Thursday 31 July 2014

2007 Medoc 5. Grand Cru Class�

Here you'll find an overview of the ratings of the 2007 Medoc 4. Grand Cru Class�. We have gathered all ratings from Robert Parker, Decanter and Wine Spectator.

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/33/2007-medoc-5-grand-cru-classe/

Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro Caymus Ch. St. Jean

Fake wine first-hand

Last week, a story broke about The White Club, a group with $25k annual dues that staged lavish, wine-centric dinners around the world. We mentioned the fill-and-refill scam in Friday’s post about fake wine. Since then, some details have emerged about the attendees. Jancis Robinson published a post detailing how she had attended three of […]

The post Fake wine first-hand appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/H4MxD-L7Afs/

Loring Lyeth Markham Meeker Mondavi

Certified Open: Tang, Souful Korean Fare Now Serving in Little Tokyo

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/30/tang_souful_korean_fare_now_serving_in_little_tokyo.php

Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement

Patz & Hall Wine Dinner at Legal Harborside

Legal Seafoods is hosting a four-plus-course paired wine dinner featuring Patz & Hall co-founder Donald Patz at their flagship Legal Harborside restaurant in Boston.

I've come to know Patz & Hall's Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir bottling as one of the most reliably outstanding mid-priced California Pinot Noirs. It's fully of vibrant flavor, balanced and elegant, and for my palate always delicious. It retails for $46 but if you can find it south of $35 I'd highly recommend it as a value play. This dinner provides an opportunity to go deeper into Patz & Hall's single vineyard bottlings and explore some wines with age as well.


WHAT: On June 24, Legal Harborside will team up with Donald Patz, Co-Founder & National Sales Director of Patz & Hall, for an exclusive four-plus-course dinner. Founded in 1988, this California winery has a celebrated portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Patz & Hall uses the very best small, family-owned Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards in California with the talented winegrowers who farm these world-class sites. Built on a shared commitment to quality, these partnerships have led to the rich diversity of the wine portfolio, contributing to acclaimed cuv�es and sought-after single-vineyard wines.

The menu will be presented as follows on Legal Harborside?s scenic second level overlooking the Boston Harbor:

HORS D?OEUVRES

Fried Green Tomato, King Crab Salad, Smoked Tomato
Compressed Watermelon, Soy and Yuzu Marinated Tuna, Shiso
Black Bass Crudo, Tear Drop Tomato, Shishito Peppers, Lemon Thyme
Yakitori-style Grilled Octopus, House-made Ponzu, Asian Pear
Patz & Hall Sparkling Wine 2010 


FIRST COURSE

Chilled Corn Soup
Roasted Summer Squash, Lobster Medallion, Opal Basil
Patz & Hall, Dutton Ranch 2012 ? Russian River Valley Chardonnay
Patz & Hall, Alder Springs Vineyards 2003 ? Mendocino Chardonnay


SECOND COURSE

Skate Wing with Gnocchi al Nero
Tomato Confit, Grilled Calamari, Spicy Brodo di Mare
Patz & Hall, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012


THIRD COURSE

Roasted Lamb Loin
Braised Lamb Belly, Baby Artichokes, Graffiti Eggplant, Summer Beans
Patz & Hall, Jenkins Ranch 2012 ? Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Patz & Hall, Hyde Vineyard 2000 ? Carneros Pinot Noir


DESSERT COURSE

Maine Blueberry Tart
Sweet Corn Ice Cream
Patz & Hall, Late Harvest Wine 2011 ? California


WHERE: Legal Harborside at Liberty Wharf
270 Northern Avenue, Boston

WHEN: Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30pm

COST: $135 per person (excludes tax & gratuity)

MORE INFO: Reservation required by calling 617.530.9470 or visiting www.legalseafoods.com.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/33hofZW4KtU/patz-hall-wine-dinner-at-legal.html

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

In Anticipation of Cruising the Rhone River

Source: http://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2014/07/in-anticipation-of-cruising-the-rhone-river.html

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

A Cornerstone Sauvignon Blanc Vertical

A few months ago, our friends at Napa Valley?s Cornerstone Cellars sent out a three-year vertical of their Sauvignon Blanc to selected critics, reviewers and old folksingers. The idea was to demonstrate just how well these age and develop. We had already reviewed the 2009 back around the time of its release, and had quite [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/rAdVWJsxWLI/a-cornerstone-sauvignon-blanc-vertical

Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone

A Wine for Tonight: 2013 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Riesling

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? If so, you might want to check out the 2013 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Riesling from the Central Coast of California. Our selection criteria include: A very good Quality rating […]

A Wine for Tonight: 2013 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Riesling 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/rQBhbI0rYR0/

Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay

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

Caymus Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno

FERMENTATION The Daily Wine Blog is Moving On

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/1jaMbvPkQ7I/fermentation-the-dailly-wine-blog-is-moving-on.html

Sémillon Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier Roussanne

In Anticipation of Cruising the Rhone River

Source: http://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2014/07/in-anticipation-of-cruising-the-rhone-river.html

Pinot Grigio Sémillon Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier

Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s June 7th Release ? Tasting Notes

Australia is the principal feature of the June 7th release. I must confess to not buying a lot from down under recently, but there are a couple of tasty treats to be found. 675223 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN?S RUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 Clare Valley, South Australia $19.95 A little tight at first, but eventually it releases some [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/6ycRwMtba8I/alan-kerrs-vintages-june-7th-release-tasting-notes

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

Telegraph Hill Luxury Robes

If you are looking for a special gift for pretty much anyone, look n further than one of the luxury robes offered by Telegraph Hill. The robe I chose was the Chocolate Seersucker. It is made of 100% miccrofiber, and may be one of the most comfortable garments I have come across. The microfiber was […]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/8rAsIb854UY/

Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone

Wednesday 30 July 2014

Wine In The ?Shark Tank?

