October, 2012

Funny, News October 7, 2012

The Wine Spectator FINALLY Discovers the Secret to a Successful Facebook Post.

This made me smile when I saw it yesterday! Let me explain what we’re looking at… The below image shows a screenshot taken from the Wine Spectator Facebook Page from this September. The range of likes they received (at least when you look at this particular month), ranges from 11-40, the number of comments is from 0-20 and the number of shares is from 0-13. I would be quite happy with those numbers, but then…

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News October 6, 2012

Bonny Doon Labeling Efforts go Unnoticed by Consumers and Wineries.

It been five years since Randall Grahm took the some would say “suicidal” step of listing every single ingredient that goes into his wine on his back labels. The lists include ingredients such as: oak chips, bentonite clay, indigenous yeasts and sulfur dioxide, to name but a few. The backlash from consumers and winemakers alike could have been severe for Grahm, since the mere mention of sulfites on a wine label has been known to…

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News October 6, 2012

Syrah the Biggest Loser, Red Blends Occupy #1 Spot.

According to a recent by the Symphony IRI Group, red wine blends have emerged as the clear winner in terms of retail growth in 2012, showing a 26% increase in year to date sales. In a fairly-distant second place was Sauv Blanc, with New Zealand leading the group (which isn’t too big of a surprise). Cab is in third with a 7% growth, but still leads overall U.S. wine sales with $507 million. “The Cabernet…

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Reviews October 4, 2012

Denbies Whitedowns Cuvée NV Sparkling, Surrey, England.

Grapes 100% Seyval BlancYes, you are indeed forgiven for never having heard-of/tasted Seyval Blanc. The reason this French hybrid grape is starting to see a rise in popularity in English vineyards (as well as in New York and Canada), is that it isn’t opposed to a little cold weather (something which England does so well), since it buds and ripens early.   Facts The time is currently 8:28am GMT and I’m headed back to the…

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News October 2, 2012

French Winemakers Fear New “Chateau” Label Law Could Ruin Reputation.

French winemakers have their over the possibility the EU may allow US imported wines to be called “Chateau” or “Clos.” Currently in France, both these terms must only refer to an AOC wine coming only from grapes that are harvested and vinified on a single estate. In the US there is no regulation and any winery can call itself a Chateau even if it is buying in grapes from other growers in different regions. French…

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