Dallas Town & Country Wine Trail

Yes folks its that time again for the Dallas Town & Country Wine trail here in North Texas.  This Fall wine trail will be on November 3-4 2012 Saturday & Sunday 1-6pm.  Check the website for more details and map Dallas Town & Country Wine Trail

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2012/10/17/dallas-town-country-wine-trail/

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Five from Maison Nicolas Perrin

I recently got the opportunity to try five wines from the collaboration between Nicolas Jaboulet and the Perrin family. I?ve long enjoyed the offerings from both of these venerable families, and I was intrigued as to what they are producing together. Grapes for Maison Nicolas Perrin are sourced from choice northern Rhône parcels; wine selection [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/zeUs3X4L8KE/maison-nicolas-perrin

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Sustainability by the wine trade

Everyone uses the term ‘sustainability’ these days, but what it means to everyone can vary enormously. From simple carbon reducing measures, such as using lighter glass bottles and renewable energy, through changes to vineyard practice including organics, and even wholesale regional programmes, the term covers many issues and different levels of commitment. When the issue [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheWineConversation/~3/3FXnf5izCjI/

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Free Shipping from Wine Library: Start Building the Perfect Case

Wine Library is offering free ground shipping on 12 bottles with code BLACKFRIDAY

Update: Use code CYBERMONDAY for the same deal

Here's 12 wines that for one reason or another caught my eye to get you going:
  1. 2008 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills $19.99
  2. 2010 Zepaltas Risuena Pinot Noir $19.98
  3. 2009 Merry Edwards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir $38.98
  4. 2009 Hayfork Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch $59.98
  5. 2011 Pepiere Muscadet Clos Des Briords $14.98
  6. 2009 Pierre Usseglio Mon Aieul Chateauneuf Du Pape $79.98
  7. 2009 Melka Cj Cabernet Sauvignon $42.98
  8. 2010 Melville Pinot Noir Estate $27.98
  9. 2004 Bodegas Resalte De Restia Crianza Selected Harvest $16.98
  10. 2010 Borsao Tres Picos $11.98
  11. 2009 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon $59.97
  12. 2011 Marcel Lapierre Morgon $23.98
Unfortunately, like all out of state retailers, they can't legally ship to MA. But for folks in other parts of the country, or those who can ship to a state which can receive shipments, this is a nice deal. Here is a concise listing of the states they can ship to:


Offer expires November 23rd, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.

Wine Retailers: Do you have a free shipping offer going that I could peruse online and build up a similar list? Drop me an email and let me know.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/gJ1qu3mtrZQ/free-shipping-from-wine-library-start.html

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Field Notes from a Wine Life ? Autumnal Equinox Edition

Odds and ends from a life lived through the prism of the wine glass…

The Power of Intent in Biodynamic Wine

I wrote a heady post in September about Biodynamic wine.  The story is too complicated to summarize here (link to post), but one of the things that I touched on (and that interests me on an ongoing basis) is the notion of “intent” in the vineyard particularly as it relates to viticultural quality and Biodynamic preparations.

They say that you can taste “love” in a food dish, so, while not scientifically quantifiable (at least not yet), it stands to reason that extra attention and loving preparation with BioD preps. might have a positive benefit on the vines and subsequently the wines.

This notion of intent isn’t my idea; I culled it from Voodoo Vintners, Katherine Cole’s Biodynamic-related book published earlier this year (she has a different supposition about ‘intent’ than I do).  A passage from the book notes, “The belief is that the preparations aren’t merely herbal treatments for plants; they’re carriers of the farmers’ intentions, which have been swirled into them through the powerful act of stirring.  While it isn’t a requirement for Demeter certification, intention is that little bit of witchcraft that separates the most committed practitioners from the unbelievers.”

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My point in September and my point now is that “intent” isn’t witchcraft, its science – science that is still emerging and not completely understood.

To that end, I read an incredible, eye-opening, mind-bending article in the current issue of Time magazine about a new technology device called the BodyWave.  An iPod sized device, the BodyWave is based on electroencephalography (EEG), the study of how brain activity excites neurons to emit brain waves that travel the central nervous system and can be measured.

So, here’s the thing.  Not only can this BodyWave device measure the fluctuations in the brain’s electrical activity, but when connected to a computer it can perform functions based on brain waves.

It’s a holy crap moment to realize that by focusing brain activity somebody can shut off a valve in a nuclear power plant, via computer, with the power of their mind, as elaborated on in the article.

The full Time magazine article is subscriber-protected (darn publishers that try to run a business…), but the intro. to the article is available here.

