Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Apr 16, 2014

Wine vs Cider—An Exploration Beginning in Berkeley

My continued exploration of hard cider here at Fermentation is a bit of an experiment as much as it is a personal pursuit. What I wonder as I mix reviews and posts on Cider with my coverage of wine is the extent to which there is any interest in cider among the primarily hard-core wine folks that have read this blog for the past nine years. The jury is out. However, on April 26 I will get a first hand…

Apr 15, 2014

Celebrating The Best Defined Wine Growing Region in California

One of the criticisms of the American Viticultural Area (AVA) system (our appellation system) in the U.S. is that it imposes so few rules on the use of a place-name that buyers can have few expectations of what they will be tasting when they buy a bottle of wine with “Russian River Valley”, “Sonoma Coast”, “Dry Creek Valley” or any other AVA on the label. Beyond requiring that a certain percent of the grapes used to make the wine must…

Feb 26, 2014

This is Real Innovation In the Wine Biz

You know that digital and internet technology has thoroughly taken over sales and marketing in the wine industry when you can point to the simple act of pouring a glass of wine for someone, asking them if they like it, then selling them a bottle of that wine, and call this an innovation. Yet, consider the innovation of the San Francisco Vintners Market. Now follow me here. This might get tricky. Get a whole of bunch of small, artisan wineries…

Feb 5, 2014

It’s Dark, It’s Delicious—It’s the Next Big Thing in Wine?

Petite Sirah does need help. Among all the grape varieties that have long been grown in California vineyards, Petite Sirah is probably the most underrated and least written about. And yet, in the right hands, Petite Sirah can be among the most compelling drinks coming out of California vineyards. The proof of this will be on display at the annual DARK AND DELICIOUS tasting, taking place this year on February 21 at Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda, California from…

Oct 9, 2013

Could the Zinfandel Resurgence Be Underway?

For as long as I’ve been in the wine industry there have always been waves of varietal popularity. Certain wine types, at different times and for different reasons find an audience, become popular and seem to attract the attention of the trade and consumers more so than other varieties. Zinfandel is due for a resurgence. For quite some time, you couldn’t turn a page without reading about Pinot Noir, thanks in large part to the movie “Sideways” and a contingent…