be remitted beginning October 1st, 2009. Wineries shipping into Wisconsin are subject to this change. For all orders that were taken after October 1st and shipped to Wisconsin residents, wine shippers must remit the appropriate county and stadium taxes. When filing the Wisconsin sales and use tax return, form ST-12, Schedule CT should be used to report these additional local taxes. The first sales and use tax return with local taxes is due for monthly filers in…

  • Amazon’s Exit From Wine Business Shouldn’t Hurt Wineries’ Online Sales

    Jeff Carroll - VP of Compliance, ShipCompliant
    23 Oct 2009 | 2:40 pm
    The much-anticipated entrance of Amazon.com into the wine industry has come to an end before it ever got off the ground. The prospect of Amazon’s wine site sent a wave of excitement throughout the industry as small and medium sized domestic brands with limited distribution saw an opportunity to get exposure through Amazon’s enormous book of active customers. For foreign brands, the opportunity seemed even more attractive since imported brands don’t have the same rights to ship wine directly to consumers as U.S.-produced brands do. The Amazon program, in theory, would have…

  • Up in the Air

    R. Corbin Houchins, Beverage Industry Counsel
    20 Oct 2009 | 9:25 am
    On September 30, a federal district judge in a New Mexico suit brought by US Airways to free it from state regulation of beverage service ruled that the 21st Amendment prevents the federal government from preempting state regulation of alcoholic beverage service aboard federally regulated carriers. The decision leaves New Mexico regulators free to treat airliners in their airspace as if they were local taverns with respect to licensing, server training and over-service. Although the case does not deal directly with wine distribution, it is a significant addition to the “weak Granholm”…

  • Maine Direct Shipping Permit Applications Available

    Annie Bones, State Relations - Wine Institute
    12 Oct 2009 | 10:30 am
    The direct shipping applications for Maine are now available on the Wine Institute website. The direct shipping permit allows wineries to ship up to 12 nine liter cases of wine to a recipient’s address each year. The Department of Public Safety, Liquor Licensing and Inspection Division has confirmed that there are no prohibited shipping areas at this time. The annual permit fee is $200 plus an additional $100 filing fee. Applicants will have to register with Maine Revenue Services to pay sales and use taxes before submitting their permit application. Maine Revenue Services will send…
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    2 Days per Bottle

  • Thanksgiving at Palate Press

    18 Nov 2009 | 12:22 pm
    Thanksgiving: Our Wine Holiday,by W. R. TishThanks to the World Wide Web, America’s homegrown feasting holiday has become, all but officially, America’s Wine Holiday.Read more at Palate Press: The online wine magazine.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

  • A Doughboy France: A Palate Press Veterans Day Tribute

    9 Nov 2009 | 11:38 am
    Today's story, A Doughboy in France: A Palate Press Veterans Day Tribute, can be found at Palate Press. It includes seven wine reviews (well, six wine and a beer) and excerpts from my grandfather's World War I diary. I think you will enjoy it.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

  • 1996 Clairault Reserve

    29 Sep 2009 | 11:51 am
    Vintage 1996 Type Red Producer Cape Clairault WinesVariety Red Bordeaux Blend Designation Reserve Country Australia South Region Western Australia SubRegion West Australia Appellation Margaret River The wine was slightly cloudy and brick colored, turning to orange at the edges. It was also a bit translucent, showing clear signs of its age.The nose showed loads of dried flowers and a bit of crispy beef fat. It was earthy, a bit dirty, and had fresh bay leaves in the background.On the palate, dried flowers and dried leafy spices, plus some distinct hazelnut, led the attack. Mouthfeel was silky,…

  • PALATE PRESS: The online wine magazine

    8 Sep 2009 | 11:06 am
    I apologize for my absence from 2 Days per Bottle. I have been preparing to launch PALATE PRESS: The online wine magazine, and I am absolutely thrilled to announce that we launch Thursday, September 10, with an amazing lineup of stories. Here is a sneak preview of the press release, for my wonderful readers:PALATE PRESS: The online wine magazine, the next step in the evolution of on-line wine content, is pleased to announce its launch on September 10, 2009. PALATE PRESS is the collaborative effort many of the best recognized wine voices on the internet, including American Wine Blog Award…

  • 2005 Château de Bellevue

    24 Jun 2009 | 9:57 am
    Type Red Producer Château de Bellevue Variety Red Bordeaux Blend Country France Region Bordeaux SubRegion Libournais Appellation St. Émilion Grand Cru Price $15 (375 ml) at The Little Wooden Guy likes the wine, and the smaller bottle makes him feel bigger.The color was incredibly dark, completely opaque but for the very edges, black with a purple tint.The nose opened with blackcurrant and cedar, with a background aroma of vanilla cream, but very light, not overpowering wood-based vanilla.On the palate, blackcurrant is the predominate fruit, along with some blackberry. Peppermint and…
 
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    Wine Questers Blog

  • Satori Cellars – a Gilroy treat

    Jim Preston
    31 Oct 2009 | 2:45 pm
    Little Satori Cellars is a new winery north-east of Gilroy in the southern Santa Clara Valley.  They are only open the 3rd weekend of the month now but intend to be open on all weekends starting in July 2010.  Please visit their WineQuesters.com profile for much more information. We were driving along a back road after [...]

  • Cameron Hughes wines – great wines & prices

    Jim Preston
    28 Oct 2009 | 12:29 pm
    Cameron Hughes isn’t a winery and doesn’t have a tasting room.  Cameron is a real guy in San Francisco who buys premium already made wine, bottles and labels it, and sells it mostly through Costco and Safeway. Yep, vintners around California have already made the wine but need to pawn off some for a variety of [...]

  • Holly’s Hill, El Dorado wine region

    Jim Preston
    8 Sep 2009 | 1:02 pm
    This past weekend we finished off a bottle of Holly’s Hill Vineyards El Dorado 06 estate Grenache.  Medium body with an earthy Pinot-like nose and a fine lasting finish.  It has just a light hint of sweetness but is not a sweet wine at all. Nice and dry. So what’s the story about a visit to [...]

  • Sailing with Wairau River wines

    Jim Preston
    26 Aug 2009 | 12:36 pm
    The name Wairau River probably indicates to most readers that this is not California wine. OK, the next hint is that Wairau is Maori for “many waters”. By now you geography geniuses are getting it. Terlato Wines International sent me their New Zealand Wairau River Wines brand 08 Sauvignon Blanc and 06 Pinot [...]

  • Napa Valley Marriott is a tasting room?

    Jim Preston
    26 Aug 2009 | 10:40 am
    Napa Valley Marriott guests are invited to a complementary tasting in the afternoons most days.  The wines are from quality vintners in the Napa Valley, many of them very small operations, and the pouring is done by the vintners or their staff. Most of the wineries seem to be by appointment only types so this is [...]
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    sandihurst wine

  • Sandihurst Sauvignon Blanc in the UK...

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:14 pm
    Its always nice to read a review of your own wine that reaffirms exactly what you have tried to achieve when making the particular wine. Neil Phillips is a leading wine expert in the UK with over 20 years experience in sales and marketing roles with companies such as Pernod-Ricard and Gallo. In his newly established blog 'The Wine Tipster' he reviews our Sandihurst Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008. You can also find him here on Twitter.Sandihurst thought provoking Kiwi Sauvignon BlancCelia and Hennie Bosman, who own the Sandihurst Winery, are making excellent wines across the board and their…

  • Wine and cricket...

    18 Nov 2009 | 12:02 pm
    I heard this morning that a recent MCC poll conducted in NZ, South Africa and India found that less than 10% of people prefer Test Cricket. More than half of all Indians polled prefer the 20-20 format of the game. In a world where money and time are key, Test cricket is (sadly) on the way out. .Also in my mind recently was the news that the massive Marlborough winery Yealands Estate is to launch a Sauvignon Blanc in a plastic bottle. This could be the first of a majority shift by the winery to plastic. The bottles weigh only a tenth of a normal bottle so the freight savings alone must be…

  • Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave..............

    16 Nov 2009 | 1:35 pm
    How could I have left out the crucial penalty save, as important as the goal itself. The crowd loved it....

  • Goooooooooooooooaaaaaal.....................

    16 Nov 2009 | 11:51 am
    This wont be news to anyone living in New Zealand by now but for you overseas readers, the New Zealand 'All Whites' have qualified for the Football World Cup, next year in South Africa, for only the second time ever. Its great news for football in NZ. The largest crowd for a match ever in New Zealand, largely dressed in white, created an amazing atmosphere. Heres the goal that took us there...

  • Up in Smoke...

    15 Nov 2009 | 12:03 pm
    Waipara's The Crater Rim winery burnt down over the weekend and with it went most of their 2009 vintage and almost all equipment. An electrical fault is thought be at blame. A real tragedy. Not only wont they have the wine for sale but they have a real race on their hands to be up an running for the 2010 harvest. Read a little more here in the Christchurch Press.
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    Robert Francis Wine Blog

  • A Couple of Good Wine Show Videos – Check the out !

    admin
    19 Nov 2009 | 1:30 am
    The Goodwineshow Cork 2009 Over the past couple of weeks/months you probably saw references to the Good wine show either here on my blog, other blogs in Ireland or the national press media. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the event on the Saturday. From what I could see the event was a rip roaring success with people flocking from all around to taste the wines from Bubblebrothers, Karwig Wines and Curiouswines. The following are just a couple of short videos that I shot early on the day as to be honest it became to busy thereafter to shot any more videos. @Kevatfennsquay and…

  • John Wilson’s Favourite Australians – Sounds Fantastic !!

    admin
    18 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am
     John Wilson’s Favourite Australians Click here to view the embedded video. John Mc Donnell has come up with yet another fantastic tasting !! “During the summer I gave John (Wilson) the task of pulling together his selection of Favourite Australian wines. The task wasn’t to draw up a list of Australia’s best wines, but as John says, “My first criteria for choosing these wines was very simple; would I be happy to share a bottle of any of them with my friends? The answer had to be yes. The list is certainly not a definitive gathering of the greatest wines of…

  • Wine Fair – Thomas Woodberrys Galway

    admin
    17 Nov 2009 | 1:50 am
    Wine Fair by Thomas Woodberrys in the G Hotel Details from Woodberrys are “We are returning to the G Hotel, Wellpark Sunday 22nd November , 2pm – 7pm There will be over 100 wines for tasting, along with various hamper & gift ideas. We have decided to reduce the Entrance fee this year to €10 in light of the economic conditions. You can book your tickets via email, phone or in store alternatively tickets will be available at the door on the day” Click here to read my post from last years event ! Hope to see you there ….

  • Sunday Business Post – @Curiousmike and many more !

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 6:27 am
    For those of you who missed it check out the fantastic article by Tomas Clancy on Wine online in Ireland and the boys from Curiouswines. With a nice mention for @karwigwines, @bubblebrothers, @smallsip [sourgrapes], myself and a few others. Great to see a writer of Tomas calliber giving coverage to this !! Hurrah ! Click here for part 1 Click here for part 2

  • Media Round Up – Saturday 14th November 2009

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:59 am
    Irish Times – John Wilson  WINES OF THE WEEK Beaujolais 2007 Georges Duboeuf, 12%, €11.99  Nice light, juicy nose; very attractive light wine with a lovely strawberry edge and good, but not overdone acidity. Stockists: Super Valu/Centra; Kelly’s, Vernon Ave, Clontarf; ADM Londis, Yellow Walls; Martin’s, Fairview; Spar, Milltown and Leeson Street; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock (all in Dublin); D Mac’s; Next Door, Raheen and Chawke’s (all in Limerick); McPhail’s, Egan’s, and Callan’s, (all in Drogheda); Knight’s, Shannon; Harvest, Oranmore; Salthill Liqour Store;…
 
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    Recent Posts from the Wine Advocates

  • Counterfeiting - where does it end?? Ponsot on a fake 2005 CdlR

    20 Nov 2009 | 5:41 am
    The rarest and the most expensive wines have addressed it....laser codes embedded in the glass...more vintage branding...water marks a la modern currency....and now some anti-fraud capsules that are very cool...but this is for vintages post the late 90s.....before that...nothing but extreme diligence is in order...and that is probably inadequate...:glass:(author: Robert Parker)

  • Counterfeiting - where does it end?? Ponsot on a fake 2005 CdlR

    20 Nov 2009 | 5:37 am
    Mark....certainly good news regarding the DRCs....but counterfeiting youngsters is disquieting...something else to ponder.... many of these legendary wines are never purchased to be drunk...just "collected" and admired...how many famous estates would want it acknowledged a significant percentage of the wine with their name on it might be fake?....think it over...hardly beneficial for upholding price supports at astonomical levels....anyone wonder why so much of the very rare wine market has moved to Hong Kong?.....getting hot in the USA....and it is not being caused by the usual…

  • Why Don't We Properly Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveaux??

    20 Nov 2009 | 1:53 am
    Arthur...funny...opened a Joel Rochette last night..not because I love BN, but just to have a little,and largely meaningless glimpse at the already much-hyped "legendary" 2009...fun and fruity wine for sure...and after all the pomp and circumstance surrounding wine...much of it BS and elitism...these wines are a mini-celebration of a new vintage...or by extension, the beginning of a new life in the kingdom of wine:glass:(author: Robert Parker)
 
 
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    Wine For Newbies

  • Find good wine with this tip

    William Wilson
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:50 am
    I’ve mentioned this idea in the past, I think, but Judy Beardsall says it nice and simply: Friends, The importer’s name on a label tells me almost as much about the wine as the name of the vineyard it comes from. There is a small number of specialty importers dedicated to seeking out wines that are the most interesting and are, invariably, good value for the money. You can’t be expected to know the track record of every importer, and of course, many very good wines are handled by large importers. You can find the name of the importer either on the back or the front of the…

  • Epcot International Food and Wine Festival 2009

    William Wilson
    15 Nov 2009 | 9:34 am
    We’re finally back from ten days at Walt Disney World. For us, the highlight was the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Now in its 14th year, it is the longest and largest food and wine festival in the world. The festival features 35 food and wine booths all around Epcot’s World Showcase. Each of the booths offers samples of food and wines (or beers) from the hosting country. The samples can be had for a few bucks each, and they are a great way to experience the cuisine. Besides the food and wine booths, Epcot’s festival includes a wine bar at its welcome center,…

  • Wine Vidcast 4: Two German Rieslings

    William Wilson
    1 Nov 2009 | 11:58 am
    German wines are wonderful, but the entire topic can be, well, hard to learn. The ancient looking wine labels, hard-to-pronounce German names (hard for some of us, anyway), and words like “kabinett” or “trockenbeerenauslese” can send the faint-of-heart running toward a bottle of Chardonnay. If this is you, it’s time to screw your courage to your sticking place and learn about German Rieslings. In this video, we take the entire subject and break it down into small morsels, and then focus on just two of the many styles. If you learn them one or two at a time,…

  • Wine For Newbies–behind Wine Library TV, ahead of Martha Stewart

    William Wilson
    28 Oct 2009 | 7:13 pm
    We all know that Gary Vaynerchuk’s Wine Library TV is the 800-lb gorilla when it comes to wine blogs and podcasts. Heck, he even gets to do his show from Epcot at the Food and Wine Festival. So, it was with great satisfaction (and a hint of giddiness) that I happened to see the “most popular podcasts” in the iTunes Arts/Food directory. There’s Wine For Newbies 2.0, ranked number five, with Wine Library TV ranked number three. And ahead of Martha Stewart’s podcast. Speaking of Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, I’m going to be there from November 4…

  • Dump your Champagne flute

    William Wilson
    25 Oct 2009 | 1:10 pm
    For decades, maybe even centuries, the Champagne flute has been touted as the best way to enjoy Champagne. Fortunately, this way of thinking may be on the way out. Dr. Vino has a post about comparing Champagne served in a flute with Champagne served in a white wine glass, among other topics. It’s refreshing to see this issue raised, and I find hope in the fact that one of France’s major Champagne houses, Charles Heidsieck, is pushing the idea of changing to a standard wine glass. Of course, this all begs the idea of whether wine glasses really do make a difference. The answer is a…
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    Sommelier India - India's only wine magazine

  • Sommelier India Wine Competition to judge 400 wines

    16 Nov 2009 | 11:49 am
    The Sommelier India Wine Competition will be held between November 19th and 20th, 2009 at the ITC Grand Central, Mumbai. With over 400 Indian and foreign wines being entered from all the major wine producers and importers, the competition is set to be a resounding success. For details on attending the Gala Dinner, please email na@indianwinemagazine.com

  • Allegrini wines from Valpolicella at an exclusive dinner at 360° at The Oberoi, New Delhi

    15 Nov 2009 | 10:43 am
    Brindco, in association with Sommelier India - The Wine Magazine, recently hosted an exclusive wine dinner at the 360 Degrees restaurant of The Oberoi, New Delhi to introduce a fine selection of Italian wines and Italian food prepared specially by world renowned chef, Rolando Beramendi of Allegrini, which is a leading Italian wine producer from the Valpolicella area. Right: Brindco General Manager, Christophe and Saurabh Srivastava with other guests.

  • Sula Vineyards to expand as Indage Vintners struggles

    14 Nov 2009 | 3:22 pm
    With Indage Vintners in serious financial trouble (employee salaries haven't been paid in nearly a year), Sula Vineyards hopes to take advantage of the gap in the market by expanding aggressively. Sula's strategy has three parts - increase acreage under contract farming, increase capacity at its facilities and introduce mid-priced range to attract wine lovers.

