anniepreise

anniepreise

Today the BBC Radio 4 broadcast a special programme on the wines of Lebanon, presented by Jeremy Bowen, called ‘Vines on the Front Line‘. The result was actually a very interesting human story, not one of grapes, and I was impressed. To listen to the report, click on the link below: (at least if you [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/uTwBfFeAujs/

Armagnac XO Lauboude NV Croix de Salle Armagnac Domaine du Peyrot Alter Ego de Palmer Angelus

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Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/04/want_more_eater_sign_up_for_our_newsletter.php

d\\\'Agassac d\\\'Aiguilhe Dame de Montrose d\\\'Angludet d\\\'Armailhac

anniepreise

Odds and ends from a life lived through the prism of the wine glass …

The Best Blog that’s not a Blog Pt. II

I’ve mentioned Garagiste and their daily email wine sales offers in the past. The Seattle-based wine purveyor is notable not just for their wine offerings (which are stunning), but also for how that offer is presented—their long-form daily email missives represent some of the best wine writing found anywhere.

For entirely different reasons, you can add Bottlenotes to that list as well (subscribe to their email at this link). If you’re not already a subscriber to Bottlenotes daily email, The Daily Sip, you should be. Since hiring Eric Arnold (ex-Wine Spectator and author of First Big Crush) as Editorial Director in April of last year, Bottlenotes has come to represent one of the best daily wine-related reads anywhere.

Taking a less wine-specific approach and focusing on wine people, personalities and stories, Arnold has proven he has a nose for interesting angles while asking the right questions. His writing leaves a reader satisfied with something they didn’t know beforehand, a neat trick given that every single wine-interested reader comes at the subject with a different point of view and knowledge base.

Case in point: Recently, Arnold featured a little known documentary making the rounds of screenings that features Julian Faulkner, a young Provence winemaker, and his struggles in the global marketplace. Arnold’s interview with Faulkner’s New York-based importer (Brian DiMarco of Barterhouse) caused me to pluck my wallet out of my pocket and buy the DVD. The documentary called “Escaping Robert Parker” uses Parker as the foil for the idealistic Faulkner, perhaps not as successfully as Arnold’s writing intrigues, but the documentary is wholly satisfying none the less.

In the documentary, Faulkner discusses a good wine not as a vehicle for critical acclaim, but as being good when it, “Gives pleasure.” It’s an oft-repeated phrase from the anti-Parker set, but Faulkner’s earnestness sells it as meaningful.

Overall, Arnold’s daily writing and the documentary are both satisfying ways to spend time if you’re a wine enthusiast.

Escaping Education

Speaking of “Escaping Robert Parker” and wine that, “Gives pleasure,” Elin McCoy (author of The Emperor of Wine), is featured in several vignettes in the documentary discussing the state of popular wine criticism – a part of wine appreciation that she describes as a declining need for younger wine consumers.

The role of the wine critic is a complicated subject, not easily placed within a neat box and a subject in which any opinion could be held up as having a shred of truth to it. Yet, in general, McCoy’s notion that critical scores are less important to younger wine consumers rings true.

I believe that not only is the role of the critic changing, but so too is the notion of education.

Historically, the wine business has lived off the “core” wine consumer – the small percentage of wine drinkers that drive over 90% of wine sales. So, when you see research from the Wine Market Council that indicates 1 in 2 Millenials are coming into wine as a “core” consumer it’s easy to see why the industry is excited.

By sheer numbers, life is good and going to get better ... from a volume sales perspective.

However, the wine industry in a macro sense encompasses more than just wine – it also includes all of the peripheral activities that educate about wine, as well – magazines, books, events, etc. and the entire picture can’t be viewed through rose colored glasses.

It’s the education portion that I think is in for the most dynamic change over the course of the next decade.

In large part, wine enthusiasm is a singular pursuit and serious wine lovers are known for being inveterate learners – reading books, educating themselves, tasting, traveling and then reading some more.

However, anecdotally, I’m seeing significantly less interest in younger consumers learning about wine as avocation, and instead merely looking at wine as something that, “Gives pleasure,” as Julian Faulkner so noted.

Last weekend my wife and I held an engagement party for my 26-year-old sister-in-law, her fiancé and their wedding party, all the same age, all 25 or 26 years old. The party was wine themed. Everybody was wine-interested. A lot of wine was drunk. My takeaway is that the importance of wine in that setting is its role as a social beverage. Education or knowledge aside from the correct pronunciation of names and regions and whether or not the wine is good (or not) is about all that matters, even amongst people with the same interest.

