Thursday, 31 March 2011

Scarecrow Second Label Unboxing Photos

Flying high off a 100 point Wine Advocate rating for their 2007 Scarecrow, check out these shots for the packaging of Scarecrow's second label wine - the 2008 M. Etain:
 Pretty impressive - I wonder what kind of treatment the flagship wine receives?
With a $225/btl release price and current auction prices of the '07 Scarecrow approaching $600/btl it's intriguing to seek a taste of their wines. One way to taste the greatness is with this second label Monsieur Etain that goes for $125/btl.

Another is to seek out Scarecrow winemaker Celia Welch's Corra where she's the winemaker and owner: http://corrawines.com

Or you could just live vicariously through RJ's Wine Blog. His notes on the '06 Scarecrow and the '08 M. Etain. 

Question of the Day: Have you ever tasted a wine rated 100 points by Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate? If so was it a disappointment? Or could you see where their perfect rating was coming from?


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/x8F7DRuB5oE/scarecrow-second-label-unboxing.html

Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio Sémillon Gewürztraminer Muscat

Subscribing to the Idea Wine Mags Must Go Digital

Which will be the first wine magazine to offer digital subscriptions to their digitally-formatted content? Last summer I revealed that I'm ready to throw out my paper magazines and begin reading periodicals in digital format. But one of the criteria...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/nhES4iygOyQ/subscribing-to-the-idea-wine-mags-must-go-digital.html

Buehler David Bruce Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro

Calistoga ? Really Getting Away in the Napa Valley

But there is a quiet place in the Napa Valley much unchanged over time. That place is the historic town of Calistoga, at the very northern end of the Valley. It is here where you can find delightful things to do at a much slower pace. Continue reading

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/calistoga-%e2%80%93-really-getting-away-in-the-napa-valley/

Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement Staglin Stag\\\'s Leap

Wine Word of the Week: Old World

This week?s Wine Word of the Week is Old World. Official definition from Jancis Robinson?s The Oxford Companion to Wine: Old World is Europe and the rest of the Mediterranean basin such as the Near East and North Africa. The term is used solely in contrast to the New World, the Old World having little [...]

Wine Word of the Week: Old World 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/AXZdZHc0UCI/

Field Stone Firestone Fisher Foxen Girard

Taste Washington 2011: Highlights from Washington Wine?s Signature Event

Hosted annually by the Washington Wine Commission, Taste Washington is dubbed ?the ultimate wine experience.? This past weekend brought Washington wine lovers from around the country to Seattle to drink, eat, and be merry. The event is a wine and food lover?s paradise. The festivities kicked off on Friday with the Washington Wine Restaurant Awards, [...]

Taste Washington 2011: Highlights from Washington Wine?s Signature Event 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/Gy4UmbyObYY/

Rosenblum St. Clement Staglin Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap

DEALFEED: Chaya Venice

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/28/chaya_venice.php

Eno Far Niente Field Stone Firestone Fisher

Is Sushi Safe to Eat?: Radiation from Fukushima's nuclear power plant...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/28/is_sushi_safe_to_eat.php

Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc

How does cabernet franc age? A visit to Domaine Baudry

How does cabernet franc age? On my recent trip to the Loire, I got an excellent chance to explore this issue at the cellars of none other than Domaine Bernard Baudry in Chinon, one of my favorite producers in the Loire. Matthieu, the jovial, thirty-something son of Bernard who has been with the domaine since [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/W1kU8i0ipCo/

Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement

Is Sushi Safe to Eat?: Radiation from Fukushima's nuclear power plant...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/28/is_sushi_safe_to_eat.php

Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier Roussanne Marsanne

Cana?s Feast Winery: Turning Water into Wine

The folks at Cana?s Feast Winery do not literally turn water into wine; however, the wedding feast at Cana at which Jesus performed his first miracle and turned water into wine inspired the winery?s name. Founded by Gino Cuneo as Cuneo Cellars in 1993, the winery was renamed Cana?s Feast, which had been the name [...]

