May is Bocce Month in Wine Country

This is an unofficial declaration that May is Bocce Month in Wine Country. Why choose May as Bocce month? May is the ideal month to plan an outdoor activity in wine country like Bocce. The weather is at its best for a little physical activity. Continue reading

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/may-is-bocce-month-in-wine-country/

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A few different things to do in the Napa Valley

Take the food and wine tour at the Robert Sinskey Vineyards. This has always been a favorite spot of ours. Too bad they closed their picnic area to visitors. We used to love to sit on the patio area across from the vineyards enjoying the view and our lunch with a glass of the Sinskey Pinot Blanc. Continue reading

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/a-few-different-things-to-do-in-the-napa-valley/

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Is the 2009 Belle Glos Meiomi as Good as the 2008?

Get 50% off shipping when you purchase six or more bottles of French wine with promo code "drink84"

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No, it's not. At least not for me, of the three bottles of the 09 I've tasted and compared to the eight bottles of the 08 I've tasted.

That said, it's still a good value in California Pinot Noir. The 09 is just lacking that little something extra the 08 had - and still has. I thought the 2008 was a 92 point wine and while the 2009 doesn't reach that same level of excitement for me, it is coming to market at very compelling prices. Whereas I'd never seen the 08 available for less than $19.99 I've seen the 09 for as little as $17.59 at Costco locations in Massachusetts and Arizona.

This price adjustment could be related to an intentional decision Caymus Vineyards (Belle Glos is Caymus' Pinot Noir label) made to drop their wine prices in response to the economic downturn that began a couple years ago. Gotta love a company that has a sense for market trends and eases pricing a bit at just the right time. I've seen Caymus Special Selection drop from around $125 to $99 and Conundrum from $20 to $15. I haven't seen Caymus drop below $55 yet however - have you?

Here are my notes: 

2009 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir

I was very interested to try the 09 vintage of this wine after thoroughly enjoying the 08 (92 pts across a half-dozen bottles). The signature sweet spice is still there but I also get ample chimney smoke at Christmas. It's a little unusual - we'll see whether I sense it in future bottles. But I still think this is a solid wine. Will buy more for sure.

89/100 WWP: Very Good 

Recommendation: If you see the 08 around buy it. There's not much left in the market and the 09s are replacing the 08s at most all high volume retailers. That said the 09 is still a pretty good play - especially south of $18.

Question of the Day: What do you think? Is 2009 as good as the 2008?


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/fRdrZX0sjA0/is-2009-belle-glos-meiomi-as-good-as.html

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A Little Competition Never Hurts!

That’s right – it’s time. The Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition begins tomorrow. Nearly 100 international judges, more than 3,000 international wines. Who will take the gold? Keep coming back to find out more information about the 3-day event and watch for judges to be blogging and twittering in between judging!

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=60

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Wine Spectator's Grand Tour Comes to Boston

On Thursday May 19th, 2011 Wine Spectator's Grand Tour is coming to Boston's Mariott Copley Place Hotel. The event includes a taste of over 200 wines, a light buffet, and a souvenier Riedel tasting glass.

These wineries pouring at the event caught my eye for one reason or another:

  • Almaviva
  • Caymus
  • Château Cos-d'Estournel
  • Domaine Serene
  • Elk Cove
  • Evening Land
  • Felsina
  • Bruno Giacosa
  • Hall
  • Kosta Browne
  • Château Margaux
  • Château Mouton Rothschild
  • Joseph Phelps
  • Château Pontet-Canet
  • Sokol Blosser
The tour includes stops in Las Vegas and Chicago.  For more information including a full listing of participating wineries visit the Wine Spectator Grand Tour website. Tickets are $200.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/-rnhwkoln8Q/wine-spectators-grand-tour-comes-to.html

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Top Ten Napa Valley Properties Now On The Market

Just Because it's Fun... THE TOP TEN MOST EXPENSIVE NAPA VALLEY ESTATES NOW ON THE MARKET (just in case you were thinking about moving to Napa Valley) #10: 1181 LAS POSADAS RD, Angwin, CA 94508?$10,500,000 (The W.H. Smith Winery) Stunning...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/cXV4oK7t5Y0/top-ten-napa-valley-properties-now-on-the-market.html

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More Wine.com 50% Off Deals (this time excluding Masschusetts)

At least a couple more Wine.com 50% off vouchers are currently active.

One comes from the lesser-known site Bloomspot and offers $30 for $60
Another comes from BuyWithMe and offers $35 for $70

As with other offers Wine.com has run, shipping is not included so keep that in mind when considering the offer.

Also worth noting is the list of excluded states: OK, GA, IN, KY, MD, ME, TN, UT and MA. It appears Massachusetts has been newly added to the list of excluded states which is peculiar because Wine.com can ship to Massachusetts otherwise. They're one of the few (if not the only) national retailer who has secured a Massachusetts retailers license which enables them to ship to Massachusetts residents. All the wine they sell to Massachusetts must be purchased through Massachusetts wholesalers.

The fact that MA is excluded from these offers is therefore interesting and may be related to the Massachusetts ABCC cracking down on alcohol deals. The ABCC is of the opinion that retailers may not use coupons to sell alcohol:

(click to enlarge -or- see the Fines/Misc Information tab on the MA ABCC's site for more information)

Bottom Line: These deals may present an opportunity to snag a nice bottle of wine on the cheap, but make sure to read the fine print before proceeding.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/EVIJ2JNumuY/more-winecom-50-off-deals-this-time.html

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