I received this information from the American Sommelier Association and thought I would pass this on to our readers. In these economic times there are many out of work or in transition wanting to shift careers. Perhaps this intensive course may pave the way for a future career in the wine business. It appears that there are some scholarship funds that can reduce the cost of the training course by 50%.
Continue reading
Sunday, July 31, 2011
SWAT For Wine Disasters
Most of the time wine lovers take corkscrews for granted. We regularly take them out and open bottles without incident. But there are times when special weapons and tactics are needed to prevent wine disasters. Such an event occurred here this evening when I was opening a double magnum. Large format bottles are always a [...]
SWAT For Wine Disasters originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/5PgwBvFVmkw/
2009 California Pinot Noir: Best Vintage Ever?
It's mostly because south of $30 I've had better luck with California Pinot Noir. Many of the lower-end bottlings from Oregon I've tried fall flat on the mid-palate and are accompanied by a green/stemmy aftertaste that sometimes dominates the flavor profile. It's not to say that there aren't fantastic Oregon Pinot Noirs. Far from it. But of the wines available in Massachusetts it seems like you have to spend north of $40 to find an outstanding bottle.
And that's not the case with California Pinot Noir. While it's not easy to find a great California Pinot Noir for around $25, higher production levels and wider distribution do make it possible.
If you search Wine Spectator's tasting notes for 90+ point Pinot Noir made in the US since 2006 costing less than $20 you'll find 5 wines. Two of them were made by Siduri (their 2007 Sonoma County and 2007 Willamette Valley).
As we look at early ratings for 2009s, three wines from Siduri again stand out: The 2009 Siduri Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (91WS/$29), the 2009 Siduri Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (also 91WS/$29), and the 2009 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (92WS/$29).
I tried the 2009 Russian River Valley a while back and was unimpressed. I thought it was a little over-ripe and hot at points. I'd rate it 87 points. This left me a little "spooked" until I tried the 2009 Santa Lucia Highlands at the Wine Spectator event in Boston a while back. It showed quite well so I tracked down a bottle to try. I'm glad I did.
The 2009 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is a powerful and focused wine with classic California Pinot Noir markings. It's generously fruit-forward with primarily black cherry notes but refrains from straying into over-ripe territory - at least for my palate. It finishes clean with just the slightest bit of heat on the backend. Overall an outstanding wine. I'll go along with Spectator's rating on this one: 92 points WWP.
I think it's one to check out, especially if you can find it for less than $25. It's also trending a point or two higher than the 09 Siduri Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast bottlings on CellarTracker. A terrific example of outstanding California Pinot Noir and an insightful window into the 2009 California vintage.
Check it out:
Siduri website
2009 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands on CellarTracker
2009 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands on Wine-Searcher.com
I have more 2009 California Pinot Noir recommendations coming up, and a deeper analysis of the 2009 vintage. I'd love it if you subscribed to the site so we can keep in touch.
Question of the Day: What are your impressions of 2009 California Pinot Noir? Which producers are you buying from?
Robert Mondavi Day
Today marks what would have been Robert Mondavi’s 98th birthday, a day before Father’s Day, which is symbolic in its own right not only for the paternal leadership Mondavi provided to the wine industry, but also the lessons he imparted upon his children, the heirs to his legacy, faithfully carried on.
On a recent visit to Indianapolis, at an Italian restaurant that belies its location, tucked between a Junior Achievement and a Wal-Mart in a part of town in need of gentrification, I had lunch with Bob’s son Tim and his sister and partner in Continuum Estate, Marcia Mondavi Borger.
We would dine that day in early April at Capri Ristorante—the progeny of an Indianapolis institution, Amalfi, both opened by Arturo Dirosa who strives to bring the ‘Old Country’ to Indianapolis. Amalfi was Robert Mondavi’s favorite Indianapolis restaurant. He was simpatico with Arturo’s authentic Italian way.
It’s perhaps appropriate that even when they’re not trying, the younger Mondavi’s honor legacy and relationships.