Cana?s Feast Winery: Turning Water into Wine 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/YkX4aKn65EE/

Loring Lyeth Markham Meeker Mondavi

The Top 10 Wines of 2010

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/

Lyeth Markham Meeker Mondavi Pine Ridge

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Wine research through a distorted lens

Last week, an organisation called Wine Intelligence put out a press release concerning the apparent lack of trust consumers had in wine bloggers.�I can only imagine it was intended to bait bloggers and commentators into some sort of argument to create headlines. Ryan Opaz and I talked about it and found there were simply too [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/2TGAFBxD3H4/

Keenan Cab Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith

The Shutter : TourEiffel Set To Close At The End Of The Month

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/25/toureiffel_set_to_close_at_the_end_of_the_month.php

Lyeth Markham Meeker Mondavi Pine Ridge

PETA shows a sense of humor, we think

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/03/we-had-to-double-check-this-just-to-make-sure-today-wasnt-april-fools-but-sure-enough-there-it-was-on-the-peta-websit.html

Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli

An Ultimate Luxury Experience

Venice is one of the most romantic destinations of the world, and if you are staying at the Palladio Suite of Hotel Cipriani, then you will probably want to spend the rest of your life there. On entering this suite you will feel as if you are inside a glass capsule that is suspended in [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/GghhF7Mwcic/

Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey

Identifying The Best Wine Writing

I've said before that I believe we are drifting through a "Golden Age" of wine writing. The primary evidence for this position is the exponential increase in the number of individuals writing about wine for public consumption. Surely this results...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/jEKN4CBFNMI/identifying-the-best-wine-writing.html

Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone

Who?s the loser in The Great Pinot Switcheroo?

Raj Parr is the wine director at Michael Mina’s restaurants and a partner at RN74, a Burgundy-centered restaurant in San Francisco. When RN74 opened a couple of years ago, Parr drew attention by saying that he wouldn’t carry pinot noirs or chardonnays over 14% alcohol. So, as we mentioned earlier, it was interesting that Adam [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/PKJdNbcPr_E/

Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds Andrew Murray

Lubricating the wheels of policy

What drives policymaking that affects wine consumers? Thanks to opensecrets.org, we get a glimpse into how the sausage like HR 1161 gets made. Spot the consumer groups on the list! via WII Further discussion of the political coloring of beer and wine donors.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/GsXpQlsLRNw/

Castoro Caymus Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger

Tasting notes - Berlin Tasting

Here follows my tasting notes from The Berlin Tasting in Copenhagen.
No. 1 - 2005 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (Bordeaux)
Dark colour with intense smell of pencil, cigar, currant and spicy wood. It’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated but also with an upfront softness. 96/100.
No. 2 - 2004 Sassicaia (Tuscany)
Not so intense in the nose - a little cherry. The [...]

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/40/tasting-notes-berlin-tasting/

Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno Far Niente

Zinfandel Guy Parodies Old Spice Guy

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/SXf8erknrFI/zinfandel-guy-parodies-old-spice-guy

Field Stone Firestone Fisher Foxen Girard

Assessing risk and reward in white Burgundy

It?s not every evening I get to taste ten white Burgundies with a decade or so of age. For one, they?re often expensive. But they?re also a category that has not been aging well in the bottle, thanks primarily to the issue of ?premox,? or premature oxidation, the cause of which is little known despite [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/6TY6WdcyquI/

Caymus Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno

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

Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli

Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Cana?s Feast Winery: Turning Water into Wine

The folks at Cana?s Feast Winery do not literally turn water into wine; however, the wedding feast at Cana at which Jesus performed his first miracle and turned water into wine inspired the winery?s name. Founded by Gino Cuneo as Cuneo Cellars in 1993, the winery was renamed Cana?s Feast, which had been the name [...]

Cana?s Feast Winery: Turning Water into Wine 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/YkX4aKn65EE/

Loring Lyeth Markham Meeker Mondavi

Treat Yourself with an Unforgettable Repose

If you are on a tour to Europe, a visit to the Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is a must. Situated near the seaside town of Sciacca on the southern coast of Sicily, this resort spans an area of over 230 hectares of lovely landscape, thus making its place in 2010 Hot List created by [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/cirQ-nb7e6g/

Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/03/growing-pains-chablis-1er-cru-2005.html

Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring Lyeth Markham

2007 Sauternes & Barsac

Here you find the ratings of the 2007 Sauternes and Barsac wines from Robert Parker, Decanter and Wine Spectator:



Sauternes & Barsac
Decanter
Wine Advocate
WineSpectator
Price


Chateau d’Yquem
***** 19
96 - 98
97 - 100



Chateau Guiraud
**** 17,5
92 - 94
91 - 94



Chateau La Tour Blanche
**** 18
86 - 88
90 - 93



Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey
**** 18
91 - 93
91 - 94



Chateau de Rayne-Vigneau
***** 19
91 - 93
92 - 95



Chateau [...]