Reality TV is all the rage these days but I rarely watch this genre outside of a few cooking competition shows like Top Chef or Masterchef. But I have been hooked this year by ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’. The show’s premise is simple; entrepreneurs pitch their products to a panel of well known investors (‘sharks’) such […]

Wine In The ‘Shark Tank’ originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/Jz5dX6aFuBI/

Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling

The Baristas: Grace & Elizabeth Rhee of Koreatown's BrewWell

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/28/grace_elizabeth_rhee_of_koreatowns_brewwell.php

Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone

ExpansionWire: The Carving Board Landing at Old Tlapazola in West LA

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/25/the_carving_board_landing_at_old_tlapazola_in_west_la.php

La Jota Loring Lyeth Markham

TasteLive Participants: How Are You Engaging and Posting to #TTL ?

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

Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay

2007 St. Emilion Grand Cru Class�

In this post you'll find an overview of the ratings of the 2007 St. Emilion Grand Cru Class� wines. We have gathered all ratings from Robert Parker, Decanter and Wine Spectator.

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/36/2007-st-emilion-grand-cru-classe/

Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay

Blue Bottle Wire: To commemorate its debut in LA,...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/24/blue_bottle_wire.php

Sangiovese Gamay Nebbiolo Barbera Tempranillo

Visiting Tenuta Sette Ponti

Tenuta Sette Ponti vineyards near Arezzo
Before arriving in Italy, I reviewed my tasting notes over the years to survey which Italian wines I'd tasted that I'd like to learn more about. Being more of a new world kind of guy (that is to say wines from anywhere but Europe) the list was short.

In practice, I tasted more benchmark Italian wines at the 2011 Wine Spectator Grand Tour in Boston (full review) than I did most anywhere else so I looked closely at the Italian wines I liked there. One of the more impressive wines I tasted there was the 2008 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno, the $100+ release price flagship wine from Tenuta Sette Ponti.

We were staying just 35 minutes away from the winery so we paired a visit to Tenuta Sette Ponti with a stop at Cortona - the setting for the book and movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". Cortona was great and so was our visit to Sette Ponti.
Sette Ponti Export Manager Stefano Maggini
I always get a feeling I'm in for a good winery visit when the directions include notes about gravel roads and driving over bridges depicted in famous paintings. The one-way Ponte Buriano bridge you cross when driving to Sette Ponti from Arezzo is featured in the Mona Lisa now housed at the Louvre in Paris.
Ponte Buriano (photo credit)
We met with Stefano Maggini, Tenuta Sette Ponti's Export Manager. Sette Ponti derives its name from the seven bridges you'll cross driving between Arezzo and Firenze.

The Moretti family purchased the land in 1950 from the king's family. Antonio Moretti now owns not just Tenuta Sette Ponti in Tuscany but Poggio Al Lupo in Maremma and Feudo Maccari in Sicily.
Old vines, deep roots
The vineyards have a long tradition, but what drew me to Sette Ponti specifically was the international acclaim their wines have earned. Especially Oreno. 90% of the Sette Ponti wines are exported and the United States is their most important market.

It's been Sette Ponti's ability to build off their legacy while embracing the best of modern winemaking techniques that's enabled them to produce wines that can compete on the international stage. Check out this article from Wine Spectator (online subscription req'd) describing how a Sette Ponti consulting winemaker observed the conditions in Italy in the 1980's. Excerpt:
On a visit to a producer in Castellina-in-Chianti, Ferrini suggested crop thinning, a standard viticultural practice that lowers yields in order to increase the quality of the remaining harvest. The proprietor was incredulous. "Cut these vines and drop the grapes on the ground?" he said. "I'd sooner kill my own daughter."
Thanks to Sette Ponti's outstanding vineyards combined with forward thinking viticulture and vinification, their wines compare favorably with the best wines in Italy. But a more relevant comparison from my tasting experience is Bordeaux. For me, Oreno shows best as a serious sit-down wine meant to be savored with indulgent meals on special occasions.
Oreno and Crognolo aging in French oak barriques
Oreno is a blend of Bordeaux varieties. 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot. Although those varieties are familiar to California wine enthusiasts it's therefore surprising how much more accessible (that is to say easily enjoyable) its >90% Sangiovese sister wine Crognolo is.
Oreno and Crognolo - the cornerstone wines of Sette Ponti 
And Crognolo is much more affordable - it carries a release price of just $33 vs. $107 for Oreno.