I expected to join a large group of people, maybe a dozen I figured, some distributor hanger-on’ers, a retailer or two and a couple of writerly types. Color me surprised (and a little bit nervous) when I found out I was their only guest.
I’m not much of a star-gazer. Michael Jordan, Frank Sinatra, Lou Holtz and, well, the Mondavi’s are the only people, aside from my own parents, that I put on a pedestal worthy of exemplary admiration.
As Tim held court with Marcia acting as the conversational re-direct when Tim strayed too far afield, as he’s wont to do, we had a delightful lunch that typified why Robert Mondavi, and by extension his family, are my wine touchstone.
Utterly free of any pretense, affable, focused on wine that exhibits where it’s grown, reaching for the pinnacle in quality, a part of the table, family-focused, and exhibiting a sensibility that is concerned with helping your neighbor and doing the right thing, there’s a lot to like about the Mondavi tradition as its carried on by Tim, Marcia and their brother, Michael, a fact that I’ll explore in greater depth in a future column.
While carrying on the family legacy is important, as they’re all involved in new projects, never far from thought though, I imagine, is the sheer impact that their father had on the industry they inherited. By donating over 40 boxes of the elder Mondavi’s papers to UC Davis this week, in a small way, they ensure that Robert Mondavi’s thoughts and ideas, as captured in his ephemera, is accessible in the widest manner possible for the wine industry’s future. I’ve appended a couple of examples below – some personal notes on business and a speech to the Wine Institute circa 1981.
To Robert Mondavi, let us raise a glass of wine in honor of him on this day, what is quickly becoming a national wine holiday.
Salute!
Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/robert_mondavi_day/
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Another Wine.com Deal: $30 for $60
Zulily - who offers "Daily Deals for Moms, Babies, and Kids" is offering this deal:
$30 for $60 from Wine.com
Sale ends 6/20 at 6am pdt
Keep in mind - as with previous Wine.com vouchers offered by group buying/deal sites the voucher cannot be used towards shipping. The first bottle usually costs around $12 to ship which diminishes the 50% off nature of the offer. But it's still a good deal I think - even with Wine.com's often higher-than-average prices. Especially if you've signed up for their Steward Ship shipping program.
Happy Father's Day!
PS The $35 for $70 from Eversave is active through the end of the day on Father's Day. Check that one out too if you missed it the first time around.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/KP_Al1CT6lE/another-winecom-deal-30-for-60.html
Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright
The Perfect Wine ?App?
One of my favorite podcasts is NPR‘s Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me. Wait Wait is a weekly new’s quiz show, based out of Chicago, that invites various guests to answer a series of satirical questions. This past week,�Ev Williams of Twitter�was invited onto the show as a guest, and he echoed a comment I happened [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/G6Ekl4oQQqw/
Value Alert: 2007 Ruffino Modus
Italian wine - Buy 6 or more bottles and get 50% off shipping with code "grape70"A couple weeks ago we were discussing a $25 wine Spectator rated 97 points - the 2009 Carlisle Sonoma County Syrah. After appearing in a Wine Spectator Insider email, the wine evaporated from the market as quickly as any I've ever seen. Sometimes it's like that - where a rating comes out of nowhere and the wine has been on the market for a while. Other times the rating has been around for a long time before the wine comes to market. That's been the case with the 2007 Ruffino Modus Toscana.
The wine ended up with a respectable showing finishing in the Top 25. When a wine has favorable QPR metrics but then ends up not making their Top 100 list it makes me think it didn't show very well when tasted across a wider audience. I liked the 2007 BV Tapestry (93WS/$50) and thought for sure it would make the Top 10. No such luck - it didn't make the Top 100.
The point chasing wine deal hound market hasn't received the 2007 Modus with the kind of enthusiasm the Carlisle garnered. I have a few theories why:
- The 96 point rating the Modus received kind of came out of nowhere. They've been making the wine since 1997 and the best Spectator rating a prior vintage received was 91. It makes one wonder whether the bottle Suckling tasted got lucky.
