Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/test-kitchen-video-tip-choosing-a-bread-wash.html
Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement
In my humble opinion, there are three types of tourists who travel to the Napa Valley to visit tasting rooms. There is the “newbie” who’s had no experience in the rituals of the tasting room and thinks the Napa Valley … Continue reading →
The post Right way to wine taste in the Napa Valley appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/right-way-to-wine-taste-in-the-napa-valley/
Me (left) with Wine Spectator Senior Editor James Molesworth |
Wine Spectator Senior Editor James Molesworth (left) with Dan Kosta from Kosta Browne (right) |
Me (left) with Wine Spectator Executive Editor Thomas Matthews (right) |
Viognier Theme for WBW78 originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/SaN6i1INvI8/
Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2013/04/07/blue-ostrich-2011-roussanne/
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/dLfNv2Jzzxw/
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/41/2007-sauternes-barsac/
Odds and ends from a life lived through the prism of the wine glass…
The Power of Intent in Biodynamic Wine
I wrote a heady post in September about Biodynamic wine. The story is too complicated to summarize here (link to post), but one of the things that I touched on (and that interests me on an ongoing basis) is the notion of “intent” in the vineyard particularly as it relates to viticultural quality and Biodynamic preparations.
They say that you can taste “love” in a food dish, so, while not scientifically quantifiable (at least not yet), it stands to reason that extra attention and loving preparation with BioD preps. might have a positive benefit on the vines and subsequently the wines.
This notion of intent isn’t my idea; I culled it from Voodoo Vintners, Katherine Cole’s Biodynamic-related book published earlier this year (she has a different supposition about ‘intent’ than I do). A passage from the book notes, “The belief is that the preparations aren’t merely herbal treatments for plants; they’re carriers of the farmers’ intentions, which have been swirled into them through the powerful act of stirring. While it isn’t a requirement for Demeter certification, intention is that little bit of witchcraft that separates the most committed practitioners from the unbelievers.”
My point in September and my point now is that “intent” isn’t witchcraft, its science – science that is still emerging and not completely understood.
To that end, I read an incredible, eye-opening, mind-bending article in the current issue of Time magazine about a new technology device called the BodyWave. An iPod sized device, the BodyWave is based on electroencephalography (EEG), the study of how brain activity excites neurons to emit brain waves that travel the central nervous system and can be measured.
So, here’s the thing. Not only can this BodyWave device measure the fluctuations in the brain’s electrical activity, but when connected to a computer it can perform functions based on brain waves.
It’s a holy crap moment to realize that by focusing brain activity somebody can shut off a valve in a nuclear power plant, via computer, with the power of their mind, as elaborated on in the article.
The full Time magazine article is subscriber-protected (darn publishers that try to run a business…), but the intro. to the article is available here.
I’m a liberal arts guy, as far removed from science as one can get by education, vocation and lifelong learning interest, but I do have the ability to suspend my disbelief and it seems likely to me that in 10 years’ time the Biodynamic conversation is going to be around an entirely different set of conversational conditions than the current ‘bunkum vs. belief’ precept that we have now.
On Knowledge
I’ve never reconciled the “demystify” vs. “knowledge frees you” debate as it relates to wine. Many will say that wine is needlessly overcomplicated for the average consumer and the arcane aspects act as a barrier to entry.
Well, sometimes you find defining wisdom in the unlikeliest places.
Scott Adams, the creator of the cartoon Dilbert, noted in a blog post recently what I’ve thought, but have never been able to say quite so eloquently.
Indeed, you are what you learn. You don’t have to know much about wine to drink it, but it sure makes it that much more enjoyable if you lean into the door…
Thanksgiving Wine Recommendation
Thanksgiving is the wine world’s national holiday. I get that. It’s my favorite holiday, too. But, the attendant wine pairing articles are exhausting. Does it really matter what you drink with Thanksgiving dinner? Nope. If it did, somebody, anybody would care that I’ll be having Sparkling Rose, German Riesling and New Zealand Pinot, but, really, nobody cares. At the end of the day, the below picture encapsulates what really matters when picking a wine for Thanksgiving (Hint: Focus on the food).
It Was a Good Week for Lot18
My eyes bugged out like a virgin at a nudist camp when I saw that Lot18 secured $30M in additional funding. That money coupled with clarification from the California Alcohol Beverage Control (CA ABC) on some wonkiness in legalities, means the first week of November 2011 will go down as a watershed moment for Lot18.
Perhaps equally interesting to me is a passage noting, “Radical Transparency” in an email sent to Lot18 members from Lot18 (ostensibly founder Phillip James). The email noted:
As Lot18 moves into its second year of existence, our goal is to ensure that, with more money in the bank and compliance questions behind us, Lot18 can continue to deliver on its responsibilities to our suppliers and to our members alike. We must hold ourselves accountable to ensure we maintain trust with everyone who produces and consumes goods offered by Lot18.
We do this through a policy called Radical Transparency, which simply involves sharing more than was once considered wise. We believe in this because it drives our focus and ensures that all of our employees and our members feel that they have a role in shaping our future. Together we can create a service that will not only help you find great value, but also encourage you to spread the word to friends and family so that they may also share in the delight.
