tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195600752010-03-12T07:09:04.456-05:00Bonum vinum laetificat cor hominisallanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.comBlogger584125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-85117470424398203092010-03-12T06:56:00.003-05:002010-03-12T07:09:04.512-05:00

It is just over 2 weeks until the start of En Primeurs, and the articles about the 2009 Bordeaux vintage are starting to flood news outlets. Here are a couple of new ones:Everyone has acknowledged that 2009 will be an incredible vintage, so now there is a lot of worry about pricing. From this article in Drinks Business:In terms of pricing 2009 he said: "Unfortunately, because the vintage

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-41947741352851556822010-03-08T21:16:00.005-05:002010-03-09T01:08:42.852-05:00

I mentioned Georgian Wine House after the DC Sip & Twit Event and managed to get a couple of people to talk to me about Georgian Wines.First, a little background: Wine has been made in Georgia for over 7,000 years, there are more than 70 thousand hectares under vine spread across five viniculture regions: Kakheti, Kartli, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and the Black Sea Coast.Russia has long been the

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-83874172130197236782010-03-08T09:59:00.004-05:002010-03-08T10:26:17.281-05:00

I am introducing a new feature to CellarBlog today: video interviews. I've always contended that people read this blog not for my opinions but to know what experts think. So, while I can write about an event or a wine, the people who are actually in the wine industry are the true experts.In keeping with that philosophy, the video interviews are going to be simple. I am going to give the person

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-79799402008036797452010-03-08T09:21:00.003-05:002010-03-08T09:25:08.792-05:00

This story has been all over Twitter the last 24 hours for obvious reasons. It is one of those stories that seems too good to be true, so naturally people are excited:Researchers found that regular moderate female drinkers were less likely to become obese after a 13 year study of more than 19,000 women.The finding seems to contradict received dietary wisdom which has it that alcohol consumption

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-44428159417819084722010-03-06T12:55:00.003-05:002010-03-06T13:44:49.141-05:00

There are two ways that a restaurant or wine bar can make a great wine list: You can scour the regions of the world to find representative wines from each region or you can pick a region and do a deep dive. Bistrot Lepic does the latter with their excellent selection of French wines.But it is rare to a list as comprehensive as the wine list at Piccolo Sogno. The wine list contains more than

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-56901040355571842502010-02-27T16:26:00.004-05:002010-02-27T16:52:23.824-05:00

It goes without saying that there are far more important things to deal with than the loss of wine as a result of the devastating earthquake in Chile. But, reports are starting to come in and it does not look good.

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-67358150031446112462010-02-27T12:32:00.008-05:002010-02-28T20:43:20.139-05:00

The winners of the Virginia Governor's Cup (Red Only) have been announced. Congratulations to the winners!GOLD MEDAL WINNERSCabernet Franc2008Potomac PointCabernet Franc2007Sweely EstateCabernet Franc2007North MountainCabernet Franc ReserveDessertNVCooperNocheMeritage2007Fox MeadowLe Renard Rouge2007King FamilyMeritage2007TararaMeritageNorton2005ChrysalisNorton Locksley Reserve2008Paradise

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-78544859673280960092010-02-26T06:52:00.002-05:002010-02-27T12:29:09.351-05:00

Bibendum Wine Ltd. has a report on the 2009 vintage:There is a big vintage buzz in the air round here and the 2009s we have tasted so far are living up to the hype - full of silky fruit and ripe round tannin.The first gulp of a hyped up new vintage is always an interesting one - will it live up to expectation? The anticipation was heightened by the fact we were tasting Gruaud Larose and Gruaud

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-8010951847561869402010-02-24T07:24:00.002-05:002010-02-27T12:24:08.247-05:00

Dr. Vino writes about a new (at least to me) method forshipping wine:When I opened the box, there was no Styrofoam. There weren't any cardboard inserts. Instead, each bottle was wrapped in an inflatable plastic sleeve. It was the first time I'd seen this.The company is Air-Paq and they have a pretty cool video:

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-46478034188778686752010-02-15T23:25:00.002-05:002010-02-15T23:28:24.487-05:00

Now that everyone in the DC area is dug out, some pictures of Breaux under mountains of snow. The first picture is the view outside from the window in Dave Collin's lab (and yes, the entire lab is above ground). The rest are from the grounds, including the buried tables on the patio:

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-7161538529129399452010-02-15T09:09:00.002-05:002010-02-15T09:32:19.145-05:00

Stephane Derenoncourt has launched his own Napa wines, appropriately called Derenoncourt California. Deroncourt has experience in Napa already, having consulted for Francis Ford Coppola Winery and others. The wines have generated a lot of buzz. As usual, Jane Anson, is all over the story:This is the first time he has made his own wine in the United States. 'I held back the wines until I felt

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-71923959537670955482010-02-14T08:58:00.003-05:002010-02-14T09:58:22.648-05:00

The other wine bar I visited in Dubai was Vintage. Vintage is located in Wafi a "city within a city" in Dubai. Wafi is a series of shops, restaurants, a spa and a hotel situated inside four pyramids in the middle of Dubai. Vintage has a very different vibe to it than The Agency. It is a more formal environment, the type of place where you might bring a client for a dinner, and the wine list

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-65317984902417037222010-02-13T19:00:00.005-05:002010-02-13T19:15:45.331-05:00

I always worry that people will think I spend too much talking about how great Chateau Brane Cantenac is. But, I am not the only one. Chris Riccobono, from Pardon that Vine feels the same way. You can watch the video on his siteHe even got to taste their 2009 vintage, which was recently blended.