- Speaking of Suckling the rating come out right around the time he was leaving the publication to start his own thing. There was also some conjecture Spectator wouldn't feature the wine favorably to bring attention to a wine he rated.
- No other major publication rated the wine as highly as Spectator - if they rated it at all. This lack of a second rating reinforced the concerns Spectator's 96 was a fluke. By the way, if the idea of having 2 or more major publications favorably rate a wine appeals to you check out the Wine Blue Book.
- The wine wasn't on the market when the rating dropped. After a while I kind of forgot about it and I think other deal hounds did too.
- The Modus is a much higher production wine. Scarcity makes people go a little nutso sometimes and what's more readily available is less precious. Perhaps there's just as much demand for the Modus but there's less supply for the Carlisle so the Carlisle is the hotter wine.
A couple weeks ago I tried the 2007 for the first time at the Wine Spectator Grand Tour stop in Boston. I thought it was quite nice but the context of 200 other wines it was hard to say for sure what it would really be like to drink a glass with a meal.
I got a chance to do just that La Famiglia Giorgio in the North End last week. We were in a bit of a hurry so table-top signage was effective in making our decision:
They poured each bottle through an aerating funnel into a decanter. Pretty nice treatment for what the waiter called one of the more expensive bottles. $46 at a restaurant is a very nice price point. And I thought the wine was great.
The wine is 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Merlot. Ruffino positions Modus as "modern interpretations of historical territory". I'll go along with that. Tons of fruit. Not austere at all. Some acidity. Nicely balanced. Call it 90-93 points?
I spotted the 2007 Modus for the first time at Costco in Waltham, MA yesterday. $22.89 (and no tax in MA). There were only 6 bottles in the bin and the cashier said they didn't have any backup:
Update: As 10:00 am Saturday morning Waltham is out of Modus. I hear they have 100 bottles in Danvers.
If you're in the area and interested in buying some it might be worth giving them a call or stopping in. If not there are plenty of retailers in the country that have it for a little more.
Strictly from a numbers perspective - 96 points for a Tuscan red you can buy for $25 vs. 97 points for a California Syrah that's nearly impossible to find at this point makes this Modus a no brainer for the point chaser. And all kidding aside I think it's a really nice wine for around $25.
Related Links:
CellarTracker
Wine-Searcher
Question of the Day: Why do you think the market reacted so differently to the 2007 Modus compared to the 2009 Carlisle?
Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears
Would you like a Gold or Silver with that Red or White?
Guest blogger�and wine judge �Stacie Hunt offers some insight into being a judge at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition.�Stacie is a�commentator on wine for National Public Radio, a Certified Sommelier (AIS), an international wine judge, educator, journalist and blogger. Everyone has his or her own idea of spring.� In the city, the [...]
The Tu-Tones @ Landon Winery McKinney, Tx
Tonight Was a date night. A weekend night to close the week of our vacation. With a little take out dinner from Spoons Cafe & Bar in Downtown Mckinney we cross the street to Landon Winery with some great food and dessert to some great wine and music provided by The Tu-Tones with a nice […]
Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/07/09/the-tu-tones-landon-winery-mckinney-tx/
Summer Hill Country Photos
About a year ago I started a Facebook group with the same name as my Blog. I posted a few photos from our summer vacation down in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. I will be posting more here soon and on my Flickr photo page. If your on Facebook would love to have you […]
Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/07/10/summer-hill-country-photos/
A Taste of 'Summer': The 2009 Heart & Hands Pinot Noir
I appreciated Heart & Hands owner and winemaker Tom Higgins' focus on Pinot Noir and how he used his background in geology to seek out land rich with limestone because top Pinot-producing regions have a similar composition. He's intent on making world class Pinot Noir in the Finger Lakes.
I was reminded of the book after watching Evan's recent appearance on Gary Vaynerchuk's Daily Grape. They tasted a wine featured in the book - the 2007 Heart & Hands Reserve Pinot Noir. I cracked open a bottle of the 2009.
Here are my thoughts.
