In 1991 I had only been in the wine business about a year. I was working at PR firm in Santa Rosa, California. So, not having that much experience, I was caught off guard when "60 Minutes" broadcast a segment on the "French Paradox". It altered the wine business severely The French Paradox refers to the fact that while the French eat all that butter and fattening foods, they also tend to have much less heart disease than Americans. Researchers…

And you thought all those Domino Pizza you ate in college were merely generate a grease induced stomach ache. Not so! You helped pay for a Million Dollar wine cellar that is coming up for auction at Sothebys in New York in December. Tom Monaghan, founder of Dominos Pizza is selling off what is a magnificent collection of wines from across the globe. Monaghan became a collector of wines off his Pizza Profits. Why did he collect and drink wine?…

FROM THE WINE GOSSIP FILE It appears Napa Valley was up to its ears in "stars" this weekend as Christine Aguilera married at a ceremony at Staglin Vineyards. Among the guests: Drew Barrymore, Justine Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Pink, Carmen Electra, and Nelly. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t this look like the cast of a bad romantic comedy? (Note to self: never create another post on this blog that includes Christina Aquilera)

Much more than other products, the packaging of wine is considered to be a work of art, or at least more artistic than your average soap label. Designing a label is a complex thing. Is it for a shelf? Is it a wine more likely to end up on a restaurant’s table? What message should it send? Add to this that more ego is wrapped up in a winery owner’s label than any other aspect of their business, even the…

Well, it’s official. Wine is officially cool. Last night, as I was breezing through the various shows my trusty Tivo recorded for me, I came across the funniest, most intelligent show on television: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. And guess what the second segment of the show was about? Yep. Wine. Specifically, how wine is becoming hip among the younger set and how wineries are marketing the product to the young. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not as…