Just a quick mention – our good friend Michelle Lentz is holding a fundraising benefit at Max & Erma’s in the Crestview Hills Town Center tomorrow. 20% of your check goes to the Krystal Pepper Memorial Scholarship Fund. It’s a good cause and all done locally, right down the road. Go have a burger tomorrow at Max & Erma’s and help out our friend. For more info, go to www.wine-girl.net (Michelle’s Wine Education blog).
Hope to see you there!
Monday, June 16, 2008
THE ONSLAUGHT PART THREE
I had someone email me recently about my tirades against the critics. I think I will never win on this dispute, but this person disagrees with me in that he finds the ratings that wine critics such as Parker, Spectator and others use, very helpful. Awesome! Anything to get folks into wine, and talking about wine, and spreading the good word of Dionysus, I am all for it! I am softening my tone toward critics, I must admit, if only for the fact that not a lot of people care one way or the other. The debate will rage on for some time, I have no doubt. But if there was a point to all of MY fussing, it would be that the score is not the entire story. It would be like calling Tolstoy’s WAR AND PEACE: 89 points, and just leaving it at that. There’s more than just a score. Wine is a living, breathing thing, encompassing art, culture, and Life itself. Sure that may be a bit grandiose, but it is still quite true. Maybe there will come a day when the 100-point system will be obsolete, though I am not holding my breath.
THE ONSLAUGHT PART TWO
Early into my vacation, I broiled up some petite Lamb Chops, served alongside roasted turnips and beets, and some fresh asparagus, and opened up a bottle of Montes Cherub 2007 ($13.49). Most folks would think me crazy to open up a rosé with Lamb, but screw it, I’m on holiday.
The trick of it all is that it actually worked, and worked well! It had to have been one of the best pairings I’ve ever had, if I do say so myself. My wife and I have been fans of the Cherub for awhile, but I think we were in agreement in that this vintage was about the best rosé we’ve ever had.
This beautiful, medium-bodied blush drinks like a Barbera or a Dolcetto, with good tannic grip, plush red berries, and hints of spice. Its color is dark and deep for a blush, thanks to the 100% Syrah. If you are looking for a rosé this summer, look no further than the Cherub.
The trick of it all is that it actually worked, and worked well! It had to have been one of the best pairings I’ve ever had, if I do say so myself. My wife and I have been fans of the Cherub for awhile, but I think we were in agreement in that this vintage was about the best rosé we’ve ever had.
This beautiful, medium-bodied blush drinks like a Barbera or a Dolcetto, with good tannic grip, plush red berries, and hints of spice. Its color is dark and deep for a blush, thanks to the 100% Syrah. If you are looking for a rosé this summer, look no further than the Cherub.
THE ONSLAUGHT PART ONE
So I took a week off from the hustle-and-bustle of wine buying to spend some quiet time at home with the wife and the herd, and get a fresh perspective on things. I’m sure that those of you who really know me can understand that me taking a week off is almost tantamount to an apocalyptic event. Aside from convalescing, I rarely take more than a day off, so I did it right by keeping my Blackberry holstered and keeping my laptop in the bag ALL WEEK LONG.
Leaving the shuffling of vino throughout the stores to the Wonder Twins (my endearing nickname for Jesse and Shannon), I embarked on a quiet sabbatical at home. I drank some wine, ate good, enjoyed some quality couch time with the Mrs., and watched my Magnificent Seven perform volatile comedy in between catching up with the second season of Weeds.
Alas, all good things must end, and I am back in the saddle, ready to dispense some serious hullabaloo.
Leaving the shuffling of vino throughout the stores to the Wonder Twins (my endearing nickname for Jesse and Shannon), I embarked on a quiet sabbatical at home. I drank some wine, ate good, enjoyed some quality couch time with the Mrs., and watched my Magnificent Seven perform volatile comedy in between catching up with the second season of Weeds.
Alas, all good things must end, and I am back in the saddle, ready to dispense some serious hullabaloo.
An Odd Couple
Shannon's latest blog entry...
Beckham and Bordeaux: Palate Pleasers
Wine Spectator announced on Wednesday that David Beckham recently purchased a vineyard in Napa Valley for his wife, Victoria. Now, before going on, I must admit that I am a great fan of Posh Spice (for her beautiful wardrobe and fashion sense), and an even greater fan of David Beckham (for his god-like looks and fierce talent as a footballer.)
