Whether you're an Event Planner looking for inspiration and ideas or a bourgeoning wine enthusiast wanting to know Why You Should Use a Decanter Every Day, we cover the wine and event planning bases here.
Last week we talked Tawny Port. But because we’re on the tail end of winter now and 40 degree temps are more normal, it’s only natural to talk white Port – a libation that is often most enjoyed with a slight chill on it. No doubt this Port style is lesser known and lesser appreciated....
If you've been missing out on this lovely treat, pop on over to Wicked Local to learn why you should grab a bottle!
Which white Port has caught your fancy? Or is this a style you've skipped over somehow?
I don't know anyone who doesn't like a good story. A story with historical truth, that is remarkable and compelling for the audacity of what "went down" is even better. This week there are several interesting wine-related news/events links I could send your way. But I'm going to streamline your wine reading instead by pointing you in only one direction.... Last Friday as my post was hitting the web-waves, Deborah Blum from Slate was churning out a deliciously interesting article about Prohibition days in America. I love history, but somehow my AP American History class skipped over this particular snapshot of what the US government was willing to do (kill) to enforce the new law. Grab your cup of coffee or enjoy a great lunch break at your desk this afternoon; this is a great read!
What other historic snapshots from Prohibition do you know of that are similarly voyeuristically compelling today?
Some of us are comfortable drinking Port all year long (with or without a slight chill), but many more of us find it most compelling after a full day at the office, followed by an evening rendezvous with Mr. Shovel…. No doubt, with snow finally falling in Boston, it’s hard not to think about (let alone enjoy) these noteworthy dessert wines!
There are myriad styles of Port on the market – from white Ports to Ruby’s, Tawny’s, Vintage Ports and everything in between! When most people think of Port they are most often thinking of Tawny’s. So today at Wicked Local we delve into this highly sought and oh-so-enjoyable libation.
Which Port is your fan favorite this winter?
I've been reading and rereading the astoundingly delicious Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch for at least a year now. It is so well written and such a delightful trip through wine country - from seemingly "ages" ago. Lynch writes about tasting wines from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s - even the 1920s! It provides tremendous perspective, that's for sure. But what I find most compelling about the book as a whole is Lynch's search for totally unadulterated juice. Today it is appreciated (or understood?) more, perhaps; yet this idea of using modern tools and approaches gets more play, I'd argue.
Today, pop over to this post by Eric Asmiov - and spend a few extra minutes reading BOTH articles he links to, particularly the one by Cory Cartwright. Personally, I would love to see more people more naturally through the course of things embrace "the diversity" in wine.
Do you find wines with a more "modern" flare more or less appealing? Is this idea even something you consider when you are wine shopping?
Many folks get obsessed with whether a vintage is “good” one or not. At the end of the day what consumers may or may not recognize is how a particular wine from a particular vintage will evolve simply on the shelf, in its bottle, over the course of one year. Here we are in the middle of February, on the cusp of vintage changes; this is the time when many red wines are really ready to drink!
Learn more about the benefits of February wine shopping by heading over to Wicked Local today!
Are you compelled to purchase a case of vino this time of year, before new vintages are released? Or are you happy to just roll with the punches and see what the coming year has to bring?
A bit of business and a bit of fun this week in wine! Let's get the business out of the way first:
It looks like the 2009 crop in California is going to keep the price ship rather righted moving forward! Gotta love the economic principle of supply and demand. Check out this article on what the Press Democrat (at least) thinks we can come to expect moving forward.
Next up... a Cork Report! There are a bunch of wine bottle stoppers on the market now, made from myriad materials. Traditionalists still appreciate finding real cork under the foil. Environmentalists and others in the wine trade promote other closures as the better way to go. Read this Decanter article to find out what Portugal is doing by way of cork promotion these days.
And yes, we've saved the best for last! What with Valentine's Day this weekend, I'm sure you've seen quite a bit about either chocolate or wine recommendations - or both! But are they a really a good match, or just a traditional pairing with no real rhyme or reason? Enjoy the debate as translated by Dr. Vino!
What's your Valentine's Day wine choice this year?
Whether you subscribe to the Valentine’s Day marketing machine or are just anxious for flowers to start popping up this spring, these February picks are sure to set your heart a’flutt’ah! But beware! Their versatility makes them great year round. Each of these is sure to transform your impression of what sparkling wines (and pink ones at that) are ALL about!
Pop over to Wicked Local to see what I'm so excited about...
Which wine get credit as your first "Ah-Ha" rose moment?
I perused the world wide web this week to see if I could find any good juice to whet your whistle in anticipation of the Super Bowl on Sunday, in the way of wine, anyway. For me it is a" holiday" wholly dedicated to enjoying absolutely delicious beers, as you gear up for whatever main meal you may be dishing up (for me it will be homemade pizza, with roast chicken, fresh basil, mozzarella and pineapple). Maybe I'll open a bottle of some exceptional vino to pair with my dinner, but more likely I'll be digging into the Ommegang Abbey Ale - a wine lovers beer, in my humble opinion, because it offers such an intriguing, inviting nose, a round texture and layer upon layer of flavor.
What I found instead was some intriguing news about the world famous Ferran Adria, of Spain's El Bulli. He's taking a little break - and the "reason" up for grabs, according to the press.
I was also pleased to see some great thinking and posturing by a couple of folks I respect in the wine writing world:
Check out this post by Joe Roberts/1WineDude regarding a recent listing in the Sommelier Journal about top picks for 2009. He makes a great point about the price tag on these recommended wines, but I disagree with his conclusion that "the pros don't find the experience delivered by those bargains to be all that memorable". Given the audience of the Journal in particular, I have to imagine some of these folks are posturing among their peers. In addition, top restaurants operate on a completely different buying scale. I could go on, but the bottom line is I think if you asked a broader selection of Soms around the country the same question, the outcome would be changed. We might have to revisit this topic sometime...
Last but not least, I was happy to read Dr. Vino's article on the up-and-coming Blaufrankish varietal (aka Lemberger). Check out his musings here.
Which beverage will be in hand for you this Sunday?
With ‘App Fever’ catching on seemingly as quickly as swine flu, those of us in the wine world can’t help but wonder if the tools out there are really revolutionizing the wine tracking and selecting worlds. There are myriad apps to choose from, of course. Some are designed to help you better organize your notes and/or your wine cellar. (Who doesn’t love a little organization?) Others are designed to help you figure out which wine might pair with your meal when out to eat, or help expand your wine horizons by guiding you to something familiar – but different. Some do both. Some do more.
But is there a simpler way that embraces what wine does by nature, aka socialization?
We've had an insane week here at Pour Favor what with the Boston Wine Expo winemakers and other exhibitors in town. It's weeks like this I am grateful for the folks in my network who find juicy tidbits online and forward them to my attention, just checking to be sure I haven't missed them. It's a great way for me to ensure I've got my finger on the pulse of what interests other people, too. So this week, enjoy these two "fan favorite" articles! First up - Tasting is as Tasting Does, aka "My Rating? I Like It!". Check out this great piece by Katy Mclaughlin over at the Wall Street Journal. This is precisely the kind of thing I'm talking about when it comes to picking out a wine (more on that Monday!).
Next - Now this is something I might have benefited from this past week myself (if only it also had protein and electrolytes!): a liquid Palate Cleanser. Check it out!
Would you be more likely to purchase a wine if it had a "Fan Favorite" thumbs up, rather than 90+ points?