The implications for this can’t be understated. There was no geek talk. No discussions of alcohol percentages, styles, or anything remotely deeper than enjoying each other’s company with a glass of vino. This amongst a wine crowd.

I might be crazy, but if I were a wine educator, or a wine writer that focused on education, I would shift my focus not on the minutia of wine appreciation, but on the mechanics of how to say Chateauneuf-du-Pape without looking like an idiot alongside reviewing wine faults. That’s it.

How do you pronounce it and is it good, bad, or flawed?

Everything else is details, and, well, nowadays, there’s enough going on without needless detail…Right?

Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/field_notes_from_a_wine_life_benign_apathy_edition/

Guadet Guadet Saint Julien Haut Bages Liberal Haut Bailly Haut Batailley

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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

Cos d\\\'Estournel Couspaude Couvent des Jacobins Croix de Labrie Croizet Bages

anniepreise

This particular irony will have gone unnoticed by most people: Publicists aren't particularly good at promoting themselves, their businesses, their capabilities and their success. Today, I spoke with a fellow publicists who was wondering, essentially, "what's the best way to...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/hYNmjyc4kH8/wine-publicists-promotingthemselves-.html

Cabernet Sauvinon Wine and Cheese Wine Rack French Wine Wine Making

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Photo Credit: kaiban

When I saw my friend's name pop up on the caller ID my first thought was "Wow - this must be a hot wine deal! He'd normally just send an E-mail." Turns out a half-case of wine we'd gone in on had arrived unexpectedly - hadn't we told them to hold shipment until spring?

Turns out the winery decided it was a fine time to ship - even though the low temperature the night before the delivery was around 15F in the northeast. It got me thinking about the actual surroundings a wine experiences when it's shipped. Either from a retailer in Massachusetts or a winery in California. Like the picture at right - which I found on Flickr and appears to me to be a delivery from a distributor to a retailer taking place in harsh conditions - I have to believe wine delivery isn't always a pretty picture.

It depends on whether it's air or ground of course, but take for example the 3 bottles of 2008 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir I had ground shipped last week from Wine.com. Wine.com's MA warehouse is in Brockton. The wine began it's ground shipment journey there on Wednesday and the first delivery attempt was made the next day. I wasn't here to accept delivery so the wine spent the night in West Bridgewater.

When the wine was delivered on Friday I asked the driver whether the box spent the night in the truck outside. He said the truck stays inside a building in West Bridgewater. I'd imagine the place they keep the packages overnight is chilly but not completely exposed to the elements. And as the truck drives around making deliveries it's cold but not freezing.

When the wine arrived it was 25F outside. The bottle felt so cold I thought it could possibly be frozen. I peered through the neck of the bottle and I didn't see any slush.

I thought it would be a good opportunity to test a couple of theories. First being the temperature of the wine at delivery, and second being whether wine needs a chance to recover from the "bottle shock" of delivery. I opened the screw cap and inserted a thermometer: 41F. I left the wine on the counter for the day and tasted it later that night. It was spot-on perfect and exactly as I'd expect it to be after tasting the same wine a half dozen times by now.

I've heard cold temperatures are safer than hot, but it's nice to have this personal experience to reassure that sentiment. When we moved from Arizona to Massachusetts I experienced first hand what can happen when wine gets too hot: Wine seeps through the cork and the result is wine that becomes dull and lifeless. After tasting a couple bottles of cooked 05 Sterling Vineyards SVR I thirsted for some clean wine - no matter the price point.

I came across this post on the Wine Spectator forums on the subject of shipping wine in cold weather. Gotta love how the 1st reply is a snarky comment suggesting the original poster "use the search function" (I find wine forum snark especially hard to wade through) but once you get past that there's some valuable discussion.

One post in particular I found interesting is the assertion that fine Burgundy might be especially sensitive to being shipped in cold weather. That it might "never be the same" after being exposed to near-freezing temperatures. I can't say that I'm interested in paying to have some expensive wine shipped here under optimal conditions and compare that to wine obtained directly from the source under idea conditions but my gut tells me that this is more of a science thing that doesn't discriminate between premier cru and Charles Shaw. I think all wine would be equally damaged by being frozen and then thawing.

This post from Vinfolio has really useful data on what an overnight shipment in extremely hot temperatures implies for temperatures inside the bottle, but I haven't found something similar for cold temperatures. Is it "so long as it's not frozen when it arrives at your house and the cork hasn't popped out you're good to go"?