  • Perfect by candlelight

    13 Nov 2009 | 9:37 am
    Gourmet delicacies by candlelight...paired with 90 pointer plus wines from around the globe... what more can a wine lover really want? asks Ruma Singh. The members of the Bangalore Wine Club had their wish list for quality fulfilled when they gathered at Olive Beach, Bangalore, for the latest BWC event on 4th November, a sit-down dinner titled A Night with the Nineties.

  • The Ever Growing Appetite for Fine Wine in Asia

    13 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    It seems wherever you look in the world of wine reporting currently, the global buzz of the moment relates to the burgeoning demand for fine and rare wines by Asian consumers, says David Elswood, Head of Christie's International Wine Department.
 
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    grapeinabottle

  • planning the perfect Halloween party

    Rob
    30 Oct 2009 | 9:07 am
    In today’s post I will reveal my wine list for this weekends Halloween party.  What better way to enjoy giving out candy to the neighborhood children than to have a wine tasting at your Halloween party. For this spooktacular wine tasting event we will be sampling Vampire Cabernet, Black Cat Syrah, Evil Chardonnay, Evil Cabernet, Valley of Moon Zinfandel, and Ghost Pines Cabernet.  If you choose to serve these same Ghoulish Wines please feel free to share your tasting notes.  I will give a full tasting report after this Halloween wine tasting event.

  • Preparing for your Hallowen party? Here is a great start.

    Rob
    28 Oct 2009 | 7:58 am
    I thought these bobbling skull wine stoppers would be a great beginning to plan the perfect Halloween party. You can’t just serve ghoulish punch, of course you will need wine and I will discuss which wines I will be serving in part 2.

  • commemorating the moment with martellotto cabernet sauvignon

    Rob
    26 Oct 2009 | 12:50 pm
    It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for. No, not the birth of our new baby.  (Although, yes, that too was highly anticipated in our house.) My first postpartum glass of wine. It had to be big and bold.  I didn’t want a flavor that would taper into wimpy; I wanted something that would swirl around my mouth, and warm it into a “Thank God I’m not pregnant” smile. My glass of 2006 Martellotto Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles perfectly fit the bill.  Full of smoky oak and a healthy alcohol content (13.5%), this bottle tasted even better after 24 hours of being…

  • 4 Oct 2009 | 4:43 pm

    Rob
    4 Oct 2009 | 4:43 pm
    I tried a great shiraz this week from Shoo Fly Wines. This Australian shiraz brimming with spicy dark fruit flavors produces a bold and delicious drink. With pepper and and earthy mint undertones this is a great wine to enjoy with friends while sharing a pizza during the football season. At $14 USD this wine is definitely worth trying.

  • Red Diamond Shiraz Shines at my Bar-b-que

    Rob
    16 Aug 2009 | 6:50 am
    Image of Red Diamond via Snooth As our daughter celebrates her third birthday and enjoys hamburgers, hot dogs, and cake, the adults at the party enjoyed a nice bottle of Red Diamond Shiraz. This medium bodied peppery wine was perfect with its raspberry jam and honey finish mingled with spicy floral undertones. For under $10 there will be plenty of bottles to go around.
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    Grape Wall of China

  • Rough and tumble in China: The New Yorker profiles ASC Fine Wines’ Don St. Pierre, Sr.

    By Jim Boyce The New Yorker just published a lengthy article by Evan Osnos about ASC Fine Wines founder Don St. Pierre, Sr and his son Don St. Pierre, Jr. In it, St. Pierre, Sr comes off as a profanity-uttering, rough-and-tumble, take-no-prisoners businessman. Based on my experience, much of the language is vintage St. Pierre – [...]

  • Grape Press: Fakers, robbers, and wine in China

    - People in the wine business here say there is more ’82 Lafite in China than was ever produced that year in France. – Wall Street Journal - By Jim Boyce One reason I recently posted an exchange with Benjamin Wallace, author of Billionaire’s Vinegar, is because of the massive – and growing – amount of fine and rare [...]

  • Beaujolais Nouveau in Beijing: Get your plonk at these parties…

    By Jim Boyce The third Thursday of November is upon us and that means Beaujolais Nouveau parties (see here for more on this phenomenon). Get your plonk at one of these parties: Le Baie des Anges: Beaujolais Nouveau at RMB40 per glass or RMB200 per bottle. French Cultural Center: Beaujolais Nouveau, alongside other French wines, including Champagne, as [...]

  • BYOB? Obama, Nixon, wine, and Chinese state dinners

    - By Jim Boyce This post at Obama Foodorama reports that China President Hu Jintao hosted U.S. President Barack Obama at a state dinner earlier this week and served him both red and white Great Wall 2002 wines. Does that count as an assassination attempt? (Kidding, just kidding). In any case, the leaders ate “Chinese-style beef steak” [...]

  • Hong Kong wine auction: Spectrum to sell 200 lots from Aubrey McClendon collection

    By Jim Boyce California-based Spectrum Wine Auctions will hold its first event in Hong Kong – with more than 200 lots from the collection of Aubrey McClendon – at Crown Wine Cellars at 9 AM on November 22. This is the latest event that affirms Hong Kong as a top-three auction site along with New York [...]
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    Anything Wine

  • Trained wine tasters think more about their sips

    vcuspoon
    18 Nov 2009 | 8:11 am
    After reading the story in the Wall Street Journal about “Why wine ratings are badly flawed?” it got me thinking. Not about wine ratings because that part of the article I agree with, wine ratings are subjective, and can generally be inconsistent across various types of “raters”. I’ve always thought it weird that one wine in Spectator can get a “90” and then in Enthusiast receive a “78” or vice versa. “There is a rich history of scientific research questioning whether wine experts can really make the fine taste distinctions they claim. For example, a 1996 study in the…

  • Tuesday Quick Sip – 2007 Preston Viognier

    vcuspoon
    17 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am
    Megan and I picked this wine up about this time last year on our visit out to Sonoma/Napa, at Preston Vineyards. If you haven’t been, I recommend it, not only for the wine but for the experience. A beautiful place to have lunch as well as pick up some local veggies and eggs, that Preston grows and raise themselves. A very cool experience.   2007 Preston Viognier The Facts: Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Soil: Predominately gravel & sand, along creek bed Grape: 100% Viognier Barrel Fermentation: 40% Price: $28 My Tasting Notes: Nose: apricot, sourdough, apple core,…

  • Virginia Wineries on Twitter

    vcuspoon
    12 Nov 2009 | 9:43 am
    I comprised a list of Virginia Wineries that are on Twitter, some of which I already followed and others were new ones that I found. After searching on Twitter itself, I went through every wineries website, looking for their Twitter Tag. Surprisingly of the 142 wineries in the state only 17 are on Twitter. There may be more that I missed so if you aren’t on this list and want to be, shoot me an email. You can link to any of the wineries twitter account by clicking below or you can follow the whole list here. Winery Name - Twitter Tag Rappahanock Cellars - @rcellars Corcoran -…

  • Tasting with Giuseppe Vajra of G.D. Vajra

    vcuspoon
    10 Nov 2009 | 11:38 am
    Today I had the opportunity to meet Giuseppe Vajra from the winery G.D. Vajra in Piedmont, Italy. I have been a fan of Vajra wines for sometime so it was a great experience to meet Giuseppe today. For whatever reason, I find it intoxicating when Italian’s speak of their wines, more so than any other region. My Tasting Notes: 2008 Langhe Bianco – 100% Riesling – floral with light citrus, and apricot notes. Lucious pear combined with great acidity at the back of the palate. Very Austrian in style of texture but the mid – palate is much “fatter”. Extremely nice! 2007 Langhe Rosso…

  • Back to Shinn Vineyards – more than a winery

    vcuspoon
    9 Nov 2009 | 1:48 pm
    During our recent visit to the North Fork of Long Island, we had the pleasure of staying at the Shinn Vineyards Farmhouse B&B. Following a fabulous lunch at Shinn during Taste Camp back in May, Megan and I agreed that we MUST come back and stay at Shinn—six months later, here we were! Cabernet Franc Grapes We visited Shinn during harvest, so it was a lot of fun to see (and taste) all the action while we were there. Each morning we took a long jog along their country road lined with vines, while tractors and field hands (and birds and bees) buzzed back and forth between vineyards. Then…
 
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    A Good Time With Wine» A Good Time With wine

  • How good is Hartwell

    Matt.mmwine
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:37 pm
    Entrance to Hartwell Vineyard and Winery Just a hop, skip and mountain or two away from the three wineries I visited in Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma lies Napa Valley. This time, my travels took me specifically to St. Helena, and my first stop was Hartwell Vineyard and Winery.  With a history of producing wine that in 2005 was given a 95 point rating by Wine Spectator, I was sure the Hartwell family would not only wow us with their wines, but offer a great visit. I was right. Hartwell Vineyards We met with Linda LaPonza, Hartwell’s General Manager, and daughter of proprietors Bob and…

  • Tasting and Talking about Quivira – 2007 Grenache

    Matt.mmwine
    16 Nov 2009 | 11:47 pm
    Quivira I wasn’t fortunate enough to join my fellow wine writers for the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference, where many had the opportunity to walk the Quivira Vineyards. I was, however, fortunate enough to visit Quivira and two other wineries as part of a Visit Dry Creek series of wine segments for Daytime, a nationally syndicated morning show. We had a great time visiting first Michel-Schlumberger, and then Montemaggiore, and knew that our time at Quivia would be equally as enjoyable. Quivira Waterfall Upon arriving at Quivira Vineyards & Winery, you are greeted by a beautiful…

  • Talking about Montemaggiore 2005 Syrah

    Matt.mmwine
    15 Nov 2009 | 11:13 pm
    A trip through Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma affords one plenty of opportunities to stop in to various tasting rooms and sample the wines they have to offer. However, it’s only when you travel off the beaten path that you’ll come across Montemaggiore. Nestled high on the mountainside, Montemaggiore isn’t “open to the public” per se. Rather, you need to call Lise or Vince Ciolino, owners of the vineyard since 2001, and make an appointment to take a tour of their beautiful property and taste their great wines. Our second stop on our Daytime tour through Dry Creek Valley…

  • Do you know the way to Michel-Schlumberger

    Matt.mmwine
    12 Nov 2009 | 11:30 pm
    While the American Viticultural Area, or AVA, of Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma is synonymous with Zinfandel, there’s a lot of great wine coming from this area that you shouldn’t miss. To raise your awareness of what wines you can enjoy from Dry Creek Valley, I took a trip to three wineries in September, filming television segments for the nationally syndicated morning show Daytime. Our first stop was Michel-Schlumberger, where we had not only the opportunity to meet with President and General Manager Judd Wallenbrock, Wine maker Michael Brunson, and Director of Retail & Direct to…

  • Lets taste James David Cellars 2005 Central Coast Syrah

    Matt.mmwine
    4 Nov 2009 | 12:15 am
    James David 2005 Central Coast Syrah I absolutely love the tremendous amount of variety and diversity there is in the wine world. I love how the same grape, grown in the same area, perhaps even at neighboring vineyards, can taste so different.  The influence of the methods the winemaker uses to ferment and age the wine as well as the care and growing conditions the vineyard manager employs can change your perception of a varietal magically. I haven’t reviewed many Syrahs on the blog, and the ones I did review previously really didn’t trip my trigger, so to speak. It was,…
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    Caveman Wines: Wine PR, Wine Public Relations, Wine Marketing

  • Napa, wine prices, and the economy

    Michael Wangbickler
    2 Nov 2009 | 9:25 pm
    On a recent visit to Haber Family Vineyards on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, Ron Haber brought up a recent comment I had posted on Duane Pemberton’s WineFoot.com. The comment was in response to Duane’s question on why Napa wine are so expensive. Duane’s assertion is that Napa wineries “overcharge” for their wines. While I understand the perception that Napa wines are expensive, there are reasons. Here was my response: There are additional factors that can affect the price of the wines. In fact, just about everything is more expensive in Napa. They have highly…

  • What we need… is a blog!

    Michael Wangbickler
    19 Oct 2009 | 4:38 pm
    I’ve heard this phrase countless times from wineries interested in exploring the world of social media marketing. The truth is, however, that not every winery needs or should have a blog. Before starting a winery blog, here are a few things you might want to keep in mind: What are your goals? Why do you want a blog? What will it be about? Do you have a clear understanding of the benefits of having one? Your blog will be doomed to failure if you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish. Set down a plan of action and follow it. It doesn’t have to be complicated,…

  • There’s wine from the Midwest, doncha know?

    Michael Wangbickler
    15 Oct 2009 | 9:41 pm
    Map courtesy of http://iguide.travelQuick! Name the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) established in the United States. Napa? Nope. It was Augusta, as in Augusta, MISSOURI. WTF? Yep. Recognized on June 20, 1980 by the then Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), now the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Augusta AVA has the distinction of being the first. The oldest operating winery in the U.S.? Sonoma? Wrong again. That honor belongs to Brotherhood Winery in New York. My point? Not only do they make wine outside of California, but in certain areas they’ve…

  • Bio-dynomite!

    Michael Wangbickler
    13 Oct 2009 | 3:14 pm
    A little over a week ago, Benziger Family Winery hosted a blogger event at their estate. A dozen bloggers were in attendance as the folks at Benziger rolled out the dog-and-pony show. And what a show it was. Benziger Family Winery was established as an 85-acre family estate in Glen Ellen, California. That’s in Sonoma Valley, for those that don’t know. The family made it’s fortune on the Glen Ellen wine brand, which it sold to Heublein in 1993. But, they kept their family estate in Glen Ellen and continued to make wine under the Benziger label. Long before that though, the…

  • Why you need Cruvee

    Michael Wangbickler
    8 Oct 2009 | 9:48 am
    Yesterday, Cruvee announced a new suite of features. I’ve been using Cruvee for the better part of a year now, and am very pleased with this recent development. In case you don’t know, Cruvee is a business intelligence platform for monitoring and managing social media mentions specifically about wine. The new features greatly enhance the already useful service Cruvee offers and give wine companies the solution they need to better asses who is talking about their brands and what they are saying. The new features include, among others, unlimited search results, unlimited users, and…
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    American Winery Blog

  • Prepare Yourself for…Thanksgiving Leftovers!

    Lindi Kauer
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:08 pm
    Remember what the fridge looks like the day after thanksgiving? Packed with the remnants of previous night’s dinner, the leftover tidbits can be a snacker’s dream or a cook’s nightmare. But if you let the gastro-alchemist loose, you can come up with some fun ways to make new meals all week long. If you are anything like your mother – you’ll make Turkey Noodle soup!  Turkey Noodle soup is great, but if you are like me and would prefer to spend your time with your friends and family instead of slaving over homemade noodles and chopping vegetables: you’ll…

  • Email Marketing: Holiday Tips

    Erica Sharp
    27 Oct 2009 | 10:18 am
    The holidays are nearly upon us, and you know what that means… Smoking hot holiday deals! Boxed sets! Mixed case specials! Stocking Stuffers! Tasting events! Email is a wonderful way to spread the word about what you have going on at your winery this holiday season. Just a few tips to maximize your holiday email campaigns: 1. Use a compelling subject line. The average inbox is loaded with spammy email offers and the last thing you want is for your beautifully designed holiday email to get overlooked or worse yet, end up in the trashcan! Lead with a special offer – “Save 25% on holiday…

  • Winery Spotlight: Airfield Estates

    Stacy Buchanan
    13 Oct 2009 | 11:06 am
    When you hear stories of wineries’ and their estate vineyards’ origins, there always seems to be a common thread – a history that led to the winery’s creation. Sometimes it centers around families that immigrated from elsewhere, or perhaps it’s a family tradition in farming that lead to grape growing. Much like their name denotes, Airfield Estates has a unique and distinct story which is grounded in the history of aviation in Prosser, WA. Founder H. Lloyd Miller leased the land, located primarily in south-eastern Washington, to the Olympic Air Transport Company…

  • Lindi’s favorite Pot Roast Recipe

    Lindi Kauer
    5 Oct 2009 | 3:49 pm
    It’s fall.  The weather is getting cooler and and you are starting to layer your clothing again.  In my mind, now is the perfect time for some comfort food.  Although this recipe takes a bit of time, I am sure you could probably chuck all the ingredients into a slow cooker on low and leave for work in the morning, to come home to a delicious meal that night.  This is one of my favorite recipes because it puts a tiny spin on a timeless classic. Ingredients 4 TBS Olive Oil 4-5 lb bottom round roast 1⁄2 large sweet onion, diced 2 small shallot, diced 6 cloves of garlic – some…

  • Take your fun with champagne seriously

    Stacy Buchanan
    29 Sep 2009 | 11:01 am
    Champagne has always been a horse of a different color in the wine world. Besides the fact that champagne is only made in the aptly named Champagne region of France (if produced elsewhere it’s simply sparkling wine, with a few exceptions), I’ve always found the cork fascinating as well. As naive as it might sound, I just recently learned that the mushroom-shaped cork for champagne bottles actually starts out as a normal cork; it isn’t until the bottling process that the normal corked is mushroomified. Crazy! Like the many different varietals of wine in existence, champagne…
 
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    Anything Wine

  • Trained wine tasters think more about their sips

    vcuspoon
    18 Nov 2009 | 8:11 am
    After reading the story in the Wall Street Journal about “Why wine ratings are badly flawed?” it got me thinking. Not about wine ratings because that part of the article I agree with, wine ratings are subjective, and can generally be inconsistent across various types of “raters”. I’ve always thought it weird that one wine in Spectator can get a “90” and then in Enthusiast receive a “78” or vice versa. “There is a rich history of scientific research questioning whether wine experts can really make the fine taste distinctions they claim. For example, a 1996 study in the…