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/41/2007-sauternes-barsac/

Foxen Girard Groth Keenan Cab Keenan Chard

Bordeaux Tasting Reveals Affordable Gems

Sandwiched between the heralded 2005 and 2009 Bordeaux vintages lie three years I've bought very little of. Not so much because they're not good, but just because there's been so much positive hype about the '05s and '09s. A guy only has some much attention to devote to a region.

Vintage variation is a tricky thing for me on a number of levels. More experienced folks will tell you it's not a matter of good and bad - it's more a matter of appreciating vintage variation. Further, the way Bordeaux is priced, better vintages fetch higher prices. This is different than domestic wines and different from most regions. This presents an opportunity to pick up wines from quality producers in "off" vintages at a good price.

Bordeaux is a tricky thing to publicize and market. In one sense it's the noblest of wine regions, but in another I rarely find myself with a taste for Bordeaux on a weeknight - or even a weekend night for that matter. It's this quirky quandary - brand recognition many regions wish they had yet too fancy for many occasions and relegated to high holidays. Too much tradition for its own good?

Below high flying names costing $50 and up are Bordeaux Superieur wines costing $20 or less. As part of an live online tasting through TasteLive, Planet Bordeaux offered up five 2006-2008 Bordeaux to wine bloggers across the United States to get together online and concurrently share their thoughts.

Here are my notes:

2006 Chateau La Gatte La Butte
$15
13.5% Alcohol

100% Merlot from old vines. Light magenta. Cherries and earth on the nose. A little Leuden's cough drop action. Earth too with undeniable Bordeaux markings. On first sip I get a twinge of acidity in my cheeks and even my ears. Comes together really nicely. Well balanced. Great start.

http://chateaulagatte.com
88+/100 WWP: Very Good

2008 Chateau Lugagnac
$16
13% Alcohol

On the nose I get burnt earth, cocoa, some fruit. Grippy tannins. Surprisingly hot for only 13.5%. Needs some time to settle down, but still a pretty nice wine.

http://chateaulugagnac.com
87/100 WWP: Very Good

2008 Chateau de Terrefort-Quancard
$14
13% Alcohol

Tightly wound with tart cherry fruit and harsh tannins. Should improve with time but for now it's one of the more challenging wines in the lineup.

http://chevalquancard.com 
84/100 Good

2007 Chateau de Parenchere Cuvee Raphel
$15
13.5% Alcohol

Medium-full bodied with a really enticing nose. A nice combination of fruity and savory components. Velvety mouthfeel. Low-medium acidity. Doesn't beg for food the way the others do but I think it's versatile enough to play well in a lot of settings. My wine of the night.

http://parenchere.com 
90/100 WWP: Outstanding


2008 Chateau Penin Tradition
$15
13% Alcohol

Made in a soft, easy drinking style. Limited aromatically.

http://chateaupenin.com
82/100 WWP: Good

My thanks to the folks from Planet Bordeaux for supporting wine bloggers with this tasting!

Samples for review.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/b179Djo0dI0/bordeaux-tasting-reveals-affordable.html

Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno Far Niente Field Stone

The Best Deals in Wine Country

I don't know what the parents come up with in Dairyland when they put together an auction for their private schools. Maybe a night of dinner and milk among the cows. In Lobsterland perhaps the parents looking to raise funds...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/b9qLBtFan_E/the-best-deals-in-wine-country.html

Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli

DEALFEED: Noé at The Omni

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/25/no_at_the_omni.php

Alex. Vall. Vyds Andrew Murray Arrowood Beckmen Benziger

Valentines Special at Cross Roads Winery

Wine and Chocolate – February 13 Sunday February 13 from 1-6 for a pairing of wonderful chocolates with CrossRoads wines. Treat your Valentine to this special day of decadence! Tickets are $20    

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/01/17/valentines-special-at-cross-roads-winery/

Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier Roussanne Marsanne

Announcing WBW 71: Rhones Not From The Rh�ne

The theme for WBW 71 is, "Rhones Not From The Rh�ne." Pick any wine made from a variety best known in The Rh�ne but not made in that famous French region. It doesn't matter if the wine is white, pink or red; still, sparkling or fortified. Whatever you choose just needs to be made from primarily a Rhone grape and come from a region not in France.

