tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13886434154837995552024-02-07T06:36:33.323-05:00Two Wine BrothersSince 2008 the Blogging Authority on Locally Crafted WinesBrad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-3622531160544251232014-12-09T13:27:00.002-05:002014-12-09T13:28:13.590-05:00Where are “Our” Wine Boosters?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19dHq9CWhrViVN8-YkP1A8PmvmW-f1UAs7Dvq0pf0EGgGlJriq7IcRuoYv9mitAGdE_X3HJ3njWxzu5xQ-1ghZL9b_onLK-FnA_i-ARCKgA-2283slEd1gUpRiFx5XSDzQwpoBDwC5_Q/s1600/winebloggerswanted+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19dHq9CWhrViVN8-YkP1A8PmvmW-f1UAs7Dvq0pf0EGgGlJriq7IcRuoYv9mitAGdE_X3HJ3njWxzu5xQ-1ghZL9b_onLK-FnA_i-ARCKgA-2283slEd1gUpRiFx5XSDzQwpoBDwC5_Q/s1600/winebloggerswanted+copy.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We’ve been writing about local wines since 2008 and over those years we have observed the value of an engaged, motivated and winery supported blogging
community for the local wine industry.
One needs look no further than the Virginia wine community of bloggers
to get an idea about how our Midwest wine industry could benefit. Here are just a few of the Virginia wine
boosters:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Drink what you like: <a href="http://drinkwhatyoulike.wordpress.com/">http://drinkwhatyoulike.wordpress.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Swirl, Sip, Snark: <a href="http://swirlsipsnark.com/?tag=virginia-wine-blog">http://swirlsipsnark.com/?tag=virginia-wine-blog</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">VA Wine Dogs: <a href="http://vawinedogs.blogspot.com/">http://vawinedogs.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Pour House: <a href="http://virginiapourhouse.com/">http://virginiapourhouse.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Wine Time: <a href="http://www.virginiawinetime.com/">http://www.virginiawinetime.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As of January, 2014 Virginia had 223 wineries (source: Wines &
Vines) and the 2012 Economic Impact the wine industry had on their state was
about $775 million dollars. Currently
the state of Virginia is number #5 for number of wineries. That’s a big deal and a lot of that is in
rural communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Midwest wine region certainly can support an enthusiastic array of
wine writers, photographers and boosters to help show the world that our wines
are worthy of attention!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>WINE WRITERS UNITE!</b> We encourage writers, lovers of local wines,
photographers to start a wine blog, populate it regularly with content, and
share it with us and your friends.
Together we can make a huge difference for our state/region, the industry and
to good wine drinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Help us find other Midwest wine bloggers and writers by dropping a note
here or on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TwoWineBrothers">Two Wine Brothers Facebook</a> page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers,<br />
Brad</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-49676324252323333982014-12-07T15:04:00.001-05:002014-12-08T17:02:10.500-05:00I Say "Make More Bubbly!"<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtX0wpt6mAl6bDkxCXUGdWA6B5BizAFu3LU339IZ-dTNWMOeRbrZE3yZR-QjPjYjXvA0LtL5qV3W9vRKHnIc0nbTzC5HQmLWRdA9LqDnxQkPXSEEtsHLkdqXOCE9_ZRkZyfaTaWt9Z7s/s1600/KCC18.jpg" height="227" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff, Kirk and Brad - Producers for the film: <br />
Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America's Heartland<br />
<a href="http://www.winediamondsfilm.com/">www.winediamondsfilm.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">This past Thursday we were putting the finishing touches on the fundraising "pitch piece" we'll be </span><span style="font-size: large;">using</span><span style="font-size: large;"> in the near future for our movie, <i><a href="http://winediamondsfilm.com/">Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America's Heartland</a></i>. We filmed a few segments in the winery at Kirkwood Community College before heading over to the <a href="http://www.thehotelatkirkwood.com/">Hotel at Kirkwood</a>, a working/teaching hotel and conference center where we'd finish filming our pitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We knew Kirkwood's own <a href="http://www.kirkwood.edu/wine">wine/viticulture program</a> lead and head <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97b4kU-PVjT20WNDgPAAVY8Pub4mztr2S03xVf-TvGij7KsVjqaPj5pfoAQ05EIxk8lgE3YmzVj7uA4d2F8_q_F8PPKP8Upz9FJDBv8emw-JgUWnc2jHf3gnZ8rEC_2kVk3ObpWY3on8/s1600/KCC44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97b4kU-PVjT20WNDgPAAVY8Pub4mztr2S03xVf-TvGij7KsVjqaPj5pfoAQ05EIxk8lgE3YmzVj7uA4d2F8_q_F8PPKP8Upz9FJDBv8emw-JgUWnc2jHf3gnZ8rEC_2kVk3ObpWY3on8/s1600/KCC44.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas McIntire, Winemaker</td></tr>
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winemaker (Lucas McIntire) would be there pouring samples of his wines and giving the first taste of this brand new sparkler. Lucas is the kind of winemaker you think of when you think of those great winemakers: full of passion for the industry, knowledgeable, creative and his love of wines is contagious! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The line to taste his wines seemed to recycle very frequently and he could be heard across the room enthusiastically describing each one to his adoring fans. His wines are extraordinary!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After shooting our pitch we met up with Lucas and our friend Lauren (who owns <a href="http://www.secretcellarwines.com/">the Secret Cellar</a>) and we shot some additional footage for our "on-the-road" segments. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiym9ANuFcAimGvl0BZcdJobZkhtPsjtpvEy_MbQAhR6Kmu_uuqi3cNKJeDHoQTVj-OfynhK4t21fun2vF7Z9pq7qfnkEeQ4_9_iiTIE5O0ue7S6CzGEafIOtZy7E7QdkjMBIbVekG4uU/s1600/KCC46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiym9ANuFcAimGvl0BZcdJobZkhtPsjtpvEy_MbQAhR6Kmu_uuqi3cNKJeDHoQTVj-OfynhK4t21fun2vF7Z9pq7qfnkEeQ4_9_iiTIE5O0ue7S6CzGEafIOtZy7E7QdkjMBIbVekG4uU/s1600/KCC46.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frontenac Gris - note the amber color of this "white" wine.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Toward the end of our filming we were invited back to his wine cellar where we sampled his wines and was completely amazed by this <a href="http://grapes.umn.edu/Frontenacgris/index.htm">Frontenac Gris</a> wine. He grows several dozen varieties of cold-hardy grapes and Frontenac Gris, when fermented by the uninitiated can come off as tart, or bland and unappealing, but not this one. Lucas described how he had to patiently wait while this gris (grey) grape slowly ripened, waiting, testing, and waiting until an amber elixir of the most elegant nature emerged. This wine is big, juicy, mouth-filling, fruity, dry and absolutely delicious. Honestly, this is one of the very best white wines I've had in the Midwest ...hell, anywhere! Just amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The crazy thing is...while this spectacular wine was captivating it's <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGqROJhw1Kcr65umeAJ_bqdxFyYPZQjsV0dsbqpt6ycpz-1RexGcjg4kCHeEZ-Q7f7gk6FPD7tPPleR9hHW4eM6lDV2LBlSLD-R5tP59p6nGHv6YSVLQ_kvyUlRbf2-g0OTAS-ub7gB0/s1600/KirkwoodLaCroseeSparkler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGqROJhw1Kcr65umeAJ_bqdxFyYPZQjsV0dsbqpt6ycpz-1RexGcjg4kCHeEZ-Q7f7gk6FPD7tPPleR9hHW4eM6lDV2LBlSLD-R5tP59p6nGHv6YSVLQ_kvyUlRbf2-g0OTAS-ub7gB0/s1600/KirkwoodLaCroseeSparkler.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available in Eastern Iowa Only!</td></tr>
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sister, a sparkling wine, made in the traditional method (Methode Chamenoise),</span><span style="color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">from Adelmiina (a grape you've probably never heard of before), <a href="http://www.grapes.umn.edu/LaCrescent/">LaCrescent</a> and Okanagon Riesling grapes was jaw droppingly exquisite. On this night Lucas debuted his 2013 release of his sparkling wine. In the glass this lively bubbly was gorgeous, trillions of bubbles</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">(just an estimate)</span><span style="font-size: large;">, a sexy straw color, and a dazzling array of aromas - citrus: lemon and lime, apple blossom, and fresh bread; and to top it off, the flavors popped with bright acidity and a scrumptious citrus, apple, and toasty yeast essence that whispered how well it'd be with food.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The sad news for those not living in eastern Iowa is that you're missing out on some of of the most exciting wines coming on the scene.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lucas' sparkler is among the best I've had. This is a winemaker to follow...and if you have the opportunity to buy his wines, particularly this beautiful bubbly, get it today!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If other Midwest winemakers could emulate what Lucas McIntire (Kirkood Community College) and John Burns (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/barrelhead.winery?fref=ts">Barrelhead Winery</a>) are doing with traditional method sparkling wines then we'd soon gain national prominence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I say...make more bubbly!! </span><br />
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Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-17572904428072340812014-11-25T15:45:00.000-05:002014-11-26T16:08:39.804-05:00Crazy Good Wines!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">By Brad Johnson</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My brother and I began writing about wines
back in December of 2008 and since then a lot has transpired, both personally
and professionally, but the last couple of years were a gut punch of sorts as I
left my job to care for our mother before she passed away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Leaving my winery job, my dream job, was
difficult but in the long run has been really good for me. In the past two years I began working as a wine
industry consultant helping wineries and other businesses with public
relations, marketing and communications.
