Enobytes Wine Blog

In the global wine export industry – which increasingly looks to China as a developing market – it is sometimes remarked that the United States has not made in-roads within the PRC, especially in comparison with the likes of France, Australia and Chile, the main import leaders (in that order).

Even with a strengthened yuan (RMB) and weakened US dollar, American wines do not appear particularly affordable here, especially when distribution costs and local taxes are factored in. But, irrespective of currency fluctuation, US wines are often perceived to offer weak QPR (quality-price ratio) compared with wines from other countries, almost regardless of where you’re buying them. As a Brit, I remember well the polarized selection available on retail shelves or from specialist merchants in the UK: one could choose from either budget/bulk or a narrow range of the ‘premium’ to ‘super-premium’.

Obviously, this picture is unfair to the diversity of what the US offers, either in terms of product or, in some cases, QPR. At the same time, it’s easy for those of us who don’t live in the States to forget that, if most American wines are consumed domestically, arcane shipping laws mean US wine lovers often miss out on that diversity too.

But what’s going on in China? What challenges do American wineries face if they want to capture a piece of this developing market? Read the rest of this entry »

The social media paradigm is transforming our media landscape to an unrecognizable form many are not willing to accept. Are you one of them? Then listen up because this paradigm shift is happening whether you like it or not and I have a few tips to help you transition to the new media world.

It’s a direction that will affect everyone in the wine industry, from wine writers to wineries, magazines, newspapers and marketing folks. If you don’t jump on the social media bandwagon you might just be left in the dark. If you don’t believe me, then listen to Clay Shirky, a prescient voice on the effects of the Internet. One of his latest TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) talks, appropriately titled, “How Twitter Can Make History”, Shirky argues that emerging technologies enable loose collaboration, which is essentially changing the way our society works.

I strongly urge any individual in the wine industry to watch this video to understand the technical transfer that is happening in today’s world and how it affects today’s businesses (please watch it from start to finish, you won’t regret it).

There are a number of  interesting points in this video you should not miss. For one, Shirky states, “…our generation is living the largest increase in expressive capability in human history”. There have only been four periods over the last five hundred years where Read the rest of this entry »

Photo credit: Modern Language Center

I’m a wine geek at heart so when I heard about an opportunity to receive a scholarship to attend a 3-day Spanish Wine education course sponsored by the Wine Academy of Spain and Catavino,  I jumped at the opportunity to find out more about the program.

I’m well aware of some of the initiatives this well-respected academy has headed up in the past, including the World Conference on Climate Change lead by Pancho Campo. If you have an interest in the impacts of climate change and how to adapt to a new climate, check out some of the audio files I uploaded a couple of years ago.

As for their latest venture, Catavino is responsible for the organization and development of awarding one scholarship to a blogger in each of the twelve cities the Academy plans to visit. Integrating the social media aspect into the business model of the Wine Academy is a smart move …and lucky for me, they’ll be hosting one of their 3-day certification programs right here in Portland! Read the rest of this entry »

Innovative restaurants are making bold moves to compensate for the lack of regulars -- change is the only path to success when you are not successful with your current business model.

Today on Wine Bytes, my wine blog on OregonLive, I talk about  how encouraging it is to see that some innovative restaurants have made bold moves quickly to compensate for the lack of regulars, for whom they depended on for years. I applaud any entrepreneur that realizes change is the only path to success when you are not successful with your current business model. Check out my latest post here.

The spin among wine journalists, bloggers and winery owners that believe negative wine reviews are of no use to anyone is a concept that I find as hard to swallow as a raisiny Zin with TCA. Photo credit: sfgate

Today on Wine Bytes, my wine blog on OregonLive, I talk about The positive side of negative wine reviews. Many believe negative wine reviews are of no use to anyone, which is a concept that I find as hard to swallow as a raisiny Zin with TCA.  I buy wine like a consumer.  That status will never change no matter how many samples we receive, and the process of our tasting regimen is vastly different from the Wine Spectator, Robert Parker, Wine Enthusiast, Stephen Tanzer, Tasted, and Vinography. If you are not familiar with our procedure to tasting, reviewing and rating wine check out my latest post here and read my take on the positive side of a negative review.

