Take a moment from your busy schedule watching "Fame" reruns and assembling your toe lint collection to head over to Wark's
American Wine Blog Awards
and nominate me. Nominations close Thursday so don't delay!
I'd do it for you!
I think the single subject category is the one.
If you do this I promise not to start posting stories about the cute things my dog does around the winery.
Did I say THANKS?
Starting a winery called BLACK CLOUD in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The ups, the downs and the everyday experiences as we build our dream.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Eggert/Fairview Cult Update
Good read about Fairview Cellars from the talented John Schreiner. He interviews Bill Eggert on the current status of his 2,000 case winery and vineyard. Fairview always sells out and for good reason, Bill makes excellent wine. Closest thing around here to "cult following" . . .
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Unified Wine and Grape Symposium
Starting on the 23rd of the month, the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium convenes in Sacramento.
Great sessions for wine people of every stripe.
An all encompassing trade show.
I've mentioned this before but it demands repeating.
See you there.
Great sessions for wine people of every stripe.
An all encompassing trade show.
I've mentioned this before but it demands repeating.
See you there.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Another Vineyard Deep Freeze On The Way
The weather for the Okanagan Valley is forecast to head to the land of big chill. For the second time this season overnight temperatures are to plunge to double negatives, perhaps as cold as -25 C in some areas. This is a looking like a more traditional Okanagan winter - not like the balmy ones we've had over the last few years. Much of the valley still has some snow pack from previous storms (that will help insulate the vines) but the harsh temperatures are going to test the vinifera varietals - especially the young vines.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Vancouver Magazine Wine Awards
Against some pretty stiff competition, Township 7 picked up a nice accolade from Vancouver Magazine in their 3rd annual wine awards. The 2004 Reserve Chardonnay is in the 'rich white' category.
Township 7 Chardonnay Reserve 2004, B.C. $24.90 +34579 Unbelievably complex wine for the price. Bravo.
Sounds just about right to me.
BC Wine Trends - Consumer Perspective
Christina Burridge, writing in Vancouver Magazine, takes a look at the trends in BC wine consumption. It's mostly good news from my standpoint.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Could It Happen Here?
Tom is writing about and tracking developments in the wine world in Virginia. Why should you care?
What could a minor wine region's problems have to do with the enjoyment of BC wines?
Plenty.
First of all, Virginia is a lot like BC when it comes to wine. Huge growth over a short period of time, scads of tourists enjoying the vino vibe and lots of small, local wine makers with steady in-state fans.
The fracas in Virginia is about the rights to sell and distribute wine.
Unfortunately for the Virginia wine makers, it is now illegal to sell their wine directly to restaurants and retailers. They must use a wholesaler or distributor. There is a mark-up involved. Profits are being eroded and it looks like some wineries will have to close.
Here in BC, a winery can sell directly to restaurants. They still have to hand over a lot of coin to the government monopoly, but not as much as they would if they sold exclusively through the government stores.
In Virginia, a federal ruling said that forcing out of state wineries to use distributors while allowing state wineries to hand sell was unconstitutional. The solution? Either everybody uses distributors or nobody has to (unless they want to). At the urging (lobbying) of the distributors, the state legislators passed a law making winery to retailer direct sales illegal. So everybody has to use the three tier system (manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer).
I'm no expert, but the idea of paying another hand to do the job you were already doing sounds a little suspect.
It could happen here. The government already takes a big piece of the pie, but they want more. The opportunity to opt out of the BC Liquor Distribution system has been a natural for many small, family wineries. They don't need to have their wines scattered across the province being sold by less than enthusiastic employees. Sure, the BCLD branch had made some enlightening moves over the past decade (emphasis on wine knowledge, employee training, special promotion programs), but their prime mandate is the dispensing and metering of alcohol, a substance controlled by the government.
Given the chance, who would you want to sell your product? A passionate believer in your wine or a uniformed clerk who may or may not know a thing about the bottle in front of them?
It could happen here. A quick bit of legislation in Victoria and boom! All wines sold through Big Momma. Then they'd have their hands on all those wonderful medal winners that are garnering international acclaim.
At least until the wine maker says, "Frig it" and moves on to something that doesn't suck the life out his bank account.
What could a minor wine region's problems have to do with the enjoyment of BC wines?
Plenty.
First of all, Virginia is a lot like BC when it comes to wine. Huge growth over a short period of time, scads of tourists enjoying the vino vibe and lots of small, local wine makers with steady in-state fans.
The fracas in Virginia is about the rights to sell and distribute wine.
Unfortunately for the Virginia wine makers, it is now illegal to sell their wine directly to restaurants and retailers. They must use a wholesaler or distributor. There is a mark-up involved. Profits are being eroded and it looks like some wineries will have to close.
Here in BC, a winery can sell directly to restaurants. They still have to hand over a lot of coin to the government monopoly, but not as much as they would if they sold exclusively through the government stores.
In Virginia, a federal ruling said that forcing out of state wineries to use distributors while allowing state wineries to hand sell was unconstitutional. The solution? Either everybody uses distributors or nobody has to (unless they want to). At the urging (lobbying) of the distributors, the state legislators passed a law making winery to retailer direct sales illegal. So everybody has to use the three tier system (manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer).
I'm no expert, but the idea of paying another hand to do the job you were already doing sounds a little suspect.
It could happen here. The government already takes a big piece of the pie, but they want more. The opportunity to opt out of the BC Liquor Distribution system has been a natural for many small, family wineries. They don't need to have their wines scattered across the province being sold by less than enthusiastic employees. Sure, the BCLD branch had made some enlightening moves over the past decade (emphasis on wine knowledge, employee training, special promotion programs), but their prime mandate is the dispensing and metering of alcohol, a substance controlled by the government.
Given the chance, who would you want to sell your product? A passionate believer in your wine or a uniformed clerk who may or may not know a thing about the bottle in front of them?
It could happen here. A quick bit of legislation in Victoria and boom! All wines sold through Big Momma. Then they'd have their hands on all those wonderful medal winners that are garnering international acclaim.
At least until the wine maker says, "Frig it" and moves on to something that doesn't suck the life out his bank account.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Wine Maker's Nude Running Plans Shelved!
Chinese authorities have put the lid on a planned mass streaking sponsored by a beverage/wine maker as a demonstration against excessive packaging . . .
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Okanagan Named Most Interesting Wine Region
Paul Gregutt, writing for the Seattle Times, has named Canada's Okangan Valley as one of two
most interesting wine regions in the world.
Paul is a respected wine writer of considerable repute. This article was first brought to my attention by a note in Tom Wark's Fermentation blog. Click on both the headline and the Fermentation link.
most interesting wine regions in the world.
Paul is a respected wine writer of considerable repute. This article was first brought to my attention by a note in Tom Wark's Fermentation blog. Click on both the headline and the Fermentation link.
Wine Access Awards
It's not the newest of stories but the Wine Access magazine awards are in the current issue on the stands right now.
Township 7 made out quite well with a bronze and a silver for our 2005 Semillon and 2004 Chardonnay respectively. Noticed my old haunt Stag's Hollow had some kudos tossed their way as well. Use the link in the headline if you need some guidance on last minute holiday shopping.
Township 7 made out quite well with a bronze and a silver for our 2005 Semillon and 2004 Chardonnay respectively. Noticed my old haunt Stag's Hollow had some kudos tossed their way as well. Use the link in the headline if you need some guidance on last minute holiday shopping.
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