Last year my friend and business partner/guru (Kurt Karr) and I were speakers
at the Iowa Wine Growers Association where we shared our views on branding,
social media marketing, and marketing in general. It was a hoot!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmSMN3vX64HTxCHTWDnt_mUbMAp7AuNNp46FzoqwhyphenhyphenoSmdxT8pxNcEe671IrPxOeGBofl8uckpgdk2EvpsK5YJ0NocRNKyEP9RPOu729zWaoZwsTssU8YyirQi8z_eDvbnW1mtqtq11o/s1600/WineDiamondsFilmCROPsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmSMN3vX64HTxCHTWDnt_mUbMAp7AuNNp46FzoqwhyphenhyphenoSmdxT8pxNcEe671IrPxOeGBofl8uckpgdk2EvpsK5YJ0NocRNKyEP9RPOu729zWaoZwsTssU8YyirQi8z_eDvbnW1mtqtq11o/s1600/WineDiamondsFilmCROPsmall.jpg" height="144" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This year, after working with a local
creative productions company (we created television commercials for a mutual
client) called <a href="http://www.mvpvideoproduction.com/">MVP Video Productions</a>, we decided to come together and create a
feature length documentary movie, called “<a href="http://winediamondsfilm.com/">Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America’s Heartland</a>.” We’ve been filming since
July 2014 and will continue to shoot until fall of 2015. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c_-Uok5uwg1dU6NhntJVXkqAuZ2uDeckTP5I0tT287EPM9ajp1TFpBZXDCVKsO0mgEM1C95x7mVR7IK_9jnYfm6mrT0nKYRpeKPDOtsD2AW8Dem8NOViO64TC9US6F3EXn4ku1L6k3E/s1600/Barrel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c_-Uok5uwg1dU6NhntJVXkqAuZ2uDeckTP5I0tT287EPM9ajp1TFpBZXDCVKsO0mgEM1C95x7mVR7IK_9jnYfm6mrT0nKYRpeKPDOtsD2AW8Dem8NOViO64TC9US6F3EXn4ku1L6k3E/s1600/Barrel1.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winemaker John gives Jennifer a barrel sample</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Out and about I get to taste a lot of
wine, a lot of very good wine, and occasionally there are wineries where something
magical is taking place. Those are the
wineries I get very excited about. I’ve
known about <a href="https://www.facebook.com/barrelhead.winery">Barrelhead Winery</a> (near Dubuque, IA) for several years and
revisited them again this fall with our good friend Jennifer Farnum. We’d planned an all day long winery road trip but never
made it past John Burn’s winery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Barrelhead Winery is one of Iowa’s (if
not the Midwest) best wineries!
Period. Or is that Exclamation
point?! Either way. Granted, I’ve known John for a while and have
always been impressed with his wines, but on this trip (and another more recent
trip with my friend Martin Blind) it was reinforced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">John was kind enough to take us into his
barrel room and provide us samples of his wines - all estate grown and
made. Our first wine, a Marechal Foch,
straight from the 2014 harvest and still in its stainless steel tank was our
first “barrel” sample.
Extraordinary! If you know
anything about Marechal Foch it is a bugger to work with, in other words, there
is what’s become affectionately known as the “Foch Funk,” a heavy herbaceous
quality that’s just not the most appealing aroma or flavor for a wine. Somehow, someway John has tamed the Foch
beast and created an amazingly special wine.
Let me say that again to those that have ripped out their Marechal Foch
plants - replant, talk to John, and make more of this lovely elixir. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This Foch is so un-Fochlike that some wine
competition judges have docked his Foch wine for lacking Foch characteristic
--- Really!?!? Wasn’t that the
point? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Moving on in the barrel room we were
given samples, of various years, of St. Croix, Leon Millot, GR-7 (Geneva Red 7)
and Marechal Foch. One thing was for
certain - these wines are fantastic! The
St. Croix and Leon Millot, both wines typically suffer under the heavy hands of some winemakers, are elevated to the heavens in this back road winery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbOQKZZTSdjtKa_S3kLMiYksCHcVaxa9geuSUcEfxIRjsoXuTtEmAABbg2XlO1dtrDq6BIeo_B1PN5SXZBfrbZcyN0QHhrJUPokXuW5Ybgtxtfqdu6nsncZk5K5EfSmWQBIWhkGo5sVk/s1600/Barrelhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbOQKZZTSdjtKa_S3kLMiYksCHcVaxa9geuSUcEfxIRjsoXuTtEmAABbg2XlO1dtrDq6BIeo_B1PN5SXZBfrbZcyN0QHhrJUPokXuW5Ybgtxtfqdu6nsncZk5K5EfSmWQBIWhkGo5sVk/s1600/Barrelhead.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Back at his winery tasting room we were
treated to more exceptional wines. Don’t
get me wrong when I say the following, because his dry red wine are really
amazing and worthy of serious recognition, but his sparkling wines…are as good
as I’ve ever had. Painfully good! He wants to go toe-to-toe with the French in
competition and given what I know about John and his wines, I’d place my bet on
his sparklers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">John uses the traditional method (also
known as Méthode Champenoise) - the slow and laborious way to make sparkling
wines (aka: Champagne style wine) and in my opinion, the only way to make a truly
great sparkler - using his own grapes. Enchanting!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Folks…this is the real deal. If every winery in the Midwest made wines
like these there is little doubt we’d become a serious wine destination!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">John is a character, the best sort of
wine character with a lot of personality and passion for wines that others
could emulate. I highly recommend
visiting his winery to enjoy these fantastic wines. You can only find his wines at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/barrelhead.winery">BarrelheadWinery</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>HIGHLY RECOMMENDED</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-89865416278882263272014-05-11T19:52:00.000-04:002014-11-25T14:39:31.945-05:002009 Fireside Winery, Frontenac, Iowa<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Terry Post:<br /><br />2009 Fireside Winery, Frontenac, Iowa<u><br /></u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A few years ago I was discussing with my brother a concept taught in B-School, that was the, "<i>unfair competitive advantage</i>". An unfair competitive advantage is a business situation where a company has a product which was so superior or so different that it was seen as having an unfair advantage over its competitors. As an example, a few years ago the brand Soft Soap was the first to market with soap dispensed from a bottle via a pump. <br /><br />For those of you under thirty trust me on this one - it was a big deal. The unfair competitive advantage held by Soft Soap was that the pump device which was necessary to patented and the Soft Soap brand bought exclusive use rights over the pump mechanism for three years. This unfair competitive advantage allowed Soft Soap to firmly establish itself as the premier product and immune from competition for three full years.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now to Iowa wine. What is the unfair competitive advantage which Iowa holds over France, California, Australia, Oregon, Washington or any other wine producing region? Could it be Frontenac? I am not sure. I think when things settle out, it is my opinion that Brianna will provide that unfair competitive advantage for Iowa grape growers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>My impressions: </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Garnet in the glass. <br /><br />Not much on the nose. With a lot of sloshing and more effort than should be necessary I could detect tart cherries.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One dimensional fruit </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">with a brief acidic finish. Warming. Perhaps some added alcohol??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It paired satisfactorily with the Mother's Day prime rib I prepared for my bride of thirty-seven years.</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Food friendly thanks to the acidity. A good but not great dining companion. <br /><br /><b>Disclaimer</b>: It is perhaps not fair to be writing about a 2009 Frontenac in 2014. Five years in the bottle may be too much to expect from <u><i>any </i></u>Frontenac.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Recommended. If for no other reason than I really want Iowa wines to succeed. Will buy a more recent vintage the next time I make the trip West.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">$15ish at the Winery</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>~ Terry </b></span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-79815808647024527492013-08-25T09:52:00.003-04:002014-11-25T14:39:48.789-05:002011 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Terry post:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Restaurant Week in Washington DC is a wonderful thing and the wife and I are taking full advantage with one dinner, one lunch and one brunch out. Yesterday we had a nearly perfect lunch at Range, one of the dining off-shoots from “Top Chef” alumnus Bryan Voltaggio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">During evening hours the restaurant advertises three sommelier on duty but during lunch there are precisely zero.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So even I, dear reader, was somewhat overwhelmed by page after page of sparklers, whites and reds in their aluminum-covered wine list. What to do? What to do? I took the cowards way out and selected a nice safe Paul Hobbs Chardonnay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>My impressions:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Medium gold in the glass - a shade deeper in hue than any chardonnay I have sampled in a very long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Bright citrus and vanilla on the nose when first poured and swirled about. Too much oak? I don't think so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Medium bodied with a brief caramel finish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It paired spectacularly with my intensely flavored goat cheese ravioli. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Food friendly. Complementing while not overwhelming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Recommended.