  • Tuesday Quick Sip – 2007 Preston Viognier

    vcuspoon
    17 Nov 2009 | 5:57 am
    Megan and I picked this wine up about this time last year on our visit out to Sonoma/Napa, at Preston Vineyards. If you haven’t been, I recommend it, not only for the wine but for the experience. A beautiful place to have lunch as well as pick up some local veggies and eggs, that Preston grows and raise themselves. A very cool experience.   2007 Preston Viognier The Facts: Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Soil: Predominately gravel & sand, along creek bed Grape: 100% Viognier Barrel Fermentation: 40% Price: $28 My Tasting Notes: Nose: apricot, sourdough, apple core,…

  • Virginia Wineries on Twitter

    vcuspoon
    12 Nov 2009 | 9:43 am
    I comprised a list of Virginia Wineries that are on Twitter, some of which I already followed and others were new ones that I found. After searching on Twitter itself, I went through every wineries website, looking for their Twitter Tag. Surprisingly of the 142 wineries in the state only 17 are on Twitter. There may be more that I missed so if you aren’t on this list and want to be, shoot me an email. You can link to any of the wineries twitter account by clicking below or you can follow the whole list here. Winery Name - Twitter Tag Rappahanock Cellars - @rcellars Corcoran -…

  • Tasting with Giuseppe Vajra of G.D. Vajra

    vcuspoon
    10 Nov 2009 | 11:38 am
    Today I had the opportunity to meet Giuseppe Vajra from the winery G.D. Vajra in Piedmont, Italy. I have been a fan of Vajra wines for sometime so it was a great experience to meet Giuseppe today. For whatever reason, I find it intoxicating when Italian’s speak of their wines, more so than any other region. My Tasting Notes: 2008 Langhe Bianco – 100% Riesling – floral with light citrus, and apricot notes. Lucious pear combined with great acidity at the back of the palate. Very Austrian in style of texture but the mid – palate is much “fatter”. Extremely nice! 2007 Langhe Rosso…

  • Back to Shinn Vineyards – more than a winery

    vcuspoon
    9 Nov 2009 | 1:48 pm
    During our recent visit to the North Fork of Long Island, we had the pleasure of staying at the Shinn Vineyards Farmhouse B&B. Following a fabulous lunch at Shinn during Taste Camp back in May, Megan and I agreed that we MUST come back and stay at Shinn—six months later, here we were! Cabernet Franc Grapes We visited Shinn during harvest, so it was a lot of fun to see (and taste) all the action while we were there. Each morning we took a long jog along their country road lined with vines, while tractors and field hands (and birds and bees) buzzed back and forth between vineyards. Then…
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    The Naked Wine Show

  • Naked Wine Show - Fontanafredda “Briccotondo” 2008

    Naked Wine Show
    18 Nov 2009 | 3:25 pm
    Med. plus density ruby core to purple rim. Low intensity nose of brine, black olives, pencil lead, and black plums. Dry, med. to med. plus body, med. to med. plus tannin. Sweet black plums, pencil lead, blackberry, and cherry jam. Med. plus length.

  • Naked Wine Show - Illuminati “Ilico” 2007

    Naked Wine Show
    11 Nov 2009 | 2:02 pm
    Med. density ruby colour. Low intensity nose of dark cherry, minerals, and cocoa powder. Dry, med. body, med. tannin. Dark cherry, cocoa powder, wood spice, and dusty raspberry. Med. plus length. Drink now, and for the next 2-3 years.

  • Naked Wine Show - Cave Spring Cabernet Franc 2006

    Naked Wine Show
    6 Nov 2009 | 2:10 pm
    Med. density garnet colour. Med. intensity nose of cranberry, green pepper, and graphite. Dry, med. body, med. tannin. Cranberry, green pepper, pencil lead, and olives. Med. length. Good quality. Drink now.

  • Naked Wine Show 1062 - Jackson Triggs Okanagan Viognier

    Naked Wine Show
    26 Oct 2009 | 10:02 am
    Susan gives her tasting notes on Jackson-Trigs Okanagan Estate Viognier 2007 from British Columbia.

  • Naked Wine Show - Monkey Bay Pinot Grigio

    Naked Wine Show
    26 Oct 2009 | 9:35 am
    Susan gives her notes on Monkey Bay Pinot Grigio 2008 from New Zealand.
 
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    Paarl Wine Country

  • Passion Fruit Cheesecake

    Jacoba Budden
    17 Nov 2009 | 6:26 am
    The sun returned to the Cape at last and with it, long lunches, even longer dinners, cocktail parties and the inevitable braai* - in fact, most South Africans braai at least once a week and after the disastrous rendition of our national anthem last Friday, the figure probably tripled because the nation was in a state of shock and we all know that South Africans can deal with shock in only one way. We braai - like our forefathers and their’s before them.  Here, like everywhere else in the world it’s unfortunately, the domain of the man which is not always a good thing because,…

  • Angel hands and whisky …

    Juli
    13 Nov 2009 | 1:45 am
    I love the TV ad for Black Bottle Whisky but never thought I would actually go out and buy a bottle. Imagine buying Whisky because you like an ad and because of the really hot accent of the actors!? The FNB Whisky Live Festival was great. Imagine being able to taste all these wonderful whiskies before buying the bottle. I like whisky but I know what tastes nice and not because it is “smoky” or “peaty” or some such term, but because I like the taste. On the rocks or neat or with a splash of water but don’t ask me about the year or the country. Okay guys and whisky afficionados, start…

  • Apple Charlotte

    Jacoba Budden
    11 Nov 2009 | 3:55 am
    When it comes to food, South African food lovers are very privileged because the country is the destination of some of the greatest culinary migrations in modern time. Chefs from all over the world flock to our shores en masse and our cuisine is an eclectic mix of European, Arabian, Oriental and New world food. We have few rigid rules and our style is relaxed and adventurous. On top of that our produce is superb, our access to spices almost unlimited and when it comes to inspiration, we not only have the best the rest of the world has to offer but can also build on a foundation supplied by…

  • Nothing less than the best…

    Juli
    10 Nov 2009 | 5:43 am
    Graham Beck Wines, now entering its third generation as a family winery, was established in 1983 with the purchase of Madeba farm outside Robertson. The success that is Graham Beck Wines can be attributed to the absolute passion, commitment, skill and vision of owner Graham Beck. A Capetonian born and bred, Graham Beck started his first successful business, while studying commerce at UCT. From this he ventured into other businesses and then purchased Madeba farm. The motto at Graham Beck Wines, “Nothing less than the Best”, is what drives this successful team and with the appointment of…

  • Quick Hummus and Flatbread

    Jacoba Budden
    3 Nov 2009 | 2:25 am
    It’s summer at the Cape now and soon most, if not all, of our entertaining will take place out of the home and that’s great but we will also be woken each morning by the sun streaming into the window and by birds chattering insanely exactly where we don’t want them.  If you’re not a morning person (and I’m not) this is extremely irritating.  To get back to the matter at hand - chips and nuts are a definite no-no this season, especially for home entertaining - partly because the economy dictates but also because it’s just so boring. Mezze are always good…
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    ComfortWinery.com

  • 2004 Patz & Hall 'Hyde Vineyard' Pinot Noir Carneros

    stc
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:58 am
    Patz & Hall has built a reputation for producing top-notch pinot noir from premium fruit sourced largely in Sonoma County.   This Hyde Vineyard bottling from the generally ripe 2004 vintage in Carneros is an excellent example of the Burgundian depth that this region is able to deliver.    Slightly hot alcohol on the nose and mid-palate but that should die-off over the next few years as the wine comes into peak maturity.   Bright red fruit is ripe but not overripe, with plenty of spice on the oaky finish.    The high acids will…

  • 1971 Francois de Montille 'Les Pezerolles' Pommard

    stc
    19 Nov 2009 | 2:32 am
    Enjoyed this bottle with Thomas and Gab at RN74.   Falling apart perfectly, strong line of red fruit through the mid-palate, great minerality and expression.   My first introduction to Francois' (vs. his son's) wines; amazing.  96 points

  • 2004 Acacia 'Beckstoffer Las Amigas Vineyard' Pinot Noir Carneros

    stc
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:17 am
    This Beckstoffer bottling from Acacia is made from fruit from the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Carneros.  With less than one ton/acre of yield, the fruit boasts concentrated flavors of dark red fruit, bing cherry, with a mineraly-rootbeer essence on the finish.   This wine shows place as well as any in Northern California -- but Carneros has a special ability to convey its sense of place (amongst New World regions).  $60; 90 points

  • 2006 Noceto Sangiovese Shenandoah Valley, California

    stc
    17 Nov 2009 | 6:44 am
    This sturdy Sangiovese from Noceto is further proof that California and Italy have a common ability to foster Sangiovese that pairs nicely with lots of food.   Low price doesn't have to mean low-quality!   $14; 88 points.  

  • 2007 Papapietro Perry 'Leras Family Vineyard' Pinot Noir

    stc
    16 Nov 2009 | 6:27 am
    This single vineyard bottling from Papapietro Perry is consistent with their mellow style.   Side-by-side with this bottling I tried their Dijon clone 777 bottling (a clone I've used in past Comfort Pinot Noir blends); multi-clone blends almost always win these comparisons -- typically the more diverse the blend of clones (and vineyards) in a regional blend (i.e. Russian River Valley pinot noir) the better the finished product is (even if it doesn't express the terroir of a vineyard.   Try some Papapietro Perry pinot whenever you see it; I wish more…
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    Under The Grape Tree

  • VENTA MORALES TEMPRANILLO 2008

    k2
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm
    The Venta Morales Tempranillo 2008 is a brand new La Mancha venture from Jorge Ordonez, the perennial leader in Spanish wine imports. 100% Tempranillo that is completely tank-fermented, this juicy, vibrant red really overdelivers, demonstrating loads of black cherry, raspberry and dried herbs. It possesses some balanced acidity and shows off good tannic grip on the finish. Never one to disappoint, Jorge Ordonez delivers yet another great value. Try it out!

  • DOMAINE DE NIZAS ROUGE 2005

    k2
    19 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am
    One of my favorite wines is the Domaine de Nizas Rouge Coteaux du Languedoc 2005. Every year, I am continually impressed by this monster Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache Noir blend. Always demonstrating both power AND grace, this Rhone-inspired red is a dark garnet color in the glass. Its aromas of black and blue berry fruit mixed up with a veritable spice rack speaks the language of a carnivore, and its flavors of herbs, spices and dark blackberry, blueberry, loganberry and black cherry notes instill visions of hearty meat dishes, hearth-baked breads, roasted root vegetables, and a warm night dining…

  • CONFESSING A GUILTY PLEASURE

    k2
    18 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am
    The Wine Spectator Top 100 list for 2009 is out, and my regular customers are just starting to blow up the phones. It is frustrating because it takes a lot of work to find out what is still available in the market, get it all in the stores, in our systems, priced and placed on the shelves, a list compiled and posted online, our staff trained on what there is, how much there is and where it’s at in the stores, and so on. All for a little bit of wine that will be almost completely sold out in a week or two.As much as I bitch and moan about Spectator, their ratings, and their subversively…

  • WINE & MUSIC MONDAY: DUOS

    k2
    16 Nov 2009 | 11:37 am
    I was feeling a little bit “mushy” as my wife would call it over the weekend. It was one of those lazy Sundays where we listened to the cats and napped on and off all day, and I couldn’t help but think about spending as much time with her as I could, although she was pretty zonked out most the day. So I was trying to figure out what to write about for my Wine & Music Monday, and decided that the most apropos notion to speak of would be duets, duos, twosomes – like my wife and I. So for the music part, I found the duet between two of my favorite singers, Tori Amos and Tool’s…

  • GORDON BROTHERS SYRAH 2005

    k2
    14 Nov 2009 | 10:55 am
    One of the highlights of my trip out to Washington State last month was visiting the amazing Gordon Brothers winery near Pasco, WA. Their estate sits atop a hillside overlooking the Snake River, which was pretty breathtaking midday, with the vineyards interspersed amidst a sea of wheat-colored landscapes, and underneath a brilliant blue sky. It's enough to make me doughy-eyed just thinking about it.Walking around with winemaker Tim Henley, we got a great sense of the land, and were made instantly aware of the fact that their wines are entirely from their own vineyards. Even though we strolled…
 
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    BevLog

  • Too Much Rum in the Jumbie

    admin
    18 Nov 2009 | 5:55 am
    August 28, 2009 was a bad day for Rum Jumbie. In a slew of “approvals,” TTB directed Varela Imports to make “rum” much, much, less conspicuous. TTB said: When new labels are printed, the word “rum” in your trademark name Rum Jumbie cannot appear more prominent than the Class and type. The [statement of composition] and the words Rum Jumbie must appear in the same color print. … No more use-ups will be granted. That is, Varela must make their brand name and trademark much less conspicuous because this is not “rum” and the actual designation…

  • Puzzle Time Wines

    admin
    16 Nov 2009 | 5:55 am
    As lawyers, we would never condone playing games on wine labels. But here are two examples where TTB was okay with it. On the left, Puzzle Time wine has a word search game. On the right, the Fetzer label features a “rebus.” That’s right, a rebus. The approval describes a rebus as “a kind of word puzzle that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words.” Can you read the rebus on this label? I don’t want to spoil the fun here, but the answer can be found on the label approval. Related Posts: Wine Without Pretense (0) Water 2 Wine (3) Punk Bubbles: Do…

  • Wine Without Sulfites

    admin
    13 Nov 2009 | 5:55 am
    TTB classifies sake as a wine, for label purposes. Most wines have sulfites — but sake appears to be a notable exception. On the Shiga Sake label above, Village Wine reports that “Sakes do not contain sulfites.” TTB does not seem to disagree and has approved many such labels. Another sake importer, Vine Connections, concurs and reports that “Premium sake is gluten-free, sulfite free, and kosher.” Related Posts: Vegetable Wine (0) The Prominence of Vodka (0) Sucralose and Ace K (1)

  • What is Eau de Vie?

    admin
    11 Nov 2009 | 5:55 am
    Every now and then, TTB approves another eau de vie. This leads to wondering if it’s the same as brandy. At long last, Tim Patterson has explained how they differ: Unlike grape brandy, eau de vie puts the emphasis on freshness, liveliness, and capturing the intense essence of fruit — rather than on depth, weight, and the complexity that comes from years of interaction between spirit, oxygen and wood. By way of example, here is Peak Spirits Peach Eau de Vie. And here is Clear Creek Plum Eau de Vie. Patterson explains further: In the market for distilled spirits, dominated by slick,…

  • Alcohol from Brad Paisley

    admin
    9 Nov 2009 | 5:55 am
    What do these three things have in common? All three are featured in Brad Paisley’s song, “Alcohol.” Of all the songs about alcohol beverages, this one is worth covering, because it mentions specific brands and deals directly with the interplay of alcohol and society. It also has witty lyrics. It would be even better for this blog if it dealt specifically with a legal topic, but perhaps that’s asking too much of Mr. Paisley. Here are the most pertinent lyrics: Well I’ve been know to cause a few breakups And I’ve been known to cause a few births I can make…
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    The Wellesley Wine Press

  • Tasting Report: Olson Ogden Wines

    19 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    Tim Olson and John Ogden are the names behind Olson Ogden Wines. I had a chance to taste through 3 Syrahs and 2 Pinot Noirs from their 2007 vintage, which included 3 wines I considered outstanding. But first, a little information about the winery...From their website:"Olson Ogden Wines is a small, artisan wine company located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. We specialize in small production, handcrafted wines. Our focus is on Pinot Noir and Rhone varietals, with an emphasis on vineyard designated Syrah’s. We seek out passionate growers with special vineyards.Our primary goal…

  • Deal Alert: Outstanding Zinfandel at Amazing Price

    17 Nov 2009 | 5:00 am
    A few months ago, as I was hearing tales of doom and gloom in the wine industry I was thinking "I haven't seen that many great wine deals around." That has changed dramatically in this last couple of months, and here's a shining example of an amazing price on a great wine. You'd better act quickly if you want to pick up this one...It seems there's an Internet price war going on between Wine Library's Cinderella Wine and Empire Wine in Albany, NY.Cinderella Wine offers the 2006 Ridge Lytton Springs at $18.88/bottle with free shipping on as little as 3 bottles. Empire Wine has it at…

  • Wine & Design at the Wellesley Home Design Center

    17 Nov 2009 | 4:24 am
    What's this? A wine-related event in Wellesley? I'm all over it!The Wellesley Home Design Center is hosting their 2nd Wine & Design event tonight. The event features demonstrations of interior design techniques and is targeted at designers -or- homeowners interested in decorating. Attendees can sip wine while watching the demonstrations; I hear Kendra makes a nice White Sangria!Click HERE for more information.Wine & Design NightTuesday November 17th5:30 PM - 8 PMRSVP 781-235-0022or kweldon@wellesleyhdc.comCheck 'em out:Wellesley Home Design Center555 Washington St.Wellesley MA…

  • Spectating on The Spectator

    16 Nov 2009 | 3:00 am
    This coming Wednesday, November 18th 2009, Wine Spectator will begin unveiling their Top 100 Wines of 2009. This list isn't strictly the best 100 wines presented in rank order according to rating. Rather, it's intended to be the most exciting wines of the year. I think of them as the list of wines we'll remember as being hot this year.Jill Bernheimer over at domaine547 is running a cool contest related to the Top 100 list. Guess 10 wines and the person who gets the most right in the Top 10 wins.Based on a top secret algorithm that involves the wwpQPR Calculator guessing, here are my picks,…

  • Chateauneuf-du-Conclusion: 2007 Autard Case Club a Success!