Crognolo is big on the nose with rich fruit and supporting tar notes. It's fresh with subtle enjoyable toasty oak influence and firm but semi-sweet tannins. Very, very nice. 95 points James Suckling - great call.

I found it for around 17 euro at the supermarket in Italy but it's not much more in the US if you catch it from a discount retailer.
Try the affordable Crognolo, especially for immediate consumption
Don't get me wrong - the Oreno is terrific. Especially if you can catch it on a deal. But for me, for immediate consumption - Crognolo is the discovery here.

We tasted through other wines in the Moretti portfolio. Poggio Al Lupo (perfume,black licorice, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, firm tannins). Orma (situated between Ornellaia and Sassicaia, Merlot/Cab/Cab Franc, very nice, appealing purity of fruit). Good stuff.

And the Feudo Maccari wines from Sicily showing Nero d'Avola's juicy "drink now" characteristics very well. I spotted a great deal from Vino Divino on the Feudo Maccari  Nero d'Avola just yesterday. Definitely check that out if you're in Massachusetts.

Conclusion and Recommendations


Tenuta Sette Ponti was our first winery visit out of four while in Tuscany. It was a fantastic stop and it was great to taste Oreno on-site and compare it to other wines in their portfolio.

Crognolo was the discovery of the visit for me. Sort of the Clio to El Nido price and quality wise. Highly recommend. Find it on CellarTracker and Wine-Searcher.

Oreno is their flagship wine you've got to try. Find it on CellarTracker and Wine-Searcher.

You may notice that both of these wines sell in the US for significantly less than their release price. Especially the Oreno. For example (magnums for $111). I asked Stefano about this and he acknowledged that there's a bit of a grey market for their wines whereby distributors in some countries sell direct to retailers in other countries. My advice: Buy from trusted retailers you can trust who care about he provenance of their wines.

So my recommendations based on this visit is to buy Crognolo for an affordable outstanding Sangiovese, get a taste of Oreno to establish a relatable frame of reference for the great wines of Italy, and explore the other bottlings in the Moretti portfolio.

Check 'em out:

On the web: http://www.tenutasetteponti.it
Follow them on Twitter: @TenSettePonti

Next up: A visit to Casanova di Neri. I'd love it if you subscribed to The Wellesley Wine Press for future updates.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/MCwj4oqQcjs/visiting-tenuta-sette-ponti.html

Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane

Old World vs. New World in More Ways than just the Wine

In the increasingly close quarters of our global village, Europe is responsible for bringing at least three different substantive and prodigious professional wine journals to market over the last several years.  Each is written by a ‘Who’s Who’ of wine experts.  Meanwhile, stateside, the U.S. has experienced an explosion of pithiness with amateur wine writers writing online.

This juxtaposition becomes relevant after reading a recent post titled, “Are wine blogs going tabloid” by professional wine critic and writer Steve Heimoff.  In his brief post, with a decidedly American point of view, Heimoff summarizes his thoughts with the rhetorical query, “Why do certain bloggers revert to sensationalist stories that don’t, in the long run, matter?”

Good question.  The easy conclusion suggests that controversy and hyperbolically bombastic articles lead to attention and traffic. 

Certainly, two recent books that I’ve been reading bear out this discouraging notion:  Newsjacking:  How to Inject Your Ideas into a Breaking News Story and Generate Tons of Media Coverage and Celebrity, Inc.

image

Both books cover similar ground in examining how brands can subvert the 24-hour news cycle for business benefit and how the 24-hour news cycle has been subverted by celebrities using easy technology while leading our news culture into tabloidesque territory.

When considered with Heimoff’s point, it is an easy deduction to suggest that 1 + 1 does in fact equal 2 – the sensational does sell and, by proxy, online amateur wine writers are a reflection of our larger media culture.

However, in suggesting this, there is at least one bigger contextual point being missed as well as a caveat.  First, it’s an exclusive view that doesn’t take in the totality of the global wine media village and second, while sensationalism may sell, the lascivious isn’t always what’s shared.

No, it seems our schadenfreude and more primal instincts are kept private, while our shock and awe comes to the fore, at least according to one study.

The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania recently examined the most emailed articles on the New York Times web site in March of this year (link initiates a PDF download), looking for the triggers for what causes somebody to share an article, what makes one thing more viral than another?

Their conclusion?  Positive content is more viral than negative content, but both, in general, are driven by “activation” – the notion that high arousal (emotive pleasure or outrage) drives shareable content.  According to the research abstract:

Content that evokes either positive (awe) or negative (anger or anxiety) emotions characterized by activation (i.e. high arousal) is more viral.  Content that evokes deactivating emotion (sadness) is less viral.  These results hold (dominance) for how surprising, interesting, or practically useful content is, as well as external drivers of attention.

image

This brings us back to my earlier mention regarding the European wine journals that have come to market in recent years.  Simply, they’re an antidote to the U.S. proclivity for the vapid.

The World of Fine Wine, the family of Fine Wine magazines based in Helsinki and Tong based in Belgium all represent an Old World counterpoint to what can be deemed as the extemporaneous and superfluous coming from the New World.