For me, this experience makes me somewhat more comfortable shipping in cold weather. Come March it'll probably be too warm in some parts of California to ship out. So if you want wine shipped directly from a winery in Paso Robles to the northeast you may have to make a choice. Based on this experience I'd err on the side of it being too cold on the receiving end.

What do you think? How cold is too cold for shipping wine?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/lTiM8WJmyj8/baby-its-cold-outside-but-is-it-too.html

Haut Bailly Haut Batailley Haut Batailley Rare Signed Marie Jeanne Haut Brion Haut Marbuzet

anniepreise

Source: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2011/03/pastry-chef-toni-roberts-jumps-to-the-wit-hotel.html

Cambon la Pelouse Canon Canon la Gaffeliere Cantemerle Cantenac Brown

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/03/silver_lake_bistro_serves_its_last_meal_march_5.php

Armagnac Vieil Sempe YO Armagnac XO Lauboude NV Croix de Salle Armagnac Domaine du Peyrot Alter Ego de Palmer

anniepreise

The high-end and famous French vodka label, Grey Goose in collaboration with the Swiss designer jewelry brand, Chopard has come up with a brilliantly designed new bottle for their clients without compromising on the quality. This is for the limited release magnum. Grey Goose is one of the most prestigious Vodka brands of the world [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/kqwr5UxZmSE/

La Fleur Cardinale La Fleur de Bouard La Fleur de Gay La Gaffeliere La Garde

anniepreise

I just had this lovely Italian wine the other day. It's a so called SuperTuscan so its made of other grapes that the local Sangiovese. The Canonica A Cerreto Sandiavolo 2004 is made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. Canonica A Cerreto is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico area in the town of Castelnuovo near Sienna. They also make traditional Chianti Classico but this one is their top wine only produced in the best vintages.

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/46/canonica-a-cerreto-sandiavolo-2004/

Angelus Ausone Ausone (Cut Capsule) Ausone (Soiled Label) Bahans Haut Brion

anniepreise

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/03/st_patricks_day_is_the_on_the.html

Cabernet Sauvinon Wine and Cheese Wine Rack French Wine Wine Making

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/03/from_travi_to_bailly_fraiche_feels_15_stars.php

De Fieuzal De l\\\'Eglise De Pez De Sales d\\\'Issan

anniepreise

Jumpin? Jim Lester rode into town last week on a trade mission, lookin? to sell some of his always-delicious Wyncroft wines and spend a little time with his buddies Kim and geo. He dropped in at Gang Central after a very successful wine dinner and tasted me through most of what he?d poured earlier that [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/I_o-NxhHaB0/jumpin-jim-lester

Latour a Pomerol Laville Haut Brion Le Gay Le Moulin Le Moulin Pomerol

anniepreise

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/03/two-greek-vin-de-pays-de-tegea-2005.html

Domaine du Peyrot Alter Ego de Palmer Angelus Ausone Ausone (Cut Capsule)

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/02/28/happy_meals_an_endangered_species.php

Duhart Milon Duhart Milon Rothschild Exception de Quinault Ferriere Feytit Clinet

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/01/inside_steingarten_la_new_chef_at_bastide_the_federal_does_lunch.php

Carillon d\\\'Angelus Caronne Ste Gemme Carruades de Lafite Certan de May Charmail

anniepreise

A lot of people who read this blog regularly and follow the wine we’re shipping in our wine clubs can tell you that I enjoy Rhone varietals and think Paso Robles is an under-appreciated wine growing region. Read some more thoughts of mine over at Cork’d. A wine from Paso Robles was named as the [...]

Source: http://winewithmark.info/archives/613

Marojallia Marquis de Terme Meaume Meyney Milens

anniepreise

Since today is Valentine’s Day I thought I would post a romantic wine. Red Burgundy is world-renound as a silky and feminine wine of grace and balance. And Pinot Noir is the variety of red Burgundy which has been transplanted all over the wine world. California Pinot Noir has come a long way in a [...]

Rodney Strong, Pinot Noir 2009 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/RfxNKhPlt8k/

Le Tertre Roteboeuf l\\\'Eglise Clinet l\\\'Enclos Leoville Barton Leoville Las Cases

anniepreise

I’ve been experimenting with a few new ideas for expanding my coverage here on the blog and one of them is to provide a concise summary of wine news and the best wines I’ve tasted over the past month. So I’ve decided to launch a monthly email newsletter, Winecast Insider. My plan is to publish [...]