Announcing WBW 71: Rhones Not From The Rh�ne originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/jrDA0wzAgrw/

Keenan Cab Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith

Announcing WBW 71: Rhones Not From The Rh�ne

The theme for WBW 71 is, "Rhones Not From The Rh�ne." Pick any wine made from a variety best known in The Rh�ne but not made in that famous French region. It doesn't matter if the wine is white, pink or red; still, sparkling or fortified. Whatever you choose just needs to be made from primarily a Rhone grape and come from a region not in France.

Announcing WBW 71: Rhones Not From The Rh�ne originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/jrDA0wzAgrw/

Marsanne Albariño Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/03/cahors-2005-le-combal-cosse-maisonneuve.html

Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno Far Niente

Monday, 28 March 2011

Top Cheffage: Last night on Top Chef All-Stars,...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/24/top_cheffage.php

Albariño Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir

Competition Winners Announced

The winners of the 70th annual Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition were announced today and the list is an impressive one! A box wine, a Scotch whisky, repeat winners (Armida Winery and baseball legend Tommy Lasorda) and so much more! Take a look at the winners here then check out the buzz on [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=78

Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier Roussanne Marsanne

Domaine Pierre Usseglio

I frequently participate in press-wine tastings in Copenhagen. Normally its about tasting the recent vintage or vintages from a particular wine producer - maybe with one or two older vintages. Nothing wrong with that. Its always the latest vintage that is going on the shelves and where the need for good press is welcomed.
But I [...]

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/42/domaine-pierre-usseglio/

Meeker Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/02/science-of-smell-dear-caveman-when-i.html

Caymus Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno

Time to Sniff, Swirl, Spit

Two weeks from today, nearly 100 international wine judges will converge on Fairplex to sniff, swirl and spit their way through more than 3,000 wines – all in attempt to�crown the best of the best. �The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition begins May 27. Right now, wine staff are busy preparing the thousands [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=39

Barbera Tempranillo Dolcetto Malbec Red Wine

New OED food-related words: banh mi, taquito, California roll

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

Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring Lyeth

Your weekend dining PLUS the sleeping pet of the week

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

White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds

How Wine Became Modern: Design + Wine 1976 to Now; an SF MOMA Exhibit

The wine world can basically be compartmentalized into two worlds: The New World & The Old World. The Old World is France, and basically any other country within a trebuchet’s throw of France. Wines have been ratified by treaties, classified by region and not varietal, and are poured in chatea�s beckoning you with long dusty [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/how-wine-became-modern-design-wine-1976-to-now-an-sf-moma-exhibit/

Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring Lyeth Markham

The Grapes around Texas at the Grayson Hills 2010 Grape Harvest

Murder at Mardi Gras Tickets Looking for something fun to do in March?  One of our Favorite places to go is Cross Roads Winery in Frisco,Texas.  If its anything like New Years this year its going to be filled with fun and great wine.  Get your tickets while you still can.   March 5, 2011 [...]

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/01/24/murder-at-mardi-gras-crossroads-winery/

Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno Far Niente

March 23rd ? Florida Jim Cowan?s 2011 Tasting Notes Archive

The 2011 archive is presented by date the notes were compiled and submitted. Prior year’s tasting notes may be found here March 23, 2011 2005 Baudry, Chinon La Croix Bois�e: 14% alcohol; dark fruit and stem aromas, some smoke; big, rich, dense wine with palate weight and the texture of fine sandpaper; very concentrated and [...]

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

Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring Lyeth

First Look: Inside Villetta's Understated Rustic Home, Opening April 4

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/25/inside_villettas_understated_rustic_home_opening_april_4.php

Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno Far Niente

Sunday, 27 March 2011

Deluxe or Do-it-Yourself:  The Wine Cooler Solution and Giveaway

At some point in a wine enthusiast’s journey, for reasons practical or aesthetic, there comes a time when a refrigerated wine storage solution jumps onto the wish list.  If you don’t have a wine cooler (or, even if you do) you’re in luck because I’ll be giving a Kalorik 21-bottle wine cooler away to one lucky commenter to this post, a $300 value.

For me, I lucked into a wine fridge as a way-too-generous wedding gift nearly six years ago.  One of my best friends (and a groomsman) gave me a bottle of 1999 Joseph Phelps Insignia and a Danby Silhouette 51-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler.  Getting married in your thirties does yield benefits – the gifts are better, certainly.