May 2009 Wine Picks

2004 Bodegas Lan Tempranillo, Spain
2006 WillaKenzie Estate “Thibaud’s Cuvee” Pinot Noir, OR
2006 Sausal Family Zinfandel, Alexander Valley, CA
2006 Lyeth Heritage Reserve Pinot noir, Sonoma, CA

If you’re in Seattle on Sunday, June 14, 2009, don’t miss an exclusive opportunity to meet the wineries that participated in the Seattle Wine Awards. Tickets start at just $85 and include dinner, a Riedel Magnum Tasting Glass, and an opportunity to meet winemakers and winery reps at Seattle’s historic Rainier Club, the city’s most elegant private club!

If you’re looking for some good wine values under $15 a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. Every Thursday, we’ll let you know about some of our top picks under $15 which are sure to please your palate without breaking the bank. These are great wines worth seeking out, so go pick up a bottle or two and enjoy!

2008 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc , Chile ($10-$15)
What’s interesting about the ‘08 Veramonte Sauvignon blanc is that it hits all the flavor profiles of a traditional Sauvignon blanc and then throws in a punch of raciness and spice to mix it all up.

On first taste, it hits a whole lot of herbaceous notes of grass, weeds, and lemon grass, and then it brings on a dash of asparagus, grapefruit and lime finishing with a blast of sharp, tart, mineral and spice.  …more>>

2006 House of Nobilo Pinot Noir, New Zealand
Fresh and fruity this one delivers despite being consumed long before it was ready. A faint hint of violets and raspberry in the aroma light but pleasant. Bright cherry flavors come across as a classic representation of NZ Pinot. Nice texture in the mouth and a slightly tart slightly smooth finish make this a good wine and  …more>>

2006 Grayson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA ($10-$15)
Two years and two vintages later after our first review of this wine it has not really changed much. Exhibiting open and pour access I think we can say the wine is approachable. The aromas stay true to the past vintages with a nose of dried cherry and cassis. The flavor profile brings similar components of intense blackberry, cassis, and cherry flavors. The texture is smooth as it spreads across the palate. Overall it is a …more>>

2006 Les Freres Couillaud Muscadet Loire, France ($10-$15)
The 2006 Les Frères Couillaud Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Château de la Ragotière Sélection Vieilles Vignes is a medium-bodied, zesty lemon-lime wine with a clean, long finish. The Loire produces an abundant amount of Muscadet made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, and this wine, like many Muscadets are vinified sur lie meaning that the wine is not racked off the lees after fermentation - it is bottled straight from the vat without racking, which, in turn, provides some carbonation (fizziness)  …more>>

If you’re looking for some good wine values under $15 a bottle, you’ve come to the right place. Every Thursday, we’ll let you know about some of our top picks under $15 which are sure to please your palate without breaking the bank. These are great wines worth seeking out, so go pick up a bottle or two and enjoy!

2007 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin blanc, CA ($10-$15)
A medium bodied Chenin blanc with lots of melon, nectarine and honey flavors. Zesty and clean, this wine has crisp acidity and finishes with a refreshing, mouthwatering lemon flavor. Drink as …more>>

2006 Villa Pillo Red blend, Italy
This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is fabulous right after opening and then it goes through a settling in period. If you are serving it among a group, decant it. If alone, it will open at your pace. Big and tight in the beginning, this wine has the breadth of appeal usually associated with wines from names that draw a lot more  attention. Powerful aromas of dark cherries and blackberry with an abrupt hit of licorice that settles down quickly, making this a very…more>>

2006  Cline Cellars Zinfandel, CA ($10-$15)
I am often asked my opinion on best zinfandel under $10 and the word that always rolls off my tongue is Cline. Without hesitation nor a moment for thought regardless of vintage consideration. The folks at Cline have been making great Zinfandels for decades now. There was a time another vintners name came to mind but they have rested on their laurels for way too long leaving Cline the hands down all time favorite. Exhibiting sweet   …more>>

2006 King Shag Sauvignon blanc, New Zealand ($10-$15)
Cool birds, great wine. This value oriented Crisp white quaffer hits all the right notes and delivers flavor beyond what might be expected. The nose is huge expressing pineapple, grass and a heavy dose of grapefruit. A classic Marlborough NZ Sauvignon Blanc; it has opening flavors that carry the same grapefruit and grass as the nose with a luxurious mouth-feel and pleasant full flavored finish. Varied drinking temperature can bring intriguing palate changes in viscosity and flavor. At colder temperatures, the wine is extremely crisp, refreshing and great. With a few  …more>>

April 2009 Wine Picks

2005 WineSmith Cabernet franc, CA
2005 Quenett Redd Red Wine, Columbia Valley, WA
2005 Titus “Lot 1″ Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA
2007 Seghesio Zinfandel, Sonoma County, CA