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">$62 at Ranch in DC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">$35ish at retail</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">~ <b><i>Terry</i></b></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-48147121486036113012012-08-19T20:19:00.002-04:002013-08-25T10:05:26.364-04:00<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Terry post:</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2010 Port of Leonardtown Winery "1634" Chardonnay</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to wine I am a "homer". That is, I strongly support the local teams and unabashedly so. So, it came with a great deal of anticipation and apprehension that I visited the Port of Leonardtown Winery a few weeks ago and bought a case of Vidal Blanc and a case of their premium Chardonnay, labeled "1634".</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The anticipation was that I bought a case of the Vidal Blanc - I believe it to be far-and-away their best wine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The apprehension was that my last sampling of the 2009 "1634" was deeply disappointing. It's razor sharp acidity made it nearly undrinkable.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was hoping that for whatever reason: global warming, Federal Reserve policies, Kepler's harmonic theorem, sunspots, or <em>whatever</em> that the 2010 version of their premium chardonnay would be superior to the 2009 version.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was not disappointed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>My impressions</strong>: Light wheat color in the glass. Subtle perfume of flowers and grass in front. Nicely balanced with the acidity only slightly over-taking the understated sugars. Medium bodied. Not a full-bodied monster like French Montrachet and also not overly buttery. A friendly companion for dining<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed a bottle with a dinner of Pasta with Oysters and Mushrooms. It stood up very well to the challenging umami-intense offering. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Highly </u></b>Recommended</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">$15ish at the winery<br /><br /><i>Updated on August 22, 2013 based on three subsequent tastings.</i></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-54868315329518781852012-01-03T19:51:00.000-05:002012-01-03T19:53:16.435-05:00Midwest Winery to Watch - Elmaro Vineyard<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Brad Post</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend my wife, Jill, and I spent the New Years Eve weekend in Lacrosse, WI. While there we made time to visit some friends who recently opened a winery (<a href="http://www.elmarovineyard.com/">Elmaro Vineyard</a>) in Trempealeau, nestled beautifully within the Mississippi River valley.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIC9X7-MlDTDjYHyuRpuV5wS7Hp6KT7UnNuiEE9lb7-DA6z_2_atJ_hhl5sOouls4AoIv0wgxt1_DlrwMqKGkWOashHyZ50BhDx_VyZh6XO53WLUSpywg3Fso48hVBCGXaHCWm6ovWkSk/s1600/Elmaro.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIC9X7-MlDTDjYHyuRpuV5wS7Hp6KT7UnNuiEE9lb7-DA6z_2_atJ_hhl5sOouls4AoIv0wgxt1_DlrwMqKGkWOashHyZ50BhDx_VyZh6XO53WLUSpywg3Fso48hVBCGXaHCWm6ovWkSk/s400/Elmaro.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmaro Vineyard (taken from website)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The winery, built on the family farmstead, is attractively styled for visitors and creatively designed for wine making. Planning includes use of gravity-fed systems, to gently move the grape juice and must, thoughtfully constructed cold-stabilization rooms to take advantage of naturally cool temperatures, and a top-tier mobile bottling line (useful for bottling at their winery and contracting to other local wineries - <a href="http://www.winedustry.com/articles/Business/article10339.html">read more about it here</a>).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9dFdM4C0hinRZCOWjELpOQ5xfBLHZryDOIgETx-nLm03NsQXCJnweqlIQ_lp-4hva-FdfTsnctjuY8g9nB8X7qOGguKtKlh16TsBUQR8N2-C3ytzAu5jSFmN7BMlD2Irou9Y1_cdQSE/s1600/Elmaro_wines.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9dFdM4C0hinRZCOWjELpOQ5xfBLHZryDOIgETx-nLm03NsQXCJnweqlIQ_lp-4hva-FdfTsnctjuY8g9nB8X7qOGguKtKlh16TsBUQR8N2-C3ytzAu5jSFmN7BMlD2Irou9Y1_cdQSE/s400/Elmaro_wines.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elmaro Wines - picture from website</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The beautifully crafted and undulating tasting room bar encourages visitors to cozy up to the bar. Our hosts were gracious and allowed us ample time to taste and enjoy each of the wines. The Elmaro Rosa, a fruity and fun blush wine containing Concord and Catawba, was wonderfully balanced and it's easy to see why it is incredibly popular. Mine and Jills favorite was the off-dry Vidal Blanc - sumptuously aromatic and deliciously pleasing on the palate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the most satisfying aspects of visiting a winery is getting to know the owners, their wine making philosophy, and to get a read on the passion they have for wine making. It's truly a family operation with an immense sense of pride and professionalism going into each bottle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Great things are happening at the winery and if you have an opportunity, or live within a few hours, you really need to visit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!</span>Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com1Trempealeau, WI, USA44.0055185 -91.442088343.982676500000004 -91.4815703 44.0283605 -91.402606299999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-91583985683191741572011-11-27T19:34:00.001-05:002011-11-27T20:30:09.734-05:00We Wear Many Hats<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brad Post:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When most people think of working in a winery they probably conjure images of the winemaker, the tasting room attendant, or someone out in the vineyard tending the vines. And for large winery operations it's probably a valid conceptualization, however, for most of us in the wine business, those of us in a small-to-mid sized winery, we wear many hats.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn1Bg_NbPYeHV495pZ1E6hEsEYtDveKFI4bo2sXFsu7atN7zPlSShP_m3XfrMx5NxFbLQfxeivaB4RpyoJEyaJD_IzIxgm0tkNKESmUPTfFnoCPUI_JB87cOQtV3xVemdKlEJlHXDDtQ/s1600/I+heart+winemaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn1Bg_NbPYeHV495pZ1E6hEsEYtDveKFI4bo2sXFsu7atN7zPlSShP_m3XfrMx5NxFbLQfxeivaB4RpyoJEyaJD_IzIxgm0tkNKESmUPTfFnoCPUI_JB87cOQtV3xVemdKlEJlHXDDtQ/s1600/I+heart+winemaking.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2005 I began playing around with making wine and shortly thereafter enrolled in an enology (wine science) program. By 2008 my interests took me to a local winery where, until June, I volunteered to learn winery operations and gained a great deal of knowledge. With my shiny new wine making credentials in hand and my college teaching baggage behind me, I sought full time employment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The wine gods must have been smiling on me because, in short order, I found myself up to my neck in a job, whose making was my own. You see in these parts of the country it isn't often a guy can find full time employment in a winery, frankly because most operations are small family-run enterprises, but I was lucky.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Understanding wine from the perspective of a winemaker, and as a vocal advocate for a regional wine industry, was a bonus as I began my new endeavor. As the External Relations Manager, a fancy new title that captures everything from public and social media relations, writing and editing, to my main focus - strengthening and building a wholesale program, I wear many hats.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some days I visit potential wholesale/retail accounts, other days I deliver wines, many days are filled with scheduling my volunteer wine ambassadors monthly wine tastings. There are days when I work behind the tasting room bar serving guests, while other times I shoot a short video and post on YouTube, but all times I am thrilled to be part of a growing local wine industry.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to think that I am somehow special in this way but I know I am not. I meet many colleagues who wear the same hats, perhaps in different ways, but we are all trying hard to do it right.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The days become weeks and weeks blend together too quickly. The Summer events are now the snapshots I visit on my Facebook photo album, and our harvest, which began in late August finally reached its zenith last week with the delivered Cabernet, Merlot and Zinfandel. I rode shotgun during the fermentation while the winemaker took a week-long vacation. Another hat. Working in the cellar doing Punch Downs and Pump-Over operations was enjoyable and brought me back to my wine making roots. I've missed that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can't help but wonder what's in store as the next year approaches and what style of hat I'll be wearing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers, my wine friends!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Brad</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span>Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-58457938941057858722011-11-12T10:30:00.000-05:002011-11-12T10:33:34.045-05:00NV Freixenet, Cordon Negro, Brut, Spain<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdZuywCCy0k/Tot6x4UEtiI/AAAAAAAABGc/kA1dOQ7jRYQ/s1600/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 296px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659752354069919266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdZuywCCy0k/Tot6x4UEtiI/AAAAAAAABGc/kA1dOQ7jRYQ/s320/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B015.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Terry post</strong>:</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Sparkling wine and Champagne are associated with special occasions. I once read that over 70% of the sparkling wine and Champagne consumed in America was reserved for parties, celebrations and other non-ordinary days. Only around 30% of those wines being consumed during non-special times such as ordinary dining.