As Tong publisher Filip Verheyden notes in the Tong manifesto (link initiates a PDF download) :

We live in times of “instant” gratification.  If we want to talk to someone, we pick up our mobile phone wherever we happen to be.  If we want to know something, we click an internet button.  We’re going at 200 km per hour. 

What we seem to forget in this race against time is the trustworthiness of this quickly-acquired knowledge, and that is something we have to find out for ourselves.  But who takes the time to do it? 

…The articles that appear in Tong demand the reader’s attention.  You can’t read them fast and put them away; you have to take the time to understand.  I’d say it takes an evening to read and think about each article.  These are not issues to put in the recycling bin.  Even after five years or more, each will continue to convey the essence of its theme…

The World of Fine Wine and Fine Wine magazine are both similarly endowed with length and verve.

My takeaway based on the Wharton research and the stunning dichotomy between what we’re seeing in the U.S. vs. European wine content is two-fold:

1)  The sometimes sensational aspect of online wine writers, especially domestically, should heed the research and focus their pot-stirring ways on matters that provoke an emotional response from readers, ideally with a positive consequence – like HR 1161 for example instead of tired, lame attempted zingers aimed at Robert Parker.

2)  In addition to a legacy sensibility about the nature and style of wine, the Old World is also drawing a culturally defining line in the sand in how they view and report on wine – it’s with substance, permanence and integrity.

The conclusion is anything but.  However, as the world becomes a smaller place and the U.S. and our wine media becomes a part of the world chorus, losing lead vocal, I would hate for our place in the gallery to be rendered completely voiceless based on a lack of substance which is the seeming trajectory that we’re on. 

It’s just a thought…

If you’re interested in seeing an example of Tong’s long-form think pieces, you can see examples here, here and here.

Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/old_world_vs._new_world_in_more_ways_than_just_the_wine/

Dolcetto Malbec Red Wine White Wine Champagne

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/hello-world/

David Bruce Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro Caymus

Eater Inside: Ogle Grandpa Johnson's Stunning 1940's Interior

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/28/ogle_grandpa_johnsons_stunning_1940s_interior.php

Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio Sémillon Gewürztraminer

Trois Bonanza: Petit Trois Already Gets A Major Upgrade: Wallpaper

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/28/petit_trois_already_gets_a_major_upgrade_wallpaper.php

Andrew Murray Arrowood Beckmen Benziger Beringer, KV

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Union Square Cafe is the latest victim of rentmageddon

A few weeks ago, Wylie Dufresne announced that he had been forced to close his pioneering restaurant WD-50 on the Lower East Side as of 11/30. The reason is that the building will be razed and a new apartment building will go on the site; and said he hoped to reopen elsewhere soon. Then Rouge […]

The post Union Square Cafe is the latest victim of rentmageddon appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/e_c9ctSnku0/

Dehlinger Eno Far Niente Field Stone Firestone

Inaugural Lost Pines Wine Fest 2013- Bastrop, Texas

By Dave & Kelli Potter The Lost Pines Wine Fest, benefitting Bastrop County Boys & Girls club, not only had a beautiful day and weather, but also brought out a good turnout. We were pleased that we could make this event and had a very pleasant time tasting wines from places we have not visited […]

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2013/05/12/inaugural-lost-pines-wine-fest-2013-bastrop-texas/

Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio

Relationships Between Wine Blogs, Ads and Readers

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/wrgQUYapjMc/relationships-between-wine-blogs-ads-and-readers.html

Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli

Announcing Wine Blogging Wednesday 80, Dry Ros�

Back in the the first year of wine blogging (2004 for those just joining us) Lenn Thompson of LENNDEVOURS (now New York Cork Report) made a modest proposal and Wine Blogging Wednesday (WBW) was born. I joined the monthly virtual tasting back at WBW 7 in early 2005 and have continued off and on over […]

Announcing Wine Blogging Wednesday 80, Dry Rosé originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/X__cXo3Az7A/

Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota

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/

Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley

A Life in Wine: Stu and Charles Smith, Smith-Madrone

The Smith Brothers are living legends in Napa Valley. This great interview tells their story. via Hawk Wakawaka Wine Reviews A Life in Wine: Stu and Charles Smith, Smith-Madrone originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

A Life in Wine: Stu and Charles Smith, Smith-Madrone originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/nAKzbE3qYKs/

Albariño Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir

A Public Service Announcement for Wine & Food Lovers

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/gB_DGVP6Hqs/a-public-service-announcement-for-wine-food-lovers.html

Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro Caymus Ch. St. Jean

Farmers' Market is ON for Labor Day

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/farmers_market_is_on_for_labor.html

Andrew Murray Arrowood Beckmen Benziger

EaterWire: Early Bird at Bourbon Steak; Wine Party at Bar Pinxto

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/28/early_bird_at_bourbon_steak_wine_party_at_bar_pinxto.php

Staglin Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara Shafer

Eater Inside: Poppy + Rose, A Cute New Flower District Cafe

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/28/poppy_rose_a_cute_new_flower_district_cafe.php

Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz Zinfandel Grenache

Monday 28 July 2014

Happy Easter from your Wine Peeps

Happy Easter from your Wine Peeps was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

Happy Easter from your Wine Peeps 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/BtdZTRLyl8c/

Cain Cuvee Castoro Caymus Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain

TasteLive Participants: How Are You Engaging and Posting to #TTL ?

