Adam's Wine Guide » Wine News

Stop HR 5034, Or Direct Shipping Will Die

Adam Weiner — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:32:02 +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.

Estancia Winery Responsible For California Wildfire?

Adam Weiner — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:48:23 +0000

The “Gloria Fire” is one of the most recent, and started just east of Soledad, in Salinas Valley. Seems like fingers are pointing at Estancia Winery (owned by Constellation) as the cause. Wineries often use “bird bombs” to scare off hungry birds that eat the ripening grapes. Unlike the safer “bird cannons,” these bombs are fired by a hand held gun, and explode in the air. While the cannons give off no sparks, the bird bomb guns do.

Seems like carelessness may have caused millions in damage; currently the Gloria fire has burned over 6,000 acres, costing over $4 million in containment costs. In my eyes Estancia should be doing everything it can to improve its image. I prefer not to support large wineries like Estancia (or their parent company Constellation). Not only do I find their wines lackluster and mass produced, but they are not truly indicative of specific vineyard sites. Wine should bring you somewhere, giving you a taste of the unique terroir and winemaker’s style. Just my $.02.

Dogs Rescued From Michael Vick Immortalized On Wine Labels

Adam Weiner — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:37:04 +0000

We can all remember the atrocities NFL player Michael Vick committed against man’s best friend. Back in 2007 he was found guilty of animal cruelty, as he was involved in illegal pit bull fighting. Luckily for the pups, 22 of them were rescued and are undergoing rehabilitation at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in southern Utah, where they currently reside.

The Carivintas Winery in Southern California has dedicated a series to these dogs of unfortunate circumstance. Each bottle has a portrait of one of the dogs on the front, with a little story about each canine on the back. There’s 22 different labels in all. While the wines have been available for a while, sales are still through the roof. You can get your hands on the wines from Dog Lover’s Wine club (www.dogloverswineclub.com). I haven’t had the chance to taste them yet, but they retail for $40/bottle. 10% of all sales go to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, so it’s a great way to support a good cause. If anyone has had them, drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Pennsylvania Searches For Its “Signature” Wine

Adam Weiner — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:19:06 +0000

We are all familiar with California Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon Pinot Noir, and Washington Riesling. But how about Pennsylvania Grüner Veltliner? With almost 150 wineries, and over 12,000 acres under vine, Pennsylvania is searching for it’s “signature” grape varietal. In an effort to draw more attention to their wines, they are strongly considering both Cabernet Franc, and Grüner Veltliner as their signature grape. One thing is for certain: Pennsylvania will have to choose a grape that produces quality wines in a cool, humid climate.

Pennsylvania grows many different varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Catawba, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Vidal Blanc, and Vignoles. Chambourcin is an interesting grape that originated from the French regions of Bordeaux and The Loire. Very resistant to fungal diseases, Chambourcin can be grown in cooler regions. It is capable of producing spicy, fragrant wines with good concentration. Pennsylvania AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) include Central Delaware Valley, Cumberland Valley, Lake Erie, Lancaster Valley, and Lehigh Valley.

Pennsylvania wineries typically get very little press, but they’re out there. The Chaddsford Winery is pretty well known for making various Chardonnay bottlings, including single vineyard offerings. Clover Hill produces mostly whites (including the little-known Chambourcin) with the occasional Cabernet Sauvignon.

Napa Valley Harvest Begins For 2009 Vintage

Adam Weiner — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:41:01 +0000

Harvest has begun in Napa Valley. 2009 has been a fairly mild growing season, contrasting last year’s damaging frosts and fires. This growing season has brought slightly higher yields compared to ‘08, with some hot days towards the end of the season. So far rain has held off, which can be detrimental during harvest.

Araujo Estates began harvesting Sauvignon Muscat today. Other vineyards will begin harvesting Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the near future. Thicker skinned grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah will be picked later as they take longer to ripen.

Most winemakers are optimistic with this year’s harvest.

Wildfires Threaten California Wineries

Adam Weiner — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:44:28 +0000

Two different wildfires burning right now have caused winery tasting rooms to close. The first fire, named “The Lockheed Fire” started last Wednesday night at the Lockheed facility in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This hilly area is home to many small producers. So far only Beauregard Vineyards and McHenry vineyards have closed, evacuating all employees. As of Sunday, this wildfire had burned 6.843 acres and was 50% contained. A Bonny Doon employee said no wineries were in the direct path of the flames.

The second fire, named “The La Brea Fire” is burning down in the Central Coast region. So far this fire has burned 85,696 in the Los Padres Mountains. Almost 2,000 fire fighters are battling this fire, which is currently 50% contained. This fire has also caused two winery closures: Kenneth Volk Vineyards, and Byron Vineyard both located in the Tepusquet Canyon. Turns out this blaze was caused by a campfire at a marijuana drug trafficking outpost, run by Mexican nationals in a remote location in the forest.