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Sparklers can be reliable friends for pairing with foods when nothing else seems to fit. Having characteristics which are both bold and subtle I am fearless in pairing sparklers with virtually any food. <i> They go with anything!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">It was Winston Churchill who famously consumed vast quantities of French Champagne with oysters during with colleagues during late night political ramblings at his country home, "Chartwell". While I have not had a Churchill Champagne/Oysters night myself: it remains one of my bucket list.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">My impressions:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Light-gold in the glass.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Fragrant with flowers and green apple most prominent when first poured. As the wine warms in the glass I noted a more pronounced citrus fragrance.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Wonderful acidity but not to the point of overwhelming. Very food friendly. I have paired this sparkler with omelets, curry dishes and Alfredo topped pasta all to great success.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Long-lasting citrus finish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">I continue to be impressed with this wine. I have enjoyed it for several years now and found it to be a reliable friend. It is a very good wine at a very reasonable price making it a spectacular value in the sparkling wine category.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">You don't need a special occasion to drink this sparkler. At the price and quality this is an every day wine which should not be passed by.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Highly recommended.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">$9.00ish at the Fort Belvior PX.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">~ Terry</span></div><div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-63654581314000802052011-10-26T18:11:00.000-04:002011-10-26T18:15:46.046-04:002010 BV Coastal Estates, Pinot Grigio, California<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_0e4QxJ6Cc/Tot7gqPzJTI/AAAAAAAABGs/XGH5uSHhAzw/s1600/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B018.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 225px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659753157747746098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_0e4QxJ6Cc/Tot7gqPzJTI/AAAAAAAABGs/XGH5uSHhAzw/s320/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B018.JPG" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><strong>Terry post</strong>:</span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Poetry is a lot like wine. Some like it and most don't and everyone has an opinion about it. And like opinions about wine they are equally valid because if you like it - it is good. Anybody who tries to tell you otherwise has an ax to grind. My opinions about wine and poetry are just that: my opinions. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">"<i>Barking</i>" by Jim Harrison.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>The moon comes up.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>The moon goes down.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>This is to inform you</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>that I didn’t die young.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>Age swept past me</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>but I caught up.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>Spring has begun here and each day</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>brings new birds up from Mexico.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>Yesterday I got a call from the outside</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>world but I said no in thunder.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>I was a dog on a short chain</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><i>and now there’s no chain.</i></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">I like Jim Harrison's poems a lot. They all are rich and crisp and pair well with my favorite foods. They are inexpensive and easily found. They are deeply hued and smell of flowers, citrus, grapes, loss or love. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">My Impression:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Pale straw in the glass.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Light bodied with floral nose. A little more acidic than I expect from a Pinot Grigio making it a better candidate for food paring. Short green pepper finish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Recommended, but only because of it's price. Were this an $10 Pinot Grigio I'd take a pass on it. But being a value shopper I am willing to endure its timidity.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">$4.99 at the Fort Belvior PX.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><b>~Terry</b></span></div><div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-85556900182545969862011-10-20T13:00:00.002-04:002011-10-20T13:18:25.395-04:002009 Port of Leonardtown Winery, "1634" Chardonnay, Maryland<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bt6lJr8YoI/TopRI9gI_SI/AAAAAAAABFE/mOzoZNPAspM/s1600/POL-1634-09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bt6lJr8YoI/TopRI9gI_SI/AAAAAAAABFE/mOzoZNPAspM/s320/POL-1634-09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659425096134622498" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Terry post:</span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Those who know me and those who read my blogging know that I appreciate the challenges and efforts of small wineries who are working to determine which varietal grows where best and how coax the best wine from the grapes. I have particular interest in Maryland, Virginia as well as Iowa. For different reasons all are exciting grape growing areas where the jury is still out on which grapes are best suited to the soil and the climate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">My personal experience has been such that I have enjoyed Chamborcin, Vidal Blanc and Merlot in Virginia and Maryland and Brianna in Iowa. The coming decade will prove an interesting time as growers and consumers negotiate what they like and what they will try.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">That brings me around to a Chardonnay grown in Maryland. There is always a challenge for any American winery when they enter into the realm of the varietals which are well-known and for which a certain expectation exists. This makes life challenging for the mid-Atlantic states when they create a produce which is well known and well understood by the wine drinking public but which is not optimized for the soil or the climate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">My impressions: </span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Pale yellow in the glass - lighter in color than most Chardonnays. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Bright citrus on the nose. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Overwhelming acidity across the the palate to the point where I couldn't taste anything beyond the acidity. Short tart finish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">I tried pairing the wine with creamy and butter-based sauces and found it's razor sharp finish too demanding of even the richest sauce Alfredo. Easily the most acidic tasting Chardonnay I have ever sampled.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">I wished that I liked it more. I have drank three bottle and found that it did not vary in it's characteristics. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">The Port of Leonardtown Winery is taking a big risk in growing Chardonnay in Maryland. I wish them every success. This offering is not up to their usual high standards of quality.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Not recommended.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">$16ish at the winery.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">~ Terry </span></b></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-53380182677409309222011-10-11T17:14:00.000-04:002011-10-11T19:35:02.120-04:002009 Port of Leonardtown Winery, Captain's Table, Dry Red Table Wine, Maryland<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6gi0_IwofeQ/Tot3WB1N-XI/AAAAAAAABFk/DCoD6Nfd5-A/s1600/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659748577053636978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6gi0_IwofeQ/Tot3WB1N-XI/AAAAAAAABFk/DCoD6Nfd5-A/s320/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B006.JPG" /></a><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Terry post:</span></strong></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Note: This is my second review of this wine. The first review can be found <a href="http://twowinebrothers.blogspot.com/2011/02/2009-port-of-leonardtown-winery.html#comments">here</a>.</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">If it isn't already obvious, I am a fan of this Maryland brand as they dig and claw to create something new and wonderful as the state bureaucracy seems bent on destroying indigenous wine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">My Impressions:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Medium red in the glass. A middleweight fighting up one weight class against bigger bolder reds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Spicebox on the nose with cherries and dark fruit across the palate. Interesting blend but lacking the punch I'd hoped for.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Short herbal finish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">The label is mute as to its constituent wines. My guess is that it is primarily Merlot and Chambourcin, with a low tannic red (Cab Franc, maybe) and maybe an off-dry white to fill in the cracks and round off the edges. Just guessing. But, I'd be surprised if Merlot and Chambourcin were not the primary wines in the blend.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">I paired it last evening with pasta with marinara sauce, steamed artichokes and garlic bread. Despite it middleweight status it held up very well against the garlic-infused marinara sauce.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Recommended.