2009 Heart & Hands Finger Lakes Pinot Noir
12.6% Alcohol
Around $20
Purchased this after reading "Summer in a Glass" by Evan Dawson. The 2007 Heart & Hands Reserve Pinot Noir was featured, this note is for the 2009 non-reserve bottling.
I'm viewing this through the lens of most domestic Pinot Noir I've consumed - Oregon and California. If I were tasting this blind I'd absolutely guess it was from Oregon. Its woodsy, twangy nose seem aligned with aromatics I've found in Oregon Pinots.
Beyond that I liked the flavor profile. It seemed to strike a nice balance between sweet and austere. Balanced in that sense. Surprisingly flavorful given its relatively-low 12.6% alcohol level.
A really nice value. Nice package too with a reasonably hefty bottle and a unique glass cork I'd not seen before. I dig it.
88/100 WWP: Very Good
Online: http://www.heartandhandswine.com
On Twitter: @FLPinotGuy
Where to Buy: Heart & Hands Pinot Noir on Wine-Searcher
How To Decode Sherry Bottling Codes
Today is Wine Blogging Wednesday 70 and I’ve chosen Sherry in keeping with the theme of Spanish wines we have never had before. Sherry has a lot of issues gaining mindshare with the American consumer but one of the most basic is turnover of stock since some Sherries ?�Fino and Manzanilla in particular ?�are best [...]
How To Decode Sherry Bottling Codes originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/9JTdUjQdJIQ/
A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc
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 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc from the Columbia Valley of [...]
A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WinePeeps/~3/hghNtQxuqGc/
Some Recent Michigan Wines with the Friday Night Regulars
Last week, I decided that it was high time to try some Michigan wines with the Friday night tasting group at the retail outlet in which I am gainfully employed. The bulk of the selections were from the 2 Lads Winery on the Old Mission Peninsula. Cornel Olivier and Chris Baldyga have established an impressive [...]
An Independent Coming of Age.
My first real glass of wine was on Independence Day. I must have been all of 10 or 11 years old and with the family at a fireworks display in Marin County, where I grew up. It wasn't my first...
Does your website have a mobile version?
It was reported today that consumers spend more time on mobile apps than on the web. Really this is no surprise. It is the way the world works, big things become smaller and smaller as technology gets better and better. If we could go back in time and start the computer revolution today, no-one would [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/44xk6hY0kos/
Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s June 25 Release ? Tasting Notes
When I realized the focus of June?s latest release is to be wines from Argentina, I was not overly thrilled, not that I don?t like the odd bottle of Argentinean wine now and then mind you, but drinking a flight had little appeal for me. However, much to my delight, I am able to report [...]
China Chow ChloÎ Sevigny Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate
Emilio Lustau, Sherry Dry Amontillado, ?Los Arcos? NV
Like a lot of American wine lovers, Sherry is a personal blind spot. It’s not that I haven’t had good or great Sherry ? in fact the only wine I have ever rated 100-points is a Sherry ? it’s just the style is hard to get your head around. �For starters, many Sherries are intentionally [...]
Emilio Lustau, Sherry Dry Amontillado, “Los Arcos” NV originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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Thank You From the Bottom of My Heart
I’m sitting here in my new home office with a fresh perspective and a touch of the misties, as in misty-eyes.� Rich and I have been moved into the place for just over a month and it has made a huge difference in how we feel about things.� I now recognize that we were both [...]
Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/thank-you-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart/
The Big Fall and Big Rise of One Fine Grape
My first serious encounter with the Petite Sirah grape variety and the varietal wine that it is made into came when I was working public and media relations for historic Russian River Valley producer Foppiano Vineyards back in 1990. To...
Wine Word of the Week: En primeur
This week?s Wine Word of the Week is en primeur. Official definition from Jancis Robinson?s The Oxford Companion to Wine: En primeur is a wine trade term, French in origin, for wine sold as futures before being bottled. ?. En primeur sales are a relatively recent specialty, but not exclusivity, of classed growths by the [...]
