• Petite Sirah Topic ~ Thanks for jogging me Berserkers, seriously…

    Updated: 2012-04-30 11:00:44
    When I wrote Should Petite Sirah be a Rhône variety? the last thing I had on my mind was a rant. I was reacting to two private E-mails; one from a great US Petite Sirah producer and the other from a US writer, who loves Petite Sirah… one of our greatest cheerleaders. They had an [...]

  • Even a “natural” winemaker can’t define “natural wine”

    Updated: 2012-04-30 08:10:41
    I haven’t been the most sympathetic guy out there when it comes to natural wines. My position all along has been that I care more about deliciousness than being politically correct, so if a winemaker has to do things to his wine that are inconsistent with being purely “natural,” then go for it. I realize [...]

  • Have you ever notice that New Zealand is an upside down boot?

    Updated: 2012-04-27 11:00:31
    I wonder why nobody ever talks about New Zealand being an upside down boot? Okay, so maybe it’s a small boot with a leg warmer, but it’s got it going on. Thanks to Jasper Hammink of Vinopedia, the new free price comparison engine for wine. He read this post, then wrote: I saw your blog [...]

  • Marketing in the wine business, the mainstream adoptive curve… Take this one to the board room with you

    Updated: 2012-04-26 11:00:58
    Once I understood this one, my marketing efforts became a lot easier… The wine business was founded by farmers. This group of people are basically scientists. They use the left (logical and repetitive based on history) side of their brains. “Prove it and I’ll use it,” is their axiom. Now, imagine someone who comes along [...]

  • Earliest History of Grape Growing in Suisun Valley

    Updated: 2012-04-25 11:00:42
    [Image courtesy of Gary Mangels] Mae Fisher Purcell wrote for the Eighteenth Anniversary Edition And All County Chamber of Commerce Atlas of Solano County, Information-Section 4-1935, in a story entitled, “Claus Mangels Renowned Solano Winery and Notable Estate is Beauty Spot of Suisun Valley: When Omar Khayyam, poet-tentmaker, wrote in his immortal Rubalyat the lines… [...]

  • So are wine prices going up, down, or what?

    Updated: 2012-04-24 08:10:41
    For the last week or so, ever since Silicon Valley Bank came out predicting a dire shortage of grapes,  there’s been a burst of stories that wine prices are spiraling upward, and will be for years to come. It’s become the standard narrative. The news first surfaced in Silicon Valley, as you’d expect. Then it [...]

  • Should Petite Sirah be a Rhône variety?

    Updated: 2012-04-23 11:00:35
    I was just asked this question: Should Petite Sirah be a Rhône varietal? My answer: I don’t think of it as a Rhône variety. I think of it having Rhône roots, but nobody seems to advocate/brag for its Rhôneness… including me. It’s an American transplant, all the way. This is also just my humble opinion. With this one, [...]

  • Celebrating Earth Day (April 22) by focusing on a very green wine writer ~ Paul Gregutt

    Updated: 2012-04-20 11:00:31
    It’s not easy being green, as “Kermie” likes to sing; but then, all good things take more thought, understanding, and commitment. And by a very green wine writer, I don’t mean “green” by experience; I mean green by social consciousness. Earth Day is this Sunday, and I thought that I’d not focus on green wines [...]

  • Introducing Vino.co.za Italian Wine Shop!

    Updated: 2012-04-20 10:54:10
    Melgab International CC Importers of Fine Italian Wine Navigation AccessKey:2 Search AccessKey:4 Home Introducing Vino.co.za Italian Wine Shop Despite various 3rd party trials and tribulations , we are very excited to announce that we have finally managed to launch Gabba International as a totally independent online wine shop In the coming days weeks months we will be running down previous private lines and reintroducing them as part of the Gabba International . offering While you needn't register to , purchase we would encourage you to do so , since apart from storing your personal preferences for future orders , it helps us manage your requests in the event of a problem . Registered members will also be able to add items to their very own , wishlist which they can share with family and .

  • From Chile to California

    Updated: 2012-04-19 20:15:39
    In 1978, a young Alex Guarachi boarded a plane from Chile to California with the goal of becoming a professional soccer player. Sidelined by an injury in college, a soccer career was no longer an option, and Alex had to set his sights elsewhere. Alex hails from Santiago, Chile. One of eight children, wine, some [...]

  • The Increasing Importance of Writing An *Only* One-Page Press Release ~ or ~ Don’t have to scroll down too far

    Updated: 2012-04-19 11:00:15
    Today, more than ever, the writing of a one-page press release is critical, in order to get a wine writer’s attention. Why? Writers are getting more mail than ever, and it’s mostly electronic. Who has time to read a new version of War & Peace? A press release is only intended to get a writer’s [...]

  • “Sonoma County’s Riviera ~ A Winery Done Well,” produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola (Rated “G”)

    Updated: 2012-04-18 11:00:09
    More than once on this blog, I’ve written about children having a place at wineries. They should have a place, in my humble opinion. Most winery owners have children, and their children – like mine did when living at home – were able to enjoy wine with their meals. Why not? Wine is a liquid [...]

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