Introducing Winecast Insider originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/LS8JL0Qhigg/

Grand Puy Lacoste Gruaud Larose Guadet Guadet Saint Julien Haut Bages Liberal

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/03/30_unhealthiest_pasta_dishes_st_patricks_day_in_la.php

Cantemerle Cantenac Brown Carillon d\\\'Angelus Caronne Ste Gemme Carruades de Lafite

anniepreise

It’s National Pancake Week starting March 1–who knew? The timing coincides with the week before Mardi Gras, since pancakes have been a temptation worth avoiding during lent for 2,000 years now. Site reader John G. requests that we get a jump on this hedonism a little early. I’m a pancake purist myself making them from [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/8-6pzvIaFsw/

Caronne Ste Gemme Carruades de Lafite Certan de May Charmail Chasse Spleen

anniepreise

Source: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2011/03/top-chef-recap-and-then-there-were-five.html

Wine and Roses Napa Valley California Vinyard Wine Bottle Types of Wine

anniepreise

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.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/bmDbiM7S5nI/

Food and Wine Leisure Food Armagnac Baron de Lustrac Armagnac Baron de Sigognac Armagnac Baron de Sigognac ans

anniepreise

You heard correctly. Beyond Napa Valley is giving away 4 tickets to ZAP’s Grand Zinfandel Tasting at Fort Mason. All you have to do is write a Zinfandel-inspired Haiku. Click the link below for all of the details. We hope to see you at the Grand tasting in January. Win Tickets to ZAP’s 2011 Grand [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/win-tickets-to-zaps-2011-grand-zinfandel-tasting-at-fort-mason/

Ausone Ausone (Cut Capsule) Ausone (Soiled Label) Bahans Haut Brion Barde Haut

anniepreise

Davis Bynum is a�venerable name in California Pinot Noir having made their reputation back when Joseph Swan was still with us. Founded in 1973, Davis Bynum was the first to produce a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley; from the now legendary�Rochioli Vineyard. And this heritage lives on even after the sale to [...]

Davis Bynum, Pinot Noir 2008 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/6sxRm_z4EEU/

French Wine Wine Making Wine Tasting Yellow Tail Cabernet

anniepreise

Tickets are selling fast so get yours today. Each person gets their own bottle of wine for the event. Do not be left out. I will be attending????.. The honor of your presence is requested at the annual Krewe of Midas Masquerade Ball. Our King, Pierre DuPre, and his Queen, Melissa F. DuPre look forward [...]

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/02/19/last-chance-for-the-murder-at-mardi-gras-march-5-at-cross-roads-winery-in-frisco-tx/

Haut Bages Liberal Haut Bailly Haut Batailley Haut Batailley Rare Signed Marie Jeanne Haut Brion

anniepreise

Every so often you see a story which makes you scratch your head. For me, working on SEO for my own site, this was certainly one of those cases. JC Penny Slapped by Google So let me get this straight, one of the largest retailers in the United States is saying that they were in [...]

Source: http://winewithmark.info/archives/636

De Chevalier De Fieuzal De l\\\'Eglise De Pez De Sales

anniepreise

This past weekend, I was among a group of wine bloggers who participated in the 2nd TasteCamp East, this year in the Finger Lakes.� The local wine industry is the inspiration for this blog and my business as I’ve mentioned to you before.� I had nothing to do with the selection of our region as [...]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/tastecamp-east-voracious-wine-bloggers-taste-throughout-the-finger-lakes/

Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse Bel Air Lalande de Pomerol

anniepreise

My morning routine starts with visits to my various email accounts and concludes with a quick scan of my Winecast Gmail. If I have the time, I sometimes open my Google Reader to see what blog posts have come in overnight. This morning I stopped in my tracks at a post on Vinography which pointed [...]

