There are a number of states that make it next to impossible for a consumer to get wine direct-shipped to her. Most of these laws effectively protect the three-tiered system, that takes wine from the winery, to the distributor, to the retail establishment. And I would argue that there is a pretty strong lobby that seeks protectionism for its state-run wineries, and its distribution system.
Continue readingAuthor: Amy Corron Power
A licensed attorney, Amy is a wine-lover, foodie, photographer, political junkie and award-winning author who writes about Wine, Food, Beer & Spirits. As Managing Editor & Tasting Director for Another Wine Blog, she travels all over the world's wine regions to share her experiences with her readers and legions of twitter, Instagram and Facebook friends and fans. Amy holds certifications through the International Sommelier Guild, and is also certified, with honors, as a California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS). She is a member of the Guild of Sommeliers, The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and regularly attends Houston Sommelier Association events.
Amy is also a contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, and was most recently published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Gratitude.
Another Wine Byte 6: Even Wine Gets Stressed!
Bottle shock can result from a wine’s over-oxidation or if sulfur dioxide was added during the bottling process. The effect on the wine is a flatness of aroma and flavor, sometimes accompanied by an unpleasant odor. It can also occur when your wine becomes stressed from the excessive jostling of the bottles during shipping, especially if the bottles travel from Califonria Wine Country to parts south and southwest on a long circuitous journey in an un-air-conditioned brown truck in the middle of the summer. Most of the time, it is a temporary condition.
Continue readingSocial Media, MOM2.0SUMMIT & Wine!
Social Media is not new. What is new, however, is the almost frenetic way the business community is jumping on the social media bandwagon to establish, build, market and sell its “brand” by gathering what really amounts to a huge electronic Rolodex of prospects and targets. Where the disconnect lies; and what successful businesses have known all along, it that the success of your venture depends on the relationships you build, not just the contacts you make and names you collect. And sometimes wine makes it easier!
Continue readingW.I.N.E. – A Very Fine Antidote for W.O.R.K.
If you should come into contact with W.O.R.K. put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest pub. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor (W.I.N.E.). The quickest acting W.I.N.E. type is called Swift-Hitting-Infiltrator-Remover-All-Zones (SHIRAZ) but this is only available for those who can afford it. The next best equivalent is Cheapest-Available-System-Killer (C.A.S.K.) We found a more potent variant; the Zealous-Isolator-Neutralizer (Z.I.N.) that we found to be incredibly effective.
Continue readingAnaba: Earth, Wind and Wine in My Glass
Such is the ambiance of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape type blend from Anaba (pronounced Anń-ah-bah), the winery named after the winds of Sonoma Valley. This 2006 Coriol Red, Sonoma Valley is part of the Anaba inaugural releases of Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir and the red and a white Rhone-style blend, both named Coriol. The wines are handcrafted from Rhône and Burgundian grape varieties grown at their Carneros Estate vineyard and in selected vineyard properties throughout Sonoma County. All five of Anaba’s wines earned medals in the recent 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Continue readingThe Fine Art of Giving Back
I believe some of us are blessed with certain gifts — be it the ability to make money; the ability to build houses; the ability to advocate in court; or the ability to cook — that obligate us to “give back.” For me, it’s because I feel that God blesses some of us with gifts. And with this blessing also comes the the responsibility take care of those less fortunate. Wolfgang Puck talks about that same obligation to “give back,” in accepting Wine Spectator’s 2008 Distinguished Service Award.
Continue readingBe Mine? Gift Ideas for Your Wine Valentine
I know you’d love to go into one of the many naughty or next-to-naughty lingerie shops and purchase some “barely there” outfit for your lady for Valentine’s Day. That’s fine, if you understand it is your Valentine’s gift to yourself! Keep in mind if you’d like to enjoy the Valentine’s evening — buy her something, for her!
Continue readingTasting Etiquette: Should the Lady Swallow or Spit?
I know that spitting is a necessity, if one wants to be a proper sommelier or wine taster; or simply to keep from getting drunk and looking like a complete idiot–which is even more unladylike! But I am not yet able to do so properly, especially in a crowd.
Continue reading