Since then, much to my wife’s chagrin, I’ve also managed to overtake the garage refrigerator in addition to using a dedicated full-size 1950’s-era vintage refrigerator (set to cool, but not cold setting) in my basement that I use for reds and whites that are in the drinking queue.  Aside from general cellaring in my basement (no furnace heating so it stays 58 degrees year-round), I have my refrigeration needs well-covered and it all follows a circuitous path to my palate in a system that only makes sense to me.

When looking for a refrigeration solution, the options are clearer.  There are two paths:  The do-it-yourself (DIY) practical path or the aesthetic (read:  cool and more expensive) path.

image

If you’re on a budget and not concerned with looks, you should take a look at a nifty gadget called the Wine-Stat II that works with any refrigerator, including the 1970s avocado green model that is probably in your grandparent’s garage.

Hardly a new development, the original Wine-Stat was developed in 1984 before later being replaced by the next generation Wine-Stat II.  Invented and sold by Bill Happersett, the Wine-Stat II is about the size of a television cable box and acts approximately in the way a light dimmer does.

In the same manner that a light dimmer controls lighting to degree of brightness, the Wine-Stat II controls temperature on any refrigerator allowing a wine enthusiast to take the guesswork out of temperature control.

Would you like a perfect 55 degrees for your special reds?  For $149 the Wine-Stat II lets any wine enthusiast turn an old refrigerator into something useful.

On the aesthetic side of the equation, the options are more plentiful.

image

Search for “wine cooler” or “wine refrigerator” at Air & Water or Amazon.com and you’ll find more brand names and size options than you’ll probably care to research and all of them are reasonably expensive, at least as compared to a regular dorm size or standard refrigerator.  Yet, they all have the very important aesthetic aspect of having a glass door, temperature control and some level of stainless steel for the modern kitchen look giving them an appearance of a lifestyle tool that can reside where it must combining form with function.

For my part, I’ve been happy with the Danby, but if I were going to supplement with a smaller size unit for my kitchen (countertop or built-in), I’d look at a couple of other brand names including Kalorik, an appliance manufacturer who seems to hit all of the consumer review factors (no Freon, low energy usage, quiet, no vibration) at very competitive prices.

And, kudos to Kalorik and their online retail partner Air & Water for graciously offering to give one Good Grape reader the opportunity to win an absolutely free, shipping paid 21-bottle cooler (link here for details on the wine cooler).

The contest will be open from Sunday, March 27th at 9:00 pm EST to Tuesday, March 29th at midnight EST.  Here’s what you need to do to win: Leave a comment on this post and answer this question:  Which of the wines that you own would you want to put into your wine cooler first?  That’s all.  Did I say the wine cooler is a $300 value?

If you want to want to earn a second entry into the random drawing, simply tweet this:  21-bottle wine fridge giveaway from @goodgrape at Goodgrape.com. Comment at GG to win! Provided by the folks @teamkalorik

Good luck and thanks for reading Good Grape:  A Wine Manifesto.

Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/deluxe_or_do-it-yourself_the_wine_cooler_solution_and_giveaway/

Albariño Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir

Somerston Tasting Room in Yountville ? Two Thumbs Up

With 12 tasting rooms and wine bars in Yountville, you certainly can?t visit all on a weekend trip to the town. One that we recommend that you not miss is the Somerston Tasting Room. Continue reading

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/somerston-tasting-room-in-yountville-%e2%80%93-two-thumbs-up/

Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum

Tuesday March 1st: Dunn Vineyards Tasting at The Urban Grape

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

Markham Meeker Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche

Great advertising is about message, not product

Many of my readers are not from the the USA, so may not have seen this advert (unless they happen to love American Football) but take 2 minutes and 3 seconds to watch this Superbowl advert: Now, think back about how often the logo, the car itself or anything recognisable as “the product” were shown. [...]

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Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek

Top Cheffage: Last night on Top Chef All-Stars,...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/24/top_cheffage.php

Malbec Red Wine White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine

Kirkland Signature, Merlot, Alexander Valley 2008

We all need mid-week wines that deliver interesting flavor without spending a lot of money. The problem is that many widely available wines under $10 are just not that exciting. So I often look for less popular varieties from countries like Spain and Portugal for my “Tuesday-Thursday” wines. But there is a lot of good [...]

