Mar 14, 2005
Some time ago Fermentation’s did some thinking out loud about the notion of who would buy boxed wine, what it needs to be to find an audience and what’s available. I recently came across an interesting example of boxed wine. Three Thieves, the producer of that pretty good, well packaged jug wine that has done so well, has released "Bandit Bianco" in a One-Liter box that looks a bit like a milk carton. The carton of wine offers about 33%…
Mar 13, 2005
For a long time I’ve believed they are the best wine value in the world. I still believe that. Australia’s Non-vintage sweet Tokays and Muscat are extraordinary wines. These sweet golden wines made in the solera style. Magnificently intense, exotically spiced with nutty, raisiny, brown sugar, tangerine flavors and a nose that always keeps me from draining my glass so that I’ve something to return to. They are smooth and creamy yet able to wash down the rich dessert. Nearly…
Mar 11, 2005
It’s pretty clear that among all the wines, Pinot Noir generates the most enthusiasm among wine lovers and winemakers. In researching various wine conferences and symposiums that occur annually, Pinot Noir stood out as the wine we all wanted to talk about most. You simply don’t see a steady stream of "Cabernet Festivals" or "Chardonnay Conferences". But when it comes to Pinot Noir, you get event after event: International Pinot Noir Symposium (Oregon) July 29 -31 World of Pinot Noir…
Mar 10, 2005
I think it is safe to say that too few wine lovers, and even fewer casual wine drinkers, ever venture outside their comfort zone in choosing what wine to drink. Why these "other states" wines rarely show up on our tables is pretty clear: There isn’t that much of them and they are rarely if ever exported out of their own state. Any effort to make these wines more accessible is a positive step in my book. It’s all too…
Mar 10, 2005
"This is an allegation made by one retailer and clearly the basis for their allegations are self-serving, and we think that the liquor laws are regulations that have been on the books for many years are good public policy and the public interest is served by (them)." Said Phil Wayt, Executive Director of the Washington Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. Phil is responding to a lawsuit filed in Washington State by Costco alledging that the State regulations preventing Costco from…