Adam's Wine Guide » Wine News

AltoVino Distributing Small Colorado Wineries

Adam Weiner — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:05:03 +0000

A little while back I wrote a post talking about how disappointed I was with Colorado wines. I was mostly frustrated that the ones I tasted on a regular basis were either too expensive, or just not very good. Well, this made me think. There are over 100 wineries in Colorado, but I only see about twenty or so with any visibility in the Denver area.

So, I created AltoVino. AltoVino is a consulting agency that provides small, family owned/operated Colorado wineries with representation in Colorado’s Front Range markets. Most Colorado wineries don’t have the money or the manpower to get their wines into Denver and the surrounding markets. AltoVino is here to change that. So head on over to http://www.AltoVinoConsulting.com to check out what I’m doing. And of course, find AltoVino on Facebook and Twitter!

FLASQ Adopts Aluminum Wine Bottle

Adam Weiner — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:39:08 +0000

We’ve seen them used for domestic beers, such as Bud Light. These aluminum bottles are actually very environmentally friendly. But are they good for wine too?

FLASQ is the first domestic wine to be bottled in these 100% recycleable, quick-chilling aluminum containers. FLASQ is a product of JT Wines, based out of St. Helena, California. JT Wines says these new bottles are targeting “Millennials, Generation Xers, and Baby Boomers with active lifestyles who desire convenient and portable packaging—all with a modern flair.”

I doubt I would ever purchase wine in an aluminum bottle, although there is a revolution with craft beer makers bottling in aluminum. A couple of my favorites are Maui Brewing Company (Maui, HI) and Oskar Blues (Lyons, CO). We’re seeing more and more craft beers in aluminum cans as the smaller breweries adopt the technology.

Although environmentally friendly, this is one bottle you won’t find on my table.

Grapes Need Sex Too

Adam Weiner — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 07:48:05 +0000

When we look at the history of the modern Vitis Vinifera (the species of grape producing quality wines), one might assume there are great genetic differences between the different varietals we are familiar with. From Cabernet Sauvignon to Viognier, we have thousands of grape varietals that deliver completely different flavor profiles and aromas. I have always subconsciously believed these varietals were only distantly related.

Most wine geeks would consider it common knowledge that Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are all practically identical, aside from slight genetic mutation. But it looks like most wine grapes might be more closely related than I thought.

A recent study (conducted by Sean Myles, a geneticist at Cornell University) found that most Vitis Vinifera are in fact very similar.

“Thus merlot is intimately related to cabernet franc, which is a parent of cabernet sauvignon, whose other parent is sauvignon blanc, the daughter of traminer, which is also a progenitor of pinot noir, a parent of chardonnay.”

Due to the fact that most Grape vines are cloned, there is little room for natural genetic adaptation. The results of the study showed that 75% of all grape varieties are as closely related as parent to child, or brother to sister.

Why is this bad? Essentially most grape species have stopped evolving (or are evolving slower than is natural), which means they are not building new immunities to pests and other diseases.

You can check out the original article from the NY Times.

Three Thieves Reality Show Airs on Cooking Channel

Adam Weiner — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:31:57 +0000

For almost a decade, Joel Gott, Charles Bieler, and Robert Scommegna have been selling wine under the “Three Thieves” label. The concept is simple: they seek out the best quality juice they can find, often from very reputable wineries. Since they bottle and sell the wine for a fraction of what it would normally cost, most wineries that actually provide them juice don’t want to be associated with the brand. So it is rumored that in the beginnings they would drive their trucks up to the wineries under the cloak of night to pick up grapes and juice. The “Three Thieves” would rob wineries of their excess, high end juice for prices that are considered a “steal.” Well, that’s at least what Joel Gott told me a few years back when I asked him about the label.

They now have a new reality show which chronicles their travels around the globe, in search of good juice. The first episode aired on January 27th, but repeats will be airing for the next month or so. You can find it on the Cooking Channel.

Beverage Distributors to Buy National Distributing Company

Adam Weiner — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 06:16:28 +0000

[UPDATE:] Looks like this was just one big rumor after all. But another important change has occurred in Colorado’s distribution system. Wine Merchants of Colorado has been absorbed by Wine Cru. So essentially two smaller distributors, both with wonderful portfolios, have become one.

