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Sunday, 31 July 2011
The Return on Investment of Wine Education
… or why “consumers need more wine education” is wrong It would appear to be widely accepted in the wine trade that if only consumers knew more about wine, the more, better (and higher profit) wines they’d buy. “Consumer Education” in the form of brochures, seminars, events, newsletters, websites, apps, social networks, trips etc, form [...]
Current Releases from Cedergreen Cellars
Winemaker Kevin Cedergreen founded Cedergreen Cellars, located in Kirkland, Washington, in 2002. He grew up on an orchard in eastern Washington. After college, he worked as a landscape architect in Seattle. In the mid-90?s, Kevin and his wife decided it was time for a change, and they wanted to do something that would allow them [...]
Current Releases from Cedergreen Cellars 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/MPbOllgzRD8/
The wines from Pierre Usseglio I
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/
A Day in Rutherford?s Dust
Interestingly, when the wines were unveiled we learned that the first flight of wines were all from the eastside of the Rutherford AVA and presented from south to the north. The second flight represented wines made from vineyards on the westside from north to south.
Continue reading
Continue reading
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/a-day-in-rutherfords-dust/
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Another Wine.com Deal: $30 for $60
Zulily - who offers "Daily Deals for Moms, Babies, and Kids" is offering this deal:
$30 for $60 from Wine.com
Sale ends 6/20 at 6am pdt
Keep in mind - as with previous Wine.com vouchers offered by group buying/deal sites the voucher cannot be used towards shipping. The first bottle usually costs around $12 to ship which diminishes the 50% off nature of the offer. But it's still a good deal I think - even with Wine.com's often higher-than-average prices. Especially if you've signed up for their Steward Ship shipping program.
Happy Father's Day!
PS The $35 for $70 from Eversave is active through the end of the day on Father's Day. Check that one out too if you missed it the first time around.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/KP_Al1CT6lE/another-winecom-deal-30-for-60.html
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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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.
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Event Report: 2011 Wine Spectator Grand Tour Boston
Prior to the event I wrote down a cheat sheet of wines I wanted to taste. I didn't think I'd actually get a chance to try all the wines especially after reading Wine Spectator Tim Fish's blog post from the Las Vegas event. At tastings like these lines usually get long and I end up going wherever the crowds aren't. However I was pleasantly surprised the lines for even the marquee wines weren't too long at all. I was able to try everything on my list and then some.
The event provided an excellent opportunity to taste some of the great wines of the world. I bumped into Phil Minervo from Lower Falls Wine Co who coached me to taste through wines in their peer group rather than jumping around.
Bordeaux
What better place to start with a fresh palate than Bordeaux?
With my souvenir Riedel tasting glass in hand I made my first stop at the 2004 Chateau Margaux table (93WS/$220 release price). I thought the wine had incredible texture, was made in a serious style, and had a long finish. Next up: 2004 Cos d'Estournel (94WS/$80). I've always eyed that wine as attainable top-quality Bordeaux. I thought it was very elegant in style:
Side note: The size of the pours, even for these expensive wines, provided an ample opportunity for assessment. In Massachusetts, a sample of wine poured at a tasting cannot legally exceed 1 ounce and most vendors were pouring right at that mark.
Italy
Next up was Italy to taste some Barolo and Tuscan reds. The 2006 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata Torriglione (92WS/$265) was beautiful - and stunningly aromatic:
Pinot Noir
Even though I was spitting as much as I possibly could, I was parched after tasting so many Bordeaux and Italian wines.
I took a break then made a bee line for the Kosta Browne table where Managing Director of Marketing & Sales Sam Lando was pouring. Perhaps more than any domestic winery I was pleased to see them there. They seem to have little trouble selling through their wines and it was a pleasure to taste the 2009 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (NYR). Beautiful stuff - my wine of the night. At 14.5% alcohol they seem to have found ways to bring the alcohol levels down slightly while maintaining their rich mouth feel and delicious flavor profile.
Nearby, Adam Lee was pouring his 2009 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (92WS/$29). I liked this wine quite a bit more than his 2009 Russian River Valley bottling I tried earlier this year and will seek out the SLH for future purchase. It's a winner.
Oregon was also well represented. Sokol Blosser was pouring their 2008 Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills (90 WS/$38). I love how distinctly vibrant their wines are across every recent vintage and bottling - fabulous. The 2008 Bergstrom Pinot Noir (93WS/$78) showed how you're rewarded for spending more in Oregon Pinot Noir.