Who Will Be The First Wine Blogger Who Raps? originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/phZa9getlqs/

Palmer Pape Clement Patache d\\\'Aux Pavie Pavie Decesse

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Source: http://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2011/01/full-moon-and-violet-skies-at-tablas-creek.html

Latour Latour a Pomerol Laville Haut Brion Le Gay Le Moulin

anniepreise

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/tastelive-participants-how-are-you-engaging-and-posting-to-ttl/

Giscours Rare Signed Marie Jeanne Gloria Gomerie Grand Puy Ducasse Grand Puy Lacoste

anniepreise

Four red wines are made in the current mix, ranging in price from $35 for the Merlot up to $85 for the Reserve Cabernet. The Merlot is rich and complex, something even Miles in the ?Sideways? movie would love. Continue reading →

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/amizetta-winery-%e2%80%93-hidden-gem-since-1981/

La Croix du Casse La Fleur Cardinale La Fleur de Bouard La Fleur de Gay La Gaffeliere

anniepreise

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/05/birthday-meal-marsannay-2002-saint.html

Armagnac Chateau de Laubade NV Armagnac Clos des Saveurs Armagnac Magnol (Cracked Seal) Armagnac Vieil Sempe YO Armagnac XO Lauboude NV

anniepreise

This is old news for some, but if you haven’t explored the status tagging feature (similar to photo tagging) on Facebook, take a few minutes and check it out. Status tagging can help your winery’s Facebook fan page to become more engaging and vibrant.� Facebook users can type the “@” symbol before a Facebook fan [...]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/social-media-quick-tip-tag-your-favorite-wine-brands-on-facebook/

Haut Marbuzet Haut Sarpe Hosanna Kirwan La Clemence

anniepreise

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/03/dinner-with-lou-early-spring-apero.html

Belair Belgrave Bellefont Belcier Bellevue Mondotte Berliquet

anniepreise

I have wanted to change up the layout of our blog and get ready to gear up for the spring when we do more traveling and check out new Texas Winery?s in the Spring. I would like to ask you what you think about the new link and what you would like to see added [...]

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/02/26/new-look-for-the-grapes-around-texas/

Lafon Rochet Lagrange Lalande Borie Lanessan Langoa Barton

anniepreise

I’m officially declaring 2010 the year of the ros�. Yes, I know that many wineries have been producing stellar ros�s for years, but I felt that this year was the tipping point where the public started to get behind the pink drink again. It was the year when wineries paid much more attention to the [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/the-top-10-wines-of-2010/

Le Gay Le Moulin Le Moulin Pomerol Le Petit Cheval Le Pin

anniepreise

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2007/03/and-i-would-like-to-thank-mr.html

La Couspaude La Croix de Beaucaillou La Croix du Casse La Fleur Cardinale La Fleur de Bouard

anniepreise

I won’t have a chance to get everyone an update on wider life for a few more days at the least (things are busy both professionally and personally, well definitely personally) but I was sad to see that social media darling Gary V has chosen to close Cork’d. Cork’d To Close It’s Doors It’s an [...]

Source: http://winewithmark.info/archives/632

Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse Bel Air Lalande de Pomerol

anniepreise

Wine: Chelan Ridge 2009 Chardonnay Appellation: Columbia Valley (but sold in the Lake Chelan AVA area) ALC: n/a Price: $16 Haydn gives this wine: 96pts You can buy this wine: Give Chelan Ridge a call at (509) 687-4455. The website is on its way. I had the fortunate good luck to be able to attend [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/review-of-chelan-ridge-winery/

Pavie Pavie Decesse Pavie Macquin Pavillon Rouge du Margaux Pinot Noir

anniepreise

Dunn Vineyards founder, owner, and winemaker Randy Dunn will be signing bottles and pouring his wines at a free tasting at The Urban Grape in Chestnut Hill, MA this Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 from 5 to 8 pm.

Dunn produces two Cabernet Sauvignons -- one from Howell Mountain and another labeled as Napa Valley. The Howell Mountain is said to be a bigger wine - massive fruit and tannins. The Napa Valley wine is 85% Howell Mountain fruit/15% from the Napa Valley floor and is softer and more approachable.

The wines are tough to find at retail in Massachusetts. The Howell Mountain typically sells for around $120/btl and the Napa Valley falls somewhere around $75/btl. The 2007s will be available at the tasting at a one-day discount price.

More info on The Urban Grape's event's page.

Also - I hear there are just a few seats remaining for their Thursday Barolo/Barbaresco dinner at The Capital Grille. Jump on that now if you're available and interested because space truly is limited for their dinners.

Further Reading:

Check 'em out:
The Urban Grape
7 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-232-4831

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/cH6g6h8IYQ8/tuesday-march-1st-dunn-vineyards.html

Haut Bages Liberal Haut Bailly Haut Batailley Haut Batailley Rare Signed Marie Jeanne Haut Brion

anniepreise

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 NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut from the Columbia Valley of Washington [...]

