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October 2008
It's Still a Golden Era for Wine Lovers
Posted: 01:46 PM ET, October 31, 2008
I got some good advice on wine values and the economy from an old friend recently. The old guy is elderly but still very young at heart. He has seen times like this come and go, both in life and wine, and he knows the same old storyline about wine prices that only go in one direction no matter which way the economy is heading. Read more
Napa Brewery and Winery a First
Posted: 03:10 PM ET, October 29, 2008
Beer drinking goes hand in hand with winemaking. So why not have a winery that’s also a brewery under one roof, with an easily accessible tasting room?
Napa Smith Brewing Co. had barely brewed its first batches before it decided to add a winery in the same facility. Read more
Trading Down in Wine Can Have Its Upsides
Posted: 04:30 PM ET, October 27, 2008
As we all begin to rethink our wine-buying strategies, one of the unexpected surprises you’ll find is how many great wines there are that sell in an affordable range.
Granted, what constitutes a good value depends on your budget. But as wine lovers begin to be more selective and trade down, I think you’ll find that your wine-drinking experiences will be enhanced and your horizons expanded. Read more
Waiting for the Sun in Carneros
Posted: 12:58 PM ET, October 24, 2008
Caught sunrise in Carneros this morning. My internal clock has been off a bit, shuttling between Napa and New York and back, so there are times lately when I’ve risen before sunlight.
One of the things you notice on the country back roads waiting for the sun is the photographers. Read more
Where to Dine When You're New in Town
Posted: 02:00 PM ET, October 21, 2008
Choosing a restaurant in a city that’s new to you presents its own set of challenges.
On my recent trip from Napa to New York I spent a Saturday night in Oakland in order to catch an early flight the next morning and decided to scout out Jack London Square for dinner. Read more
Lett Stayed True to His Style of Pinot Noir
Posted: 04:07 PM ET, October 13, 2008
One of the exciting things about emerging wine regions is that many of the pioneers are still present. You can meet them and appreciate their contributions to wine. David Lett, who died last week, was an Oregon pioneer I knew early on in his career. Read more
2007 California Wines Offer A Pleasant Tease
Posted: 05:00 PM ET, October 10, 2008
Today we look forward, with a glimpse of what lies ahead with vintage 2007 in California.
In recent days, I’ve tasted some purely sensational young wines. While it was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny peek at a much bigger picture, it has been exciting. Read more
Time to Bail on Mailing Lists?
Posted: 04:55 PM ET, October 08, 2008
No wine drinker I know is going to stop drinking wine. But everyone I know is rethinking what he or she will buy and how much he or she will spend, with an obvious eye to caution.
Over the years, I’ve spent more money on wine than perhaps I should have, and I have a nice cellar. Read more
2008 Offers Challenges Beyond the Vineyard
Posted: 01:17 AM ET, October 07, 2008
You do the best you can, and then there are forces that are well beyond your control.
Today’s thought applies to two scenarios: the global economic turmoil and California’s harvest 2008.
No matter how well you’ve planned, or saved, or diversified your interests, it’s been impossible to avoid the current fiscal vortex. Read more
Disciplined Buying Has Its Rewards
Posted: 02:23 PM ET, October 02, 2008
Taking a disciplined approach to buying wine is something I admire and something everyone should consider.
One of my longtime friends, Dan, used to draw the line on buying a bottle of wine at $10 or $15, and always found bargains. Of course that was about 15 years ago, and I’m not sure if he still has a cap on purchases these days. Read more
Drink Your Cellar? Or Start One Now?
Posted: 02:50 PM ET, October 01, 2008
This is a good time to have a cellar, along with cash under the mattress.
I don’t think most people collect wines and build cellars for times of uncertainty or fiscal restraint. But it sure helps if you have a cache of wine you can tap. Read more
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