However, this little bit of gossip calls into mind the increasingly branded and commercial route that the world of wine has taken. Sure, celebrities marketing their own name on a bottle of wine is hardly original (look at Francis Ford Coppola; Greg Norman; Marilyn Monroe), but at what point does this become mundane, and what is it doing to the stature of wine?
On an opposite note, here at Liquor Direct we are abuzz with our delivery of 2005 Bordeaux. Ranging from $9.99 to $110.00, these austere bottles are a bit of celebrities themselves. I found myself Thursday evening tenderly wiping away the bits of dust that collected on their labels, gingerly stacking their heavy wood sleeping cases, and finding a cool dark space for them to rest until their new owner comes for them. Why do we baby Bordeaux?
Now, as I compare the Beckham’s vineyard in Napa and Bordeaux right and left banks, (an old world vs. new world styled sentence if I’ve ever read one!), I’m left thinking about who these two ‘brands’ are targeting. People opposite each other on the demographic totem pole?
I think that the Beckham’s purchase and the prestige of Bordeaux compared side by side reveal one thing: the ever changing, ever growing market for wine. As more and more young people in the U.S. become interested in the grape, it is only natural that they gravitate towards brands that they recognize and aren’t intimidated by. Instead of turning up our nose at the choices of these new oenophiles, we must embrace them with open arms, and more, we must learn something from them: that wine was intended to be fun, to be enjoyed, and shared together.
So next time you’re at your favorite wine store and perusing the shelves and happen to come by the ‘Posh Spice Zinfandel’, at the risk of sounding “silly”, try it!
Beckham and Bordeaux: Palate Pleasers
Wine Spectator announced on Wednesday that David Beckham recently purchased a vineyard in Napa Valley for his wife, Victoria. Now, before going on, I must admit that I am a great fan of Posh Spice (for her beautiful wardrobe and fashion sense), and an even greater fan of David Beckham (for his god-like looks and fierce talent as a footballer.)
However, this little bit of gossip calls into mind the increasingly branded and commercial route that the world of wine has taken. Sure, celebrities marketing their own name on a bottle of wine is hardly original (look at Francis Ford Coppola; Greg Norman; Marilyn Monroe), but at what point does this become mundane, and what is it doing to the stature of wine?
On an opposite note, here at Liquor Direct we are abuzz with our delivery of 2005 Bordeaux. Ranging from $9.99 to $110.00, these austere bottles are a bit of celebrities themselves. I found myself Thursday evening tenderly wiping away the bits of dust that collected on their labels, gingerly stacking their heavy wood sleeping cases, and finding a cool dark space for them to rest until their new owner comes for them. Why do we baby Bordeaux?
Now, as I compare the Beckham’s vineyard in Napa and Bordeaux right and left banks, (an old world vs. new world styled sentence if I’ve ever read one!), I’m left thinking about who these two ‘brands’ are targeting. People opposite each other on the demographic totem pole?
I think that the Beckham’s purchase and the prestige of Bordeaux compared side by side reveal one thing: the ever changing, ever growing market for wine. As more and more young people in the U.S. become interested in the grape, it is only natural that they gravitate towards brands that they recognize and aren’t intimidated by. Instead of turning up our nose at the choices of these new oenophiles, we must embrace them with open arms, and more, we must learn something from them: that wine was intended to be fun, to be enjoyed, and shared together.
So next time you’re at your favorite wine store and perusing the shelves and happen to come by the ‘Posh Spice Zinfandel’, at the risk of sounding “silly”, try it!
Friday, June 6, 2008
A SAD FAREWELL
This past week, the local wine business lost a good friend and passionate soul in Todd Nikolai, who worked for Vintner Select, a renowned distributor/importer in Mason, Ohio. Todd was crazy about wine, and it showed in his exuberant approach to this industry that so many of us love to work in. I’d known Todd for nearly 10 years, ever since he became my wine rep from Vintner Select while I was managing the bar at Café Boulevard in Dayton. I was quick to discover that Todd and I were both going to Wright State during the day, frantically trying to get the degrees we were slow to work on back in our twenties. Todd was one of my favorite reps, primarily because I never felt pressured by him to buy whatever it was he was tasting that day. He was just exuberant about showing his customers something new – something anyone truly geeked about wine would appreciate. And he was always laughing and joking whenever he came into the restaurant, which made things much easier – it’s pretty tough to be a jerk in this business though there are a few out there. Todd was certainly not one of those guys.