A Wine for Tonight: NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut 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/B0wlCVylbpk/

La Reserve du Generale La Tour Figeac La Tour Haut Brion La Tour Martillac Labegorce Zede

anniepreise

In SAN FRANCISCO...my right drink is an OLD FASHIONED In NEW ORLEANS...my drink is the SAZERAC VEGAS...its all about CHAMPAGNE PARIS...has always called to me with PASTIS But NEW YORK...the Center of the Universe...it's all about the greatest cocktail there...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/ngWImG6EtZU/mapping-out-my-cocktails.html

Marquis de Terme Meaume Meyney Milens Monbousquet

anniepreise

Domaine Pierre Usseglio is first and foremost a maker of�Chateauneuf-du-Pape but has also a couple of vineyards just outside the appellation. From these they make a good value�C�tes-du-Rh�ne and�a Vin de Table, where Merlot makes up�80 % og the blend. �I gave the 2006�C�tes-du-Rh�ne 2006�88-89 p. which makes it a good value. It’s a sort [...]

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/44/wines-from-pierre-usseglio-1/

Lynch Moussas Magdelaine Magrez Fombrauge Malartic Lagraviere Malescot St. Exupery

anniepreise

Rodney Strong founded Rodney Strong Vineyards, located in Healdsburg, California, in 1959. Current owner Tom Klein and the Klein family purchased the winery in 1989. In 2005, Klein added a ?winery within a winery? concept to the Rodney Strong portfolio to focus on small-lot, artisan winemaking. The debut release from their Single Vineyards line was [...]

Rodney Strong Single Vineyards: Rockaway and Brothers Ridge 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/mmNLzQC4XTQ/

Belgrave Bellefont Belcier Bellevue Mondotte Berliquet Beychevelle

anniepreise

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 NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut from the Columbia Valley of Washington [...]

A Wine for Tonight: NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut 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/B0wlCVylbpk/

Cantenac Brown Carillon d\\\'Angelus Caronne Ste Gemme Carruades de Lafite Certan de May

anniepreise

Source: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2011/03/a-kitchen-made-of-chocolate.html

Croix de Labrie Croizet Bages d\\\'Agassac d\\\'Aiguilhe Dame de Montrose

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/02/25/mickey_rourke_and_jason_statham_at_9021pho_moby_at_m_cafe_charles_barkley_at_wp24_more.php

Giscours Rare Signed Marie Jeanne Gloria Gomerie Grand Puy Ducasse Grand Puy Lacoste

anniepreise

Our next meeting of the Academy of Wine Communications here in the Finger Lakes will be followed by an interactive Twitter Basics Immersion for Wineries for AWC members.� The meeting and seminar will be held at Ravines Wine Cellars on Keuka Lake thanks to their offer to host us and let us utilize their wireless [...]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/academy-of-wine-communicationstwitter-basics-immersion-for-wineries/

Beychevelle Branaire Ducru Brane Cantenac Brown Calon Segur

anniepreise

Global Cabernet Sauvignon takes pride of place in this edition of Vintages manual. In addition, there are a few wines for Passover and a couple of decent wines in the regular section of the release. It?s time for a barbecue perhaps in this spring-like weather we are experiencing. Click images to enlarge. WINES OF THE [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/fcF1isKAxmc/alan-kerr%e2%80%99s-vintage%e2%80%99s-february-19th-release

Pavie Macquin Pavillon Rouge du Margaux Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvinon Wine and Cheese

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/02/28/is_sam_nazarian_poised_to_take_over_syndicate_hospitality.php

Margaux Marojallia Marquis de Terme Meaume Meyney

anniepreise

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 NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut from the Columbia Valley of Washington [...]

A Wine for Tonight: NV Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut 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/B0wlCVylbpk/

Pape Clement Patache d\\\'Aux Pavie Pavie Decesse Pavie Macquin

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/01/thomas_keller_in_person.php

d\\\'Angludet d\\\'Armailhac De Chevalier De Fieuzal De l\\\'Eglise

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/01/fig_olive_soft_opens_tomorrow_heres_a_look_inside.php

Croix de Salle Armagnac Domaine du Peyrot Alter Ego de Palmer Angelus Ausone

anniepreise

For about $100, the cost for a couple of profile tests, I’ve gotten to know myself better and hopefully you’ll get to know me better, as well.

Why would you even care? Maybe you don’t, but as a reader of this site you are a participant in reading the scribbling’s of an online wine writer. As Woody Allen said, “90% of life is just showing up.” By showing up, you are part of my wine life as well as others that take to their computers to live their wine life out loud.