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">~ Terry</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-46967510819917736112011-10-10T17:10:00.000-04:002011-10-11T19:35:52.598-04:002010 Barton & Guestier, Vouvray, France<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCsy6EAV4Tg/Tot3JH2lDnI/AAAAAAAABFc/oGHrZanBxdk/s1600/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659748355331657330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCsy6EAV4Tg/Tot3JH2lDnI/AAAAAAAABFc/oGHrZanBxdk/s320/5%2BOctober%2B2011%2B005.JPG" /></a><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Terry post:</span></strong></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></b><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">I have very little experience with Chenin Blanc wines having been turned off early by the crap which came out of California in the late 1970s. Having endured sweet Chenin Blancs from the likes of Ernest and Julio Gallo did, for a very long time, turn me off completely from the varietal.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Well. It is the 21st Century. Maybe it is time for me to give another Chenin Blanc a try.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">My impression: </span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Very pale in the glass. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Off dry. Not razor sharp and crisp like a Chardonnay nor syrupy like so many of the U.S. Chenin Blancs. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">A nimble combination of understated acidity balanced with a light floral and melon nose.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Slightly drying in the herbal finish.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">I enjoyed this wine with seared sea scallops and an apple compote. They worked very well together.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Recommended.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">$8.99 at the Fort Belvior PX.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">~ Terry</span></div><div></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-66253033558215213972011-10-10T16:58:00.005-04:002011-10-10T17:21:10.047-04:00What Eagle Outfitters can Teach the Wine Industry about Brand Ambassadors<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-El0_jRTNlkk/TpNdHXxp8lI/AAAAAAAABHk/MP3_6Y2SU2g/s1600/eagle%2Boutfitters.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-El0_jRTNlkk/TpNdHXxp8lI/AAAAAAAABHk/MP3_6Y2SU2g/s320/eagle%2Boutfitters.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661971537757598290" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Terry post:</span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Much as been written about the persuading customers to become brand ambassadors for a given companies product line.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">A few years ago the clothing brand Quicksilver featured an outrageous video of surfers tossing dynamite into a river and then surfing the waves downstream. While innovative and an instant viral video, it did little to cause individual consumers to more closely identify with the product. It was sensational but did not customers to align with the brand.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Gatoraide a manufacturer of sports drinks, "...<i>tweets good luck messages to star athletes</i>..." and "...<i>Girls Intelligence Agency</i>...<i>gives them free products.</i>..(to) <i>organize a slumber party with their friends to try them out</i>..." (Source: The Economist).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">My favorite example of brand ambassadorship has to do with Eagle Outfitters on New York's Time Square where they employ a huge multi-story LED display to flash pictures of anyone who buys their products. This instant, albeit brief, celebrity enables the buyers to get pictures of themselves on the huge screen and then to share the images with their friends.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">The Wine Industry has not been all that innovative with creating unique examples of brand identity. If you are aware of unique techniques being used in the Wine Industry to more closely align vintners with the buying public: I'd love to hear about it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">~ Terry</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Source: "Hidden Persuaders II", The Economist, , September 24, 2011, p. 80.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-40755594079501381552011-10-03T18:58:00.004-04:002011-10-03T19:27:29.691-04:002009 Penfolds, Koonuga Hill, Shiraz Cabernet<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yz3Y4mJ1CP8/TopEZ54FnpI/AAAAAAAABE8/H6UkdiFhQdM/s1600/penfolds-koonunga-hill-shiraz-cabernet-sauvignon-south-australia-10061550.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yz3Y4mJ1CP8/TopEZ54FnpI/AAAAAAAABE8/H6UkdiFhQdM/s320/penfolds-koonunga-hill-shiraz-cabernet-sauvignon-south-australia-10061550.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659411093567938194" /></a><b>Terry post:</b><div><br /></div><div>When ever I think of Australian wines I have two memories which come immediately to mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first memory is that of being Officer of the Deck on the USS ENGLAND (CG-22) during a mid-watch in the South Pacific Ocean as we steamed South. It was a calm, cloudless and moonless evening as we sliced quietly through the dark waters en route to Australia. I recall standing alone on the starboard bridge wing and looking up into the universe above me. The ocean was pitch with only the slightest phosphorescence as the bow pierced the occasional wave. The sky was the clearest I have ever seen and the millions of stars which shone upon the sky seemed close enough to touch. My place as a human being on a ship in the ocean seemed so utterly small and meaningless that I laughed out loud. It was humbling and an experience that I hold close in my heart twenty-six years after the event.</div><div><br /></div><div>My second memory was tasting red wines from South Australia. They were not very good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, in the nearly thirty years since my one, and only trip, to Australia things have improved in the Australian red wine scene.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>My impressions:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Big nose on this one. Eucalyptus, dark fruit and cherries dominate. </div><div><br /></div><div>A middle-weight on the palate with dark fruit quickly displaced by thin tannins and a brief finish. There isn't really anything wrong with the wine, but it isn't the sort of shiraz-blend powerhouse which I have recently come to expect from Australia.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said: I like it. I paired it with a dinner of leftover Beef Bourguignon, pecans, dates and cheese. It stood up very well with the hearty beef offering.</div><div><br /></div><div>All-in-all a great value providing a full, dry red wine experience at a bargain basement price. It is not full-bodied monster like some of the Yalumba shiraz blends, but at $8 to $10 at retail you'd be hard pressed to find a better value.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recommended</div><div><br /></div><div>$7.99 at the Fort Belvior PX.</div><div><br /></div><div>~ Terry</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-52671385942111447012011-05-24T09:33:00.005-04:002011-05-24T20:48:01.027-04:00What Steve Jobs has to tell the Wine Industry about Quality<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ld-Z9Y0HEU/Tdu4xpa_QpI/AAAAAAAABEU/mf9ZjunwYoU/s1600/jobs.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ld-Z9Y0HEU/Tdu4xpa_QpI/AAAAAAAABEU/mf9ZjunwYoU/s320/jobs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610280923892236946" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Terry post:</span></span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It would have been five, or so, years ago when a winery rep showed up at the door at Restaurant 213. She was rep'ing a mid-sized winery located in the beautiful rolling hills West of Baltimore and brought along twelve different wines.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We tasted them all and chose not to add any to our wine list as none were sufficiently interesting and they were pricey given the quality of the product.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I was thinking about this wine rep's visit this past weekend as I visited my brother in Iowa. He'll shortly be taking on rep duties for a Iowa winery and I was sharing my thoughts on the matter.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Forbes magazine recently carried a short article regarding a telephone conversation between Steve Jobs (Apple CEO) and Mark Parker (Nike CEO) in 2006 regarding quality. According to the article, Mr. Jobs recommendation to Mr. Parker was quite succinct: "...</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">you also make a lot of crap. Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It sounds like common sense advice: do what you do well and get rid of the stuff you don't do well. But, how many of us would be willing to discard a large portion of our product line to focus on a few select items.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As a good comparison take a look at the web site for </span></span><a href="http://www.apple.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Apple</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and then </span></span><a href="http://www.nokiausa.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Nokia</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and search for their phones. Both Apple and Nokia sell smart phones but it is evident that Apple follows Mr. Jobs advice to focus on the good stuff. The Nokia site is complicated and once you get to the telephone section you'll note that there are twenty-two phones to choose from. Apple has one phone, their best product, the iPhone 4.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now how does this apply to the wine business? In my wine tastings it is far too common to see ten, twelve or even more wines being produced at a single winery: this is the equivalent of Nokia providing twenty-two cell phones. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It takes guts to reduce the size of any business portfolio be it consumer electronics or wine. When Mr. Jobs returned to Apple, the company had more than 300 different products. Today you could place the entire Apple product line on a small dining room table. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Apple's elimination of low margin products allowed the company to focus on their core competency of innovation and design. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It is inconceivable that small capitalized wineries have the time, expertise and experience to field a wide portfolio of offerings and that over-reach results in underperformance. The Apple model of concentrating on a small portfolio, executed well seems to provide the best example for the small winery.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Perhaps, just perhaps, small wineries could benefit from Mr. Jobs advice and, "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>~ Terry</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Source: "Steve Jobs: Stop Making the Crappy Stuff", Forbes Magazine, May 16 2011</span></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-41451664128344319022011-04-09T11:31:00.004-04:002011-04-09T12:01:32.691-04:00What the Dresden Codex has to Tell us About Wine Rating<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uENVFhlEAAk/TaB9UbtU6SI/AAAAAAAABEM/Tfeh7r78-1c/s1600/-Dresden_codex%252C_page_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uENVFhlEAAk/TaB9UbtU6SI/AAAAAAAABEM/Tfeh7r78-1c/s320/-Dresden_codex%252C_page_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593608527182883106" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Terry post:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">How about a little experiment?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'd like you to begin counting. Speak the numbers to yourself or out loud: it doesn't matter. Count out five or six numbers which are consecutive. Now ask yourself, "why did I begin where I began"?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If you are like the overwhelming majority of people you'll have begun counting with the number one and proceeded through two, three, four, five and six. You'll have started at the beginning and worked outward from there. But did you really begin at the beginning? What about zero? Why did you begin at one and not at zero? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">One of the great mathematical breakthroughs was developing the concept of zero as a value. In the earliest times the value of zero was represented by the absence of a value in a chain of values. It took time, a lot of time, for the concept of a zero value to have taken hold.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Aztec's and Greeks appear to have both come upon the concept of zero as a numerical value sometime between 32 B.C. and 150 A.D. with the New World and Old World both laying claim to the honor.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Reading through Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast and other wine rating publications I am reminded of the value of zero. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When reading these magazines I see page after page of 80s and 90s with a scant few 70s. What happened to the 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s? Are these wine-rating values the equivalent of zero in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Columbian</span> ages?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If Wine Spectator and others rate limit their ratings to a 30 point band between 70 and 100, then why don't they just do so? What is the point of having a 100 point scale where no one scores below 70?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">When I was in high school in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Greenville</span>, Michigan I had a math teacher who one day explained how the grading system worked. Simply by showing up and taking the test you'd score 50 points. The remaining 50 points were earned by working the problem. So the test was really a 50 point test and not a 100 point test. Never really understood why that was. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So, maybe wine ratings are more akin to taking a high school math test were everyone is given 50 points just for showing up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">~ Terry</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-77386869792069009892011-03-28T21:21:00.000-04:002011-03-28T21:21:46.008-04:00I Drink Local Wine<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Brad Post:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As some of you may have gathered The Two Wine Brothers (Terry & Brad Johnson) are seriously geeky about wine. I've been known to go to extremes in my (Brad) attempt to immerse myself in wine - literally during the harvest and crush.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So it isn't too much of a surprise to learn that I am a vocal advocate and promoter of local wines. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqrtTiZ6aAoyWTPUidXL5PZWcDYNUcJrxsCX8PR5Nf-tPUinrf-Xrf85nLgN-3Q64IQoys_NR6TQ4XaQ_qzw1Lv80LCo7oYzKSfWbIgw7B024IKzscL_OFkTxG9N4CxWk8m7SXxT3yfs/s1600/Idrinklocalwine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqrtTiZ6aAoyWTPUidXL5PZWcDYNUcJrxsCX8PR5Nf-tPUinrf-Xrf85nLgN-3Q64IQoys_NR6TQ4XaQ_qzw1Lv80LCo7oYzKSfWbIgw7B024IKzscL_OFkTxG9N4CxWk8m7SXxT3yfs/s320/Idrinklocalwine3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the past year I have launched a wine industry e-zine, called <i><b><a href="http://www.winedustry.com/index.php">Winedustry: wine news for the "other" grapes</a>.</b></i> Focused on new wine regions and grapes, the ones you may have never heard about, Winedustry is intended for the nontraditional, non-vinifera wine community. Winedustry readership continues to grow each month, because in large part of our volunteer contributors (writers) and state field editors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the past few years I've taken my wine education more seriously through formal education. During this time I've expanded my knowledge of my personal wine making, then as of the past few years working at a commercial winery, and throughout collaborating with innovative wine industry folks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One of those collaborations is now blossoming into a new project: <a href="http://midwestwinereview.blogspot.com/"><b>Midwest Wine Review</b></a>. Modeled in part by the successful regional wine competitions and from mainstream wine magazines, Midwest Wine Review will bring together skilled, knowledgeable and professional wine evaluators. The goal is to replicate, in the best way possible, the wine scoring systems of major magazines, but for new wine regions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the planning stage, <a href="http://midwestwinereview.blogspot.com/">Midwest Wine Review</a> will conduct quarterly (or as needed) sensory descriptive analysis sessions and rate wines using an updated 100 point scoring system. This scoring system is a familiar metric for many wine consumers. The rating scores and accompanying brief description will be available to participating wineries. (<a href="http://midwestwinereview.blogspot.com/2011/02/midwest-wine-review.html">See Midwest Wine Review story describing process</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not long ago, I was communicating with my Winedustry Maryland Field Editor ((find her on Twitter as @ourgirl) or at her blog (<b><a href="http://thevineyardwife.com/">http://thevineyardwife.com</a></b>/)) about badges for Winedustry. She possesses extraordinary graphic artist skills and I asked her to design an image, a badge, to support local wine consumption and purchases. She came up with this image (see above). She elaborates on the creative process of making "I Drink Local Wine" badge - please <b><a href="http://thevineyardwife.com/?p=557">READ STORY</a>!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqrtTiZ6aAoyWTPUidXL5PZWcDYNUcJrxsCX8PR5Nf-tPUinrf-Xrf85nLgN-3Q64IQoys_NR6TQ4XaQ_qzw1Lv80LCo7oYzKSfWbIgw7B024IKzscL_OFkTxG9N4CxWk8m7SXxT3yfs/s1600/Idrinklocalwine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqrtTiZ6aAoyWTPUidXL5PZWcDYNUcJrxsCX8PR5Nf-tPUinrf-Xrf85nLgN-3Q64IQoys_NR6TQ4XaQ_qzw1Lv80LCo7oYzKSfWbIgw7B024IKzscL_OFkTxG9N4CxWk8m7SXxT3yfs/s200/Idrinklocalwine3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nearly immediately, after posting a copy of this image (above) on Facebook, it went viral! Support for local wines is huge and this image has been shared more than 100 times in the first day! (Feel free to copy and use on your blog, facebook status update, or website).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">New wine regions, places like Iowa, Missouri (which has a very long wine making history), Virginia, Michigan, Maryland - just to name a few - are making amazingly good wines. In many instances, you won't find a traditional varietal, and that's fine. Good is good...and Great is Great! Give new wine regions a chance and allow your own palate to be the judge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let us know what you find!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
Cheers,<br />