Kirkland Signature, Merlot, Alexander Valley 2008 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

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Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds Andrew Murray

Wine research through a distorted lens

Last week, an organisation called Wine Intelligence put out a press release concerning the apparent lack of trust consumers had in wine bloggers.�I can only imagine it was intended to bait bloggers and commentators into some sort of argument to create headlines. Ryan Opaz and I talked about it and found there were simply too [...]

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Firestone Fisher Foxen Girard Groth

Online Wine Writing and the Trust Divide

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. 

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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?

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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. 

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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.

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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/

Malbec Red Wine White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine

OMG! 'Taquito,' 'rugelach' and 'muffin top' added to the OED

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/03/omg-taquito-rugelach-and-muffin-top-added-to-the-oed.html

Markham Meeker Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche

Helping Japan, with sake and support

My wife and I were in Tokyo on September 11, 2001, preparing to come home the next day. Needless to say, our return was delayed. During that extra time in Japan, so many locals expressed their sympathy and condolences to us for what had happened in the US. The tragedy in Japan over the past [...]

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Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring

Facebook Deals with Wine

Another week, another bit of our world is touched by Facebook, as Facebook Deals launches in the UK as well as in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Image by rhoadeecha via Flickr Facebook launched Facebook Places in the UK a few months ago but if you’ve never heard of it, I’m not TOO surprised. It [...]

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Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro Caymus Ch. St. Jean

Saturday, 26 March 2011

It?s Time For Radical Simplification of Old World Wine Labeling

I’m a traditionalist but also a realist. And I think now is the time to shake up the centuries old wine labeling and classification systems that have stood as a barrier to selling many Old World wines to American consumers. Case in point is Germany where a tradition of bad Middle Ages typography continues on [...]

It’s Time For Radical Simplification of Old World Wine Labeling originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

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Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc

Let?s Get Fizzacle!

Sure, bubbly is boss on New Years and even at celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries, but why not add its charming sparkle to silly-sweet St. Valentine?s Day? I can?t think of a lustier toast ? except for maybe Bedrock?s ravishing Ode to Lulu ros�, or a sinful zinfandel, or ?. Here?s my go-to list: NV [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/lets-get-fizzacle/

Girard Groth Keenan Cab Keenan Chard Kenwood

A spot of wine relief

If you live in the UK I’m sure you’ve heard of Comic Relief. If you don’t, please forgive the eccentricities of this peculiar little country, but there are times when you just have to do something a little out of the ordinary. Comic Relief is a charity event, based around “Red Nose Day” on March [...]

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Zinfandel Grenache Sangiovese Gamay Nebbiolo

Great advertising is about message, not product

Many of my readers are not from the the USA, so may not have seen this advert (unless they happen to love American Football) but take 2 minutes and 3 seconds to watch this Superbowl advert: Now, think back about how often the logo, the car itself or anything recognisable as “the product” were shown. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/0H4fwWtMnkM/

Malbec Red Wine White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine

New OED food-related words: banh mi, taquito, California roll

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

Viognier Roussanne Marsanne Albariño Pinot Blanc

Identifying The Best Wine Writing

I've said before that I believe we are drifting through a "Golden Age" of wine writing. The primary evidence for this position is the exponential increase in the number of individuals writing about wine for public consumption. Surely this results...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/jEKN4CBFNMI/identifying-the-best-wine-writing.html

Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno Far Niente Field Stone

What?s so Odd about Oddbins?

Oddbins is in trouble, and it needs a new lease of life, and probably a new investor, to survive, but brands CAN survive repeated near-death experiences if they have something to live for. Newspapers and the wine media are full of doom and gloom stories about the future of Oddbins, once the UK’s coolest wine [...]

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Keenan Cab Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith

The Most Fascinating Hotel Opened to the Public

Finally, the most expensive hotel has opened its door to the public. Marina Bay Sands Hotel of Singapore has even managed to dethrone Abu Dhabi?s Emirates Palace Hotel! Marina Bay Sands Hotel features 2560 rooms that cost you around $520 per night on average. Moshe Safdie has designed the structure of this hotel. Resembling a [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/U3bNf8nHLmI/

Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc

Enjoy a Costly Boat Ride in the Snowy State of Alaska

The snowy state of Alaska has been visited by a multitude of visitors who are interested in enjoying the sights of dolphins, whales and the virgin scenery of this remote place. This influx of visitors has resulted in the increased popularity of cruise ships and other water based travel means.
You can travel by the Alaska [...]