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

Zinfandel Grenache Sangiovese Gamay Nebbiolo

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

Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane

Daily Dish gets a new address

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/daily-dish-gets-a-new-address.html

Mondavi Pine Ridge Phelps Pastiche Ritchie Creek Rochioli

OPENING ALERT: McConnell's, Now Scooping and Shaking at GCM

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/28/mcconnells_now_scooping_and_shaking_at_gcm.php

Viognier Roussanne Marsanne Albariño Pinot Blanc

Field Notes from a Wine Life ? Cover Story Edition

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

The Wine Spectator Affect

When I received my November 15th issue of Wine Spectator on October 11th, featuring a cover shot of Tim Mondavi and an feature article on him and his estate winery Continuum, I captured some online research reference points so I could have a baseline to measure the effect that a flattering Wine Spectator cover story might have on a winery in the digital age.

Using Wine-Searcher, CellarTracker and Google Keywords search data to track various data points, the results, while not directly linked to conclusions, do indicate a small bump in interest as a result of the cover piece.

For example, Wine-Searcher data indicates that the average bottle price, an indicator of supply and demand, rose $2 month over month, from $149 a bottle to $151 a bottle.

image

In addition, the Wine-Searcher search rank (always a month behind) indicates that Continuum was the 1360th most popular search in September.  By Friday, November 11th the Continuum search rank had increased to 471st for the month of October. (See the top 100 searches for October here).

Likewise, interest at CellarTracker increased, as well.  The number of bottles in inventory from October 11th to November 11th increased by 177 bottles, likely no small coincidence.

Finally, Google searches increased fivefold from an average of 210 monthly searches to approximately 1000 monthly searches.

What does this all mean?  Good question.  The truth is, a Wine Spectator cover appears to have moved the needle a bit, and while the easy route is to take a righteous Eeyore approach to mainstream media and its blunted impact in the Aughts, as contrasted to what a Spectator cover feature or glowing words from Parker meant just a decade ago, I believe a more tangible takeaway is to realize that these sorts of cover stories don’t happen in a vacuum and that Wine Spectator cover and feature was likely a result of weeks, months or even years’ worth of effort from a PR professional.

In an attention-deficit, social media-impacted, offline/online hybrid world of information consumption with mobile and tablets proliferating, in order to break through to (and ultimately assist) the consumer, the value of the PR professional, an oft neglected part of the marketing hierarchy, in reaching out and facilitating the telling of a winery’s story seems to be more important than ever.

It’s not about press releases, it’s about people supporting and telling the winery story, repeatedly, as a professional function – that leads to media notice, and that leads to 14 cases of wine being sold and inventoried at CellarTracker in a 30-day period of time.  It’s perhaps obvious, but not adhered to.

Wine Labels

To me, a wine bottle is a blank canvas that can either inspire in its creativity or repel in its insipidness.  While I have a reasonably conservative approach to the kinds of wine I want to drink relative to technological intervention, I am unabashedly progressive when it comes to the kind of wine labels that appeal to me.  In support of my interest with wine packaging, I keep an eye on The Dieline wine blog to see what’s happening in wine label design (another example from The Coolist here) and I also pay attention to the burgeoning field of wine label design contests. 

What say you about progressive labels?  Like ‘em?  Loathe them?  I placed a poll to the right.

Below is a slide show of winners from the recent International Wine Label Design competition.

Reconciling the Contradiction

I will lobby the nominating committee of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences on behalf of anybody who can help me understand how it is that in the span of a week I can see multiple research reports (here and here) on a revived sense of fiscal austerity by consumers yet other reports (here and here) indicate that wine above $20 is the fastest growing segment this year.

These two clearly don’t jive with each other, yet I’m witless to understand why wine is “trading up.”  Help! 

 

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

Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio Sémillon Gewürztraminer

Weekend reading from the blogs and beyond

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/weekend_reading_from_the_blogs.html

Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay

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/

Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz

QPR Alert: Best California Pinot Noir value ever?

So I was poking around the Wine Spectator ratings database to see how early reviews for 2012 California Pinot Noirs were trending. For me it's been an inconsistent vintage and a bit disappointing compared to high expectations.

But I spotted a web-only review for a wine I hadn't noticed before. The 2012 Castle Rock Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir was rated 90 points by Wine Spectator. With an $18 release price it's the only sub-$20 California Pinot Noir Wine Spectator has rated 90+ points going all the back to the 2007 vintage.

See also: Cheap Wine Spectator subscription with airline miles

The next closest thing I could find was the 2007 Siduri Sonoma County Pinot Noir at $20/90 points. So going by the numbers this may very well be the best affordable QPR play for California Pinot Noir Wine Spectator has ever offered up.

Although I've had my share of Castle Rock wines in the past (you see it all over the place including Trader Joe's from time to time) I don't think I've ever had one of their "Reserve" wines. Whatever that means. Nonetheless their wines are generally "good" and sometimes "very good" and they're almost always a respectable value.

But this one really has me curious. 90 points for less than $20 in a category I really enjoy drinking? Sold.