Recently, spurred by year’s long acrimony that continues to rear its head every couple of months, I’ve been thinking deeply about how to overcome what I perceive to be a lack of institutional trust with online wine writers. It seems it’s not enough to write well, often and with knowledge of the subject. Derision is still manifest. This derision is not necessarily directed at me, but of the genre of online wine writing in which I choose to participate.

I have identified four contributing factors:

Systemic skepticism. Our national trust, according to the 11th annual Edelman Trust Barometer, has fallen precipitously low across business, government, non-profit and media. There’s never been a better time to not trust what you hear, see or read.

Information ubiquity. There’s too much information and opinion. The signal-to-noise ratio is dangerously skewing towards noise. While I don’t have facts to back it up, I would hazard a guess that the last five years has seen a greater quantity of wine writing than the previous 20 years combined. Here, when everybody is a critic, nobody is a critic. Put another way, when you’re supposed to trust everybody you end up trusting nobody.

Insularity. When I made my two year long sojourn into the wine business, virtually every meeting amongst relative strangers started with a recitation of their resume; this is a phenomenon I’ve not seen repeated in other industries. In the wine business, your credibility was vetted within five minutes based on who you know and where you’ve worked, not your bona fides. It seems interlopers need to earn their merit badge, a difficult and long proposition denoted by tacit approval and tenure, not a meritocracy.

Brands. Whether we want to admit it or not, brands, especially media brands, lend credibility to writers. Without naming names, a review of the weekly Wine Opinions “Wine Review Weekly” will reveal wine writers with column inches in major dailies that possess less experience than many online wine writers who don’t have a masthead with an engendered brand that burnishes their personal star by proxy. When talent is equal between two writers, the reader will defer to a brand—that’s marketing 101, and true of our media consumption, as well.

But, where to go from here?

Recently, online wine writer Pamela Heiligenthal asked an open-ended question about whether online wine writers should earn one of the alphabet soup wine certifications. She took lumps for her opinion, but I have a hard time arguing with her premise. Those that are serious about wine and writing will undertake a commitment to demonstrate knowledge in the form of academic achievement. Absent a brand, demonstrated knowledge is a hallmark of credibility. And, online wine writers will likely always face limited resources in creating a trustworthy brand.

In addition to demonstrated wine knowledge, I would also humbly suggest a move towards conscientious disclosure that leads to a holistic professional view of a writer that engenders trust.

In the realm of consulting and services-based business development, a touchstone is a book and philosophy called, “The Trusted Advisor.” The premise of the book is the equation that goes into creating trust-based relationships with your clients. In the case of the online wine writer the clients are readers.

In my view, the notion of so-called “transparency” online is a false positive and a little bit of bullshit, because a reader doesn’t know if you’re trustworthy so quantifiably alleviating that question is an imperative. Addressing that, a methodology has grown up around, “The Trusted Advisor” and includes a “Trust Quotient.” In loose terms, a Trust Quotient is made up of your credibility, reliability, and intimacy, divided by your self-orientation.

The Trust Quotient begins to alleviate whether an online wine writer can be “quote/unquote” trusted. But, it’s not the only factor. There are other factors, as well – what are somebody’s strengths, for example. A blog like mine that deals in issues and ideas may not engender trust if the style is contrary to my strengths. Here, the Clifton StrengthsFinder extrapolates on what I’m good at.

And, finally, a more subtle issue: How does a wine writer work? What’s their working personality? Are they subject to irrationality and flights of fancy that impact the quality of their work? The Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator® measures psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

These factors combined:

* What is your wine knowledge base?

* What do you do well / what are your strengths?

* How do you perceive the world and make decisions / what’s your style?

* Are you trustworthy?

All make up the whole person that fills in the credibility gaps that are otherwise deficient in a one-dimensional view of a writer through his or her writings.

So, I’ve created my own equation. If you know me, you would know that a math equation is the last thing that’s a strength, but this is relatively simple. My equation says: Respect = Your Knowledge + Your Strengths + Your Style divided by your Trust Quotient.

Assuming that those factors come out positively, than, ultimately, an online wine writer should stand in judgment against any other wine writer regardless of the masthead they write for.

In that vein, here are is the $100 bucks worth of analysis that I’ve spent to understand myself a little bit better. As my profiles indicate, I’m driven, work towards expertise, I’m self-confident, strategic and an achiever. To that end, I’m willing to stand in the court of public opinion in order to earn your trust and respect.

