Archive for the ‘Wine Business’ Category
A previous post on this blog in which I challenge the critics of the 100 Point Scoring system to make a compelling case against the system is up to 60 comments. What a surprise!! While a number of very astute points have been made in the course of those 60 comments, one stands out as perhaps the most important thing a wine retailer or winery could take away from the discussion. The comment comes from Gregg Burke, owner of Maratene's…
Just who the heck are you, why are you reading this blog and what's with you and wine??? That's the short description of what I'm looking to discover about the readers of this wine blog. The last time I asked the 18 questions on this survey was 2009. A lot has changed since then in the wine industry, in my life and even at this blog. So, please indulge me and spend the two minutes it will take you to…
Both the venerable Women for Winesense organization and my own wine industry involvement began exaclty 21 years ago in 1990. There is absolutely no connection between these two anniversaries. However, I was reminded of this coincidence as I was made aware of an important upcoming event here in Napa Valley hosted by Women For Winesense: "Wine On America's Table" set for Sunday, August 14th at the Fortunati Vineyards estate in Napa. Women for Winesense has always encouraged women in the…
By all accounts the upper end of the wine industry in the United States ($25+ per bottle) is in full recovery from the retraction that occurred in 2008-2010. -Retailers in metropolitan areas report much more robust sales-Auction houses are seeing significantly increased activity-High End Restaurants are seeing a return to conspicuous wine purchases-Napa Valley has seen a recovery in its hospitality sector Today, the New York Times reports that luxury goods are flying off the shelves across the country even…
It's notable that as alcohol wholesalers and their advocates defend the three tier system and attempts to prevent any changes or reforms to that system, we see less and less reference to the system's ability to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol. When the direct shipping debate took off in the early 1990s and up until about 3 years ago. we heard wholesalers and their advocates regularly claim that allowing any changes to the three tier system would result in minors…
