Posted May 18, 2010 at 11:19am
Dario Sattui Has Pissed Off The Wrong People
As if Castello Di Amorosa wines were offensive enough, Sattui has found another way to look ridiculous. Click to read the Press Democrat article:
http://www.watchsonomacounty.com/2010/04/featured-articles/firefighters-boycott-winemaker-who-criticized-pensions-pay/
Posted April 18, 2010 at 10:30pm
Oh no you didn’t, Christian Audigier.
Oh, yes he did. In an effort to expand his brand beyond, well, anything you can put rhinestones on, Christian Audigier released his collection of wines late last year. Now that Whole Foods (probably the last place I thought would carry it) is offering the Cab, Syrah, Rose, Chardonnay and Merlot, I figured I should at least give it a shot. After all, it’s not often that a winery’s website describes their owner/winemaker as “a walking, talking, living, breathing lifestyle…who invited Michael Jackson to his 50th birthday.” Who needs dedication or commitment when you have the support of every frat boy on the Jersey Shore?
To understand how difficult it was for me to buy this bottle in front of Sonoma County Whole Foods shoppers, you have to realize what Christian Audigier wine is to us. It’s that thing that exists, somewhere, but we don’t talk about it. Not even the tourists mention it. It’s the new White Zin.
But either way, I went into it with an open mind. And it wasn’t that bad…for a $10 Cab. Mediocre black fruit and all-too-obvious French Oak – but not even a hint of tanning lotion on the finish.
All jokes aside, Christian Audigier’s 2008 Ed Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon taught me a valuable lesson, one that maybe we should all start using….it’s finally ok to judge a wine by its (neon pink and green) cover.
Posted February 28, 2010 at 9:31pm
Merlot is Cabernet without the punishment.
— Sebastiani Vineyards Winemaker Mark Lyon
Posted February 24, 2010 at 10:34am
The Fine Print on Private Tastings
Private tastings are a great way to taste and learn about wine without feeling like a sardine packed into a tasting room. Generally, its the best bang for your buck - (Silver Oak’s starts at only $10, Ferrari-Carano at $20) - your experience is personal and informative, typically paired with cheeses and small dessert bites. Wineries bring their hospitality A-games to their private tastings so brutal honesty is one thing you won’t get from them. Here’s some of the unspoken truths of private tasting etiquette…
1. Private tastings are for serious wine drinkers.
Wineries will advertise private tastings as fun for everyone - novices and connoisseurs alike - but that open invitation is constantly abused. Bachelorette parties…21st birthdays…you get it. Basically, if the overall goal of your day involves getting tanked and staging a Facebook photoshoot in a fountain, private tastings aren’t the way to go. Being young or new to wine is perfectly fine - ask questions, make comments, and handle the buzz.
2. Ya, you gotta buy something.
Because of rule #1, the honest purpose of private tastings is to sell wine. While wineries like to educate people and create fun experiences for their consumers, the overall goal is always sales. When you walk out of your tasting with empty hands, that’s technically a failure for the winery. So…if you want to taste a little wine and maybe buy a bottle, go to the tasting room. If you’re putting together a case, go for the private tasting.
3. Tip good service.
If the wine educator makes you feel stupid, drinks more than you do, etc. - don’t worry about tipping. But if you have fun, learn something, and discover a new favorite wine, anything from $10-$100 will be appreciated.
Posted February 23, 2010 at 2:25pm