See also: Extreme Value - $8 California Pinot Noir

At just 2,600 cases produced expect this one to be possible to find but not necessarily easily. WWP sponsor Liquid Discount has it for $16.95/bottle. Stack it with code WWP7 for 7% off site-wide through April 23rd:

2012 Castle Rock Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir at Liquid Discount

CellarTracker
Wine-Searcher

Question of the Day: Have you had this or other Castle Rock Pinot Noir recently? If so what did you think?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/HP4SzbDHURM/qpr-alert-best-california-pinot-noir.html

St. Clement Staglin Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara

Farmers' market is NOT a Grand Prix casualty

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/farmers_market_is_grand_prix_c.html

Zinfandel Grenache Sangiovese Gamay Nebbiolo

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

Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier Roussanne Marsanne

5 Questions for Thi Tran

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/08/5-questions-for-thi-tran.html

Firestone Fisher Foxen Girard Groth

Sunday 27 July 2014

The Real Reason Wine Bloggers Are Not Relevant To Advertisers

Almost all of us don’t treat blogging as a business. And those few who do find building a community around a wine blog very, very difficult. Without hundreds of thousands of pageviews a month, advertising on blogs of any topic is not a viable business. Source: Typepad Via: FERMENTATION There are are a grand total […]

The Real Reason Wine Bloggers Are Not Relevant To Advertisers originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

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

Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring

Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s May 10th Release ? Tasting Notes

I do not have a lot to report on for this release. Believe it or not, my notes on the wines of Chile and Argentina, the feature of the release for May 10th, are M.I.A. While driving home from the tasting, the weather cleared and the sun came out. Thus I opened my windows and [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/MSMuh4rDaUY/alan-kerrs-may-10th-vintages-release

Eno Far Niente Field Stone Firestone

Wine economics: How much does that bottle cost?

Have you ever wondered about wine economics–what are the costs of a bottle of wine? While the industry, made up mostly of private companies, often keeps margins shrouded in mystery, I spoke with one vintner who broke down the price of barrels, corks, grapes as well as the three tiers for me. And since that […]

The post Wine economics: How much does that bottle cost? appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

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

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz Zinfandel

How About Having a Classy Pack of Beers!

You must know that beer is a drink known to man from olden times and is one of the favourites with most writers. While a number of people enjoy having a less costly and light beer, there are some world?s most luxurious beers also available in the market. One such priciest beer is Brewdog?s ?The […]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/axtfw9lKiz0/

Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz

Switcheroos: The First Blue Bottle in LA Opened Quietly in Downtown

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/21/the_first_blue_bottle_in_la_opened_quietly_in_downtown.php

Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone

Social Media Quick Tip: Tag Your Favorite Wine Brands on Facebook

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

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

Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota

Choose the first photo for the new blog

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/choose_the_first_photo_for_the.html

Dehlinger Eno Far Niente Field Stone Firestone

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/

Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota Loring Lyeth

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

Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley

Commenting is back; farewell Dining@Large

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/commenting_is_back_farewell_di.html

Nebbiolo Barbera Tempranillo Dolcetto Malbec

[Sold out] Quick Deal: 2010 Peay Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Bin Ends (with locations in Needham and Braintree, MA) is offering the 2010 Peay Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir for $38.40/bottle -or- $96 for 3 bottles which averages out to $32/bottle.

Go here to buy the wine

They can ship to MA or hold for in-store pick-up at either location.

As of now there are 39 out of 48 bottles remaining. I'd expect these to be gone within 24 hours.

This is a very nice price for Pinot Noir from a well-regarded terroir-driven producer like Peay.

CellarTracker average is 91.4
Wine-Searcher listings are scarce but they're in the range of $42-$50

It's a 3-bottle buy for me. I can never have enough high quality ~$30 California Pinot on hand.

Subscribe to the WWP to hear about more deals like this
Or follow me on Twitter @RobertDwyer for faster notificiation of deals that sell out quickly

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/YYXxrP6rA70/quick-deal-2010-peay-sonoma-coast-pinot.html

Sangiovese Gamay Nebbiolo Barbera Tempranillo

Saturday 26 July 2014

Will Vente Privee make a success of flash wine sales? Probably

French event sales site Vente Priv�e has added wine sales to its product offering in the UK, and they may be the ones to make this model really work. This felt more like a fashion event than a wine tasting. There’s a reason for that. Instead of the acres of table-tops loaded with glass bottles, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/8d_zTSNbYzE/

Gewürztraminer Muscat Viognier Roussanne Marsanne

Hangover Observations: Finally, A Line for Food Instead of Shoes on Fairfax

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/22/finally_a_line_for_food_instead_of_shoes_on_fairfax.php

Sauvignon Blanc Riesling Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio Sémillon

Social Media Quick Tip: Introduce Your Twitter Team

As you know, social media engagement is all about personal touches.� Remember this when thinking through your social media presence, including Twitter.� As much as possible, introduce and humanize your Twitter team.� Here are a couple of great examples of� brands who have added special touches to their Twitter strategies, going beyond a standard Twitter […]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/social-media-quick-tip-introduce-your-twitter-team/

Castoro Caymus Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger

Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s May 24th Release ? Tasting Notes