Brad</span>Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-88285485462938558132011-03-26T19:20:00.005-04:002011-03-27T14:10:28.289-04:002008 Tait Wines, Shiraz, "The Ball Buster", Barossa Valley, Australia<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFkoaqeWBJk/TY99eVLfMYI/AAAAAAAABDk/DTPhyEm0cOo/s1600/20110326_1084.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFkoaqeWBJk/TY99eVLfMYI/AAAAAAAABDk/DTPhyEm0cOo/s320/20110326_1084.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588823622624948610" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Terry post:</span></span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Barossa Valley continues to provide to provide superb examples of what the Shiraz grape can render when the vintner is not afraid to enhance the grape with the roundness of the Merlot and the intensity of the Cabernet Sauvignon.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Such is the case with the </span></span><a href="http://www.taitwines.com.au/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Tait Shiraz blend</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">, the aptly named, "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Ball Buster</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">". The Tait Shiraz was one of a number of wines which I recently enjoyed at the Blue Wind Gourmet during an very inexpensive $6.00 tasting of 12, or so, wines.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My impressions</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">: Very dark garnet in the glass. Dark berries, cherries, spice-box and cocoa prominently on the nose. Moderately acidic: balanced nicely with the immense fruit serving. Mildly tannic leading to a huge, warm, lingering finish which goes on forever.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">It is a superb wine. It is full bodied and was a delightful dining companion with grilled steak. If you can find a bottle of the 15,000 cases produced you'd do well to buy it. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Highly recommended.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">77% Shiraz, 12% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">$15.99 at the </span></span><a href="http://bluewindgourmet.com/Info/blue_wind_gourmet_home_page.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Blue Wind Gourmet</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">~ Terry</span></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-83205660398762680672011-03-20T19:08:00.003-04:002011-03-20T19:43:35.955-04:00Power of Words<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Terry post:</span></span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This past weekend my wife I and visited another Maryland winery and purchased several more bottles. It was an interesting visit for a number of reasons: beautiful hillside location, sunny day, mild temperature, good wine and the words carefully selected by the woman hosting the tasting.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The woman presented each bottle in a practiced manner first pointing out the label, providing the source of the grapes and then a description of the varietal characteristics. It was the description of the varietal characteristics which I found most telling.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I didn't take notes at the time, and as I drove away I wished that I had. Working from memory, her description of their Chardonnay was something like this: "..</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.it is a beautiful straw color...you'll taste pronounced fruit in this year's vintage with substantial hints of apple and lemon...it is a medium bodied wine and you'll notice the aggressive acidity at the finish</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">..."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was like this with each wine: as though she'd prepared a detailed listing of the grapes varietal characteristics and recited them for each potential wine buyer.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, as the tasters sipped the wines she'd nod knowingly and re-affirm the characteristics, "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Taste the fruit?</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">", as we worked our collective way thorough the pour. Her actions reflected her earlier description and made the tasters co-conspirators in her vineyard propaganda.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I disagreed with her description of their Shiraz offering as, "...</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">huge and powerful.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.." she dismissed my comment with the wave of her hand.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The power of recently heard words is significant and their carefully crafted use in the tasting room was impressive to behold. I have never been so smitten during a wine tasting.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Bottom line</b>: I am not certain that I made the purchases because I liked the wine or because I liked the words that she used to describe the wine. Time will tell.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">~ Terry</span></span></div><div><br /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-16325649471780543542011-03-13T17:40:00.008-04:002011-03-20T17:41:17.086-04:002008 Whale River, Pinot Noir, Wairarapa, New Zealand<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e782AdPy0CY/TYZ0aubcVBI/AAAAAAAABDc/rkk04yZsSeU/s1600/20110320_0991.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e782AdPy0CY/TYZ0aubcVBI/AAAAAAAABDc/rkk04yZsSeU/s320/20110320_0991.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586280390288233490" /></a><b>Terry post:</b><div><br /></div><div>It has been several weeks since my wife and I got away for a short weekend vacation to Southern Maryland. The two highlights of the overnight trip were a visit to the Port of Leonardtown Winery and a $6 wine tasting at <a href="http://bluewindgourmet.com/Info/blue_wind_gourmet_home_page.htm">Blue Wind Gourmet</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Blue Wind Gourmet was a wonderful surprise as they were featuring a wine tasting of ten or eleven selections - I stopped counting after the third Chardonnay. Among the wines were some offerings which I'd never tasted before including the Whale River, Pinot Noir.</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried "googling" up some information about Whale River and could not find a single hit: never a good sign. I am left to assume that Whale River is a brand without a vineyard. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. The French have a tradition of negociants bundling wine from anonymous vineyards and creating wonderful products. I'd just appreciate it, were this the case, with Whale River that the negociant be up front with that fact. Anyway, on to the wine...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>My impressions</b>: Dark cherry in color, not as deeply hued as most Pinot Noir's I have sampled. Medium body. Silky. Muted berries first on the nose with berries and a slight vegetal note mid-palate. Prominent acidity and a hint of tannic astringency at the brief cherry finish.</div><div><br /></div><div>A good - but not great - Pinot Noir such as the <a href="http://twowinebrothers.blogspot.com/2009/12/2005-morgan-double-l-pinot-noir-santa.html">Morgan "Double L", Pinot Noir</a> - my current gold standard for the varietal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recommended.</div><div><br /></div><div>$13.00 at Blue Wind Gourmet, Lexington Park, MD - a good value.</div><div><br /></div><div>~ Terry</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-33148655946825868312011-03-13T13:56:00.000-04:002011-03-13T13:56:29.167-04:00Hobby Gone Wild!!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Brad Post:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I lived in Moscow, Idaho about a decade ago I had a neighbor, Heidi, who brewed her own beer, root beer, and made fruit wine from wild plums.<span> </span>Me, immersed in the quagmire of a PhD program, thought to myself “wouldn’t that be wonderful to do”?<span> </span>I even purchased a how-to book from the local bookstore and promptly placed it on my bookshelf, where it remained as I sank deeper into an academic black hole.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3L2kB2Vgx_9OdR3iFVOgerrBch7q7ndkGpXXdSIvruP_Apj0sIGRMqhW-W65vKEuEXxHRi1l5DvCjzQ66SnQrxBoqy7ng0j_6aLqApdjkEhA_pccpFjKvFeZ3Y-mYg-hHK7Pd6QaR0A/s1600/A+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3L2kB2Vgx_9OdR3iFVOgerrBch7q7ndkGpXXdSIvruP_Apj0sIGRMqhW-W65vKEuEXxHRi1l5DvCjzQ66SnQrxBoqy7ng0j_6aLqApdjkEhA_pccpFjKvFeZ3Y-mYg-hHK7Pd6QaR0A/s320/A+Joy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fall 2005 arrived with me and my family settling in to our new home in Iowa.<span> </span>And on a late autumn day, my wife, left for a weekend science educators conference somewhere in western Iowa.<span> </span>Not knowing anyone in my new, little town, I picked up and dusted off that same book which five years ago intrigued me (and to be honest, kind of intimated me).<span> </span>It wasn’t necessarily a page-turner, but I couldn’t stop reading – I was hooked!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since then, I’ve immersed myself in wine: wine making, wine growing, wine history, wine regions, oh, and let’s not forget wine tasting and drinking!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Shortly after my epiphany, or whatever you want to call it, I began making wine and not long after that I found others with similar interests.<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2005 – Read home wine making book</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2006 – Began making wine at home.<span> </span>First batch explodes in bottle.<span> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2007 – With four others, established the <a href="http://www.iowawineclub.org/"><b>Eastern Iowa Wine Club</b></a>, an amateur winemakers group.<span> </span>Our group has grown to more than 100 followers and about 25 regular participants.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2007 – Started “Two Wine Brothers” as a way to stay connected with my brother, Terry.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2008 – Began taking wine science classes at <a href="https://go.dmacc.edu/programs/viticulture/Pages/welcome.aspx">Des Moines Area Community College</a>.<span> </span>Also began volunteering at <a href="http://www.firesidewinery.com/"><b>Fireside Winery</b></a>.<span> </span>Fantasized about owning a winery.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2009 – Conducted market research for Iowa wine trail under Johnson Research Studio.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2009 – Started working part-time at <a href="http://www.firesidewinery.com/">Fireside </a>helping out as winemaker assistant.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2010 – Launched <a href="http://www.winedustry.com/"><b>Winedustry</b></a>: wine news for the “other” grapes -- An online wine industry news, information and collaboration website for makers and growers living in nontraditional areas.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2011 – Launched <a href="http://midwestwinereview.blogspot.com/"><b>Midwest Wine Review</b></a>: An online wine review website for Midwestern wines.<span> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2011 – Hired by <a href="http://www.firesidewinery.com/">Fireside Winery</a> to serve as their External Relations guy.<span> </span>Will be working to maintain, build and expand wholesale program, and manage and grow public relations and social media.</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What began as a hobby, grew into a passion, and continues to evolve deeper into the wine industry.<span> </span>I am thrilled and excited to be a part of this booming Midwestern wine industry and look forward to seeing how the next few years unfolds.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cheers!<br />