Napa Cabernet
Looking back I can't believe some of the Napa Cabs I passed up. The 2007 Robert Mondavi Reserve was there and I didn't make it a priority to taste it. What was I thinking? I very much enjoyed the 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (94WS/$130). It was only outdone by the 2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia (94WS/$200). Love everything about that Insignia with its rich mouth feel and generous fruit-driven flavor profile. For my palate, it's absolutely delicious without going over the top. Cliff Lede was pouring their 2007 Poetry (91WS/$150). Beautiful bottle. Nice wine.
Wandering Around
The wineries were generous with their selections. Michael Twelftree from Two Hands was pouring their 2007 "Zippy's Block" Single Vineyard Shiraz (91WS/$110). Catena Zapata brought their 2007 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec (96WS/$120). For wineries like these (which I've heard of tasted their wines before) it was nice to be able to try some of their lower production bottlings.
What was advertised as a light buffet turned out to be quite substantial. Buffet stations and seating areas outside the ballroom provided a break from the action. Plenty of bottles of Acqua Panna and Pelligrino aided in hydration.
Several people I ran into at the event called it "the best wine tasting I've ever been to." I agree with them. The combination of high quality wines, manageable crowds, and the overall experience made it an event I'd look forward to attending again. It was the kind of thing I'd really enjoy going with some friends, attending the event, going to dinner afterwards, and spending the night at the hotel.
More than anything the tasting provided a way to taste some of the great wines of the world and get a feel for their flavor profiles. I can read tasting notes all day but until I get a chance to experience wines myself it's hard to know what I'll like. Because of this I find tastings like this really valuable. I learn a lot and can focus my wine exploration in new directions.
Disclosure: I attended on a free blogger pass.
Further Reading: A review of the event from The Passionate Foodie
Further Reading: A review of the event from The Passionate Foodie
Question of the Day: Have you been to a Wine Spectator tasting in the past? What are some of the best wine tastings you've ever been to? What made them so enjoyable?
Friday, 29 July 2011
Beet salad: impossible food-wine pairing?!?
Beets are contentious. Not because one variety can be made into sugar cubes or ethanol. But because some people don’t like them! I was at lunch with a friend who has fine taste when a beet salad appeared. And a zinfandel. He didn’t touch the beets. I asked him if it was the unflattering pairing [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/qa-ngMoJwuY/
Changes??..Coming
I haven’t been around here to write in some time, but things are going to be changing a bit on this blog. To start, at Uncorked Ventures we are launching our own official company blog which should allow me to use this space to talk in depth about other factors in both my personal and [...]
Source: http://winewithmark.info/archives/634
Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds Andrew Murray Arrowood
An update on the ASUS Transformer in action
I’ve had the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer for a little longer now, and it was time for an update on what I’ve been enjoying as I have had lots of conversations in the wine business with people who have been interested in its potential. I also see that Simon Woods is doing the same. Overall, [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/qj6kGvFFGBs/
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Robert Mondavi Day
Today marks what would have been Robert Mondavi’s 98th birthday, a day before Father’s Day, which is symbolic in its own right not only for the paternal leadership Mondavi provided to the wine industry, but also the lessons he imparted upon his children, the heirs to his legacy, faithfully carried on.
On a recent visit to Indianapolis, at an Italian restaurant that belies its location, tucked between a Junior Achievement and a Wal-Mart in a part of town in need of gentrification, I had lunch with Bob’s son Tim and his sister and partner in Continuum Estate, Marcia Mondavi Borger.
We would dine that day in early April at Capri Ristorante—the progeny of an Indianapolis institution, Amalfi, both opened by Arturo Dirosa who strives to bring the ‘Old Country’ to Indianapolis. Amalfi was Robert Mondavi’s favorite Indianapolis restaurant. He was simpatico with Arturo’s authentic Italian way.
It’s perhaps appropriate that even when they’re not trying, the younger Mondavi’s honor legacy and relationships.
I expected to join a large group of people, maybe a dozen I figured, some distributor hanger-on’ers, a retailer or two and a couple of writerly types. Color me surprised (and a little bit nervous) when I found out I was their only guest.
I’m not much of a star-gazer. Michael Jordan, Frank Sinatra, Lou Holtz and, well, the Mondavi’s are the only people, aside from my own parents, that I put on a pedestal worthy of exemplary admiration.