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Red Wine White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose

MIT Turbine Superbike Y2K ? Fast and Furious!

Don?t you love that rush of adrenaline when you speed your bike on the highways? The better the price - the bigger the rush. The MIT Turbine Superbike Y2K is one of the most expensive bikes in the world. MIT launched the 1st turbine-powered outboard in the world, which was approved by RetroROCKET and the [...]

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Meeker Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek

The new ballpark food and unanswered questions

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

Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane

Friday, 25 March 2011

Wine Word of the Week: Custom crush facility

This week?s Wine Word of the Week is custom crush facility. Official definition from Jancis Robinson?s The Oxford Companion to Wine: Custom crush facility is an American term for a winery specializing in vinifying grapes on behalf of many different vine-growers, typically those without their own winemaking equipment. The various wines are kept separate and [...]

Wine Word of the Week: Custom crush facility was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

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Buehler David Bruce Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro

A ?Zinful? Experience

Last Saturday I was lucky to be able to attend the Zinfandel Festival at Fort Mason in San Francisco. ZAP, The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers celebrates Zinfandel America?s Heritage Grape and is dedicated to preserving the history of Zinfandel through the Heritage Vineyard at UC Davis. It is the largest single varietal tasting [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=36

Nebbiolo Barbera Tempranillo Dolcetto Malbec

Presidential Suite at The Plaza, New York ? where dreams merge with reality

The Plaza, New York, occupies an esteemed position among the world?s top notch luxury hotels because of its Presidential Suite. It offers you the most luxurious and beautiful retreat while you are away from the comforts of your home. The suite costs $15,000 per night. The Presidential Suite sprawls across the entire eighteenth floor of [...]

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Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley

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

Viognier Roussanne Marsanne Albariño Pinot Blanc

Zinfandel Tasting at Fort Mason in San Francisco: Win Tickets

Over 250 wineries will be pouring Zinfandel wines between 2 pm and 5 pm at the Herbst and Festival Pavillions at Fort Mason. These tickets have a value of $70 each and here is how you can win a set of two tickets.
Continue reading

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/zinfandel-tasting-at-fort-mason-in-san-francisco-win-tickets/

Buehler David Bruce Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro

Listage : OC Resto Serves Lion; How Radiation Gets Into Food/Water

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/03/25/oc_resto_serves_lion_how_radiation_gets_into_foodwater.php

Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz Zinfandel Grenache Sangiovese

Helping Japan, with sake and support

My wife and I were in Tokyo on September 11, 2001, preparing to come home the next day. Needless to say, our return was delayed. During that extra time in Japan, so many locals expressed their sympathy and condolences to us for what had happened in the US. The tragedy in Japan over the past [...]

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Nebbiolo Barbera Tempranillo Dolcetto Malbec

The Nose Smells the Truth in Wine

A bullet dodged doesn’t mean a kill shot isn’t in the clip and that’s my fear with HR1161.

With this week’s introduction of House Resolution 1161(HR1161), the horse has left the barn a second time, and the issue at hand is not just the potential loss of rights related to the sale and purchase of wines from wineries and retailers from outside of the state of your residence; it’s also the fact that not enough wine consumers care.

From a wine industry perspective, aside from facing the very real frontal assault on shipping rights, more propitiously, the industry may realize the deficiencies they face amongst the ranks of their consumers.  The deficiency is a lack of sensory understanding and palate training, a wholly different, but controllable factor separate from the vagaries of lobbyist influenced three-tier protectionism.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

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When you consider the increasing number of consumers that are drinking wine (U.S. per capita consumption grew for the 17th straight year in 2010), and recent Wine Market Council research that indicated one in five US adults over the age of 21 are “core” wine drinkers (drinking wine at least once a week and accounting for over 90% of wine consumed), understanding the sensory characteristics in wine while developing your palate, in my opinion, is not only a critical need, but also the lone separating point in between those that are “wine-inclined” and those that are harder-bitten “wine enthusiasts” in the same “core” category.

Frankly, the domestic wine business needs to convert many of the “wine-inclined” into more of the “enthusiasts,” a fact that is often overlooked because of the rosy growth over the last two decades.  Here’s why:  Wine enthusiasts are likely to pursue their interest in matters of the grape by conscientiously developing their palates, acquiring knowledge, staying abreast of issues, and, most importantly, seeking out unique, small wines that aren’t available in their grocery store aisle, teasing out characteristics of the wine that makes it special to them while advocating for its availability in the process.