We’re all aware of “transparency” as an online buzzword the last several years. It’s a word that has been co-opted, commoditized and rendered meaningless, as well. It seems, transparency is really code word for faux sincerity and empathy and that makes adding the modifier of “Radical” to transparency all the more interesting.
These days, every new business success story comes with hagiographic mythologizing and I wouldn’t be surprised if, in this area, “Radical Transparency” is where Lot18 stakes their claim. After all, culture and customer service is already taken by Zappos.
Yet, radical transparency isn’t a new concept either. If you’re interested in seeing how a hedge fund called Bridgewater Associates (founded by Ray Dalio) has codified a brutally honest feedback loop see this profile piece from New York magazine and Dalio’s 123 page “Principles” document (worth the read).
Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/field_notes_from_a_wine_life_autumnal_equinox_edition/
With passion he talks about how terroir gives meaning and life to a bottle of wine. Its uniqueness is the result of the soil, climate, the vineyard grower and the winemaker. It is about the caring of the soil and the vines that imbue a special quality to the wine. Continue reading →
The post Is the Napa Valley ?Into Wine?? appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/is-the-napa-valley-into-wine/
At the conclusion of the 2013 Wine Bloggers Conference in Penticton, British Columbia, on Saturday, June 8th, it was announced that Santa Barbara wine country has been selected to host the 7th annual North American Wine Bloggers Conference for 2014. … Continue reading →
The post Santa Barbara wine country will host wine bloggers in 2014 appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/santa-barbara-wine-bloggers-2014/
One of the popular features on this site is the challenge of the “impossible food-wine pairing.” But while we often focus on the virtues of sparkling wine with zany foods, there’s one that a classic 80s commercial told us about: Riunite! Today, a blast from wine advertising’s past. While the refrain of “Riunite, on ice” [...]
The post Riunite, so nice appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/sn654wFzk2A/
Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
Of course the main reason for traveling to the Napa Valley is wine tasting and touring. In this video see why these five wineries are fun and exciting and offer the tourist a special experience. Choose one or more for a great time in the Napa Valley. Continue reading →
The post Five fun things to do in the Napa Valley in April appeared first on Napa Valley Wine Blog.
Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/five-fun-things-to-do-in-the-napa-valley-in-april/
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/0KjB-LdU1U0/
White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/pitcIK5Pb3s/
A bit of housekeeping: Sadly and strangely, Google is ending the service known as Google Reader today. The thinking is that in this social media era, people get their news from Twitter and Facebook more than feeds. Yet 17,425 people subscribe to this site’s feed. Here’s an article from Slate that suggests how to find [...]
The post Google Reader is dead, long live feeds appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/R828JeHkTo0/
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/xlBmnnqwmGo/jim-cowans-2013-tasting-notes
Champagne Sparkling White Wine Rose Alex. Vall. Vyds Andrew Murray
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/J_yyY9JMYN8/season-over
Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/tastecamp-eastbloggers-arrive-in-the-finger-lakes/
Vintage 2013 has been a wet one with flooding across many European wine regions. Today, however, a particularly severe storm dumped hail and lots of rain on parts of Burgundy. Caroline Parent Gros, who makes wine in the region, tweeted “So far, what we see in the vineyards of Pommard, Beaune & Savigny is, at [...]
The post Storms ravage parts of Burgundy today appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/CdD5UF9S89Y/
One of the popular features on this site is the challenge of the “impossible food-wine pairing.” But while we often focus on the virtues of sparkling wine with zany foods, there’s one that a classic 80s commercial told us about: Riunite! Today, a blast from wine advertising’s past. While the refrain of “Riunite, on ice” [...]
The post Riunite, so nice appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/sn654wFzk2A/
Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio SĆ©millon GewĆ¼rztraminer
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/jllzYcfa3BY/
Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/40/tasting-notes-berlin-tasting/
Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio SĆ©millon GewĆ¼rztraminer
Celebrity wines have proliferated in recent years. In fact, so has celebrity everything from books to cookware. We are in the era of the brand extension! So it was no surprise to see headlines this spring that the revamped Chateau Miraval ros�, from the provencal estate of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, had “sold out [...]
The post The Brangelina ros�: did the trade misjudge? appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/bXYsNLz2DoE/
Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/40/tasting-notes-berlin-tasting/
One of the popular features on this site is the challenge of the “impossible food-wine pairing.” But while we often focus on the virtues of sparkling wine with zany foods, there’s one that a classic 80s commercial told us about: Riunite! Today, a blast from wine advertising’s past. While the refrain of “Riunite, on ice” [...]
The post Riunite, so nice appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/sn654wFzk2A/
Bodegas del Rosario Monastrell vineyards in Bullas |
Hard to complain about anything with this one. |
Look for an upcoming vintage of this at Wegman's for $5.99 |
Solid. A crowd pleaser. |
Not quite available in the US, but soon! |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/b03svsBkbGc/five-recommended-spanish-roses.html