As I moved on from restaurant schlub to retail cork dork, Todd and I kept in touch. I think we actually graduated the same year though I don't think either of us did the cap-and-gown thing (no time). Inevitably I settled in Cincinnati, here at Liquor Direct, and Todd became more of a brand manager for VS. The last time we spoke was at a party at our friend Eric Jerardi’s house. It was small talk, introductions to our wives, and a moment of catching up on things. He told me he was going to come by the store sometime, he had a few things to show me.
Unfortunately, aside from a few emails since then, I never spoke to him again. Todd will definitely be missed. My prayers go out to his wife, his daughter, the Nikolai family, and everyone at Vintner Select.
As I moved on from restaurant schlub to retail cork dork, Todd and I kept in touch. I think we actually graduated the same year though I don't think either of us did the cap-and-gown thing (no time). Inevitably I settled in Cincinnati, here at Liquor Direct, and Todd became more of a brand manager for VS. The last time we spoke was at a party at our friend Eric Jerardi’s house. It was small talk, introductions to our wives, and a moment of catching up on things. He told me he was going to come by the store sometime, he had a few things to show me.
Unfortunately, aside from a few emails since then, I never spoke to him again. Todd will definitely be missed. My prayers go out to his wife, his daughter, the Nikolai family, and everyone at Vintner Select.
Monday, June 2, 2008
AND NOW MY OTHER NUMBER TWO
Jessica Stambaugh is my other assistant wine buyer, and finally, she too has the time to chime in. Her first blog is a little something about the grape Mencia...
What the Heck is Mencia? (by Jessica S.)
Now that my partner in crime, Shannon, has come aboard I have the time to break my Liquor Direct wine blogging seal. I also have a little more time to see family, friends, and go out to dinner. Yay!! I have a life again! Even though Kevin is one of my favorite people, it’s still refreshing to know that his wife gets to spend more time with him than I do now. I did, however, make sure that he told Jen I never took him for granted and valued every waking moment we spent together (UUuuugghh).
Speaking of having time for dinner, I went to Dilly Deli in Mariemont with one of my wine snob friends (I still can’t convince him that wine doesn’t need to be so darnn pretentious). They have a wine retail shop next door where you can purchase wine at retail and have it with dinner for a small corking fee. We chose the Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos 2006, which I knew was 100% Mencia (because we carry it…not because I’m a know-it-all) but never had the opportunity to taste it. The only other Mencia I’ve tasted in the past was Luna Beberide and was a fan. . Mencia is predominately grown in the region of Bierzo Spain, in which the grape comprises of 80% of their harvest. Mencia tends to have a floral nose and I was getting Violets like crazy in the Petalos. Let’s just say the wine had poise with its delicate tannic grip, subtle creamy finish, and complexity that makes you want to savor every sip (or at least every other one). I love the wine you can get for your money in Spain!! Stop by Liquor Direct and let me hand-sell you a bottle for $21.98. I promise it will be worth your while.
What the Heck is Mencia? (by Jessica S.)
Now that my partner in crime, Shannon, has come aboard I have the time to break my Liquor Direct wine blogging seal. I also have a little more time to see family, friends, and go out to dinner. Yay!! I have a life again! Even though Kevin is one of my favorite people, it’s still refreshing to know that his wife gets to spend more time with him than I do now. I did, however, make sure that he told Jen I never took him for granted and valued every waking moment we spent together (UUuuugghh).
Speaking of having time for dinner, I went to Dilly Deli in Mariemont with one of my wine snob friends (I still can’t convince him that wine doesn’t need to be so darnn pretentious). They have a wine retail shop next door where you can purchase wine at retail and have it with dinner for a small corking fee. We chose the Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos 2006, which I knew was 100% Mencia (because we carry it…not because I’m a know-it-all) but never had the opportunity to taste it. The only other Mencia I’ve tasted in the past was Luna Beberide and was a fan. . Mencia is predominately grown in the region of Bierzo Spain, in which the grape comprises of 80% of their harvest. Mencia tends to have a floral nose and I was getting Violets like crazy in the Petalos. Let’s just say the wine had poise with its delicate tannic grip, subtle creamy finish, and complexity that makes you want to savor every sip (or at least every other one). I love the wine you can get for your money in Spain!! Stop by Liquor Direct and let me hand-sell you a bottle for $21.98. I promise it will be worth your while.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