As Tim held court with Marcia acting as the conversational re-direct when Tim strayed too far afield, as he’s wont to do, we had a delightful lunch that typified why Robert Mondavi, and by extension his family, are my wine touchstone.
Utterly free of any pretense, affable, focused on wine that exhibits where it’s grown, reaching for the pinnacle in quality, a part of the table, family-focused, and exhibiting a sensibility that is concerned with helping your neighbor and doing the right thing, there’s a lot to like about the Mondavi tradition as its carried on by Tim, Marcia and their brother, Michael, a fact that I’ll explore in greater depth in a future column.
While carrying on the family legacy is important, as they’re all involved in new projects, never far from thought though, I imagine, is the sheer impact that their father had on the industry they inherited. By donating over 40 boxes of the elder Mondavi’s papers to UC Davis this week, in a small way, they ensure that Robert Mondavi’s thoughts and ideas, as captured in his ephemera, is accessible in the widest manner possible for the wine industry’s future. I’ve appended a couple of examples below – some personal notes on business and a speech to the Wine Institute circa 1981.
To Robert Mondavi, let us raise a glass of wine in honor of him on this day, what is quickly becoming a national wine holiday.
Salute!
Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/robert_mondavi_day/
New Napa Valley Welcome Center ? Action Packed
The Napa Valley Welcome Center just opened up shop in the Riverfront Properties in downtown Napa. Somebody did it right at the Legendary Napa Valley, the organization that sponsors this center. It truly is a welcoming center and once you take a peek inside you just want to explore. Continue reading
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/new-napa-valley-welcome-center-%e2%80%93-action-packed/
Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio Sémillon
Two Value-Play Winners From Pricey Catogories: Burgundy and Barbaresco
Buy a half-case or more at Wine Chateau and get 1/2 off shipping with code "wellesley54"
I thought to myself: I usually taste a new wine every day, why don't I write about each of them?
The reason I don't blog every day is because in spite my unrelenting efforts to triangulate professional ratings, low prices, and availability, many wines I try are just "good" or "very good" and don't seem worthy of telling people about.
I try to find interesting stories in wines and relate recommendations that are relevant and interesting. But sometimes I think I should just knock out a post and move on. This is just blogging after all.
With that in mind here are a couple of winners I came across tonight:
2007 Domaine Pierre Janny Bourgogne Blanc Echavon
About $12
The other day I was in Bin Ends picking up some 2003 Albino Rocca Brich Ronchi they had at a great price. Dan Kline asked me if I ever drink white wine. I would have enjoyed a long conversation on the subject but in the interest of time I said "not really" and left it at that.
The reality is I'm often disappointed with white wines and even if I end up liking them I don't look forward to opening them. A few months ago I stopped in and asked for a recommendation in the tricky white Burgundy category. This wine was that recommendation.
I cringed as I opened it thinking it was going to be limited aromatically. However, the wine was an absolute delight to drink. There's no way I would have pegged this as French if I tasted it blind. Such a nice tropical aromatic nose but as you taste it, it reigns in its gregarious nature. Green apples on the palate and a touch of acidity. Perhaps the best thing I liked about it was the linear enjoyable aftertaste - it avoided the quirky flavor markers so many domestic Chardonnays seem to display.
A stunning and pleasant surprise.
I've heard "If you think you found a cheap Burgundy - you probably found a cheap Burgundy." Maybe that applies mostly to reds?
Purchased at: Bin Ends Wine
91/100 WWP: Outstanding
2007 Col Dei Venti Tufo Blu Barbaresco
$31 Release Price
My interest in Barbaresco continues to evolve, and along the way I've been comparing notes for the highly regarded 2007 vintage from The Wine Advocate's Antonio Galloni and Wine Spectator's newly minted Piedmont editor Bruce Sanderson.
Galloni used to pen Piedmont Report and I've found his reviews on Italian wines to be useful. Sanderson's coverage of the region started just recently. In comparing their notes on the 2007 Pelissero Barbaresco Nubiola I found better alignment with Sanderson than Galloni however:
Where's the fruit? I realize this is super-young but I've got to favor WS's opinion over WA on this one. I think Bruce Sanderson nailed it: "Dense and austere in flavor, with a muscular structure dominating any fruit."
Compare this with Galloni's note: "caresses the palate with layers of round, sumptuous fruit. This is a more generous, enveloping style than the Tulin, and shows just an extra touch more depth. Dark red fruit, sweet spices".
Sweet spices? Sumptuous fruit? You've got to be kidding me. This wine is dark, brooding, and austere. It's more like a Barolo than a Barbaresco.
