Jan 23, 2008
So, a certain percentage of those little advertisements we see on shelves of retailer outlets that we call "Shelf Talkers" are speaking with a forked tongue, according to the Washington Post. This is not the first time this issue has come up. I recall a similar news story making the rounds a couple years ago. In this case, the Washington post looked at 100 different shelf talkers and found that: "Accuracy varied from shop to shop, but overall, 6 percent…
Jan 23, 2008
I often wonder about the personal dynamics a person undergoes when their prejudices bump up against a reality that puts the lie to those prejudices. It turns out I find myself in just such a position. What I’ve found is that it’s best to embrace one’s convictions and let go of long held prejudices if peace of mind is one’s goal. The prejudice: Simple Palates and Novice Wine Drinkers Like their Wine Sweet. Experienced Palates and Dedicated Wine Lovers Like…
Jan 7, 2008
In addition to being in the business of taking enormous amounts of venture capital, as well as selling wine on-line, Wine.com now has apparently set up a division within its company that I suspect is called: "The Department of Online Wine Policemen. As was pointed out by Rich Cartiere at the Wine Market Report and made available HERE and by Alder at Vinography, Wine.com has begun ordering wine from out of state retailers and having it shipped to Wine.com in…
Jan 2, 2008
I love reading predictions, particularly those that come at the beginning of the year. They usually are very good recaps of those trends that flew just below the radar the year before. Laurie Daniel of the San Jose Mercury news has a nice set of predictions for the wine industry in 2008. They amount to higher prices on imports due to the weak dollar, the "greening" of the wine industry and more transparency in wine packaging and the emergence of…
Dec 12, 2007
Inspired by Paul Gregutt’s excellent story on the meaning of wine terms, I began fantasizing about being named the American Wine Czar and being given complete control over wine regulations in the United States. I’ve fantasized about this before but given the wonderful fantasy it is, the topic deserves an update. My first set of acts as the American Wine Czar are: THE OLD VINE" REGULATIONAny wine produced in the United States that carries the term "Old Vine" or "Ancient…