Archive for the ‘Wine Business’ Category
Those who have studied social systems or those who are simply keenly aware of the way the world has worked over the past century or so understand that much evil and degradation of humanity has occurred when relatively small, elite groups are given power over the way a society will work. Under the Soviet “Marxist-Leninism” system for example, the “Dictatorship of the Proletariat” was the name given to Communist Party that dictated how the society would be organized and who…
Maybe it’s just the proximity of the Wine 2.0 event and the annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) that takes place next month, but it seems "technology" is quite the buzzword in the wine industry these days. Or it could just be that I’ve been obsessed with technology over the past two weeks since it has failed me in numerous ways as one computer system and network system after another has gone down at Wark Communications. But I don’t think…
HB 429 is a bill moving through the Illinois legislature that will have disastrous effects not only for consumer but also for the state of Illinois. The bill proposes to strip Illinois consumers of their long held right to purchase wine from out-of-state wine stores. While creating a permit that out-of-state wineries can obtain that allows them to ship to Illinois consumers, HB 429 will actually reduce choice and raise costs for Illinois wine lovers. Among the negative consequences of…
You’ve got to give it to the Wine Spectator. These folks know how to throw a party. Last night I went as Jeff Mayo’s date to the now annual Wine Spectator Party at the Hotel Healdsburg. Marvin Shanken and crew used to only throw a Napa "big bottle" party in conjunction with the auction. A few years ago they started holding a Sonoma version of the event. I’ve been to the Napa party also, but it has been a few…
There sure are a lot of people using the "Wine 2.0" label to help position their products and services. Nary a caution was issued at the Wine 2.0 get together in San Francisco on Friday. All the speakers, including me, were in the mood to embrace, rather than really critique, this buzzword that seems to mean….something…if not most things. The event itself was terrific. Cornelius and Jeff from RadCru.com did a damn fine job of creating a nice venue where…