Props to Sanderson for good work in his rookie season covering Piedmont. I'll pay attention to his notes going forward.
The 2007 Col Dei Venti is a wine Spectator's Sanderson thought highly of. At 94 WS/$31 release price it's quite a QPR-bender. Even better if you can snag it for around $25.
The wine is a beauty and incredibly approachable for a young Barbaresco. It's lower in acidity with softer tannins than most Barbaresco I've tasted. It's plush and forgiving.
Flavor wise it's classic Nebbiolo. Each sip starts with light red raspberries and floral aromatics. I noted a striking aroma of Crayola crayons in an elementary school desk drawer. Quite amazing and persistent across a couple glasses. Wow - really interesting.
Purchased at: Wine Connextion
92/100 WWP: Outstanding
So there you have it. Two outstanding wines in categories notorious for being hard to find value.
PS That's our 4 year old in the photo above whining at the dinner table while I took the photo. It was a little bit of a rough night but in the interest of knocking a blog post out - there you have it. :)
Question of the Day: Have you had either of these wines? Let me know what you think of them in the comments if you've had them. If not - have you found any good values in Burgundy or Barbaresco lately?
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Wine-derful
Judges completed the first day of tasting the finest vintages the wine world has to offer at the 70th Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. Stepping into the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts, where judging is taking place, the aroma is musky, flowery, fruity, nutty. Pretty powerful! Judges gather around round tables comparing [...]
How To Pronounce Willamette
One of the dangers of being a wine podcaster is you have to say wine terms and regions out loud. It’s hard enough to keep everything spelled correctly and often over the years I’ve made some embarrassing mistakes on the podcast. But the one that is probably most distressing for me was my butchering of [...]
How To Pronounce Willamette originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/_0EmuKW5OiA/
A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc
Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won?t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week?s selection, the 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc from the Columbia Valley of [...]
A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WinePeeps/~3/hghNtQxuqGc/
Corliss Estates and Tranche Cellars: Livin? Up to the Hype
Corliss Estates and Tranche Cellars burst onto the scene a couple of years ago and almost immediately received high praise from the critics. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, Corliss?s critical acclaim has not been limited to the confines of Washington State. In fact, their goal is to be considered one of the ?grand vins? of [...]
Corliss Estates and Tranche Cellars: Livin? Up to the Hype 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/XiMK6qgML-k/
Pleasure of exploring the natural beauty of Africa from Pezula Resort Hotel
The ultimate holiday destination is redefined in the glorious property of Pezula Resort Hotel situated amidst the tranquil environment in the outskirts of Knysna in South Africa. The scenic beauty of the rocky coastline of the endless deep blue Indian Ocean, the Knysna Lagoon and the high Outeniqua Mountains welcome the guests to explore their [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/pv3jFPEVbCQ/
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Who Will Be The First Wine Blogger Who Raps?
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.
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Monday, 25 July 2011
How To Find Values On A Restaurant Wine List
One of the most stressful moments for a lot of business travelers is not when the client has an objection or asks a difficult question but when they are handed a restaurant wine list. Depending on where you are dining this can be a selection of a few dozen to several hundred choices or even [...]
How To Find Values On A Restaurant Wine List originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/NvbXZpZUqCM/
Is it ?Game on? in the Wine World?
Lord help the wine traditionalists if it is true: Technology entrepreneur Seth Preibatsch suggests that the next decade of digital innovation will be about the, “Game Layer.”
The “Game Layer,” is a dynamic that was introduced to the wine world last week when, within a day of each other, VinTank, a Napa-based digital consultancy, and Snooth Media each announced their own spin on the new, new thing in digital – game-like elements as a part of the wine + online experience; a sort of Farmville meets educational “Atta boy.”
If the announcements didn’t register with you mentally, you’re in good company: Neither press release (here and here) passed the “30 Second Rule”—the law of the PR jungle that says if it’s not understandable in 30 seconds it can’t be that important. Yet, it’s hardly the fault of VinTank or Snooth—it’s just that people are still getting their heads around QR codes and aren’t ready for a potential game-changer (no pun intended) on the order of the, “Game Layer.” However, these developments bear watching even if we’re a good 18 months out from broader awareness.