The “wine-inclined,” on the other hand, are likely to enjoy wine as a preferred quaff over other beverage choices or for lifestyle reasons, not delving into the minutia.

While there is nothing wrong with being simply, “wine-inclined” the ramifications are more dangerous for the industry writ large: The more you know, the more you care.  In order to “know,” it’s helpful to analyze wine with a deeper sense of what you’re drinking.  Yet, sensory understanding and training your palate takes effort; effort that nobody has made easy for wine consumers leaving a wide swath of drinkers who swill the stuff, but don’t necessarily understand or care about the issues associated with it like HR1161 and niggling details about backdooring consumers to protect the interests of wholesalers.

No, the “wine-inclined” find enough of what they need at their grocery store, big box retail, or their local wine and liquor store. 

Given that there are approximately 230 million adults in the US and simple math indicates that 46 million are (or should be) core wine drinkers, the wine consumer advocacy site Free the Grapes! has but 13,000 fans on Facebook. Sad, but true and one can only suspect that relatively few of these 46M “core” wine drinkers would feel the impingement of reduced access to wine that HR1161 represents.

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While this is great for the large wine companies and the distributors they work with, it’s bad for the small wineries and the small cadre of enthusiasts who seek out the interesting beyond their state borders—the same people that intuit and appreciate the sensory aspects of said wine.

Solutions do exist to the sensory training issue, however.  Le Nez du Vin, roughly translated to, “The nose of wine” is the French olfactory-based palate training tool that contains 54 vials of commonly found aromas in wine.  On the market for over 30 years, it continues to be one of the most valuable wine education tools available…that nobody buys.  At $400, I’ve never met a single person that owns one or has even used one.  Because of the delta in between Le Nez du Vin’s dollar cost and perceived intrinsic value, there continues to be a significant market need for somebody to develop an inexpensive, easy, scent-based way to make palate training easier. 

All this is interesting context for an upstart technology company based in Silicon Valley called Scent Sciences.

Launched to market in January of this year, Scent Sciences has an aroma generating product called ScentScape™ that works with their software and strives to add an extra dimension of scent to in-home gaming, entertainment and other consumer markets. A small tabletop product, it plugs into your computer or anywhere there is a USB port, bringing to life, “Smell-o-vision” something that has long been a cultural reference point on cooking shows, as-in, “Boy, I wish you could smell this.”

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Imagine watching a movie with a birthday party scene and having the wafting scent of birthday cake and ice cream hit you, creating a multi-dimensional immersive experience.  Or, if you’re playing a video game that has a battle scene, imagine smelling the stench of burnt rubber, gunpowder and smoke.  You get the idea.  And, more importantly, the technology is aimed squarely at a mass consumer audience ($69.99) and runs from a PC with the ability for consumers to customize scents to their own video editing as well as a software developer’s kit for third-parties to customize and enhance.  Scent Sciences’ web site indicates that applications for Facebook, YouTube and other online experiences are in the pipeline making a scent-laden media experience in your home a not too distant reality.

This immediately smacks me as a tremendous opportunity for the wine business.  Instead of smelling a forest whilst watching Avatar, I want to smell forest floor and mushroom and violets and beet juice while reading about Pinot Noir.  I want to smell mint and dust while fine tuning my Rutherford Cabernet chops.

I suspect many others would, as well, if it were easier and cheaper to do so.  Hopefully, ScentScape™ has a wine drinker on staff and understands the market potential.  Or, ideally, a wine industry insider with some programming skills can run with the software developer’s kit, helping convert millions of the “wine-inclined” into enthusiasts with easy to use education.

In the meantime, we struggle.  The industry struggles with mounting enough support to fight off threats while a small band of passionate wine enthusiasts look over their shoulder for infantry support.

In a society that always wants to blame somebody else for their self-interested motives, the wine business and, by extension, its consumers, need to look in the mirror and blame their own benign neglect in not nurturing a deeper concern for the sensory evaluation of wine, as well – the umbilical tie to deeper pursuit of the grape.

In regards to HR1161, I’m not saying that vested wine parties will get what they deserve, but we may sleep in the bed that has already been made, the scent of clean cotton not included.

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

Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay