The Art of Toasting – My Top 10 Favorite Wine Toasts
I truly do think it’s unfortunate that the art of reciting a proper “toast” is a lost tradition. Only at weddings do we hear the occasional “Cheers!” but a toast (when it’s done right) can make an otherwise forgettable “clink” of glasses that ever-the-more memorable. For this reason, if you’re going to attempt a toast, I recommend it be short, witty and appropriate to the situation (NB: you may want to skip toast #10 in…
Read More
Prohibition Did What?!
A beer/wine-goggled look at the Volstead Act of 1920. (Click for larger view)
Read More
Open That Bottle Night 2012
I’m so glad I checked the date on this! It almost got away from me… Open That Bottle Night is this Saturday (February 25th). An event created by former Wall Street Journal wine columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, the night marks the much needed occasion for people around the world to crack open a bottle they’ve been saving, but have never been able to find that “special occasion”. As Dorothy and John put…
Read More
Fiftyrow Spring Mountain Syrah, Napa Valley, California.
Grape 100% Syrah Facts There was such a huge amount of press over previous years on how Syrah was supposed to be “the next big thing”, and then more recently how that just never really panned out.Personally, I don’t see any need for people to wait around for a grape / wine to be named “so hot right now” before you give it your attention (i.e. hard earned $’s).Look at what happened to Malbec!…
Read More
Why Social and Selling Don’t Mix….Another Nail in the Coffin for the Question of ROI in Social Media.
The news this week reported on Bloomberg.com doesn’t exactly help provide the answer businesses were looking for, in respect to the question: “What is the true ROI of social media?” Bloomberg reported the following: “Last April, Gamestop opened a store on Facebook in an attempt to generate sales from their growing fanbase of 3.5 million-plus customers who’d declared themselves “fans” of the video game retailer. Less than 6 months later, the store has been quietly…
Read More
Chateau Drew Barrymore.
Drew Barrymore is the latest celeb that has entered the wine business. Wilson Daniels Ltd. has been named the U.S. importer for Barrymore Wines. Drew’s first offering is a Pinot Grigio from Italy. Barrymore Pinot Grigio is an IGT Delle Venezie, made from grapes grown the Triveneto area, comprised of three of Italy’s most northern regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto—regions renowned for producing crisp and fruity white wines. The Barrymore label…
Read MoreSh*t People Say When Ordering Wine.
Ok, so I felt that EVERYONE ELSE was making one of these “Sh*t people say…” videos, but no-one had really scratched the surface with regard to wine. Not that it surprises me. The wine industry takes itself faaaaaaar too seriously anyway! Now it’s worth pointing out that I promise you I didn’t make up a single one of these. Everything said in the clip is something that I (or someone I’ve worked with) have had…
Read More
Moët-Hennessy to Produce Red Wine in China
Bubbly-maker Moët-Hennessy has invested in a vineyard in China that will produce red wine for the Chinese market. The luxury Champagne brand has been aggressively pursuing the Chinese market in recent years, having acquired a Chinese spirits brand five years ago. Last year, Moët-Hennessy also began production of a premium sparkling wine in the province of Ningxia Hui (NB: good luck pronouncing that!). The explosive growth of middle and upper classes in Chinese society has…
Read More
Controversy as Beverly Hills Wine Festival Honors Whitney Houston.
The Beverly Hills Wine Festival (NB: my invite clearly must have been lost in the mail), which happens to be taking place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (the hotel where Whitney Houston passed away), had planned a tribute to Whitney. The event was scheduled for February 26, and would have featured a cognac and champagne tasting. It’s worth pointing out that the Houston family had never approved this event. Here’s what’s being said about it: "It…
Read More
Christian Salmon Sancerre Rose, Loire Valley, France.
Grape 100% Pinot Noir Facts This would happen to actually be only the 3rd Rose Sancerre I’ve ever tasted. Rose Sancerre isn’t made in huge quantities, but when you do find it, it’s always made from Pinot Noir. Personally I’ve always found Sancerre to produce some of the most reliable wines coming out of France. At least one wine from the region should be a staple on every wine list. Domaine Christian Salmon have…
Read More
Some People Just Don’t Learn…
Paula!?!? Come-on now!!! Make an effort!!!
Read More