Jan 8, 2008
Some of the most important work I’ve done over the past year has been with the Specialty Wine Retailers Association where I began acting as executive director in January 2007. In that year I’ve had the chance to testify in a number of states on the issue of direct shipping, work with some amazingly talented folks and even bear the brunt of some of the wholesalers’ more nasty and snide remarks. However, a good deal of that time was spent…
Dec 7, 2007
The 2007 calendar year is coming to an end an that prompts me to think harder about the past two months, to make assessments and to try to learn some lessons before we move on the perfectly lovely arbitrary notion of a "new year". The wine new of 2007 when looked at retrospectively turns out to be truly educational as well as a signal of what to anticipate in the coming year and years. Here are my most interesting news…
Dec 5, 2007
Eric Asimov at the NY Times has an interesting story in print that speculates on the coming increase in price of imported wines, due in large part to the weak dollar. What struck me about the article is how it is a perfect example of how to find a silver lining in what might be an unfortunate situation. Eric points out, "Meanwhile, those who don’t want to pay higher prices might consider building up a supply now, or looking for…
Nov 30, 2007
Louisa Hufstader, writing for the Napa Valley Register, gets the prize for Best Line of the Week: "Men are from Parker, women are from Robinson?" Hufstader is writing in the context of a story on women in the wine business, which was the topic as a recent event at Copia. In the course of writing her story on this topic, Hufstader brings us around to a salient point made by Elizabeth Thach, Ph.D., a professor of wine business and management…
Nov 2, 2007
What is "reliable" information? This question might take on more significance when discussing matters of life or death, the value of your home or information upon which you are going to base business decisions. With regard to wine and our passion for the beverage I’m not sure it’s nearly as important. After all, if someone tells you, "This is the best wine in the universe" and it turns out not to be…big deal. But it still remains something we should…