To date, your experience with online games is probably stratified into three categories:
• Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo
• A glancing familiarity with World of Warcraft (and the pale, sunken-eyed souls who play it)
• The annoyance of Farmville or Mafia Wars on Facebook (Initiated by the kid you never talked to in high school who inexplicably friended you up and now spams your email inbox with Farmville crap)
What’s emerging beyond that (and social networking), driven by the growth of digital marketing and smart phones in the mobile space, is the incorporation of elements of gaming into our daily interactions and information consumption.
To understand this, it’s helpful to understand some of the terminology:
Game Layer: An opaque term that Preibatsch, the precocious 22-year old founder of a tech company called SCVNGR, uses to define the next wave of innovation this decade, a philosophy that he thinks is far more revolutionary (and he is far more apt to profit from) than the previous decade that was marked by the, “Social Layer” i.e. social networking. The “Game Layer” suggests that all of our interactions (what we do and why we do it) can be influenced by game mechanics.
Game Mechanics / Game Dynamics: The universal law(s) that is inherent in gameplay – from Old Maid to Monopoly to online. This story lists 47 game dynamics that SCVNGR follows in its client efforts.
Game Theory (from Answers.com): A mathematical method of decision-making in which a competitive situation is analyzed to determine the optimal course of action for an interested party, often used in political, economic, and military planning.
Both the VinTank program (called VinPass) and the Snooth program (called Wine Rack) are similar in nature and use a “Game Layer” on top of digital wine activity incorporating “Game Mechanics”—offering badges and other digital ephemera-based incentives for performing activities like writing tasting notes or demonstrating knowledge.
As an aside, now is a good time to note that the clichéd saying about Generation Y parental coddling and, “Everybody gets a trophy” is no longer the province of youth soccer leagues. Ahem.
VinPass’ program is chiefly sponsored by the Wines of France and is multi-platform. This means that users at various wine social networking sites like Winelog.net and wine mobile applications like Drync can “unlock” digital badges based on drinking and writing tasting notes related to French wines like Beaujolais, Champagne and wines from regions like the Loire Valley. Additional, real world incentives can be achieved, as well – discounts on purchases of event tickets and such.
Wine Rack by Snooth appears to be a more fully realized program upon launch and offers digital “trophies” to users who read, take quizzes, taste and rate wines at Snooth.com. Their program launches with title sponsorship from Terlato Wines International. Similar to VinPass, users (in an undefined way) can earn tangible rewards like access to tastings and offers from retailers.
Overall, I have mixed feelings about these so-called, “Game mechanics” embedded into otherwise normal digital wine activities.
Wine and digital engagement, in all of its variations, can act as a great democratizing counter-balance against the historical empiricism of the wine elite. However, progress wrought over the last five to six years has a great opportunity to step backwards if game-like elements take hold. A game, inherently, is a zero-sum proposition: there are winner and there are losers. Wine has seen enough of that, no? I wait with bated breath to hear the first braggart that has accumulated 30 digital trophies who then takes to his high horse …
In addition, there’s a seedy underbelly with these “Game mechanics” that isn’t quite simpatico with privacy issues. When Snooth co-founder and CTO Mark Angelillo says the Wine Rack idea was borne out of the notion of, “Give(ing) users a better idea of how they were learning and growing with wine, how they were getting interested in the product and how they were progressing through playing with wine data” my first thought wasn’t, “This is a user benefit” it was, “This is a marketing benefit”—as in: Wouldn’t wine marketers love to buy this sort of information.
Another sore point is that the education a user obtains from reading and going through quizzes on these sites doesn’t have any tangible value. Wouldn’t an inordinate amount of time spent earning a badge be so much more useful if it mapped to a baseline knowledge marker on an actual wine certification? Why, yes, it would.
Despite these initial misgivings, it’s hard to slow down the digital zeitgeist and all indications point to the “Game Layer” and “Game Mechanics” becoming a much more significant and present part of our lives and digital engagement.
If you’re the sort that views life like a competitive chess match, you’re in luck. If you’re an accidental tourist in life who avoids conflict and competition while seeking respite in the calming waters of the wine world, well, maybe there will be a “Trophy” for that in the Game of Wine.
Additional Information
Ed. Note: Preibatsch has the platform to get in front of the so-called “Game Layer” revolution, but McGonigal has the cred.
- TED speech by Seth Preibatsch
- TED speech by Jane McGonigal, Ph.D and author of, “Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World”
- Games People Play: Game Theory in Life, Business, and Beyond by The Great Courses
Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/is_it_game_on_in_the_wine_world/
Sunday, 24 July 2011
A Spitacular Competition!
