Aug 5, 2011
Trying to make a compelling philosophical case against using 100 points to rate a wine is like trying to make a case against answering the question: Do I or do I not like this wine? Yet within the world of wine media, we are talking about the 100 Point system…again. Why? You know why? Because people who are affected by published scores don’t like the fact that people seem to follow the people who give out 100 Point scores. At…
Aug 4, 2011
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…
Aug 3, 2011
I fear I'm about to say something rude or inconsiderate (at least it feels that way), but I'm compelled to say it nonetheless. So forgive me. In perusing the cache of on-line wine media today I cam across an interesting poll being taken at "The Life of Vines" blog. The poll, which centered on what it is that makes ordering wine in a restaurant so intimidating for so many began with this introduction: "Do you ever get that deer in…
Jul 27, 2011
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…
Jul 23, 2011
What I've learned at the 2011 Wine Bloggers Conference…So Far 1. The choice of Charlottesville for the location of the conference is an inspired one. Not only is it a town filled with gracious and proud folks, but it oozes history. And for a long-time student of American history, it's actually kind of difficult to explain the thrill to walk amongst that history. 2. Jancis Robinson, the first keynote speaker at the Conference, might be unique among practiced and established…