Big rumors spreading around Colorado these days. It looks like Beverage Distributors (Charmer Sunbelt Group) might be set up to purchase National Distributing Company. Basically a really, really big fish is about to swallow a slightly smaller fish (but still really big). Beverage Distributors has already purchased National Distributing Company in several other states.

What does this mean for the Colorado wine industry? Looks like plenty of wineries are ready to jump ship from these two distributors in favor of others. I would imagine it would be rather difficult for small, boutique wineries to stand out in such a large portfolio. There’s a good possibility that things are going to be pretty shaken up in the next 90 days or so. If you’re in the local industry, look for some major closeout deals to be coming. As wineries switch distributors, there will be lots of inventory that will need to be moved out.

Stop HR 5034, Or Direct Shipping Will Die

Adam Weiner — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 05:32:02 +0000

There has been much buzz on the new bill, HR 5034, introduced by Congress on April 15. Essentially what the bill does is cease all direct shipping from wineries, distilleries and breweries to consumers. Do you belong to a winery’s “wine of the month” club? Do you order online directly from your favorite distiller or winery? Well, this might all be coming to a halt.

If you want to read through the entire article, it can be found here: http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_5034.html

I strongly oppose this bill, as do many small family owned wineries. Ultimately the bill requires all alcohol be handled by a third party distributor before reaching your hands. This makes it more expensive for both consumer and winery to get their juice to you. Contact the appropriate representatives to voice your opinion.

If you’re on Facebook, friend this group: http://www.facebook.com/STOPHR5034.

Everyday Vs. Sommelier in TUSK Magazine

Adam Weiner — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:19:22 +0000

I was recently invited by good friend Denise to collaborate on “Everyday Vs. Sommelier,” a new article in TUSK Magazine. Each month a group of her friends will choose two wines under $20, and will write their reviews. Then, I’ll give my professional review of the same wines. Check out the May 2010 issue to see how the reviews match up!

2009 Beaujolais Nouveau Arrives

Adam Weiner — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:39:34 +0000

It’s that time of year! On the third Thursday of November, Beaujolais Nouveau is released. While it’s not a huge deal in the US, it is a big celebration in France. It marks the end of harvest, and the coming of a new growing season. There’s only a short period of time where winemakers get to rest between vintages, as soon it will be time to head back into the vineyards, and begin vineyard maintenance once again.

Beaujolais is always a very light wine, and the Nouveau is typically even lighter. It is made from the same year’s vintage, and goes through a quick carbonic maceration. In this process, the grapes are not pressed. The weight of the grapes clusters pressing down on each other crushes them, leaving a very light wine with minimal extraction. And they won’t break the bank either, most of them are under $15.

Truthfully, I’m not a big Beaujolais guy. But the Nouveau always marks a special time of the year for me and my family; a time of celebration, and a time to share special holidays with the ones you love most. So drink up, people.

Possible Vineyard Sources For Twitter’s “Fledgling” Wines

Adam Weiner — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:03:24 +0000

In my search for great wines, I find that many second labels and “negociant” style bottlings often contain top notch juice from very prestigious vineyards. But since the vineyard owners usually like to keep the source under wraps, this is usually difficult to determine unless you have some inside information.

I did a little digging, and have come up with some possible vineyard sites that may go into Twitter’s “Fledgling” wine label, set for bottling in August 2010.

PINOT NOIR

Amber Ridge Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA
Bohemian Vineyard, Russian River, Sonoma, CA
Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone (Monterey), CA
Doctor’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, CA
Hook Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, CA
Floodgate Vineyard, Russian River, Sonoma, CA
Hayley (Annahala) Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino, CA
La Encantada Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, CA
Lone Oak Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, CA
Split Rock (Gap’s Crown) Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA

CHARDONNAY

Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino, CA
Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
Split Rock (Gap’s Crown) Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA

Now this is all speculation at this time, but I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more

Twitter Wine Coming To A Wine Shop Near You

Adam Weiner — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:15:02 +0000

That’s right, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has started a new project– Twitter Wine. The project, dubbed “The Fledgling Initiative,” will benefit the non-profit group Room To Read. The Room To Read organization focuses on helping stamp out illiteracy by providing education opportunities to children worldwide.

2009 will be the first vintage released, scheduled for bottling in August 2010. There will be a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Both available for $20/bottle or $240/case. You can find them at www.fledglingwine.com.