Wine Word of the Week: En primeur was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WinePeeps/~3/Eqc1nghRNeQ/
Friday, July 29, 2011
Academy of Wine Communications-FLX: February Meeting this Thursday, 2/25/10
Update: February meeting canceled due to winter storm warning for the region.� We’re working on setting up our next meeting for Thursday, 3/18/10.� Watch here for more details. February’s meeting of the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Academy of Wine Communications will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at Three Brothers Wineries & Estates [...]
Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/awc-meeting-this-thursday-22510/
Catherine Bell Chandra West Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore
Wine Blog Awards and What's New
The Wine Blog Awards Finalists in 8 categories have been announced and voting is open to the public until June 27th. This is the 5th Annual Awards. I have a special interest in these award, having founded them back in...
Jennifer Garner Jennifer Gimenez Jennifer Love Hewitt Jennifer Morrison
Two Value-Play Winners From Pricey Catogories: Burgundy and Barbaresco
Buy a half-case or more at Wine Chateau and get 1/2 off shipping with code "wellesley54"
I thought to myself: I usually taste a new wine every day, why don't I write about each of them?
The reason I don't blog every day is because in spite my unrelenting efforts to triangulate professional ratings, low prices, and availability, many wines I try are just "good" or "very good" and don't seem worthy of telling people about.
I try to find interesting stories in wines and relate recommendations that are relevant and interesting. But sometimes I think I should just knock out a post and move on. This is just blogging after all.
With that in mind here are a couple of winners I came across tonight:
2007 Domaine Pierre Janny Bourgogne Blanc Echavon
About $12
The other day I was in Bin Ends picking up some 2003 Albino Rocca Brich Ronchi they had at a great price. Dan Kline asked me if I ever drink white wine. I would have enjoyed a long conversation on the subject but in the interest of time I said "not really" and left it at that.
The reality is I'm often disappointed with white wines and even if I end up liking them I don't look forward to opening them. A few months ago I stopped in and asked for a recommendation in the tricky white Burgundy category. This wine was that recommendation.
I cringed as I opened it thinking it was going to be limited aromatically. However, the wine was an absolute delight to drink. There's no way I would have pegged this as French if I tasted it blind. Such a nice tropical aromatic nose but as you taste it, it reigns in its gregarious nature. Green apples on the palate and a touch of acidity. Perhaps the best thing I liked about it was the linear enjoyable aftertaste - it avoided the quirky flavor markers so many domestic Chardonnays seem to display.
A stunning and pleasant surprise.
I've heard "If you think you found a cheap Burgundy - you probably found a cheap Burgundy." Maybe that applies mostly to reds?
Purchased at: Bin Ends Wine
91/100 WWP: Outstanding
2007 Col Dei Venti Tufo Blu Barbaresco
$31 Release Price
My interest in Barbaresco continues to evolve, and along the way I've been comparing notes for the highly regarded 2007 vintage from The Wine Advocate's Antonio Galloni and Wine Spectator's newly minted Piedmont editor Bruce Sanderson.
Galloni used to pen Piedmont Report and I've found his reviews on Italian wines to be useful. Sanderson's coverage of the region started just recently. In comparing their notes on the 2007 Pelissero Barbaresco Nubiola I found better alignment with Sanderson than Galloni however:
Where's the fruit? I realize this is super-young but I've got to favor WS's opinion over WA on this one. I think Bruce Sanderson nailed it: "Dense and austere in flavor, with a muscular structure dominating any fruit."
Compare this with Galloni's note: "caresses the palate with layers of round, sumptuous fruit. This is a more generous, enveloping style than the Tulin, and shows just an extra touch more depth. Dark red fruit, sweet spices".
Sweet spices? Sumptuous fruit? You've got to be kidding me. This wine is dark, brooding, and austere. It's more like a Barolo than a Barbaresco.
Props to Sanderson for good work in his rookie season covering Piedmont. I'll pay attention to his notes going forward.
The 2007 Col Dei Venti is a wine Spectator's Sanderson thought highly of. At 94 WS/$31 release price it's quite a QPR-bender. Even better if you can snag it for around $25.