Fans of wines from the Cotes Du Rhone will be very happy on May 24th especially folks, like myself, that love great quality wines at reasonable prices. The board sent most of the red wines slotted for the release, made me happy, so read on, free up your credit cards and head to the store [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/Ov09TIz97hU/alan-kerrs-vintages-may-24th-release

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz Zinfandel

Examining Wine Blogging: Responsibility

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/Vh9DCgdAY1M/examining-wine-blogging-responsibility.html

La Jota Loring Lyeth Markham Meeker

The quest for vin glou-glou in California

While the story of the stylistic shift in California winemaking (dubbed, inter alia, the “New California”) is arguably the most exciting story in American wine in the last decade, one aspect has been a stumbling block: price. Particularly as it relates to lower-priced, highly drinkable wines, known variously as vin de soif or glou glou […]

The post The quest for vin glou-glou in California appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/VO-EFZPKLAA/

Far Niente Field Stone Firestone Fisher Foxen

Test Kitchen video tip: Choosing a bread wash

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2012/07/test-kitchen-video-tip-choosing-a-bread-wash.html

Groth Keenan Cab Keenan Chard Kenwood

Up For Grabs: Coco Laurent's Lovely Digs On Sale For $1.5 Million [WITH UPDATE]

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/22/coco_laurents_lovely_digs_on_sale_for_15_million_with_update.php

Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc

Chef Shuffle: Jordan Toft has decamped from Eveleigh...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/25/chef_shuffle.php

David Bruce Buena Vista Cain Cuvee Castoro Caymus

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

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

Veraison in June? Not so fast, in Paso Robles at least.

Source: http://tablascreek.typepad.com/tablas/2014/06/veraison-in-june-not-so-fast-in-paso-robles-at-least.html

St. Clement Staglin Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara

Friday 25 July 2014

Farmers' market is NOT a Grand Prix casualty

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/farmers_market_is_grand_prix_c.html

Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota

Freebie Alert: Grimaldi's in El Segundo is...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2014/07/21/freebie_alert.php

Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz Zinfandel Grenache

Telegraph Hill Luxury Robes

If you are looking for a special gift for pretty much anyone, look n further than one of the luxury robes offered by Telegraph Hill. The robe I chose was the Chocolate Seersucker. It is made of 100% miccrofiber, and may be one of the most comfortable garments I have come across. The microfiber was […]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/vagablond/ysSN/~3/8rAsIb854UY/

Malbec Red Wine White Wine Champagne Sparkling White Wine

Dishonesty and Deception Among Alcohol Partisans

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/rQ4mcjhwWUE/dishonesty-and-deception-among-alcohol-partisans.html

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

TasteCamp East: Voracious Wine Bloggers Taste Throughout the Finger�Lakes

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

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

Girard Groth Keenan Cab Keenan Chard Kenwood

Will Vente Privee make a success of flash wine sales? Probably

French event sales site Vente Priv�e has added wine sales to its product offering in the UK, and they may be the ones to make this model really work. This felt more like a fashion event than a wine tasting. There’s a reason for that. Instead of the acres of table-tops loaded with glass bottles, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/8d_zTSNbYzE/

Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek Talley Whitehall Lane

Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles

About Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles This is one of the latest wineries in Paso Robles (2007) and perhaps the winery with the most breathtaking views. Imagine yourself sitting on these chairs with a glass of wine pondering life. This is about as gorgeous as it gets in any wine country. The winery is situated […]

The post Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles appeared first on Wine Country Getaways.

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/daou-vineyards-paso-robles/

Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak

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/

Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio Sémillon Gewürztraminer Muscat

New season of Masterchef starts tonight

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/new_season_of_masterchef_start.html

Shafer Shafer Firebreak Sinskey Smith Madrone Tablas Creek

G.D. Vajra in Barolo ? ?clean traditionalist?

Giuseppe Vaira was caught in a fight when he was in elementary school. It wasn?t the sort of meet-you-at-the-bike-racks kind of thing. No, it encapsulated what might happen only to the son of a winemaker, or even the son of a Barolo winemaker. He was classmates with two other kids who were also from wine […]

The post G.D. Vajra in Barolo – “clean traditionalist” appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/fDs1a5GZURE/

Zinfandel Grenache Sangiovese Gamay Nebbiolo

Wine economics: How much does that bottle cost?

Have you ever wondered about wine economics–what are the costs of a bottle of wine? While the industry, made up mostly of private companies, often keeps margins shrouded in mystery, I spoke with one vintner who broke down the price of barrels, corks, grapes as well as the three tiers for me. And since that […]

The post Wine economics: How much does that bottle cost? appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

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

Keenan Chard Kenwood Laetitia Lagier Meredith La Jota

Thursday 24 July 2014

Dishonesty and Deception Among Alcohol Partisans

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/rQ4mcjhwWUE/dishonesty-and-deception-among-alcohol-partisans.html

Ch. St. Jean Ch. Souverain Dehlinger Eno

Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles

About Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles This is one of the latest wineries in Paso Robles (2007) and perhaps the winery with the most breathtaking views. Imagine yourself sitting on these chairs with a glass of wine pondering life. This is about as gorgeous as it gets in any wine country. The winery is situated […]

The post Daou Vineyards in Paso Robles appeared first on Wine Country Getaways.