    13 Nov 2009 | 4:40 am
    Earlier this week, we did our 2nd "case club" where we combined purchasing power to get the best price possible on a specific bottle of wine. The wine this time was the 2007 Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a highly rated wine from a heralded vintage that I thought was outstanding.We got a bump in awareness thanks to The Boston Globe linking to the piece on the front page of Boston.com (thanks to @DaleCruse for catching a screen shot). In total we got interest for 16 bottles from 6 people. Not too shabby!On the pricing front, I have good news! A retailer stepped up and offered a…
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    eRobertParker.com - Wine of the Day

  • 2006 Flinders Run Shiraz

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    2006 Flinders Run ShirazThe 2005 was a big success and the 2006 Shiraz is almost as good. Opaque purple-colored, it offers up a nose of toasty oak and blueberry compote that jumps from the glass. Full-bodied, corpulent, round, and layered, it delivers a big mouthful of blueberry fruit with notes of licorice and chocolate followed by a long, pure finish. Leave your thinking cap at home and enjoy this hedonistic effort for its fleshy, in your face style. Enjoy it over the next 6-8 years. From an obscure South Australian GI better known for camping and tourism than for fine wine production comes…
 
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    Wine Week

  • Wine Week 149: Cool wines for hot times

    wineweek
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:26 pm
    It’s been hot, really hot, around the south eastern part of Australia recently. Not just warm, but ear-wax meltingly hot! So we thought we’d offer up some wines that go well when the mercury is busting through the top of the thermometer. The All Saints Moscato is light on alcohol, with a light, bright fizz and a touch of sweetness and goes beautifully chilled down or even served over chipped ice. Wirra Wirra’s Mrs. Wigley Grenache Rosé might be your style if you’re not after a white but the day is just a bit too warm for a big red. And to round things out, a Pinot…

  • Wine Week 148: Pondering wine choices.

    wineweek
    12 Nov 2009 | 4:21 pm
    This week we look at three wines that might not be your first thought when looking for a wine this week. The first is an interesting vineyard blend from Pondalowie, made from Shiraz, Cabernet and Tempranillo. The next is an “off-dry” semillon from Andrew Thomas in the Hunter Valley, a wine with a touch of sweetness that’s really hitting its straps. Lastly we check out the new Shiraz from Mike Press, a wine selling at amazingly low prices given the quality of fruit inside! This week’s recommendations are: Pondalowie Vineyard Blend 2005 ($18-20) Andrew Thomas Wines…

  • Wine Week 147: One of Australia’s finest wineries.

    wineweek
    5 Nov 2009 | 4:36 pm
    It’s to be expected of course. When you have the reputation as one of the best wineries in all of Australia you’re going to have lots of people wanting your wine. So Rick Kinzbrunner at Giaconda sells his wines a little differently. If you want a Giaconda, like the Warner Vineyard Shiraz from 2008, then you need to put your (considerable) money where your mouth is, and pay for it in advance. You’ll get your hands on it next year if you order now! If you’re more interested in something for right now, we check out a great low priced Shiraz from Seppelt, and a regular…

  • Wine Week 146: Cups of wine.

    wineweek
    29 Oct 2009 | 10:04 pm
    It’s Melbourne cup next week: The race that stops a nation! And people all over the country will be breaking out the bubbles and barbie wines as they host Cup Day parties. With this in mind we’re looking at three wines that might help you qualify your day as a winner even if the horses you back come last! The first is a classic red quaffer from Fox Creek. We also check out a really inexpensive sparkling from Yarra Burn, and a more expensive bottle of bubbles from Quartz Reef – an international raider on the cup! This week’s recommendations are: Fox Creek Red Baron…

  • Wine Week 145: Sour grapes over Sauvignon Blanc?

    wineweek
    22 Oct 2009 | 7:46 pm
    Instead of our normal look at three wines we love this week Danny is on his own and has something different to talk about. With every wine store in the country selling Sauvignon Blanc like hot cakes Danny asks “Why?” To make things interesting Danny opens a NZ Sauv Blanc and an Aussie Riesling and puts both through their paces. The result? Not a lot of love in the room for the “Cats wee” flavour of the bigger selling Savvy. Controversial? Sure! Eye opening? Hopefully! Download the video: (9 min 06 sec) Windows Media (29.6 Mb) | Quicktime/iPod/iPhone (53.8 Mb) | Mpeg4…
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    Wine Peeps

  • Wine Peeps: Leading the Coverage of Washington State Wines (continued)

    John
    20 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Last Friday, I shared with you my analysis of our Wine Peeps coverage of Washington State wines as compared to the three major print publications. To recap: According to statistics cited by Sean Sullivan on his Washington Wine Report and a tally of our reviews on this blog, we at Wine Peeps review more Washington wines than any of the three leading subscription publications. And it appears that our scoring is a little tougher, maybe more realistic would be a better choice of words, than any of those three publications. As of last Friday, we had reviewed 789 Washington wines this year, and 226…

  • A Wine for Tonight: 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris

    Kori
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris from Washington State’s Columbia Valley. Our selection criteria include: A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5) A price tag of <=$15 Must be widely available Last month, we featured Washington State Pinot Gris in our wine tasting dinner. The wines paired wonderfully with Mom’s dinner of…

  • Wine Blogging Wednesday #63: Find Your Muse

    Kori
    18 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Our host for the November edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday, the blogosphere’s monthly virtual wine tasting event, is Rob Bralow of Wine Post. He selected Find Your Muse as this month’s theme. While giving us lots of room to maneuver in “finding our muse,” he did lay down a few guidelines which included choosing a wine we’ve either enjoyed many times but never written about or a wine we’ve been meaning to try…and no samples. Oh, and he asked us to time how long we enjoyed the wine and then take twice that amount of time to write the post. In typical Wine Peeps fashion, we…

  • Challenging Wine Pairing: Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

    LaGayle
    17 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    It is so much fun to find recipes, plan menus, and then determine the wines to pair with them. As I’ve mentioned before and regular Wine Peeps readers have probably concluded, we really enjoy spicy, flavorful foods. As I started planning the menu for this challenge, I decided to focus on Mexican/Southwestern foods. The main course was Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas, an entrée made with verde (green) sauce, sour cream, cheese, and, of course, spices. To round out the meal, I served a side dish which was a combination of a Mexican rice recipe and a Southwestern rice recipe. (My family never…

  • 20something—the new vintage: This Saturday, November 21

    Kori
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am
    Are you between the ages of 21 and 30? Do you enjoy wine and yet feel a bit intimidated by it? Do you live in the Seattle area or have plans to be in the area this weekend? If you answered “yes” to all three questions, then 20something—the new vintage could be just the event for you. This Saturday, November 21, at Fremont Studios in Seattle, 20something attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with more than 75 Washington winemakers who will be pouring their favorite $30-and-under wines. Recently, I attended the 20something TweetUp hosted by the Washington Wine Commission…
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    Vino Wire

  • Wine humor: an Italian wine walks into Wine Spectator’s top 100 list…

    VinoWire
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:25 am
    VinoWire editor Franco Ziliani is the author of Vino al Vino, Italy’s top wine blog, where the following editorial appeared yesterday in Italian (translation by VinoWire). Times are tough and we all need something to laugh about now and then. So just sit back and relax because I have a wine joke I’d like to tell you. The subject is the same one from years past. And it always makes us laugh or at least chuckle since it’s guaranteed to be humorous (just like Berlusconi and his antics). I’m referring to The Wine Spectator’sTop 100: a list of the supposed (I…

  • Benvenuto Brunello 2010 to be held in Chicago and New York

    VinoWire
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:24 am
    According to a post by Montalcino Report, Chicago has been chosen as the second U.S. city for the 2010 edition of Benvenuto Brunello. The Chicago tasting is scheduled for February 1 and will be part of a larger program devoted to the wines of Vino Nobile di Montepuliciano, Chianti Classico, and Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene. The New York tasting will be held on February 4 in conjunction with Vino 2010.

  • Luciano Pignataro, Slow Food southern tasting coordinator: “producers will determine which wines we taste”

    VinoWire
    11 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pm
    Luciano Pignataro, one of Italy’s leading experts in southern Italian wines and editor of an eponymous award-winning Italian- and English-language blog devoted to the wines of Italy’s south, will join the staff of the newly christened Slow Food guide to Italian wines as its Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria coordinator, beginning with the 2010 edition (the 2009 edition of the guide is the first to appear following the publisher’s “divorce” from Gambero Rosso in 2008). “Now that we’ve buried the age-old ideological differences between right and…

  • TTB: “Italian government certification still required for Brunello”

    VinoWire
    27 Oct 2009 | 12:56 pm
    In a report published today by wine industry blog Wine & Spirits Daily, the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax, and Trade Bureau (TTB) still requires Italian government certification for Brunello di Montalcino imported to the U.S. “Contrary to the reports that we’re not longer requiring the certification, we are indeed enforcing the certification and awaiting further information from the Italians to determine a future course of action,” said TTB’s director of public and media affairs Art Resnick, who spoke to the blog’s editors. According to the report, the TTB is still waiting for…

  • Government certification of Brunello no longer required by U.S.

    VinoWire
    23 Oct 2009 | 8:38 am
    According to a press release issued Wednesday by the Italy’s agriculture ministry, the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax, and Trade Bureau (TTB) will no longer require Italian government certification for imports of Brunello di Montalcino to the U.S. On Tuesday, October 20, Italy’s agriculture minister Luca Zaia met with TTB administrator John Manfreda in Washington D.C. and discussed the requirement, which was announced on June 17, 2008, in the wake of news that Italian government officials had launched an investigation of adulterated Brunello di Montalcino.
 
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    Keep Wine Simple Blog

  • Compensation Disclosure

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am
    Compensation disclosure for KeepWineSimple.com

  • Wine Pairing for Thanksgiving

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:48 am
    Wine pairing for Thanksgiving is always a bit tricky. There is such variety of dishes, textures, tastes! It can be a real challenge to come up with successful food and wine pairing. Yes, we could ha

  • San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    There are four days left to enjoy wine, food, cooking classes; so many activities related to food and wine! And it all takes place in beautiful San Diego, California. For more information go to http://www.worldofwineevents.com/index.html

  • San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    There are four days left to enjoy wine, food, cooking classes; so many activities related to food and wine! And it all takes place in beautiful San Diego, California. For more information go to http://www.worldofwineevents.com/index.html

  • Beaujolais Nouveau

    17 Nov 2009 | 5:41 pm
    beaujolais nouveau, beaujolais, red wine
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    New Zealand Food and Wine TV

  • Can New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Age Well?

    Ron McFarland
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:23 am
    Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is always thought best consumed early in its youth. For many this is true and now there is an emerging group of New Zealand wine producers whose efforts will continue to delight for several years. A recent event in New Zealand invited John Avery to discuss and taste some past vintages of Sauvignon blanc. You can read the entire article here ……… Posted in Uncategorized

  • Natureshop New Zealand

    Ron McFarland
    6 Nov 2009 | 9:52 am
    If you are looking to give New Zealand gifts to friends or relatives, here is a wonderful  resource. Natureshop is a New Zealand-based online retailer that is passionate about providing its customers with 100% natural fibre products that are healthy on the body and have minimal impact on the environment. As a carbon neutral certified company by CarboNZero, we are committed to environmental sustainability. This is reflected in our company name, our suppliers, packaging, recycling and most importantly – the brands we sell. We stock Icebreaker’s complete range of high performance outdoor…

  • Christchurch/Southern New Zealand wins wine capital of the world title

    Ron McFarland
    15 Oct 2009 | 8:20 am
    Christchurch/Southern New Zealand has been selected as the New Zealand representative on the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network.  The Great Wine Capitals network, which includes as members wine regions such as Bordeaux, France and San Francisco/Napa Valley in the US, is an international network of major wine producing regions which aims to promote tourism, education and business exchange. The Christchurch City Council-led bid to join the international network incorporates the wine growing regions of Canterbury, Waipara Valley, Marlborough and Central Otago. As the largest…

  • Eveline Fraser to Join Daniel Le Brun as Chief Winemaker

    Ron McFarland
    23 Jul 2009 | 7:39 am
    ***PRESS RELEASE*** July 2009  No.1 Family Estate, New Zealand’s only winemaker focusing exclusively on the production of Methode Traditionnelle has appointed Eveline Fraser to share the role of Chief Winemaker with proprietor, Daniel Le Brun.  Fresh from her position as Senior Winemaker at Marlborough’s Cloudy Bay, Eveline’s experience in the production of Cloudy Bay’s cult sparkling wine, Pelorus will contribute valuable experience to the company’s winemaking team.  Daniel comments on Eveline’s appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Eveline to the team. Our families have…

  • New Wine Book by Jo Burzynska

    Ron McFarland
    16 Jul 2009 | 8:38 am
    The Marlborough Express recently published this review about a new wine book by New Zealand author Jo Burzynska. Jo Burzynska is a fellow wine writer known by many for her columns in The Press, New Zealand Herald’s Viva magazine and The New Zealand WineGrower. Her new book, Wine Class: All you need to know about wine in New Zealand was launched on July 3.  Here is the rest of the article Posted in Wine
 
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    The Second Glass

  • 2007 Poppy Pinot Noir

    Monterey County, California - $16 Thanksgiving dinner serves up so many contrasting flavors on one plate, like turkey, candied yams and cranberry sauce, that no one wine can really pair with all of them. Plus, this isn't a dinner for two so keeping the wine affordable is as important as dodging Aunt ...

  • Thanksgiving Wines On NECN and Where to Buy Them

    I was on NECN this morning talking about wines that pair well with Thanksgiving. Here are the three wines along with a description, average retail price and a few stores in the Boston area that carry them. NV Nino Franco 'Rustico' Prosecco di Valdobbiadene - $18 Veneto, Italy Champagne ain't cheap, so why ...

  • 2007 Monte Oton Garnacha

    Campo de Borja, Spain - $8 Warning: Do not let the price fool you! This is not some cheap plonk that you'll be embarrassed to serve to friends and family. This is not a simple, "well, I guess it tastes like wine" wine. This is the real deal, high altitude 100% ...

  • 2007 Hugel et Fil “Gentil”

    Alsace, France - $12 It's finally November, which means it's time to switch into holiday wine mode for the next nine weeks. From Turkey Day to New Years Day, we'll be dropping knowledge on the best wines for each holiday or occasion. To start things off, we're busting out our "skeleton key" ...

  • Crash Course: Inside Scoop on Sake!

    Crash Course Wine Seminars are in full swing this season to get you prepped for all the holiday occasions! Whether you're a celebrated wino or new to wine altogether, we have a slew of courses coming up designed to turn you and your friends into total wine badasses. As usual, our ...
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    The Amateur Gastronomer

  • Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

    Amateur Gastronomer
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:16 pm
    A great Thanksgiving feast deserves a great wine!  Though selecting a bottle for your holiday dinner may seem a little daunting at first, the many flavors mean you can serve a variety of wines. I’ve come up with a list of traditional pairings like Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, less common ones like semi-sweet white wines and [...]

  • Peace, Love and Beaujolais Nouveau

    Amateur Gastronomer
    19 Nov 2009 | 3:39 pm
    At a celebration filled with flowers, tie-dye and a whole lot of groovyness and love, the 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau was uncorked Thursday in Miami Beach! Au Pied de Cochon was the setting for this year’s 60’s themed uncorking ceremony.  The wine was brought to the restaurant in a VW van, escorted by a brigade [...]

  • Dining Out on Thanksgiving

    Amateur Gastronomer
    17 Nov 2009 | 1:37 pm
    Not planning on preparing a lavish turkey dinner for Thanksgiving this year?  Celebrate the holiday at one of the many Miami restaurants serving up a special meal. Here are restaurants that will offer a Thanksgiving menu on November 26th: 94th Aero Squadron Enjoy watching planes land and take off without all the hassle of holiday travel.  The restaurant [...]

  • A Taste of the Exotic in South Florida

    Amateur Gastronomer
    16 Nov 2009 | 1:10 pm
    Right after the great weather this time of year, the best thing about living in South Florida is its abundance of tropical fruit.  I’m not just talking about oranges and grapefruit — there is a variety of fruit grown and sold right here that you may have never tasted.  But once you do you’ll wonder [...]

  • Naoe: A Unique Dining Experience

    Amateur Gastronomer
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:53 am
    Let’s make a deal.  I’ll tell you about one of the most unique and memorable dining experiences I’ve had in Miami but you’ll have to promise not to tell too many others.  After all, I want to still be able to get a reservation there! The place: NAOE in Sunny Isles Beach. My husband and I dined [...]
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    mydailywine

  • What is a Living Wine?

    Amy Atwood
    13 Nov 2009 | 7:02 am
    It's one of those concepts you hear about and can intellectually understand right away.Be we all know there is a difference between mentally grasping an idea and truly experiencing that event on a more sensory level.It's like when you tell a newcomer to SF that Zuni has the best roast chicken in the world and that they should order it. They look at you with sadness, like oh the poor girl thinks chicken is that exciting. Then you see them after the meal, and they did order the chicken after all. Their eyes have a messianic gleam. They are already planning their next trip back to SF, just to…

  • Thanksgiving Wine Picks: Organic Wines & Biodynamic Wines

    Amy Atwood
    6 Nov 2009 | 10:21 am
    If you want to taste some stellar wines that were made with organic and biodynamic grapes, here is my quick list for Thanksgiving wine choices:Sparkling Wines:Domaine Carneros Brut Cuvee 2005 $26 (widely available)Aroma: Honeysuckle and toasted nuts. Flavors: Pear compote and lemon custard. A perfect match for slightly spicy asian foods or a cheese and fruit platter.Varietal blend:64% pinot noir, 34% chardonnay and 2% pinot blanc. Made from organically grown grapes.Tarantas Cava 2008 $13.99 (ask for it at Wholefoods)The Tarantas Cava is full of apple fritter aromas with a touch of cinnamon…

  • In Their Own Words:What Wine Buyers Want Now

    Amy Atwood
    30 Oct 2009 | 10:37 am
    There is much talk about which wines consumers are buying and this is of great interest to me. But just as telling is which wines the wine trade buyers are purchasing. Consumers are likely to being making their decisions based on what is offered to them at their local wine store or restaurant.Rather than make any sweeping generalizations or assumptions, I decided to reach out to a few wine buyers who purchase for some highly respected venues, both restaurants and retail shops.You will see from their thoughtful answers that there is no one secret to success for wine sales. The one unifying…

  • Online Wine Sales: Where's The Beef?