For three days, our judges swirled, sniffed and spit their way through more than 3,500 wines from around the globe. Today they wrapped up by choosing the best of the best in each category. Results will be available next month, so stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy this compilation of expert spitters:
Value Alert: 2007 Felsina Fontalloro
A while back, a friend introduced me to the 2006 Felsina Fontalloro. I was really impressed with the wine's versatile personality. It's elegant and plays well in a sit down situation, but it's got this incredible fruit-driven nose that's so friendly and appealing. It's hard not to like.
After tasting the 2006 I added it to my shopping list but never saw it come up at a price I couldn't refuse. Fortunately (especially lately it seems) there's always another great vintage right around the corner: The 2007 is even better.
The 2007 is young at this point, but like all great wines it's still enjoyable even if it hasn't fully come together. It's as if the wine is deconstructed into individual components and it's easier to understand now than it will be in a few years. Like watching a golfer's swing in slow motion.
The initial aromas are beautiful sweet fruit. I love the mouthfeel of this wine - it's rich and satisfying but not heavy. Acidity reveals itself on the sides of the tongue. Earthy/leathery flavors. Beautiful finish. So well put together.
It's readily available for around $45 at retail and for as much as I've bashed Italy as being a tough category for value, this wine makes me rethink that sentiment. There are gads of wines in Napa Valley that have no problems declaring themselves value plays north of $50.
I highly recommend this wine and would love to find more wines like it. Let me know in the comments if you have some similar value plays you'd like to share.
2007 Felsina Fontalloro
14% alcohol
3,335 cases produced
$55 release price
A beautifully put together wine that makes me think twice before paying $50+ for domestic wine. Such fresh vibrant fruit on the nose combined with ample acidity, earth and overall balance and deliciousness - this is really a tremendous achievement for a little over $40. Extremely highly recommended.
94/100 WWP: Outstanding
96 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
93 points Wine Advocate
92 points Wine Spectator
Where to buy:
Wine.com
Search for it on wine-searcher.com
Other opinions on CellarTracker
Question of the Day: Have you had this wine or prior vintages? What are some other value plays in this category you'd recommend?
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Berlin Tasting in Copenhagen
Berlin Tasting in Copenhagen" might sound a little confusing? However the Berlin Tasting is a reference to a famous tasting held in Berlin the January 23. 2004. It was held by the Chilean wine producer Eduardo Chadwick from Errazuriz and he had invited 66 wine journalists from all over Europe to taste the best Chadwick wines from Chile against the supernames from Bordeaux and Tuscany. 16 wines were tasted from the vintages 2000 and 2001, among them 2000 Chateau Latour, 2000 Chateau Lafite and 2000 Chateau Margaux.
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/37/berlin-tasting-in-copenhagen/
Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement
Meet your teddy at the eco-resort Southern Ocean Lodge
The third largest island of Australia, the Kangaroo Island nestles the Southern Ocean Lodge in the pristine natural bush land on the cliff of Hanson bay that offers the scenic beauty of the coastline of the wild Southern Ocean while pampering the guests with its organic luxury blended with sophistication. It is a fabulous eco-resort [...]
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Age old forests secure the privacy at the Rebak Island Resort
Blessed with a tranquil ambience, Rebak Island Resort-A Taj Hotel, located on the private secluded beach of the Rebak Island in Malaysia, is the pride of the country because this is the only fully equipped first class Marina in the country. The island is graced with spectacular rocky formations in the lush of some million [...]
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Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio
Friday, 22 July 2011
Creating a Real Voice For American Wine Consumers
Why is it that when states and Congress consider laws and regulations concerning consumer access to wine, the actual consumers are never consulted? Producers are consulted. Restaurants are consulted. Regulators are consulted. And wholesalers are consulted. But never consumers of...
Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s May 28 Release ? Tasting Notes
As another barrage of Californian wines prepares to hit the shelves, the good news is some of them are very good and a couple are exceptional. However, the bad news is they are not cheap. As always, there are several wines to be found that won?t make the wallet wince so please read on. WINES [...]
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Wine Word of the Week: Mesoclimate
This week?s Wine Word of the Week is mesoclimate. Official definition from Jancis Robinson?s The Oxford Companion to Wine: Mesoclimate, a term of climatic scale, is intermediate between regional climate or macroclimate, and the very small scale microclimate. It encompasses the more specific terms topoclimate and site climate, and has largely been replaced both in [...]
Wine Word of the Week: Mesoclimate was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.
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