The wine is a beauty and incredibly approachable for a young Barbaresco. It's lower in acidity with softer tannins than most Barbaresco I've tasted. It's plush and forgiving.
Flavor wise it's classic Nebbiolo. Each sip starts with light red raspberries and floral aromatics. I noted a striking aroma of Crayola crayons in an elementary school desk drawer. Quite amazing and persistent across a couple glasses. Wow - really interesting.
Purchased at: Wine Connextion
92/100 WWP: Outstanding
So there you have it. Two outstanding wines in categories notorious for being hard to find value.
PS That's our 4 year old in the photo above whining at the dinner table while I took the photo. It was a little bit of a rough night but in the interest of knocking a blog post out - there you have it. :)
Question of the Day: Have you had either of these wines? Let me know what you think of them in the comments if you've had them. If not - have you found any good values in Burgundy or Barbaresco lately?
Mas Des Dames, Rose, Coteaux Du Languedoc 2009
Outside here in Minnesota it’s in the mid 20′s Fahrenheit with a thick snowpack. It is far from springtime here but a bit of spring can be had here inside a bottle of dry ros�. Every spring and summer I resolve to drink more ros� but for one reason or another rarely do. So I [...]
Mas Des Dames, Rose, Coteaux Du Languedoc 2009 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/Sofm980mQUI/
Good News Spreads Fast
Word on the winners of the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition is spreading like wild fire! A preview tasting for the media last week in Beverly Hills has generated a lot of buzz that we are really excited about! Take a look at some more posts: http://gastronomy-101.blogspot.com/2009/06/event-la-wine-competition-preview-and.html http://thirstyinla.com/2009/06/19/2009-la-wine-spirits-competition/ http://lablips.dailyradar.com/story/los_angeles_international_wine_and_spirits_2009/ http://www.womenwine.com/posts/journals/18487-winners-of-the-2009-la-international-wine-competition
Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=90
Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci
QPR Wines of Distinction
The sample boxes from our distributors were backing up at the retail operation in which I was, until recently, gainfully employed, so we divvied up the take and went our separate ways to taste and report back. Happily, the six I took home are all from our good friends at Wines of Distinction/J&J Importers and [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/Z7WQ4IQNJn4/qpr-wines-of-distinction
Inglenook Comes Full Circle
But last week the name has come full circle. Francis Ford Coppola announced that he has acquired the Inglenook name from the Wine Group and that his winery, Rubicon Estate, would soon be called Inglenook. Continue reading
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/inglenook-comes-full-circle/
Oasis environment is redefined at Desert Pam Dubai
Enter into the sedate place where the Desert Palm Dubai is situated far away from the busy and commercial city center to offer its guests the environment full of peace and tranquility. The resort environment is glorified with the lush enclave in the polo estate in an exotic desert climate of Dubai. The name of [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/l5NSXvxgO3w/
How To Pronounce Willamette
One of the dangers of being a wine podcaster is you have to say wine terms and regions out loud. It’s hard enough to keep everything spelled correctly and often over the years I’ve made some embarrassing mistakes on the podcast. But the one that is probably most distressing for me was my butchering of [...]
How To Pronounce Willamette originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/_0EmuKW5OiA/
Pin-up winemakers, smashed shiraz, a map, WBC ? sipped and spit
BOOSTED: …awareness! Young Austrian winemakers have posed scantily clad for a calendar to boost…awareness! Of Austrian wine. Which one is Miss Gru Vee again? Appearing later this year: a calendar of old hag winemakers from the mountains. [Decanter] CRASHED: shipping container A forklift lifted 462 cases of wine 20 feet in the air! No, this [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/eNGqvJvNK0Q/
Jessica Cauffiel Jessica ParÈ Jessica Simpson Zooey Deschanel
Help Steer the Direction of an Award Winner!
Generally speaking, I do very little public housekeeping here, but it’s time for some remodeling and I want your feedback.
Despite winning some awards and receiving significant positive feedback about the design of this site, I haven’t materially changed the look or the function of Good Grape since November 2006. Times have changed a lot in the intervening (nearly) five years. At the time, Wordpress was a very secondary blogging platform choice behind MovableType (I chose door #3). Facebook had recently announced general availability to the public from its former days of being collegiately oriented; Twitter launched, but was barely a blip on the radar, YouTube was hot (but not ubiquitous) and smartphones were still very niche in general adoption. Tablets like the iPad? Nope, at that point people were stoked about rumors of an iPhone that was set to be released sometime the next year.
A lot has changed in five years and this site has barely kept pace, making due with duct tape and spittle.
A number of regular readers have let me know that pieces and parts of the site don’t always work, or the site is slow for them, or it’s hard to comment, or archive pages are junky looking, or links take you away from the site, etc. And, forget about reading this site on your mobile phone – Good Grape equal’s bad mobile mojo. The list goes on and on and I have my own list of wishes and want-to’s 35 items deep.
So, here’s the question and the crossroads I’m facing:
Do I keep the same general design (with some slight modifications like making the main text area wider and re-doing the navigation) and simply leave a classic design alone, focusing on enhancing functional and technical aspects of the site?
Or,
Do I take this opportunity to blow it out and set the bar for what a quality, beautiful, professional wine blog should look like, plus all of the social and mobile bells and whistles?
Readers, friends, colleagues, and peers: Your feedback is very welcome. Should I mess with a good thing for a potentially greater thing, or do stay true to the visual identity in place and simply remodel focusing on functionality, familiarity and usability?
Please leave a comment.
Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/help_steer_the_direction_of_an_award_winner/
Five from Stepping Stone
We?ve enjoyed pretty much everything that our friends at Cornerstone Cellars in Napa Valley have sent us to sample over the past few years, from both their flagship Cornerstone label and their second, Stepping Stone. Recently, we took possession of five of the current Stepping Stone offerings, and tried them over a series of evenings. [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/xuy1y4Xfl_o/five-from-stepping-stone
Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis Jennifer Garner
The Perfect Wine ?App?
One of my favorite podcasts is NPR‘s Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me. Wait Wait is a weekly new’s quiz show, based out of Chicago, that invites various guests to answer a series of satirical questions. This past week,�Ev Williams of Twitter�was invited onto the show as a guest, and he echoed a comment I happened [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/G6Ekl4oQQqw/
As Shopping Winds Down
We can still get a shipment out to you if you live relatively closeby to our warehouse in rainy California. Have a look at our wine gifts!
Source: http://winewithmark.info/archives/628
Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier Emmy Rossum
WBW 71: Rhones Not From The Rh�ne
When Wine Blogging Wednesday founder Lenn Thompson asked me to host this months’ tasting I was both honored and nervous. What theme would spark new participants to join the monthly virtual tasting? How could I come up with something original after 70 tastings? But after sharing three ideas on Twitter direct messages, we were set [...]
WBW 71: Rhones Not From The Rh�ne originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
May is Bocce Month in Wine Country
This is an unofficial declaration that May is Bocce Month in Wine Country.
Why choose May as Bocce month? May is the ideal month to plan an outdoor activity in wine country like Bocce. The weather is at its best for a little physical activity. Continue reading
Why choose May as Bocce month? May is the ideal month to plan an outdoor activity in wine country like Bocce. The weather is at its best for a little physical activity. Continue reading
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/may-is-bocce-month-in-wine-country/
SWAT For Wine Disasters
Most of the time wine lovers take corkscrews for granted. We regularly take them out and open bottles without incident. But there are times when special weapons and tactics are needed to prevent wine disasters. Such an event occurred here this evening when I was opening a double magnum. Large format bottles are always a [...]