    Amy Atwood
    25 Oct 2009 | 12:55 pm
    Amazon Wine pulling the plug has been a major disappointment for many of us in the online wine business.There is no doubt that they would have helped 'float the boat' for all online wine sales, even direct to consumer sales from the winery website.Wine ecommerce has yet to hit critical mass yet. I believe it will relatively soon. But the expense of doing wine business online has made it a slow sales channel for many companies thus far. Many wineries and online wine companies have not realized the level of sales they were expecting as of yet.We have a few challenges to overcome in the online…

  • Biodynamic Wine Goes Mainstream: One Winemaker's Journey

    Amy Atwood
    19 Oct 2009 | 6:08 pm
    I had the pleasure of meeting winemaker Antonio Bravo from Emiliana Winery today. There is quite a bit of online chatter about organic and biodynamic wines but I especially relish the opportunity to discuss these wines with the person who actually makes them.Antonio made vast amounts of conventional wines for huge wine companies like Kendall Jackson in the past.Now he makes smaller quantities of certified organic and biodynamic wines for Emiliana. He started out with some healthy skepticism for biodynamic wine making but became a believer when he saw the grape quality. Not to mention the…
 
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    Girl With A Glass

  • Holidays & Olive Branches

    Alana
    19 Nov 2009 | 5:29 am
    On a vineyard walk with Zephyr Adventures, this olive branch grabbed my imagination. I was taken by surprise when a very clear thought passed through my mind, “How beautiful, no wonder people like olive branches around them during the holidays.” Having a vague notion that olive branches mean peace, I looked it up on Wikipedia: The olive branch is a branch of an olive tree. In Western culture, derived from the customs of Ancient Greece, it symbolizes peace or goodwill. The original link between olive branches and peace is unknown. Some explanations center on that olive trees take a…

  • When the Holidays Hurt

    Alana
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:17 am
    I have a friend who lost his wife in a car accident at this time of year.  They had argued before she left the house and when she called desperate to reach him before she died, he didn’t answer the phone.  Another friend recently had a miscarriage; her dreams of wearing holiday maternity clothes while anticipating baby’s first Christmas disappeared in an instant.  A woman I know is trapped in a cycle of abuse; she can’t find the “out” door, she just keeps going through the revolving one. Many of us know someone who is going through a rough time; and the…

  • Holiday Harmony

    Alana
    17 Nov 2009 | 5:50 am
    Slowing down at the holidays seems like an oxymoron, but actually, I think it’s more congruent with the holiday spirit than all the rushing around we do in the modern age. Have you noticed that the characters in the best old holiday movies seem to move in slow motion?  They have all the time in the world — to bake, sing carols around the piano, take the family out to chop down the Christmas tree, make gifts for charity, etc. The only way I can make this my reality it to decide it is my reality. Of course, I have a new book to promote, a busy business to run, and a family to care…

  • Outside the Tasting Room

    Alana
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:50 am
    I was enjoying a lovely fall day with a fabulous couple from Connecticut.  While they tasted, I shot this picture.  Wine tasting in late fall is really great because everyone makes things a little more special with decorations.  It’s festive and at the same time, the crowds are gone. Nice!

  • Favorite Places

    Alana
    15 Nov 2009 | 7:22 am
    It seems like I have the best job in the world (I do); but sharing my experiences with my readers is something that I actually take pretty seriously.  For this reason, I generally prefer to visit wineries by myself (less distractions). I usually make an appointment for a tour and a tasting, bring my camera, my red leather mini-notebook & my groovy leopard pen. I make sure I have plenty of time to hang out. Many times, I have never tasted the wines prior to visiting.  This makes it awkward if I don’t like the wines; but its only happened a handful of times.  Sometimes though, I…
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    The Good Wine Guru

  • The Foodie Guide to Pairing Wine and Cheese

    admin
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    By:  Sara Kahn, Founder of The Cheese Ambassador. Whether you are hosting a soiree or a casual get-together this holiday, your mission is to provide your guests with warm hospitality, lively conversation and a delectable spread of food and drink. Whether the menu is complicated or simple it better be delicious. Serving a sumptuous gourmet cheese course is perfect as a starter or centerpiece of the meal. Not only is the preparation simple (no cooking!) but more importantly, your guests will enjoy discovering and savoring new favorites. As a wine lover, you want to impress with the right…

  • California Wine Country Day 2 – Sonoma

    admin
    13 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    So, it’s been a couple of weeks since I returned from my trip to California, and I realized that I haven’t talked about our second day in wine country, when we visited Sonoma.  I’ve been busy.  We drove out to Sonoma, passing over the Golden Gate Bridge (which we had originally planned to bike over at some point, but were suddenly very glad we hadn’t). Our first stop was at Viansa Winery & Marketplace.  The tasting room and grounds at Viansa are nothing short of spectacular, and I recommend stopping in there just for the view.  We tried several of their wines,…

  • 2008 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Bianco

    admin
    11 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Varietal: Pinot Bianco Region: California – Los Carneros – USA Cost: $24 A light to medium-bodied wine with flavors of apple and grapefruit.  Pair this wine with seafood, especially shellfish, Chinese food, picnic food, or just by itself. Recommendations: Another gift from my parents, my wife and I enjoyed this after pairing a bottle of their Pinot Grigio with  salmon.  My first impressions of this wine were that it was a lighter version of the Pinot Grigio we had just enjoyed.  That’s not to say that it didn’t have its own unique flavors, only that it was very…

  • 2006 Chateau Lamothe de Haux Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux

    admin
    9 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Varietal: Bordeaux (60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc) Region: France Cost: $20.50 Ruby red in color with soft aromas with flavors to match.  Crushed berries and cedar on the nose are a lead into a smooth, slightly fruity medium-bodied red.  Pairs well with chicken, pork, and veal. Recommendations: My first impression of this wine was that it wasn’t what I was expecting.  When I first got the bottle, I was excited about a bit, bold Bordeaux to pair with a steak or some pasta (which is what I did pair it with).  That is not the wine I drank. Smooth and subtle is…

  • 2008 Castello di Amorosa Pinot Grigio

    admin
    4 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Varietal: Pinot Grigio Region: California – Anderson Valley – USA Cost: $20 Fruity with bright orange and melon aromas.  Light, lemon and green apples on the palate end in a refreshing acid finish.  Pairs with salads, melon, cheeses, seafood, or by itself. Recommendations: I’m very hit or miss on Pinot Grigio, preferring Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for my white wine selections, but I did find this Pinot Grigio to be quite enjoyable.  Purchased by my parents during our trip to California several weeks before and sent home with me, this bottle had been chilling in my…
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    Olson Ogden Wines

  • pinot days in the windy city

    John Ogden
    19 Nov 2009 | 8:45 am
    I just got back from a weekend trip to Chicago.  We poured for a dinner at Bin 36 as well as the Pinot Days Grand Tasting on Saturday at the Navy Pier.  I always enjoy visiting Chicago.  It’s a great city with all the trappings of a big city but it somehow retains a lot of the warmth and charm of a smaller town.   The Pinot Days events went well, the organizers always do a great job and things ran very smoothly.  I was impressed with the size of the crowd and their good knowledge of fine wine and food.  Best of all, our wines showed very well.  I had a lot of visitors tell me they…

  • 2009 harvest report

    John Ogden
    13 Nov 2009 | 8:56 am
    We are just wrapping up harvest, the 2009 wines are resting in barrels and ready for winter hibernation.  In looking back at this year’s harvest, I find it like most harvest’s I’ve worked…a blur.  The 10 to 15 hour days just roll by due to the amount of work and activity.  As they say, “time flies when you’re having fun.”  This year was particularly fun as we moved to a new facility (our seventh in seven years) called Vinify in Santa Rosa.  These guys run a first class custom crush facility.  In addition to the 17 other brands being made there, we had the services of a…

  • recent reviews of olson ogden wines 2007 vintage wines

    John Ogden
    8 Nov 2009 | 4:57 pm
    NorCal Wine wrote one of the most comprehensive tasting notes on our 2007 Sonoma Napa Syrah you will ever read.  Worth taking a read.  The Palate Press also tasted and favorably reviewed two of our wines recently...the 2007 Stagecoach Vineyard Syrah and the 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  We also got notice that Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded 90 plus points for 4 our 2007 vintage wines with one wine designated a "Cellar Selection" and another an "Editor's Choice".  The reviews should be out in their Best of Year issue in early December and on their website later this month.  It…

  • wine spectator rates and reviews olson ogden wines' 2007 vintage pinot noirs

    John Ogden
    13 Oct 2009 | 1:10 pm
    The Wine Spectator's, Jim Laube, recently wrote a piece on their website regarding 15 distinctive 2007 vintage Pinot Noirs from the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley appellations of California.  Olson Ogden Wines' pinots from the vintage were included in the article.  He had good things to say about both of our pinots from this vintage.  Click here to read the article.  -- by John

  • Olson Ogden Wines Label Naming Contest!

    John Ogden
    30 Sep 2009 | 9:37 pm
    We have some exciting news! We have a new addition to our wine portfolio and we’d like your help in naming it. Olson Ogden Wines will produce 1000-1500 cases of this wine and sell it by the bottle, in boutique wine shops, by the glass, in fine restaurants nationwide, and to our mailing list customers. Beginning October 1 we are holding a contest to name our new wine on our Facebook Fan Page. It’s easy to enter: visit our Facebook Fan Page, become a fan, and leave your label submission in the comments. The contest will run through October 15 and a winner will be announced at the end of the…
 
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    Luscious Lushes

  • A great Chance!

    winebratsf
    11 Nov 2009 | 2:53 pm
    Shhh!  A little Hummingbird told me that Clos La Chance is having a secret sale. That’s right, these lovely wines are having a holiday HALF OFF sale!  That means that if you haven’t had the Chance to try the Clos, now is a great opportunity.  I have had several of the Hummingbird series of wines, which are a great value for some lovely wine.  I’ll probably buy a mixed case to have on hand, because $16 for Santa Cruz Mtn pinot is an offer you just can’t pass up. Here is a full list of what is on sale with the full price first, and the sale price after.  These are…

  • On a mountain top

    winebratsf
    10 Nov 2009 | 12:11 pm
    Haber Family Vineyards, which sits high atop Howell Mountain, near the village of Angwin, was founded in 2004 by Ron and Sue Marie Haber, a couple of summer refugees from the East Coast. My blogging friend Melissa Dobson, of Melissa Dobson PR & Marketing, was kind enough to arrange a bloggers tasting day up on the mountain.  Sue Marie and Ron were gracious and welcoming, and the usual suspects (Randy, Michael, Marcy, and Ashley) made our way out of the Napa Valley for an unforgettable experience. The estate on Howell Mountain is a lean 5.5 acres, which was painstakingly developed 1…

  • Friday Follies

    winebratsf
    6 Nov 2009 | 3:45 pm
    No, I’m not offering to put you up for the weekend, but my friends at Bottlenotes are giving away a pretty awesome trip to the good life.  If you win, Bottlenotes’ founder and Chief Wineaux, Alyssa Rapp, will meet you and three friends in Napa to sample some of the best of the valley for a fun filled weekend.  This is a great chance to get to some difficult to get in to places, and also enjoy a chillaxing day up valley. The current itenerary includes: Cakebread Cellars Meet one of the founding fathers of the Napa Valley, Jack Cakebread. Tasting appointment includes a VIP tour…

  • Under the Madrone tree…

    winebratsf
    6 Nov 2009 | 6:11 am
    Shana! One scorching hot Saturday, I was invited to take a Napa mountain adventure, up past St. Helena, past Spring Mountain’s Falcon Crest set, to Smith-Madrone Winery high atop Spring Mountain road.  As I drove, and drove, and drove, and worried that my car was overheating (or just plain flipping out in protest) as I climbed the hill, Shana pulled up behind me to ask where the heck we were. We arrived, after a couple of wrong turns and iPhone reception-less, at Smith-Madrone Winery, high atop Spring Mountain.  Smith-Madrone was founded in 1971 by Stuart Smith, the enologist, and is…

  • Getting in to the Spirit

    winebratsf
    4 Nov 2009 | 5:23 am
    Espiritu de Argentina was launched in 2008, as a partnership with Monte Real Winery and Espiritu de Chile.  During the week that the Wines of Argentina tour hit San Francisco, we were invited to taste these new wines at Destino, a modern South American restaurant here in town. Each course was made to pair with these wines, and while there weren’t always the best match in my opinion, they were certainly inspired dishes and I can’t wait to go back to Destino to try more of Chef James Schenk’s talented cooking. After a starter of Chandon Sparkling Pinot Noir, we moved in to…
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    Back Chat Blog

  • kykNET presents Backsberg Picnic Concerts

    Simon Back
    28 Oct 2009 | 10:08 pm
    I am very excited to announce that we are teaming up with Afrikaans lifestyle TV channel, kykNET in presenting a series of concerts over this summer. We are showcasing some of the best musicians South Africa has to offer.  You can come out to the farm and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon beneath the oak trees with good food, wine and music. I think the above poster sums up the key details but for more information and any updates please check out www.backsberg.co.za/PicnicConcerts. You can pre-book tickets for the concerts through Computicket. Ticket sales are opening up in the next week or so.

  • Earth Centre Launch

    Simon Back
    28 Oct 2009 | 4:16 pm
    Saturday saw the culmination of few hard, but exciting months of work. The day saw the launch of the Earth Centre at Backsberg. The centre is a collaboration between Backsberg and NGO Food and Trees for Africa. The project started some time in June, when I spotted FTFA founder, Jeunesse Park, and my father sitting at a table at our restaurant, scheming. I was summoned over to the table with something of a nonchalant hand gesture- come hither dear child. FTFA is primarily based in Joburg, but they are doing more and more work in the Western Cape and as such required a base in the area. So, the…

  • Meeting up with Gary Vaynerchuk | Video

    Simon Back
    30 Sep 2009 | 2:36 am
    I was recently in the US working with our importer and respective wholesalers in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts (think Boston) markets. As part of the New Jersey leg, I organised to meet up with Gary Vaynerchuck at his Wine Library retail store. Gary took his family wine business from a turnover of around USD5million to around USD60 million - no small feat. He has also created some serious waves in the wine world with Winelibrary TV, his online wine show where he tastes through a variety of wines. The catch is that Gary doesn’t just taste through the wines; he injects some…

  • Green, Gold and Diamond Feathers in the Cap

    Simon Back
    27 Sep 2009 | 3:49 am
    So, I just got back from a trip to the US of A and I am frantically catching up on all the news. Naturally, all the good news breaks when I am away! There are a couple of items definitely worth mentioning: we picked up a Winemakers’ Choice Diamond award for our Klein Babylonstoren 2005, a Michelangelo Gold medal for our John Martin Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and for the second year in a row we picked up a Mail and Guardian Greening the Future award, this year for Agriculture (to read more about it click here). Okay, enough naked self-promotion. The Winemakers’ Choice Awards, as you…

  • Tree and Wine Pairing for Arbor Month

    Simon Back
    1 Sep 2009 | 2:16 am
    1-7 September is Arbor Week. Here at the farm we are treating the entire month of September as Arbor Month. We are working with Starke Ayres Garden Centre in Cape Town to create awareness and excitement around planting trees – specifically the tree of the year: Halleria lucida. With the purchase of a case of wine from the Backsberg Tasting Room during September, you’ll will have the option of taking home either a Halleria lucida tree or a voucher for the Starke Ayres Garden Centre (while stocks last). In turn, Starke Ayres will be giving away a bottle of Backsberg Chenin Blanc 2009…
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    Jason's Wine Blog

  • A case of the reviews…from Trader Joe’s

    jason
    17 Nov 2009 | 6:58 am
    I’ve been pondering updating the top 10 list but have realized there are few compelling options to highlight which hasn’t been exactly motivating me to tackle the task at hand. So here I am with empties stacking up around me and feeling the need to cover a month’s plus worth of sampling Trader Joe’s wine. Given that let me tell you a little tale about three reds, three whites, three Italians and three Spaniards. Are you up for a story? Where should I begin? Let’s start with the three reds… Three Reds… The first up is the 2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone ($6.99). This is one that I…

  • Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving Vine Report

    jason
    13 Nov 2009 | 6:15 am
    I got home today and low and behold who wanted to recommend my Thanksgiving Wines (and my meal too!) but Trader Joe’s. Their

  • 2008 VINTJS Syrah

    jason
    10 Nov 2009 | 6:37 am
    Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s What They Said: Per

  • 2008 VINTJS Chardonnay

    jason
    3 Nov 2009 | 5:50 am
    Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s What They Said: Per

  • 2006 BV Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

    jason
    2 Nov 2009 | 5:52 am
    This is the second guest post from my friend Paul covering another wine from Costco. ***************************************************** Price: $5.99 @ Costco What They Said: Per Beaulieu Vineyard (pdf) “Approachable and fruit-forward, there is nothing stuffy about our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh-picked blackberries and spring cherries open the aromas, hemmed by vanilla and toast. This juicy cherry-berry core develops through the mouth, picking up cocoa and subtle spices, gently cupped by soft tannins that hold through the lingering finish.” What Paul Thinks: The nose is…
 
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    Ampelography

  • Another charity wine tasting? woo. hoo.

