I had hoped to take more shots of this year’s event, but as usual I got involved in tasting and talking. However, a few were taken. This was early…when the crowd was..small. The crowd grows and grows and grows Darryl Roberts, Publisher of Wine X Magazine hosted the Jelly Belly Tasting bar. Combine different beans, shoot them all at once, chew for 20 seconds, then experience the taste of Zin from different regions. Darryl is actually a very shy, restrained…

In at least four states, politicians are debating whether or not wine distributors are so special that they ought to be favored at the expense of small wineries. In many cases the consequences of the outcome of the debate will determine if small wineries stay in business or are dismantled so that wine distributors might make more money and have complete control over wine distribution. A Primer on the Wine Wars…and how to fight them Wineries have three ways of…

I was reminded of wine’s paramount place atop the heap of drinks yesterday after attending a "martini taste off". As part of Sonoma’s Annual Olive Festival the Lodge At Sonoma hosted "Martini Madness". About 12 local restaurants gathered and provided the crowd with different "Martini creations". Now, let me be clear. I enjoy a Martini now and then. But I’m a purist. A martini is made with Gin, Vermouth and an olive. That’s a martini. And bottom line: The better…

It will be common place this year: more consumers, wineries and retailers suing various states with the objective being to put sales on a level playing field. In Delaware a consumer there, along with a Pennsylvania winery, is suing the state to allow out-of-state wineries to sell and ship wine directly to consumers, retailers and restaurateurs. Currently, Delaware wineries have such a privilege. It’s a clear case of discrimination that the May 2005 Supreme Court decision, "Granholm v. Heald" call…

FERMENTATION’S  RESOLUTIONS  FOR  2006 1. Provide more wine-related education to readers 2. Play a stronger editorial role in the battle to preserve small wineries against wholesalers 3. Engage more readers in dialog via the comment section of this blog 4. Publish more interviews with creative and fascinating wine people 5. Give FERMENTATION advertisers an enthusiastic readership of wine lovers 6. Do much, much more to promote the work of outstanding wine bloggers 7. Find a GREAT & INFORMED palate to…