Gin’s Revival
While it’s true that the predominant low-end domestic segment, that represents over 7O% of gin’s 11 million-case annual total volume sales in the US, continues to be static and largely disappointing, the upwardly mobile performances and brand expansions in the high-end import tier is cause for genuine celebration in this... Read More
Screwtops
Pro-Stelvin testimonials, trickling in from wineries worldwide, are raising voices against all corks, natural and plastic. We report the findings and learned commentaries of three respected wineries, Bonny Doon from Santa Rosa, California, Mitchell from Clare Valley, Australia, and Kim Crawford from Marlborough, New Zealand. But first, let’s begin with... Read More
When Wine Gets Refused
One of the most difficult and time-consuming situations for a sommelier, manager or waiter is when a client refuses a bottle of wine. This is mainly because it is such a subjective situation. If a customer sends a dish back because it is over or underdone there really isn’t any... Read More
Revisiting Champagne
Sophie Larmandier (Champagne Larmandier-Bernier), of Vertus in the southern end of the Cote des Blancs, and her husband, Pierre, have taken a biodynamic course as a way to nurse their land back to health. Pointing down at the ground in her vineyard, she exclaimed, “This soil is alive again. Pierre’s... Read More
Profile: Mary Myers Kauppila
MARY MYERS KAUPPILA • CEO & Co-Owner, Snows Lake Vineyard • Red Hills, Lake County AVA, CA Mary Myers Kauppila is CEO of a sizeable vineyard in the new Red Hills AVA. This blonde farmer’s daughter is Nordic through and through: both sides of her family are Scandinavian and she’s... Read More
A Libation Education Menu
CONJUNCTION, CONJUNCTION, WHAT’S YOUR FUNCTION . . . Thought I’d share that classic School House Rock tune with you, because it’s been going around and around in my head ever since I decided to write about Wine Education. Education, education, what’s your libation? Whether you’re new to the wine world... Read More
The Rise and Fall of FMB’s
Alcopops, malternatives, “FMBs’, hard drinks: whatever you call them – and what you do call them probably identifies your slot in the alcohol beverage business – these sweet, beer-strength drinks have had an amazing and fast-moving career. From odd and abortive beginnings in the ‘6Os and ‘7Os – StingRay, Hop’n’Gator,... Read More
Kiwi’s Wine
Kim Crawford, founded in 1996, owns 11O acres of planted vineyard in Marlborough, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, of which 15 are in full production. Grapes are purchased in addition to bring total production to 13O,OOO cases, the majority exported to the US. The eponymous Kim Crawford made wine in South... Read More
Red Flavored and Moderately Priced!
Malbec is a fine grape that is gradually attaining widespread popularity even though it’s never particularly been hyped. The Argentine’s are doing wonders with it and forging a new category based on three of the hottest trends in wine: it’s red, flavorful and moderately priced. You know, the kind of... Read More
Predictions for a Beer Market
Thirty-five years ago, wine was in the same market position as beer is today – a commodity. Largely, it was bought by the jug, it was bought on price, and it was not bought with any consideration to “pairing” with food, except that maybe you got an Italian wine when... Read More