    11 Nov 2009 | 7:39 am
    First and foremost, it's of paramount importance for everyone that has resources, whether they are time, financial, or other, to give back to their community. Get involved in organizations. Sit on the board at least once in your life. Community service is a great way to exercise your skills for a good cause. Believe in a worthy cause, and put significant energy towards making that cause as much money as possible.We are well into the season of the year in which Wine Galas abound. Each year, countless charity organizations decide that the best way to raise money is to host a wine tasting…

  • In defense of the criticism of plonk

    10 Nov 2009 | 8:35 am
    [yellowtail] is plonk. In an attempt to keep it short and sweet, I didn't explain why. In fact, [yellowtail] is short and sweet. Back story time. Randall Grahm took some heat earlier this week for his comments on splendid table. It's worth mentioning that Randall did say that his comments were not meant for every aussie Shiraz producer, but many that have defined the style. Secondly, he was trying to defend the noblest of all grapes, syrah. He raised some very important points about syrah/ shiraz, one of which is that most shiraz we experience, is pure winemaking. Terroir is out the window.

  • The infectious wine snob

    9 Nov 2009 | 7:31 am
    This weekend, back to back incidents have given me a little perspective on my effect on my friends in regards to their wine snobbery. Not once, but twice, I had people close to me make comments about Yellowtail and 2-buck chuck. while both of these wines are pure plonk and a hindrance to the credibility of fine wine everywhere, I'm a little concerned that I have created a culture of wine criticism around me. I am a critic of practices of dumb-ing down wine. I have a good palate and recognize good wine in a very broad sense and can easily imagine all real world applications. I recognize a…

  • ahhh, the mouth breathing masses...

    4 Nov 2009 | 5:50 am
    *The following is meant to be in good humor, please don't be offended by anything that follows, I realize it comes off as elitist, but hey, it's the wine business.Insulated by layers of wine geeks, I find myself rarely coming into contact with the average wine consumers. I feel like I have a very good grasp on their habits, preferences, and the influences of the restaurants and retailers in their lives. But I rarely need to actually deal with them. Surprisingly, my home market of Toledo is a really sophisticated wine market with solid tastings on a regular basis hosted by people that love to…

  • Sometimes you just need to take out the kick ass wines to show 'em who's boss!

    29 Oct 2009 | 5:25 pm
    A wine rep always struggles with what to sample. There are dozens of factors that go in to every choice in a bag. Yesterday, I just decided to go out with guns blazin' and knock em' dead. I picked the entire lineup of Jaffurs, an elite Rhone producer from Santa Barbara. The wines aren't cheap, but they're amazing. I took 4 wines around,and at the end of each stop, the line was, "I can't remember the last time I had such amazing wine". at that point you're not even selling, you're just agreeing with them. This is a great approach for 3 reasons a) You sell a bunch of great wine b) for whatever…
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    WineryProfitability.com

  • Take a Management Time Out

    Steve Richards
    12 Nov 2009 | 3:50 pm
    I have to say that winery owners and managers are some of the hardest workers I know.  Working hard is important, but it can be overwhelming–leaving winery owners and managers little time to ponder how effective they are working.  As hard as it is, managers need to take a daily time out to ask themselves how they can work more effectively and delegate more tasks.  In this post, I’ll show how successful winery owners and managers use their time outs to break some vicious cycles. Vicious cycle #1: Management Time Drain Winery owners and manager have a lot of tasks to manage on…

  • The Customer Perspective: Is your Winery a Place for Holiday Shopping?

    Kelly Richards
    12 Nov 2009 | 10:31 am
    Are your display decorations helping your customers get in the holiday spirit? It’s that time of year again—the winter holiday season.  Once again my favorite stores have jump started me into thinking about what to buy my friends and family.  It’s amazing how as a consumer my brain shifts gears once I see the sparkles and shimmers of wintery merchandise displays.  As I navigate through aisles of red and green, I can’t help but wonder what wineries can do to take advantage of the holiday season and what for many retailers is the biggest shopping time of the year.  In this article,…

  • 2009 Wine Economic Outlook: 3rd Quarter Update

    Steve Richards
    9 Oct 2009 | 9:25 am
    I recently attended an excellent conference held by a number of combined Farm Credit Associations.  At the conference, I listened to some great economists who tried their best to prognosticate the future.  I took home three messages:  1. the recession is over; 2. the government stimulus package is helping to mitigate the effects of the recession; 3. growth in the future is going to be positive, but slower than it was prior to the recession.  I thought I’d pass on some of the details of these findings and then give my best shot at predicting future wine sales trends. The recession is…

  • The Customer Perspective: Can Halloween Brew Up Wine Sales?

    Kelly Richards
    24 Sep 2009 | 1:06 pm
    Halloween.  It’s not just for kids anymore.  Lately more and more adults are getting in on the fun.  Maybe it’s because Halloween offers adults a sense of escape and excitement.  But what does Halloween have to do with wineries and selling wine?  Just like other top-selling holidays, Halloween offers winery owners and tasting room managers the chance to increase customer spending.  In this post I’ll talk about how from my customer perspective, I think  incorporating Halloween into wine displays could increase wine sales. According to the National Retail…

  • Tasting Room Profitability: Sales Data Analysis

    Steve Richards
    2 Sep 2009 | 9:12 am
    The first step in enhancing your tasting room sales is to identify the areas that you can improve.  Winery tasting rooms are different than traditional retail stores in the respect that the customer gets to sample the product before purchasing.  Not only does this step add complexity to the transaction, but it also gives additional insight into the customer’s buying behavior.  In this post, I’ll review the data that your retail staff should be collecting on a daily basis, how to interpret that data, and give some tips on how to diagnose possible problems. What kind of data is…
 
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    WineBizNews

  • Tired of Waiting

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:29 am
    It will pay to sit up straight and think about this quote : "Defining a new normal and acting on that is more prudent than waiting for the old normal to return." That's a note from Rob McMillan, founder of Silicon Valley Bank's Wine Division and author of their Annual State of the Wine Industry Report. Of all the prelims, this is the most important lesson.I haven't been blogging a lot this year, because the paradigm shift initiated by the current recessionary economic environment has been confusing to all. I've been hesitant to write about the old order and best business practices to maintain…

  • $45 Winery Sustainability and Design Education Series Online from VT

    14 Nov 2009 | 6:14 pm
    "In early 2008 the Virginia Tech wine department organized a very successful Winery Sustainability and Design program covering many winery sustainability issues. Because of the success of this event and the importance of the subject, Dr. Bruce Zoecklein posted an Adobe Presenter version of this Online.The subjects included in these audio and Power Point slide presentations are as follows: Sustainability in Winery Design Sustainable Winery Architecture Why Solar, Why Now Gravity Flow Design, Principles and Practices Cellars, Caves and Earth-Sheltered Design Winery…

  • Tasting Opolo by Lake Tahoe's Shores (What could be better?)

    10 Nov 2009 | 5:36 pm
    One of the most talented sommeliers at Lake Tahoe is Kristi Snyder, who buys wine and makes diners feel very welcome at the fantastic lakeside Lone Eagle Grill at Hyatt Regency Incline. She's the kind of wine professional who you just want to visit time and again. No wonder this is the highest ranking Hyatt in the world in terms of bottle sales of wine! Kristi pulls everyone together in a spirit of education, fun and food. Today's treat (November 10, 2009) was happening onto a tasting of Opolo wines, and 7 bottles of wonder from this Paso Robles vineyard and winery were open and being gently…

  • Wine Trail Programs Thrive on Saturdays: Kernels of Wisdom from MidWestern GrapeGrowers and Wineries

    8 Nov 2009 | 11:02 am
    Staff up your tasting room on Saturdays! This is one lesson to be gleaned from a recent survey from the MidWest wine industry, in this instance Nebraska. The results are courtesy of Iowa State's Michael L White. who produces a fantastic bi-weekly newsletter called Wine-Grower-News. In issue #106 November 6, 2009, Mike shared a news item that should help wineries who particiate in wine trail programs better understand consumer behavior. ~~~~~~~"The Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association (NWGGA) has a great newsletter called the NWGGA Juice. The August, 2009 edition has a good article…

  • Winemaker Dinners at Baxter’s Northstar – Special Feature, Wines of Burgundy from Kermit Lynch

    7 Nov 2009 | 12:32 pm
    It would be difficult to find a better host for a winemaker dinner than Joseph Nase, Director of Wines at Baxter’s Bistro, Northstar-at-Tahoe. The winemaker dinner series he hosts are justifiably famous and packed with patrons, and Chef de Cuisine Michael Plapp contributes outstanding dishes for pairings with wines at the dinner.(Joseph Nase, left; Steven Ledbetter, right)I attended the winemaker dinner that featured the wines of Kermit Lynch, a famous purveyor of the wines of Burgundy, with a shop located in Berkeley and sales offices nationwide. Mr Lynch has been named Wine professional…
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    Heron Hill Winery

  • Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. and Spit & Twit in NYC

    17 Nov 2009 | 10:40 am
    By Tambi Schweizer, Tasting Hall ManagerI just returned from NYC where I poured wine at two different events. The first one was Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. 24.7.365. and the second one was Spit & Twit. They were both located in amazing places. The Cook. Eat. Drink. Live. venue was down in the Chelsea area in an amazing post and beam warehouse located on The Tunnel & La Venue at 608 West 28th Street @

  • Wrap up on the 2009 Harvest

    11 Nov 2009 | 11:49 am
    By JJ Pierce, Production Manager Well another harvest is in the history books (for the most part)! It has been interesting to say the least but it was fun and a great learning experience. Thanks to my talented fingers and expertise (yes I’m tooting my own horn) we made it through the 2009 harvest with NO I repeat NO mechanical breakdowns of any kind. All of the equipment ran flawlessly. Now is

  • What's the new Winemaker like?

    4 Nov 2009 | 9:45 am
    By Brian Barry, Assistant WinemakerWell, 2009 has brought us an unusual harvest. Early on it seemed like we were in for a repeat of 2006 with higher acids and lower brix. But quality prevailed and Mother Nature came through with above average numbers. At least she did for us.We picked our estate grapes earlier this week and our last white, a late harvest Vidal is still a while off. We’re devoting

  • Staff favorites in the gift shop

    28 Oct 2009 | 9:08 am
    By Danielle Shaw, Wedding and Events Coordinator<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]-->As the holiday season quickly approaches, my focus is our winery gift shop. We have a ton of local and unique items perfect for gifting!Exclusive artist Kristin Smith from Magic Moon Designs creates beautiful jewelry with precious stones and sterling silver. Made locally in Rochester New York, her

  • Transition into fall with this recipe for Choucroute

    22 Oct 2009 | 10:12 am
    By Steve & Pam Acker, Managers at the Seneca Lake Tasting RoomThe last thing we remember at the end of August was looking forward to fall, harvest time and anticipating many busy days in the tasting room. Since then, we’ve said good-bye to many of our neighbors who have shuttered their lake homes and headed south, loading their cars with ample supplies of Heron Hill wines for the months to
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    VinoVerve

  • Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago

    admin
    19 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm
    Gretchen Neuman VinoVerve Editor Looking for something to do this weekend? Something where you can have good food and drinks? Want to have the added bonus of doing some good? Well, I have the event for you! Via Facebook: Please join us at the James Hotel, on 11/22/09 from 4-7:30 to help show our love and support for our good friend Jeffrey Hemmings. As our dear friend continues his healing battle with Germ Cell Cancer, we want Jeff to know how much we all love him and that he only needs to focus on getting better. To that end, we are getting together to raise money for Jeff to cover his…

  • Avoid the Malls – Spend Black Friday on the New Jersey Wine Trail Instead

    MTB
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm
    Marguerite Barrett Contributing Writer November is New Jersey Wine Month, and the local wineries are capping off the month with the Holiday Wine Trail Weekend!  Friday, Saturday, Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend (November 27-29), local wineries across the state will be offering tastings, tours, and in many cases special events.  Many of the wineries offer gift baskets and gift certificates so you could also get a lot of your holiday shopping done at the same time.    Who knows?  Maybe it’ll be the start of a new “Win(e)ding Road” holiday tradition… Personally,…

  • Wild Blossom Winery

    GMN
    17 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm
    Gretchen Neuman VinoVerve Editor Wineries in cities have become more popular over the last few years. But the Wild Blossom Winery has been in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood for years. The winery operates out of a storefront on the dry side of Western Avenue so you must go else where to purchase their products (There is a Foremost across the street, for instance) and they offer for sale beer and winemaking materials and offer classes as well. The wineries most prominent product is mead. They offer traditional grape wines for those of you who want to complain that mead isn’t really…

  • Heritage Trail Vineyards ~ The Reds

    MTB
    16 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm
    Marguerite Barrett Contributing Writer Continued from Thursday, November 12 Both Christy and I found the reds to be interesting, fruity and quite enjoyable, and we definitely preferred them to the whites.  We also found ourselves somewhat puzzled as to why the staff so preferred the Winthrop White and Sweet Reserve over any of the reds.  But that’s the beauty of a tasting menu; hopefully there’s something for everyone somewhere on the list. Heritage Trail currently produces three reds, beginning with the Shetucket Red A blend of Rubiana grape (another grape developed by Cornell…

  • What A Disappointment

    admin
    13 Nov 2009 | 9:38 am
    Gretchen Neuman VinoVerve Editor I got a notice the other day for a wine club from Nina and Tim Zagat of the Survey fame. I was initially excited because it seemed that this would be a different spin the growing number of wine clubs that I get notices for (or my father joins… his latest? The NRA wine club) I had assumed that this club would be built on user generated recommendations that have been the hallmark of the Zagat Surveys. Instead, it appears that this club, like all the others will use the same two or three fulfillment houses in every state. Meaning that this club will pull…
 
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    JancisRobinson.com

  • Tesco - a store audit (Tasting articles)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Tesco enjoys that peculiarly English distinction of being roundly castigated by everyone but their shareholders for being an extremely large and successful company – an easy target, no less. Their business model is proven; their profits continue to balloon; they must be doing something right. In.

  • MW Symposium 2010 discount (Free for all)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    Book before the end of the year if you want to get a discount on the 2010 Masters of Wine Symposium. Back in August in Something for the weekend Jancis previewed the next MW Symposium, to be held in Bordeaux, 24-27 Jun 2010. This is a reminder that the early-bird discounted rate expires at the end.

  • California 2009 - now the grapes are in (Inside information)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    As I reported here , in a 24-hour period in mid October, between 2 and 10 inches (5–25 cm) of rain fell in central and northern California vineyards, and it continued to rain, lightly, for four more days, with high humidity – not good for grapevines and the Californians who farm them,.

  • Rhône 2008 - some top producers (Tasting articles)

    19 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    More Rhône tasting notes below from some top producers. (Rayas and Clos des Papes to follow shortly.) See Rhône 2008 coverage – a guide for a brief introduction and links to related articles, including the first and second tranches of tasting notes A–L and tasting notes M–V . The wines are.

  • Australia's magic bullet? (Don't quote me)

    18 Nov 2009 | 4:00 pm
    What a shame it is that the global balance of mongering is so askew. Wail as we might, mongering of fish and cheese becomes scarcer whilst mongering of war and hate seems to proliferate. If only the mongers among us would swap their guns and flags for halibut and munster, surely the world would be.
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    Goosecross Cellars

  • Yountville Festival of Lights

    Nancy
    19 Nov 2009 | 11:01 am
    Fun Fact by Nancy Hawks Miller, Goosecross: Yountville Festival of Lights Did you enjoy this? Here are more Fun Facts from Goosecross Cellars.

  • Goosecross: Pressing Cabernet Franc

    Nancy
    18 Nov 2009 | 11:44 am
    It’s all glamour, working at a winery!  In this 2-minute video you’ll see the Cabernet Franc being drained and the grape skins being shoveled out of the fermentation tank and pressed after the fermentation is over.  Enjoy!  Click here to view the embedded video. More videos

  • Zabaglione

    David
    17 Nov 2009 | 11:37 am
    Fun Fact by Diane De Filipi, Let’s Go Cook Italian: Zabaglione Did you enjoy this? Here are more Fun Facts from Goosecross Cellars.

  • Goosecross: Savoring Saffron

    Nancy
    13 Nov 2009 | 5:02 pm
    Just to be honest, I’m not the cook in the family – no interest, no talent. Fortunately, my husband is, and in spades, and he keeps the battle of the scale going for me Saffron Crocus So, imagine someone like me faced with the prospect of using saffron – nope – ain’t gonna happen. Waaay to intimidating!  That is, until I listened to this Fun Fact from our great friend at Let’s Go Cook Italian, Diane DeFilipi.  Two minutes of saffron made simple.  Maybe I’ll give it a try… Or get my husband to More Fun Facts

  • Cooking with Quince

    David
    13 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am
    Fun Fact by Sherry Page, Culinary Getaways: Cooking with Quince Did you enjoy this? Here are more Fun Facts from Goosecross Cellars.
 
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    Drinking Outside The Box

  • Fair Enough – Results of the 2009 Annual Fairtrade Wine Awards

    Simon
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:52 am
    For those who look out for Fairtrade wine, here are the results of the 3rd annual Fairtrade Wine Competition, which took place yesterday in London. 81 wines were entered and judged by a panel that included Masters of Wine Sarah Jane Evans, Tim Atkin, Susan McCraith and Jo Ahearne. Harpers Wine and Spirit Trophy for Best [...]

  • Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 est un peu early…

    Simon
    18 Nov 2009 | 7:02 am
    OK, it’s already the 3rd Thursday of November in some parts of the world, so I don’t feel too guilty about opening this bottle of Nouveau from wine merchant/winemaker Chris Piper a few hours early – nice crunchy stuff it is too…

  • Bunch of Fives become Bunch of Sixes

    Simon
    18 Nov 2009 | 4:06 am
    News just announced that The Bunch has expanded from five merchants to six, with the existing quintet of Berry Bros. & Rudd, Yapp Brothers, Adnams, Corney & Barrow and Tanners being joined by Lea & Sandeman. Not much of a surprise really. Both Charles Lea & Patrick Sandeman are – like the existing Bunchers – [...]

  • Georgia on my mind – four wines from The Georgian Wine Society

    Simon
    17 Nov 2009 | 7:38 am
    Never tried Georgian wine? Can’t say I’ve had much if it myself, but this week sees the launch of The Georgian Wine Society (www.georgianwinesociety.co.uk) – here’s how I got on with four of their wines… Teliani Valley Tsolikouri 2005 (£8.99) Slightly nutty/toasty edges, clean and fresh, a light floral perfume, still fresh, but doesn’t feel like it [...]

  • Shiraz – a whistle-stop tour round three countries

    Simon
    13 Nov 2009 | 11:40 am
    Château Pech-Redon ‘Les Cades’ Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape 2008, France (£7.99 The Real Wine Company) 30% Cinsault, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre Sappy, white pepper, forest fruits like brambles and blackcurrants, lovely garrigue herbs, fresh and vibrant, some liquorice, super red, ripe yet refreshing, perfect sausage wine. S- Château d’Or et de Gueules ‘Les [...]
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    CorkSavvy

  • Vertical Wine Tastings Help You Learn A Wine Up Close

    3 Nov 2009 | 2:35 pm
    Whether you are a wine enthusiasts or a novice wine drinker, participating in a vertical wine tasting is a fun and educational experience. Vertical tastings are classical themes for wine tasting parties or wine tasting classes. Vertical wine tastings are tastings where the wines tasted are all from the same producer, generally the same wine, from several different vintages (years).

  • “The Billionaire’s Vinegar” – Wine and Mystery

    27 Oct 2009 | 7:56 am
    Interest in the book “The Billionaire’s Vinegar” by Benjamin Wallace has just been revived by the settlement of a libel lawsuit brought by Michael Broadbent, a renowned wine expert and former head of Christie’s wine department against Random House Publishers in London alleging that the book made him appear to be complicit in criminal or, at the very least, unsavory conduct.

  • Domaine le Sang des Cailloux 2006, Vacqueyras, Cotes du Rhone, France

    21 Oct 2009 | 10:58 am
    Domaine le Sang des Cailloux 2006, Vacqueyras, Cotes du Rhone, France; Rich and ripe

  • Food and Wine For Charity

    16 Oct 2009 | 7:38 am
    Three cheers to the Chefs and Vineyards who contributed their time and energy to make the events like “Autism Speaks to Wall Street: Third Annual Celebrity Chef Gala” a resounding success. This Gala was held at Cipriana Wall Street in Manhattan’s Financial District and was co-hosted by Celebrity Chef Eric Ripert and CNBC Anchor Erin Burnett and featured over 60 leading Chefs who prepared a four course dinner tableside for 60 tables each seating 10 people. The most expensive table raised over $50,000.

  • Super Tuscans: The New Wines of Italy

    15 Oct 2009 | 11:20 am
    To describe the “Super Tuscans” as the new wines of Italy is not an exaggeration since wines have been produced in Italy for centuries and the Super Tuscans have come of age in the 1970s. After World War II, landowners suffering from heavy debt, increased grape and wine production to the detriment of quality and reduced their competitiveness on the international market. In the late 1960s, the Italian government passed laws regulating wines by granting DOC designations.
 
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    PALATE PRESS

  • 2008 Ludwig Winery Gewürztraminer Dry Single Vineyard Selection

    Deb Harkness
    20 Nov 2009 | 9:28 am
    It’s been a while since I’ve been truly excited by a Gewurztraminer, so I’m thrilled this is so affordable. Layered aromas and flavors of mango, peach, white flowers, and a bit of vanilla bean. There’s a lift of apple and clementine in the midpalate, and while your initial impression has a note of honey in [...]

  • Labouré-Roi Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

    Becky Sue Epstein
    20 Nov 2009 | 4:37 am
    Best feature: screwcap. Reminiscent of powdered cherry jello aroma, tastes like thin cherry wine with a big, hot finish though at 12:5% it’s not a high-alcohol wine. WHO Labouré-Roi WHAT Gamay, Beaujolais Nouveau WHERE France, Burgundy, Beaujolais WHEN 2009 HOW MUCH $10.99 (advance sample) Share this on FacebookTweet This!Email this to a friend?Subscribe to the comments [...]

  • Trust is the New Black: Your Local Retailer as Wine Confidante

    Louis Calli
    19 Nov 2009 | 8:16 pm
    It seems as if the age of consumer excess that occurred over the last decade has given way to, dare I say it, a more quaint way of doing business.

  • Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone “Parallele 45″ Rouge 2007

    David Honig
    19 Nov 2009 | 9:26 am
    This is fresh and fruity, cherries and rhubarb, with a spicy cayenne and white pepper background. This is a moderately priced, juicy, fruit-driven blend. Drink it a bit cool and match it with grilled summer vegetables. WHO Paul Jaboulet Aine’ WHAT 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah WHERE France, Rhone WHEN 2007 HOW MUCH $12.99 (press [...]

  • Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2009

    Becky Sue Epstein
    18 Nov 2009 | 9:01 pm
    Not a big fruit-juice wine as in other years. Floral and new strawberries aroma, not very expressive flavors. Clunky tannins crying out for light, salty food. WHO Georges Duboeuf WHAT Gamay, Beaujolais Nouveau WHERE France, Burgundy, Beaujolais WHEN 2009 HOW MUCH $9.99 (advance sample) Share this on FacebookTweet This!Email this to a friend?Subscribe to the comments [...]
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    Vin 65

  • Wine Producers Should Tweet More

    19 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Wine Future just wrapped up in Rioja, described as "the largest wine world forum to discuss the current status of the industry," by wine educator Kevin Zraly. At this gathering of almost 1,000 wine professionals, wine social media’s tornado of passion Gary Vaynerchuk didn’t hold back on how he feels. He said that wine producers are missing a huge opportunity to talk to wine consumers via Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. From the Decanter.com post: "I don’t give a crap about Facebook and Twitter but I care about consumers," Vaynerchuk…

  • Speed Sells

    16 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    Are slow loading web pages causing you to lose purchasers? The holiday season is the busiest season for winery websites. If your site isn't optimized for the load, you're selling yourself short. Earlier this month Get Elastic posted some of the research from Forrester Research on web page loading speed on their blog. Here are a few notible excerpts: Next to pricing and shipping issues, poor site performance is a major cause of dissatisfaction. Overall, 52% of online shoppers stated that quick page loading is important to their site loyalty. 61% of online shoppers who spend more than…

  • 3 Mistakes When Redesigning Your Website

    3 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am
    Thinking about redesigning your winery website? If so, here are three common mistakes to avoid before jumping into your redesign. 1. Forgetting about Search Engines and Inbound Links Even though your old site might be dated, it still garners traffic from outside sources. Half the people visiting a winery website enter via a search engine. Inbound links from blogs, social media, and other websites also represent a good portion of traffic. These links to product pages, company pages, contact pages, etc are often broken in a site redesign. (Different platforms and designers handle URLs…

  • Customers want simple.

    19 Oct 2009 | 11:00 am
    If you are launching your new web site and wonder what customers want - customers want simple! Customers don't want to give you their birthdate before they enter your website. Customers don't want to read about your wine in one part of your site and jump to another part of your website to purchase the wine. Customers don't want to create an account, give you a username and double confirm a password just to buy wine from you. Customers don't want a long drawn out checkout process. Customers don't want to be tricked into signing up for a newsletter. Customers don't want to be spammed. Customers…

  • Connecting to your wine website visitors

    2 Oct 2009 | 12:10 pm
    In my last blog post "The Experience" I talked about how winery websites face the challenge of sharing a persuasive experience on their website, or share the essence of the winery and wine. I just wanted to point out a great way to enhance the connection between your winery and visitors to your web site, which is video tasting notes or messages from the wine maker and/or wine owner. I thought this was really powerful for a couple of reasons: Builds a personal connection between the people in your winery and your customers. Faces matter more than you think Although people can't taste…
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    StarkSilverCreek - All Things West Coast

  • Google adds automatic captioning to YouTube

    Mike Carrall
    20 Nov 2009 | 12:23 pm
    The whizbang kids in Mountain View are at it again. With a wave of their billion dollar want they are now making the world a better place for the hearing impaired. While YouTube allows for manual captioning, thanks to Google’s voice ...

  • ‘She Stoops to Comedy’ opens tomorrow at SF Playhouse

    Chris Wright
    20 Nov 2009 | 10:30 am
    Gender-bending romance is in the air this weekend at SF Playhouse with the opening of David Greenspan’s She Stoops to Comedy. The play continues the 09/10 “Power of Laughter” theme; last seen at the Playhouse was the hilarious First Day ...

  • LAX and Motorola Droid: Google Places Directory, Aloqa apps

    Clinton Stark
    19 Nov 2009 | 7:03 pm
    Two things were clear to me after our Baja adventure came to an end tonight as we landed in LAX: the Loreto Bay development in the Baja is going to be just fine; and the Motorola Droid is a definite ...

  • Blue lizards and papayas, oh my!

    Loni Kao Stark
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:17 pm
    Exploring Conchita’s Curios in Loreto Baja and its cluttered walls, floors and ceilings that can spark anyone’s imagination for home decor, I spotted this bright blue lizard hanging from a nail as I turned a corner on a set of ...

  • Loreto, BCS: Another chapter to the great adventure

    Loni Kao Stark
    19 Nov 2009 | 12:30 pm
    It is Thursday and we will board a plane to head back to San Francisco Bay Area today. Over the coming weeks…maybe months, we’ll post stories and discoveries from our explorations here in Loreto, BCS. Here is a sneak peek of ...
 
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    Tasting Room

  • Blowout Craft-Beer Dinner

    19 Nov 2009 | 12:58 pm
    Last year, I was one of a supersmall group of journalists and brewers invited to the Brewers Association’s first-ever craft-beer dinner at NYC’s Gramercy Tavern. This year's dinner was even more spectacular. Some highlights:New Glarus...

  • Drinks at Drink

    19 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am
    I finally made it to Boston this weekend so that I could grab a stool at Barbara Lynch's newest spots, Sportello and Drink. The dishes at bright, modern Sportello was the sort of homey, upscale comfort food found at all of Lynch's restaurants...

  • Meantime Brewing's new Scotch Ale

    18 Nov 2009 | 11:18 am
     Last night I attended a phenomenal craft-beer dinner at NYC’s Gramercy Tavern (more on that later in a tomorrow's post). The brewers at the table got to talking about the most exciting beer innovations and innovators around the globe....

  • Argentina's Craft Beer

    18 Nov 2009 | 9:08 am
    El Chaltén is Argentina's youngest city, placed near the Chilean border in 1985 by the government to beat its rival country to the land claim. The place still feels like a frontier town, with packs of wild dogs patrolling the streets, but in...

  • Bar Henry's Genius Wine Program

    16 Nov 2009 | 9:06 am
    Hanging out in the heart of NYU territory in Manhattan—not something I usually do. But here’s a great reason to start: the wine program at the now-actually-opened Bar Henry on West Houston Street. John Slover, whom I love from his days at...
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    WineZag

  • Bordeaux Matchmaking

    adamjapko
    18 Nov 2009 | 10:26 pm
    via bordeauxmatchmaking.com Here is an interesting event coming to Boston this Friday night, November 20. A couple of French ladies matching your interests with suitable and affordable french Bordeaux and like minded new friends. A multi city tour with soirees Boredelaise style in Boston, Chicago, NY, and Miami. Certainly an unusual one-of-a-kind format. Check out their site and dates for the event closest to you. Definitely a far cry from the Commanderie, but full of fun potential!

  • 15 Wines in Simple Format Unlock Path To Wine Apprecation

    adamjapko
    15 Nov 2009 | 6:35 am
    tweet it Hosting less experienced wine drinkers to easily replicated and structured tasting formats appeals to my ritual instincts for making wine more accessible to more people.  On the one hand, it’s a refreshing personal break from the usual “club” and a way to strip away the bravado and bias brought to tasting tables by hardened wine aficionados.  On the other hand, it is a chance for me to witness the  joyous personal discovery that learning about wine is simple and just a little knowledge can remove years of intimidation that heretofore may…

  • Bang for the Buck: Magically Transforming Moulin-a-Vent

    adamjapko
    7 Nov 2009 | 4:11 am
    tweet it I purchased a reasonable amount of mixed 2003 Cru Beaujolais by Georges Duboeuf on release since the vintage appeared to be of historic quality and the best wines could be had in the usual $15-$20 value range.  They were enjoyably rich and round with the great depth of fruit that was a signpost to the vintage’s outstanding conditions.  These wines were consumed with gusto by my tight circle of wine and food junkies, but I was unable to hold onto even a few to learn how Gamay of a great vintage might progress in the cellar.  I was just recently blown away by…

  • One-Word Buying Strategy and a Must-Have Wine

    adamjapko
    29 Oct 2009 | 5:51 am
    tweet it I look forward to hearing from Matt Kramer in his regular Wine Spectator column.  He delivers “regular guy” sensibility with intellectual strength wrapped in an entertaining style.  His cut-to-the-chase humility combines with child-like amusement when discovering sources of fairly priced, quality wine that are messengers for their place of origin.  I mean wines that unleash vineyard identity, maybe a hint of unique rock or soil womb, whiffs of a cooling ocean breeze or wafts of a dry valley mistral, charming odors of stones or minerals baking in their personal angles to…

  • New York Wine Experience; Part II

    adamjapko
    25 Oct 2009 | 2:45 pm
    tweet it A general assembly gathering of some of the nation’s most rabid fans side by side with an impressive line up of the world’s elite group of makers, negociants, and sellers of fine wine kicked off a day of informative tasting and recognition for outstanding performance this past Friday at the Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience. Following on the heels of a strong opening night, the day’s first piece of recognition did not go to a winery, winemaker, or chef.  Nor was it planned.  Marvin Shanken’s serendipitous discovery of one event attendee,…
 
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    BlindWine blogs

  • Other Wine Party Ideas

    Blindwine Press
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:44 am
    read more

  • Wine Tasting Class - Holiday Entertaining With Wine

    Blindwine Press
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:43 am
    Wine Tasting Class - Holiday Entertaining With Wine November 6, 2009 (Fri) 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Lafayette Community Center - Sequoia Room 500 St. Mary's Road Lafayette, CA 94549 ph. (925) 284-2232 COST: $30 Registration Fee plus $20 in-class supply fee Wine Tasting 101 - Holiday Entertaining With Wine read more

  • Wine Tasting Tips

    Blindwine Press
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:41 am

  • Wine Glass Music

    Blindwine Press
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:40 am

  • What is Corked Wine?

    Blindwine Press
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:39 am
    What is Corked Wine? -- powered by eHow.com
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    VINEgeek

  • Just for Fun – Izza Kizza “Red Wine” ft. Stewie

    admin
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:32 am
    Fun, wine-related song + Stewie from Family Guy = guaranteed post on VINEgeek Izza Kizza “Red Wine” ft. Stewie of Family Guy from Izza Kizza on Vimeo. Stewie sings Red Wine

  • Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2008

    admin
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:50 am
    Producer: Charles Smith Wines Grapes: 100% Riesling Appellation: Columbia Valley (though from a single vineyard; see below) Vineyard: Evergreen Vineyard, a 452 acre vineyard planted to 10 different white varieties and farmed by Milbrandt Vineyards. It is rather young, having been planted in 1998. The vineyard currently falls under the large Columbia Valley AVA, but is a part of the “Ancient Lakes” area, which is seeking AVA status. Ancient Lakes is a cooler region with soils of clay, sand, silt and Caliche. Winemaking: 100% stainless steel fermentation and aging Alcohol: 12.5%…

  • Oddball Wine of the Week: Lagrein

    admin
    15 Nov 2009 | 2:19 pm
    This is the first post of a new series I’m starting on oddball wines. I thought I’d start in Italy, which is full of indigenous grape varieties that are produced in a small region and hardly anywhere else. This is one of those: Lagrein. Have you ever had one? Ever heard of it? La Vis Dipinti Lagrein 2007 Producer: La Vis Grapes: Lagrein. La-what? It’s a red grape variety from the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Italy that is related to Teroldego. It’s pronounced Lah-GRAYN (hear it here). Appellation: DOC Trentino, in northeastern Italy up near the Austrian border. Thirty…

  • Oddball wine series

    admin
    14 Nov 2009 | 4:34 pm
    I’m going to start a new series on the blog focusing on oddball wines. Oddball might mean an uncommon grape variety, an unusual blend, an out-of-the-way region, a variety in an unexpected location (French Zinfandel?) or an unusual production method. Now, I’m sure that sometimes a few of you will think a wine is not so odd (”I drink Australian Gargenega every week”), but I’ll aim for stuff that I expect 9 out of 10 of you (and probably me, too) won’t have ever tasted. I’m still looking for a name for this series. What should I call it? Oddball Wine of…

  • Je ne bois pas de Merlot!

    admin
    11 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am
    The Sideways movie trailer in French. Just because.
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    San Jose Wine Examiner

  • McGrail Vineyards - fine Cabernet in Livermore Valley

    19 Nov 2009 | 10:26 pm
    McGrail Vineyards are well known for their estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Jim and Ginger McGrail purchased their ranch on Greenville Road in the 1990’s. Jim was a retired Alameda County deputy sheriff and had become a lawyer. They purchased the lan...