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-78233936886827534972010-02-11T15:46:00.003-05:002010-02-11T15:53:44.793-05:00

JJ Buckley Fine Wines is holding a unique and fun contest today only. If you are on Twitter you can post your Chuck Norris wine facts and a winner will be drawn at random. You can see the facts that have been posted here. The rules are simple, you can read them in this tweet.Good luck! If you do post something, add it to the comments here :)

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-40253332964689395092010-02-10T21:19:00.004-05:002010-02-11T15:42:44.282-05:00

Evelyne Resnick, author of Wine Brands (great book) has a blog post about promoting collective brands:One of the most interesting challenges for a wine marketer is promoting a collective brand. Champagne was certainly the most successful example of such a strategy: it is now synonymous with party, special occasion and pleasure. Unfortunately we know it backfired: consumers don't see Champagne as

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-53447421387638674082010-02-10T10:27:00.002-05:002010-02-10T10:39:17.016-05:00

I got an e-mail from Joe David, about the Virginia Wine Showcase. Here is an excerpt:In respect to those with unused tickets, the Farm Wineries Council of Virginia will honor Virginia Wine Showcase tickets at any one of the other four wine tastings the association has planned for 2010. Ticket holders may select their favorite Farm Wineries Council event, including The Spring Wine Festival at

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-67514262766305456542010-02-08T09:39:00.000-05:002010-02-08T09:40:26.979-05:00

If you have ever wanted to know more about how the most famous Champagne in the world is made, now you can. Richard Geoffroy, Chef de Cave at Dom Perignon has started his own blog.

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-51533820021078343002010-02-06T12:12:00.006-05:002010-02-06T14:44:04.494-05:00

Normally, I try not to post too many negative things about the Virginia wine industry. Its not that I worry about repercussions (after all, no one actually reads this blog except for comment spammers ;)), but as an emerging wine region Virginia is bound to have growing pains. In this case though, I think needs something needs to be said.I like the Virginia Wine Showcase. I think they put on a

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-91202988371620333002010-02-03T08:35:00.003-05:002010-02-03T10:44:46.909-05:00

I was in Dubai over the weekend and decided to use the opportunity to check out some of the local wine bars. The first one I went to was The Agency. Located along the Boulevard of The Emirates Towers The Agency is a real gem. They have a selection of several hundred wine, including more than 60 by the glass and a few featured exclusives.All of the major wine regions, both old and new world,

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-79507461754691146462010-02-03T07:30:00.003-05:002010-02-03T07:35:24.360-05:00

Blogger is apparently shedding their SFTP service, which is how this blog is published. At this point I am not sure how it is going to impact this blog, but it seems like a good time to initiate a redesign. I've maintained the same look and feel for over 4 years and I think it is time for something new.If you are a designer familiar with Blogger templates and would like some work e-mail at the

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-77166681887875695772010-01-27T11:04:00.000-05:002010-01-27T11:04:00.769-05:00

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday night? Corcoran Vineyards is hosting Corcoran Night at Lansdowne On the Potomac:For $39 you can get spicy and sweet tapas paired with 4 wines from Corcoran Vineyards. A representative from the vineyard will be on hand to discuss the pairings while you dine. Stay for a 3-course dinner for an additional $45/person. Price does not include wine, but

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-46367863006231077822010-01-27T06:47:00.004-05:002010-01-27T06:56:00.425-05:00

At the DC Sip & Twit last week I was lucky enough to run into Christopher Parker from New Horizon Wines and he was very excited about how well Virginia wines are doing in the UK. He mentioned several shops that are carrying them and he is seeing more awareness of them.The UK has a long history of infatuation with great wines, so this is exciting news! Christopher has graciously agreed to answer

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-71614569892761099972010-01-26T06:55:00.000-05:002010-01-26T06:55:00.532-05:00

This article has gotten a lot of attention on Twitter over the last couple of days. Specifically:How long has it been since you ordered a glass of wine in a restaurant and had your server bring the bottle to your table, pour a little for you to taste and then finish pouring your glass as you watched?If you think the practice is disappearing, you're right.For me, its been about 3 hours (I know

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-85405809699415313682010-01-25T14:45:00.000-05:002010-01-25T14:45:00.807-05:00

While naysayers like Gary Vaynerchuk are telling people to stay away from Bordeaux because it is overpriced, the Chinese are embracing and even accelerating their purchases. From the article:The 10-hour sale yesterday of more than 800 lots tallied HK$52.9 million, beating host Sotheby's own forecast of HK$40 million. Bidders at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel drank glasses of Louis Roederer Blanc de

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19560075.post-40515226732813935782010-01-25T02:04:00.005-05:002010-01-25T10:50:30.624-05:00

Megan, who owns the TorreBarolo, in the Piedmont region of Italy, let me know about a contest she is running. Details are here, but the contest is pretty simple: become a fan of the property on Facebook between now and January 31st. On February 1st, she'll pick someone to win a 3 night stay at the property.The property is located in the Langhe Valley, which is famous for its Barolo and, based

allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02927513261592031981noreply@blogger.com0