Jeff Lefevere’s Knowledge (Goodgrape.com archives from 01/05 – 02/11)

Jeff Lefevere’s Trust Quotient (initiates a PDF download of my actual report)

Jeff Lefevere’s StrengthsFinder (initiates a PDF download of my actual report)

Jeff Lefevere’s Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (initiates a PDF download of my actual report)

Finally, if it seems like I’m defensive, I’m not. My personality profile indicates that I’m a leader, responsible and accountable; it’s a mantle I take on for all online wine writers.

Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/online_wine_writing_and_the_trust_divide1/

Beau Sejour Becot Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse

anniepreise

In conjunction with the Massachusetts sales tax repeal that went into effect on January 1st, 2011 The Spirit Shoppe has bumped up their mixed case discount from 15% to 20% through the end of February. As is typical, sale items don't qualify for the discount but do count towards building a mixed case of 12 bottles. On top of that you can get free shipping within Massachusetts. Use coupon code "freeground" if the free shipping doesn't automatically apply. A puffed up discount in conjunction with free shipping and no tax? I love stackable deals.

As you can probably tell by the banner ad running on the top-right of the WWP, The Spirit Shoppe is an advertiser on my site. I try not to make a habit of pushing stuff related to businesses that support the site with ads, but at the same time I like to pass along good wine deals when I hear about them.

Here are 12 wines they have in stock right now to get you started:

2008 Pali Durell Pinot Noir $39.99 with mixed case discount
2008 Sottimano Langhe Nebbiolo $17.59 with mixed case discount
2008 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir $19.99 on sale
2006 Produttori Barbaresco $29.99 on sale
2007 Vietti Perbacco Nebbiolo $19.99 on sale
2007 Passopisciaro Sicilia $32.99 on sale
2008 Produttori Langhe Nebbiolo $18.99 on sale
2008 Caymus Cabernet $58.99 on sale
2007 Peter Michael Les Pavots $139.99 with mixed case discount
2008 Evening Land Pinot Noir $23.99 with mixed case discount

2007 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole $23.99 on sale

2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot $9.59 with mixed case discount

Question of the Day: Any other values at The Spirit Shoppe jump out at you? Perhaps in categories like white and sparkling that I don't pay as much attention to?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/zXwD1DdlOTI/20-off-at-spirit-shoppe-start-building.html

Brown Calon Segur Cambon la Pelouse Canon Canon la Gaffeliere

anniepreise

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/05/birthday-meal-marsannay-2002-saint.html

Milens Monbousquet Montrose Mouton Rothschild Nenin

anniepreise

This particular irony will have gone unnoticed by most people: Publicists aren't particularly good at promoting themselves, their businesses, their capabilities and their success. Today, I spoke with a fellow publicists who was wondering, essentially, "what's the best way to...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/hYNmjyc4kH8/wine-publicists-promotingthemselves-.html

Ducru Beaucaillou Duhart Milon Duhart Milon Rothschild Exception de Quinault Ferriere

anniepreise

The 2011 archive is presented by date the notes were compiled and submitted. Prior year’s tasting notes may be found here February 17, 2011 2007 Le Colombier, Vacqueras Tradition: 13.5% alcohol, about $15, retail; 70% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourv�dre, 30 year old vines, �levage in cement; shy but clean nose of brined meat and [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/9nBkXe6Mch8/florida-jim-cowans-2011-tasting-notes

California Vinyard Wine Bottle Types of Wine Food and Wine Leisure Food

anniepreise

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/02/23/popups.php

Clos des Jacobins Clos du Marquis Clos Dubreuil Clos l\\\'Eglise Clos Puy Arnaud

anniepreise

For those with a penchant for doubting the appeal of precious and pretentious marketing, I refer you to today's edition of Frank Bruni's "Tipsy Diaries" column in the New York Times. Today, writing under the headline, "Celestial Come-ons and Other...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/qbBVmoLn2DI/frank-bruni-and-the-comic-edge-of-high-end-spirits-marketing.html

La Croix de Beaucaillou La Croix du Casse La Fleur Cardinale La Fleur de Bouard La Fleur de Gay

anniepreise

HR 5034, the bill introduced into Congress last year that would have altered the balance of power in the realm of alcohol beverage sales and consumer access to favor middlemen distributors, is still on the mind of many in the...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/ADIySP_Hprg/a-letter-about-the-wine-and-beer-wholesaler-protection-act.html

Wine Making Wine Tasting Yellow Tail Cabernet Wine and Roses

anniepreise