SWAT For Wine Disasters originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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The Return on Investment of Wine Education
… or why “consumers need more wine education” is wrong It would appear to be widely accepted in the wine trade that if only consumers knew more about wine, the more, better (and higher profit) wines they’d buy. “Consumer Education” in the form of brochures, seminars, events, newsletters, websites, apps, social networks, trips etc, form [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/isshmMJ8i8Q/
Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s June 11 Release ? Tasting Notes
Veneto wines are the feature of this release and, as Father?s Day is on the horizon, there are several highly touted wines suggested as treats for dad and for those kiddies with really deep pockets, well do read on… THE WINES OF VENETO 029850 TENUTA SANT?ANTONIO MONTI GARBI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2008 Veneto $17.95 Notes [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/CjfTHEI96Mw/vintages-june-11-release
Glen Ellen, Petite Sirah 2007
Wines in the “fighting varietal” section of the wine store don’t get a lot of wine blog love. Nor do they get reviewed very much in the mainstream wine press leaving the inquiring consumer to consult Google for information. And I get a lot of incoming search traffic every time I review such a wine. [...]
Glen Ellen, Petite Sirah 2007 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci
Tasting Alert: Albino Rocca at Vintages Belmont, MA
Coming this Friday, June 10th to Vintages in Belmont, MA is a free tasting of wines from Albino Rocca. Angela Rocca himself along with his daughter Daniela will be on hand pouring and describing their wines. It's an event not to be missed. Click here for more information about the tasting.
I first discovered the wines of Albino Rocca at a blind tasting at Adam Japko's last fall arranged by Vintages owner Eric Broege. We tasted through the following 6 Barbareschi - the ones in bold stood out to me as particularly noteworthy:
- 2004 MARCARINI Barolo "Brunate" (La Morra)
- 2004 ALBINO ROCCA Barbaresco "Brich Ronchi" (Barbaresco)
- 2005 ALESSANDRIA Barolo "Monvigliero" (Verduno)
- 2005 CANTINA del PINO Barbaresco "Albesani" (Neive)
- 2006 SOTTIMANO Barbaresco "Pajore" (Treiso)
- 2006 Burlotto Barolo "Cannubi" (Barolo)
2003 Albino Rocca Brich Ronchi Barbaresco
$68 Release Price
1,500 cases produced
Purchased at Bin Ends Wine
A massive wine of surprising depth for the region. As soon as I opened it, the room was filled with aromas of rustic fruit. On the nose I get signature Nebbiolo minerality, deep rich red fruit and menthol. The mouth feel is rich and supple. The finish goes on for minutes. An outstanding wine from a fantastic Barbaresco producer.
85 Wine Spectator
94/100 WWP: Outstanding
The wines of Albino Rocca have consistently impressed me so I'm looking very forward to attending this tasting. Too often as I'm exploring a new wine category I make the mistake of "nibbling at the low end". What better way to see if you like the wines from a certain region than starting at the high end - for free! I hope to see you at the tasting Friday.
Subscribe to the Wellesley Wine Press and I'll let you know how it goes.
Question of the Day: Have you had Albino Rocca Barbaresco? What are some of your favorite producers in Barbaresco?
What to call English sparkling wine? [poll]
The mere thought of “English wine” may sound like an oxymoron. But 400 vineyards now produce grapes for wine, much of it sparkling. Should British bubbly be called anything other than “English sparkling wine”? Christian Seely, a partner in Coates & Seely, a producer of sparkling wine in Hampshire, recently told Decanter.com that calling it [...]
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Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci Chyler Leigh
Pin-up winemakers, smashed shiraz, a map, WBC ? sipped and spit
BOOSTED: …awareness! Young Austrian winemakers have posed scantily clad for a calendar to boost…awareness! Of Austrian wine. Which one is Miss Gru Vee again? Appearing later this year: a calendar of old hag winemakers from the mountains. [Decanter] CRASHED: shipping container A forklift lifted 462 cases of wine 20 feet in the air! No, this [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/eNGqvJvNK0Q/
CrossRoads Winery?In Home Wine Tasting Party
In Home Wine Tasting Party CrossRoads is thrilled to announce that you can host your own wine tasting party athome. For 12 people, we will bring the wine and the glasses, you provide, appetizers and people! These two hour events can be scheduled Sunday through Thursday. We will bring out 10 of our wines for […]
Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/06/30/crossroads-wineryin-home-wine-tasting-party/
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