Brad</span></div>Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-43906978555496321622011-03-06T11:25:00.010-05:002011-03-06T13:25:27.820-05:002009 Mollydooker, "The Boxer", Shiraz, Australia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvPch456Uqk/TXO5GnB0vTI/AAAAAAAABDU/s1QwPSndqIE/s1600/boxer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvPch456Uqk/TXO5GnB0vTI/AAAAAAAABDU/s1QwPSndqIE/s320/boxer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581007886449163570" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Terry post:</span></span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was in 2004 that one of our wine reps came through the door with an odd-sounding Shiraz offering from Australia: Mollydooker. I'd never heard of the brand and it was one of maybe nine wines I sampled that day. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now almost seven years later I remember the tasting and my notes from that meeting: "...huge...powerful...amazing...dark purple - almost black in the glass...dark berries...tar(?)..."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We carried the wine for a year and then we took it off the list. The problem was that Mollydooker is a small brand and it was nearly impossible to keep it in stock. And in the restaurant business, it is better to remove it from the wine list completely than to disappoint customers who see it and want to buy it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is with that background that I opened a bottle of the 2009 Mollydooker Boxer this rainy afternoon on the porch, sat back and enjoyed.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>My impressions</b>: Very dark garnet in the glass. Dark berries and cocoa on the nose. Mildly acidic with noticeable tannins at the finish. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The wine is a powerhouse of flavors with dark berries and mild acidity being the most prominent attributes. It is a glass-staining giant deserving your time and attention. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Superb.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Highly recommended.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">$24.99 at </span></span><a href="http://bluewindgourmet.com/Info/blue_wind_gourmet_home_page.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Blue Wind Gourmet</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in Lexington Park, MD.</span></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-63926928911283976762011-02-25T15:26:00.006-05:002011-02-26T09:35:17.789-05:002009 Port of Leonardtown Winery, Captain's Table, Maryland Dry Red Wine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-it3ngqOyVRU/TWgQ__lCluI/AAAAAAAABDM/s6Lh-PIq3aE/s1600/20110225_0815.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-it3ngqOyVRU/TWgQ__lCluI/AAAAAAAABDM/s6Lh-PIq3aE/s320/20110225_0815.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577726830082954978" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Terry Post:</span></span></b><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Last weekend my wife and I got away for a short weekend away from the kids and settled in for quick two-day vacation in Lexington Park, Maryland.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Lexington Park has the advantage of being located near a Navy Air Base (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">where you can hear the sound of freedom</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">) and</span></span><a href="http://www.portofleonardtown.com/index.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Port of Leonardtown Winery</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">While the F-18s were quiet over the weekend, we did get over to Leonardtown to sample some of their recent offerings.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">My Impressions:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Medium red in the glass with a spiciness on the nose which I have come to associate with East Coast Merlots. Thin tannins at the end with a brief finish.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The bottle does not disclose the varietal components but, I think there is a strong Merlot base with touches of Cab Franc (noticeable at the finish) and Chamborchin (green vegetable flavor). </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">We paired the Captain's Table with a hearty pot roast and it stood up admirably to the intense beef flavors. It is a food-friendly wine.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Recommended.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Available at the winery.</span></span></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1388643415483799555.post-24294027519630650862010-12-14T12:20:00.001-05:002010-12-14T12:25:31.782-05:00Wine Comparisons: Building Unrealistic Expectations or Making Unfamiliar, Familiar<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Brad Post:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Not long ago I received a phone call from a public radio news reporter who was in the process of writing a story about an up-and-coming new red wine grape cultivar (Marquette) gaining in popularity. Echoing an earlier comment, he referred to this relatively new wine grape as the “Cabernet Sauvignon of the Midwest” which struck me as a bit of an exaggeration, to say the least.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Great hype for a new wine grape but is it a realistic comparison?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">As new wine regions continue to build it is important for us to pause to consider the consequences of short-term marketing gains over long-term brand success. For this example, is it in the best long-term interest of a wine region to compare Marquette to Cabernet Sauvignon? More to the point, is it a realistic comparison? And if so, in what ways are Marquette and Cabernet Sauvignon similar?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Hyperbole aside, is the comparison constructive to building a new wine region? Granted many wine consumers are probably familiar with Cabernet and it may be a way to bring them in to our wineries as a way of making our local wines seem more familiar. But what about knowledgeable wine fans – they will immediately notice that our Marquette is not very much like Cabernet Sauvignon and may get turned-off in the process.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Frankly, a more apt comparison, if a comparison is warranted may be with the bracing, young wines of Italy. Food friendly, acidic, and delicious!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Mental Short-Cuts</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">In our haste to build a new wine culture it is tempting to compare the unfamiliar to the familiar. I’m guilty of that myself. In a busy tasting room with many bellies to the bar, I’ve relied on mental short cuts to help my customers relate to our unfamiliar wines. “If you like Muscato, you’ll like this one…If you like Pinot Grigio, you’ll like that one…and if you like Cabernet you’ll like this one”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The ‘This is Like That’ approach to wine tasting is efficient, in terms of expediency, but does it help us build brand identity for wine grapes like LaCrescent, Norton, or Seyval if we keep comparing them to other, traditional vinifera?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps we have yet to fully develop the language to describe our wines; common sensory descriptors that allow us to share with our customers our excitement for the wines we make! This is prime real estate for our wine science, wine service programs and state wine industry associations.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Growing Pains</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The problem with building high expectations comes with fulfillment. In other words, if we fall short in our delivery, then the disappointment is felt more potently than if we managed expectations more modestly. That’s not to say that our wines are not great – they are! It is a matter of properly framing and shaping expectations so our customers understand our wines are distinct and to help them appreciate the uniqueness.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Not lost on me is the comparison of the potential prominence of regional wine grapes. California is awash in Cabernet Sauvignon and maybe, one day, the Midwest landscape will be dotted with Marquette.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The “This is Like That” approach, a heuristic, does provide a short-cut way of introducing our wines to tasting room visitors. It is particularly helpful during busy periods but probably undercuts the notion of building brand identity. In the long-term, I’d like to see us move away from the familiar comparisons to a more cultivar/varietal-centric approach of new wine introductions.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The process of building a lexicon of common sensory descriptors for our local wines, shared among wineries, and conveyed through a thoughtful marketing program and disseminated widely should, in the long-term, bring about the kind of brand recognition we seek when comparing our wines to traditional vinifera.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">We look to industry leaders: wine science programs, state wine/grape associations, tasting room trainers, and affiliated wine marketing advocates to lead the way.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Add your voice to the discussion on the Winedustry Forum: </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.winedustry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=70"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">http://www.winedustry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=70</span></a></span></span>Brad Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16736183283982566159noreply@blogger.com2