  • Big White House Winery, were winemaking is an art

    10 Nov 2009 | 8:45 pm
     Big White House Winery is a family adventure and the Marion family is a very creative family. John the Elder has been a diamond expert for over 32 years and you will see much of his diamond rings set in gold or platinum for sale at their Blacks...

  • Ruby Hill Winery - History and great wine in Livermore

    4 Nov 2009 | 9:38 pm
     Ruby Hill Winery history goes way back to 1887 when it was founded by John Crelin. The original solid brick building stood out as a gem of the Livermore Valley. The area was named Ruby Hill for its bright red soil. John Crelin constantly produc...

  • Santa Clara Valley Winery events coming up!

    30 Oct 2009 | 10:27 pm
     Several Santa Clara wineries have special events over the next week and you are invited to stop by the winery, sample the special wines and have a good time.Clos LaChance Winery – Saturday, October 31, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Wine and Hall...

  • Black Ridge Vineyards in Santa Cruz Mountains

    29 Oct 2009 | 10:41 pm
     Black Ridge Vineyards was founded by Jim and Cheryl Landes and Fred Faltersack who purchased the Black Ridge property in 1999 and were determined to product the best wine possible from their beautiful estate vineyards in the hills above the Lex...
 
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    onefortywines

  • 2005 Pine Ridge ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon

    zakes
    13 Nov 2009 | 7:44 pm
    Ahhh, Pine Ridge.  The thing is, I know that I love them, so I usually end up expecting too much them on the outset and truly appreciating the wine midway thru the bottle.  The other part is that their wines usually need to sit and open for an hour or two, until they really start to shine.  I’m halfway done by then as well.  (That one is my fault.) Pine Ridge is nestled (literally) in the foothills of the Stags Leap District.  I had driven by Pine Ridge a few times in prior Napa Valley visits, but nothing really enticed me to pull over until a friend told me to.  Personally,…

  • 2003 St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon

    zakes
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:54 pm
    St. Supery was (and still is) one of my absolute favorite Vineyards & Tasting Rooms to visit in Napa Valley.  They simply just do everything right.   As soon as you walk in the doors though, you get that ‘welcome home’ feeling and its as if you always knew them. We tasted through their lineup, and quickly became wine club members.  While I knew of St. Supery before we visited them, I don’t think that we were living in CA at the time we visited.  Once we did though,  we’d visit whenever we went to the Valley, and made sure that all of our guests got to…

  • 2006 Rosemount Estate ‘Show Reserve’ GSM

    zakes
    11 Nov 2009 | 6:33 pm
    I essentially ‘fell in love’ with wine via the 1999 Rosemount Estates Diamond Label (Red) Shiraz.  I swore that the ‘99 was so much better than the current vintage at the time (which I think was 2001), and it may have been, but what mattered to me was that I THOUGHT it was. I think that what really happened was that it created a challenge for me to FIND a 1999, which was essentially impossible b/c it was such a high volume wine and the internet (at least for wine) hadn’t evolved yet to support a search.  Either way, it created an appreciation for me on trying,…

  • 2006 Nickel & Nickel “Vogt” Merlot, Howell Mountain, Block 17

    zakes
    5 Oct 2009 | 7:39 pm
    As I have said in the past, there is a special place in my liver for Nickel & Nickel. About Nickel & Nickel We ’stumbled’ upon Nickel & Nickel by driving past them about 100 times, and then finally after seeing them profiled on “In Wine Country” tv show, we gave them a call.  Man am I glad that we did.  They are just simply something special. Established in 1997 by the late Gil Nickel, who started the famous Far Niente Winery, and his nephew Erik Nickel – who managed the restoration of the historic Queen-Anne Style Sullenger farm house at the center…

  • 2006 Treana Red

    zakes
    29 Sep 2009 | 6:35 pm
    I Suck. I suck b/c I’ve been spoiled on great California Cabernets.  I’m biased, and as much as I want to, I have a hard time objectively viewing a wine that has ANY quality that I’ve come to dislike.  In this case, it’s the central coast Cabernet Sauvignons.  Almost everything I’ve ever tasted by way of Central Coast Cabernets has been cheap, sugary, swill that was meant to drop the price of a decent bottle 25-50% when they have leftovers of the good stuff. Because of this, I start off with a biased opinion on the 2006 Treana Red blend from Paso Robles. Paso…
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    ELLOINOS

  • Kotsifali

    elloinos
    19 Nov 2009 | 4:31 am
    Part of a series of videos to bring 100 different grape varieties from Greece to you. Fact File Kotsifali Area grown: Indigenous to Crete, where it is largely cultivated in the prefecture of Heraklion, only sporadically grown on Cyclades. History: There is plenty of evidence that a wine culture has existed in Crete from 3000 BC. Between 1974 and the end of 1980 phylloxera destroyed many vines on the island and caused replanting on resistant rootstocks. Grapes: Black colour. Vigorous, high yielding vines that have a medium burst period and a medium ripening time. The grapes usually ripen…

  • Comparison of German and Greek hospitality

    elloinos
    17 Nov 2009 | 6:52 am
    Greeks are extremely generous people. Sometimes when two different cultures come together, the outcome can be surprising. I am of German heritage, and before we settled down in Greece my family and me lived for 18 months in a small German village called Oberjosbach. It is not easy for newcomers to make contact in such a small rural community, so we invited everybody who lived in our street around for drinks and food. The event was a success and the ice was broken. A few days later we invited a couple that we particular liked to our place for dinner. Germans are often quite reserved people,…

  • Slow starters can still finish first

    elloinos
    16 Nov 2009 | 7:55 am
    Over the last few weeks, I have organised several tasting events of Greek wines abroad. Being back now in Athens, I continue to taste wines from Greece on a daily basis. In my own setting, I have much more time and tend to go back to the same wine over a period of several hours. To me, one of the most fascinating aspects of wines is how they change over time. I simply love how different aromas reveal themselves, take the upper hand, blend in with the existing sensations, and then give way to yet another wave of different aromas. It is no exception that I come across wines that are quiet, if…

  • Greek wines on the radar screen of German wine critics

    elloinos
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am
    I feel strongly that Greek wines are ready to take the plunge. In order to put my money where my mouth is, I organised a tasting event of a large variety of Greek wines to be scrutinized by a number of well-known German wine personalities, on Monday, November 9th, in Hamburg. My experiences to date have demonstrated that German wine critics are quite demanding in their expectations and their high standards are a test for every wine. The unfamiliarity with Greek grape varieties presented an additional challenge to this venture. There was no handpicking of wines; I aimed at displaying a…

  • Airplane

    elloinos
    11 Nov 2009 | 7:09 am
    It is always an experience to travel with Greeks; my personal highlight is to travel with lots of Greeks on a plane. For most people, “chaotic” would be the single best fittingly term to describe this. I just returned from 3-day trip to Hamburg via Zurich. I applaud the airlines that do their best to ensure an efficient boarding by calling up the passengers in the back-rows first, asking all other passengers to remain seated until another announcement is made. I put this strategy that works with passengers from most nations to the test and remained seated in the waiting area, as my seat…
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    Wine Blog

  • Winemaker José Fonseca ~ Enoforum Wines ~ Évora: Alentejo, Portugal

    Jo Diaz
    20 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    Something I learned at the European Wine Bloggers Conference is that Lisbon hotels are no better than American hotels when it comes to hosting a group of techies. Connectivity with everyone running around with computers is almost non-existent. How does this tie into my story about winemaker José Fonseca ~ of Enoforum Wines? It was at the EWBC that I first met José. I had just spent about 10 minutes trying to find a place where I could plug in my computer – perhaps finding the last available spot in the seminar’s room among the 100 or so other wine bloggers, when my host Delfim…

  • Winemaker Pedro Hipólito ~ Adega Coop de Redondo ~ Redondo: Alentejo, Portugal

    Jo Diaz
    19 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    Another day in the life with Enoforum Wines as my host… Winemaker Pedro HipólitoofAdega Coop de Redondo (established in 1956) is based in the town of Redondo, in Portugal’s Alentejo district.  This is a municipality of the Évora District, in Portugal. As I’ve written earlier this week, to understand the people and their culture helps to understand the wines. This old, medieval  hill-top town, like all the other areas where I’ve visited, has many points of historical interest. Renowned for its pottery and fine Alentejo wines, it’s situated 21 miles due east of…

  • Winemaker Óscar Gato ~ Adega Coop de Borba ~ Borba: Alentejo, Portugal

    Jo Diaz
    18 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    Another day in the life with Enoforum Wines as my host… Winemaker Óscar GatoofAdega Coop de Borba is based in the town of Borba, a municipality of the Évora District, in Portugal. As I’ve written earlier this week, to understand the people and their culture helps to understand the wines. This small village has many points of historical interest, including the ruins of a medieval castle, and many churches, built from the 15th to the 18th centuries: Church of Nossa Senhora das Neves (15th century) Church of the Convent of Servas de Deus (17th and 18th centuries) a large stone…

  • Winemaker Rui Veladas ~ Carmim ~ Reguengos de Monsaraz: Alentejo, Portugal

    Jo Diaz
    17 Nov 2009 | 8:00 am
    Winemaker Rui Veladas of Carmim Winery is based in the town of Reguengos de Monsaraz, a municipality of the Évora District, in Portugal. It has 11,000+ inhabitants, and is about 90 miles as the crow flies south to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also just a few miles west from the border of Spain. I haven’t been to Spain, but Rui pointed out the mountains of Spain, just prior to lunch, when we were atop the Castle of Monsaraz. To know how rural and small Reguengos de Monsaraz is, is to appreciate this village’s place in the Alentejo. You can see on the map above, that…

  • To Understand Portuguese Wines, One Must First Understand the People

    Jo Diaz
    16 Nov 2009 | 9:00 am
    Having spent 10 days in Portugal, as the guest of my client Enoforum Wines, my world of wine just became greatly expanded. It didn’t begin with the wine, though, it began with the people. In this coming week, I’m going to be exploring what I’ve just learned. It began the moment I was picked up at the airport my host, Delfim Costa. Delfim and I met at the US Wine Bloggers Conference in 2008. Someone else from his company had queried me a year before that, and at the time I was too busy to even consider another client.  When Delfim handed me his business card, however, I…
 
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    Wine and Walnuts

  • Good Wine Reads

    Kimberly Houston
    18 Nov 2009 | 6:08 pm
    Eric Asimov reviews these wine reads (pic from The Pour, Asimov's blog) If you want some ideas for a few good wine books to read (or give as gifts, yeah!), check out Eric Asimov’s blog, The Pour, from November 17, 2009.  I have his blog saved to my favorites, though I seldom remember to read it.  But I do always make sure to read the online version of the Wednesday New York Times Dining and Wine section, in which I found the link to Asimov’s blog article, “An Invitation to Read, Sniff and Taste.”  In it he reviews six new wine books, any of which would make a nice gift for the…

  • Farfalle with Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach & Goat Cheese, and Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2008

    Kimberly Houston
    13 Nov 2009 | 7:38 pm
    I consider this a recipe “fail.” What happened was this:  I was all set to make Farfalle with Chicken, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Spinich and Goat Cheese — because there is something magical and oh-so-delicious about the combination goat cheese, tomatoes and spinach — but when I opened the jar of sun-dried tomatoes that I’d used on a previous occasion, there was an ugly black mold inside.  Dang it!!  I had my heart set on this very pasta dish for dinner, this one and no other, and now I didn’t have sun-dried tomatoes. Oh well. The thing is, it really needed something…

  • It’s Almost Thanksgiving, What Are We Going to Drink?

    Kimberly Houston
    12 Nov 2009 | 7:02 am
    If you want to get started thinking about your Thanksgiving meal wines, here’s a great piece from yesterday’s New York Times Dining & Wine section that will help you get going in the right direction.  I especially love the suggestion about buying a case of white and a case of red, if you are feeding a larger group, and letting guests help themselves.  This article will give you 10 suggestions for wines, 5 white and 5 red, none of them too pricey. And as Eric Asimov points out, with so many different types of wine that work well with Thanksgiving dinner, choosing a wine for…

  • A Great Wine at a Great Price: Delas St. Esprit Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge 2007

    Kimberly Houston
    10 Nov 2009 | 7:41 pm
    Delas St. Esprit Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge 2007 I don’t know why I don’t take the wine at World Market more seriously.  When I’m wandering around in there, I’ll often see a highly rated wine for a really good price, and usually just walk on by.  I guess I have it in my head that I can find much better stuff on my own at a wine retail store, or anyway, somewhere where you can get help from in-the-know wine store staffers.  But a few weeks ago, I was in my local World Market and spotted the Delas St. Esprit Côtes-du-Rhône, and decided to take the plunge.  I mean, I love, love, love…

  • Food Bloggers versus “Real” Cooks: The Smackdown

    Kimberly Houston
    8 Nov 2009 | 9:36 am
    It started innocently enough.  I was reading the November issue of Gourmet magazine, when I came across a fascinating little item about cinnamon — did you know that when you go to the spice aisle in your local supermarket and buy  ground cinnamon, such as  McCormick’s and the like, it’s not “real” cinnamon?  Yeah, right, who knew?  It’s something called cassia.  And apparently, cassia is nothing like the real thing.  There is something called “Alba cinnamon,” which is the real thing, and comes from Sri Lanka. Ok, so I’m reading this fascinating little piece of…
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    Seattle Wine Shopping Examiner

  • Wine shop review: Vino Bello in Burien

    27 Oct 2009 | 5:09 pm
        Michelle Smith, owner of Vino Bello in BurienVino Bello offers a little bit of everything for wine lovers in Burien. Owner Michelle Smith has combined her passion for wine with her love of community into this wine shop and wine bar...

  • Best Seattle area wine events to do this weekend (Oct 23rd-25th)

    23 Oct 2009 | 10:53 am
    Get out, grab some friends and have fun at one of these Seattle area wine events going on this weekend! All of these tastings are free which makes them great "cheap date" ideas. Friday October 23rd 3-6pm 2007 Rhone wine tast...

  • How important are vintages when buying wine?

    22 Oct 2009 | 3:06 pm
    Varieties like Pinot noir can experience a wide range of vintage variationWalk into any wine shop or grocery wine department and you will see a wide range of vintages. How much influence should these different years have in your wine buying decisions...

  • Halloween wine events in the Seattle area

    20 Oct 2009 | 3:52 pm
    Have a "spooky good" time at these Hallo-wine events!Who says that Halloween is just for kids? Grown up wine lovers can have plenty of "spooky good" fun this year at these wine events being held throughout the Seattle area.Saturda...

  • The pros and cons of buying wine at the grocery store

    19 Oct 2009 | 10:37 pm
    Selections at grocery stores will vary according to zip code Amber Agne While restaurant wine sales and other retailers have struggled with the recent economic down turn, grocery wine sales continue to be strong. What are the advantages and disadva...
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    Home Winery - The Home Winemaking Adventures of Ian Scott

  • Home Winemaking Operation Suspected Of Being A Meth Lab

    Ian
    27 Oct 2009 | 12:48 am
    Funny story in The Derrick News Herald: “Authorities in central Pennsylvania who were called to investigate a suspicious odor at an abandoned house thought they had found a meth lab. It turned out to be an old winemaking operation. Police in North Cornwall Township searched the home’s basement and discovered fivegallon pails and hundreds of glass beakers, jars [...]

  • Home Winemaking Time Again

    Ian
    24 Oct 2009 | 11:03 am
    It has been awhile since I've updated the blog with my winemaking activities. The reason for that is simple: During the warmer months, I can be found more often on lakes and rivers with a fly fishing rod in hand, than in the winemaking room. I know many winemakers that start their wines in the summer and autumn when the fruit is being harvested. This means they are taking advantage of whatever local produce is available to them for their wine.

  • Travels And Beer

    Ian
    3 Jul 2009 | 10:32 am
    I've been away on a little vacation with my awesome almost 7 year old son. We flew out to Edmonton, Alberta and enjoyed most of the time - spent in Whitecourt and a couple of trips, one through Fort Assiniboine and then one to Jasper. Not wine making country - but I do enjoy Alberta very much.

  • Home Winemaking Goes With Fly Fishing

    Ian
    15 Jun 2009 | 11:44 pm
    I know of a few fly anglers that also make their own wine. Jack Keller is one, and so is Ernie Kalwa, the Captain of the Fly Fishing team (The Osprey's) that I used to be a member of. Not sure which one of us ties the better flies, but I know it's not me! Although I do enjoy doing that. Today and yesterday, I had two good days to combine my two hobbies. And one advantage a home winemaker has if they've brought a fish back to eat for dinner is that wine selection is not difficult.

  • Home Winemaking And Carbon Dioxide Emissions

    Ian
    3 Jun 2009 | 5:08 pm
    Have you ever looked at your airlocks popping up and down as carbon dioxide gas is being released and wondered just how much co2 you might be responsible for generating? There was an interesting discussion started by a user "Dhorton" at the WineMakingTalk forum who was wondering if there was any concern in regard to co2 amounts in their apartment as a result of making wine at home. Apparently, since Dhorton began making wine, their smoke/carbon monoxide detector was activated a few times. I imagine the detector detects carbon monoxide specifically, and there could be a number of reasons for…
 
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