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/daou-vineyards-paso-robles/

Ritchie Creek Rochioli Rosenblum St. Clement Staglin

Wine economics: How much does that bottle cost?

Have you ever wondered about wine economics–what are the costs of a bottle of wine? While the industry, made up mostly of private companies, often keeps margins shrouded in mystery, I spoke with one vintner who broke down the price of barrels, corks, grapes as well as the three tiers for me. And since that […]

The post Wine economics: How much does that bottle cost? appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.

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

Albariño Pinot Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir

Photo Trip Report: Food & Wine in Tuscany

Wine display at Drogheria Franci in Montalcino
We just got back from Italy and I'm pleased to report we got more chances than I thought we would to visit wineries in Tuscany.

Before I get into the winery visit reports over the next couple weeks I thought I'd share some photos of the highlights from our trip. Italy is such a photogenic country. Click any of these images to enlarge.

We stayed at an agritourismo in Tuscany called Borgo Iesolana. The property is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees they use to make a respectable house wine and impressive olive oil we enjoyed throughout our stay. The property has tremendous views and a couple of beautiful pools.
Salt water pool at Borgo Iesolana
The central location (between Siena and Arezzo) made for a great jumping off point for day trips. But first, we had to go to the grocery store to stock up on supplies for the week. The cheese and cured meat selection was amazing and the wine prices - almost entirely Italian not surprisingly - were quite favorable. It was a blast shopping there. I spent well over an hour trying to determine which product in the dairy case was half & half.
Coop grocery store in Montevarchi
Cortona was absolutely wonderful. Highly recommended as an accessible, charming, classic little Tuscan hill town.
Gorgeous views were plentiful in Cortona
We had a terrific lunch in Corona at Ristorante Preludio. Absolutely totally empty at 1:00 pm and for the entire time we ate there, which is usually a problem sign for a restaurant. But it was listed in the Gambero Rosso guide so we tried it and I'm so glad we did.

Upon arrival they poured a taste of Jeio Sparkling Rose that absolutely hit the spot. I'd love to track some of that down back here in the US but I'm fairly sure it was so good because of the overall situation in which it was enjoyed.
Jeio Sparkling Rose at Preludio in Cortona
The first winery we visited was Tenuta Sette Ponti near Arezzo, producers of the famous Oreno. Beautiful classic vineyards. If you like Oreno they've got another wine that's quite a bit more affordable I bet you'd enjoy. I'll tell you more about that visit soon.
Sangiovese vineyard at Sette Ponti near Arezzo
For our wedding anniversary (14 years!) Deanna and I went down to Montalcino to taste Brunello. This was probably the densest concentration of wineries we encountered in Italy. I wanted to visit a more modern producer with international acclaim (Casanova di Neri) as well as a more traditional one (La Gerla). Though both producers are well regarded by American critics these two visits provided for a very good comparison of styles.
Benchmark Brunello producer Casanova di Neri
The La Gerla name is very new to me. I was perusing the Wine Spectator ratings database and comparing scores from Antonio Galloni's Vinous Media and La Gerla jumped out at me.
Gli Angeli vineyard at La Gerla
We drove up to visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello (a highlight for me and my 9 year old for sure). Earlier this year I heard this awesome story on NPR about the town where Tortellini comes from. It happens to be very close to a lot of exotic car manufacturers so it was a great time to stop in for some Lambrusco and Tortellini.

We had a fantastic meal at La Lumira, sampling all three distinct styles of Tortellini they offered that day. It was amazing how the cuisine changes just a few hours' drive north of Tuscany.
Tortellini di ricotta di bufala con salvia e guanciale at La Lumira in Castelfranco Emilia.
On the way to San Gimignano, just a short distance from our villa was Fattoria di Felsina. Their wines are very well regarded internationally (especially Fontalloro and Rancia) and their tasting room, grounds, and cellar are really nicely appointed.
Cellars at Fattoria di Felsina
On the flight back home I mentioned to the flight attendant that I was enjoying exploring their wine selections and he said "Oh, you're into wine? We've got a secret wine that's not on the menu from Bierzo. Want to try it?"

I remembered Adam Japko's posts on WineZag from a while back singing the praises of wines from this region. It was one of those things where I just kind of mentally filed it away for future action. But in referring back to Adam's post one of the two wines he specifically called out was from Losada - the very wine they were pouring on the flight. Combined with my favorable experience with the Petalos I've also had in the past, I too may become the next big fan of the Bierzo region.
Losada - an amazing discovery on the flight home
Side note: Lufthansa is my new favorite airline. Such awesome service across the board. They really know how to make a family feel comfortable in Business Class. They're like the Four Seasons of airlines.

See also: Lessons learned while earning and burning 1,000,000 points & miles

So that's a little preview of a few posts I'll have coming, hopefully in the next couple weeks.

I'd love it if you subscribed to the site so you can catch those posts as well.

Question of the Day: If you could visit any wine region in the world, where would you go next?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/6W7uLhef8wA/photo-trip-report-food-wine-in-tuscany.html

Muscat Viognier Roussanne Marsanne Albariño