I’m a liberal arts guy, as far removed from science as one can get by education, vocation and lifelong learning interest, but I do have the ability to suspend my disbelief and it seems likely to me that in 10 years’ time the Biodynamic conversation is going to be around an entirely different set of conversational conditions than the current ‘bunkum vs. belief’ precept that we have now.

On Knowledge

I’ve never reconciled the “demystify” vs. “knowledge frees you” debate as it relates to wine.  Many will say that wine is needlessly overcomplicated for the average consumer and the arcane aspects act as a barrier to entry.

Well, sometimes you find defining wisdom in the unlikeliest places.

Scott Adams, the creator of the cartoon Dilbert, noted in a blog post recently what I’ve thought, but have never been able to say quite so eloquently. 

Indeed, you are what you learn.  You don’t have to know much about wine to drink it, but it sure makes it that much more enjoyable if you lean into the door…

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Thanksgiving Wine Recommendation

Thanksgiving is the wine world’s national holiday.  I get that.  It’s my favorite holiday, too. But, the attendant wine pairing articles are exhausting.  Does it really matter what you drink with Thanksgiving dinner?  Nope.  If it did, somebody, anybody would care that I’ll be having Sparkling Rose, German Riesling and New Zealand Pinot, but, really, nobody cares.  At the end of the day, the below picture encapsulates what really matters when picking a wine for Thanksgiving (Hint: Focus on the food).

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It Was a Good Week for Lot18

My eyes bugged out like a virgin at a nudist camp when I saw that Lot18 secured $30M in additional funding.  That money coupled with clarification from the California Alcohol Beverage Control (CA ABC) on some wonkiness in legalities, means the first week of November 2011 will go down as a watershed moment for Lot18.

Perhaps equally interesting to me is a passage noting, “Radical Transparency” in an email sent to Lot18 members from Lot18 (ostensibly founder Phillip James).  The email noted:

As Lot18 moves into its second year of existence, our goal is to ensure that, with more money in the bank and compliance questions behind us, Lot18 can continue to deliver on its responsibilities to our suppliers and to our members alike. We must hold ourselves accountable to ensure we maintain trust with everyone who produces and consumes goods offered by Lot18.

We do this through a policy called Radical Transparency, which simply involves sharing more than was once considered wise. We believe in this because it drives our focus and ensures that all of our employees and our members feel that they have a role in shaping our future. Together we can create a service that will not only help you find great value, but also encourage you to spread the word to friends and family so that they may also share in the delight.

We’re all aware of “transparency” as an online buzzword the last several years.  It’s a word that has been co-opted, commoditized and rendered meaningless, as well.  It seems, transparency is really code word for faux sincerity and empathy and that makes adding the modifier of “Radical” to transparency all the more interesting.

These days, every new business success story comes with hagiographic mythologizing and I wouldn’t be surprised if, in this area, “Radical Transparency” is where Lot18 stakes their claim.  After all, culture and customer service is already taken by Zappos.

Yet, radical transparency isn’t a new concept either.  If you’re interested in seeing how a hedge fund called Bridgewater Associates (founded by Ray Dalio) has codified a brutally honest feedback loop see this profile piece from New York magazine and Dalio’s 123 page “Principles” document (worth the read).

Source: http://goodgrape.com/index.php/site/field_notes_from_a_wine_life_autumnal_equinox_edition/

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Eden Hill Vineyard 2010 Cynthiana-Tempranillo Reserve

Eden Hill 2010 Cynthiana-Tempranillo Reserve One of the things I like about going to new Texas wineries is the fact it involves a road trip. The best road trips happen when the kid is at grandmother?s house for the weekend – this was one of those trips. Last October we decided to do a local [...]

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2012/08/15/eden-hill-vineyard-2010-cynthiana-tempranillo-reserve/

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BREAKING: Trader Joe?s raises the price of Two Buck Chuck

Trader Joe’s is raising the price of Two Buck Chuck from $1.99 to $2.49, citing higher costs. Introduced in 2002, it’s kind of hard to believe they hadn’t raised the price already. Oh, and people are already throwing around “upchuck” as a new nickname after the price increase–or, wait, was that a tasting note? Good [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/A9Eynir6Y7A/

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?Lafite is out, Conti is in.?

China pivots to Burgundy. Source: Theatlantic Via: The Atlantic Thankfully, the wine market’s sour turn could also just be a sign of changing tastes. Eighty-six of the 100 bottles Liv-ex tracks are Bordeaux, the traditional king of fine wine. But as the Financial Times wrote in May, recent auctions suggest that Hong Kong buyers, perhaps [...]

“Lafite is out, Conti is in.” originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/fUtBR47grfE/

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