2007 Viu Manet Malbec Reserva

*Bottle #38: 2007 Viu Manet Colchagua Malbec Reserva
*Price: $10
*Running Tab: $488

My days off consist of me wine shop shopping. Whether or not I actually buy anything depends on how far in the distant future a paycheck is from me. In this case, the paycheck comes before I need to pay off my credit card so it’s a win-win-win. 1 for me, 1 for the shops and 1 for the wine.

It’s like going to a pet shop – those little bottles starring up at me with their flawless labels and shiny foils, dusted perfectly with a little bit of age so you know they’re bottle-trained and ready to go home with a thirsty and adoring owner.

Trendspotting – Wine

Pumpkin Carving and Wine

On Saturday, my friends and I did our annual tradition of a corn maze race and pumpkin patch raid.  I hate to reveal the results of the corn maze, but after finding some good pumpkins, we returned home to carve them over some wine.

That night, we compared the Columbia Crest H3 Merlot from Horse Heaven Hills (14.99) and the St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County ($20). We’ve talked before about the H3 Cab and the impressive QPR (Quality-Price Ratio). The merlot was no different.  Dark fruit and good tannins, this is a robust wine, and for the pricepoint, it could become a great go-to.  The St. Francis was brighter, more acidic but flavorful and well-made.

Ste. Michelle Estate Wines, parent company for Columbia Crest, released their quarterly earnings report last week showing huge increases in sales and operating profit.  They say it’s due to acclaim for some new releases.  I’d be willing to be they’re refering to the new family of wines: H3.

I can’t say the wine didn’t inspire the pumpkin carving a bit.  And to my friends in the corn maze race: I’ll get you next year.

Wine Press

Yesterday, I got to help some friends–home winemakers–press this year’s grapes.

Roger Hailes on Wine

Boeing Wine Club Press

Portalupi 2007 Bianco Wine

*Bottle #37: Portalupi 2007 Bianco California Table Wine
*Price: $16
*Running Tab: $478

The best kind of narcissistic satisfaction is when you win an argument and all you want to do is scream “I told you so!” and gloat and smirk. Unfortunately, that is no longer acceptable adult behavior past the age of six so now you just have to say “Oh, did I?” when presented with a win over a mature debate.

Comprehensive Wine Law Reform

In our September issue, Cameron Fries described in his column how laws dating back to Prohibition are still in effect today.  An organization has sprung up to deal with just that problem.

Enter the Family Wineries of Washington State, a new band small but passionate wineries who want to see these laws changed to benefit the industry while still preserving the public safety standards that the Washington State Liquor Control Board is tasked to maintain.  This comes in the form of two proposals.

The Washington Wine Law Modernization Act aims to remove some economic provisions that only benefit a few special interest groups.  It also aims to simplify the current law so that wineries to not have to submit proposals to the legislature for each exception needed to the current law, which would dramatically cut down on the number of proposals heard by the lesislature each year.  It would also free up resources of the Liquor Control Board currently spent policing business practices, and allow them to devote their time to public safety.

The Craft Winery Development Act would allow wineries who produce less than 250,000 gallons of wine each year to engage in business practices that would allow them to compete in the wine market and keep prices low.  Essentially, it would allow them to acquire retail, importer and distributor licenses, which means that they would be able to perform all winery-to-consumer functions simultaneously without going through wholesalers and distributors. This means higher profit for wineries, and lower prices for consumers. As Cameron Fries pointed out in his article, the only reason this has been illegal is because government wanted to make sure that organized crime groups did not become legitimate businesses when Prohibition was repealed.

Should the Legislature hear these proposals, it will make for some exciting times in the wine world of Washington State.

Virtual Tasting with Washington Wine Report

Any reason to drink wine, right? Tomorrow, October 22nd, Sean over at Washington Wine Report will be hosting another of his virtual wine tastings at 7pm (PST). What gets me excited about this particular round is that he’ll be focused on the Columbia Crest H3 Cab, which is one of my go-to wines. If you’ve paid the ~$15.00 and tasted the 2005 release, you know why. If you have not, head out and grab a bottle of the 2006 and join myself and Sean for a taste. Now, let’s recap:

1. BUY BOTTLE OF H3 CAB
2. POST OWN TASTING NOTE ON WWR BLOG
3. ??????
4. PROFIT

See you online.

Open Wine Without a Corkscrew

There’s a sense of panic when a person realizes they have wine, but no way to open it. It would be unconscionable to forgo the wine, so here are a couple of clever ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew.

Open A Bottle Of Wine Without Corkscrew – video powered by Metacafe

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