Wine Garden of England’s Post

Bordeaux wines, certainly the "Premiers Grands Crus Classés" (but also many others), can be outrageously expensive. We're talking Chateau Margaux, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, and Chateau Palmer, and more. And if you're in a restaurant, say, a NYC steakhouse, with its markup you may be talking real $$$. And unless you're truly wealthy, they may simply be out of reach, or merely unjustifiable purchases. But you can get very good Bordeaux wines at a much lower price from the same chateaux, their "second wines." Even a few producers from Napa--which has some notoriously high-priced Cabernets and Chardonnays--have seconds! Here's an explanation. Enjoy. https://lnkd.in/ewwYY6NR #bordeaux #wine #second #napa #chateau #value

Resharing an article I wrote last year about the fantastic wines of Israel. If you have questions about where to find them in South Florida, or would like to bring some in to your restaurant or shop, I can help. Send me a note.

Despite being a mere sliver of land, stretching just 30 miles long and only a few miles wide, Napa Valley packs a hefty punch in the wine world. This tiny powerhouse hosts a tapestry of microclimates and soils, expertly tailored for nurturing a roster of wine grapes that would make any sommelier's heart sing. Here, celebrated varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay don’t just grow; they thrive, putting this pint-sized region on the map alongside the giants. Though it contributes just 4% to California’s wine grape bounty, Napa Valley was the first region in the state to earn its stripes as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) back in 1981. And let's not forget, while the world's wine stage is vast, Napa holds a unique claim with its dry Mediterranean climate—enjoyed by only 2% of the globe. This climate gifts Napa with a consistency in quality that other regions can only gaze upon with envy. Thanks to its eclectic geological past, Napa is a playground of diverse microclimates and some of the most varied soils on the planet, making it a veritable Eden for an assortment of premium wine grapes. Despite its global fame, Napa Valley remains quaint in scale, sporting only a fraction of the vineyard acreage of Bordeaux but still managing to keep things all in the family—95% of its wineries are family-owned, no less! In this underdog of wine regions, the commitment to viticulture yields a small but mighty grape harvest, from which local winemakers conjure world-renowned wines. If you’re curious to explore more about these vinous veterans and their liquid craftsmanship, sidle over to [https://lnkd.in/g74He52i] for a deeper pour. Dive into the heart of Napa’s winemaking with just a click—your palate may just thank you profusely. Cheers to that tiny titan of terroir! #napavalley #wineries #winetasting #wine #travellover #winemaker #merlot

🍽 Why is it increasingly common for a winery to open a restaurant? At Wine Travel Observer we have investigated how many, what alternative forms are offered to the restaurant itself and why. Wineries seeking for enogastronomy. https://lnkd.in/edCmTgR4 #winetourism #winetravel #winetravelobserver #WTO2024 #wineries #visitwineries #restaurants #enogastronomy Gerard Domingo Blanch Ester Garcia Adrados Nadia Mata Freixedes Enoturista Vi(atges) autèntics

While I support tasting fees, I hope wineries stay reasonable in Paso Robles. Lower tasting fees make it more accessible for a wider range of consumers from various backgrounds and budgets to experience and enjoy wine. They will try a variety of products at a single location. This exploration can lead to discovering new favorites, learning about the nuances of different wines, their production processes, and ideal pairings. When consumers can afford to taste a wider range of products, they are more likely to make purchases. This benefits both the producer and the consumer by facilitating the discovery of wine that align with personal preferences. Approachable experiences lead to repeat visits, brand loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. And last, the Central Coast and Valley with its wineries is a popular tourist destination. Affordable tasting fees can attract more visitors, boosting local economies and promoting tourism in the region. This can lead to increased sales for local businesses, such as restaurants, hotels, and shops. Let’s hope Paso is not outpricing itself like too many peers did in Napa.

I came across this article about wine-tasting room etiquette soon after returning from a long weekend trip to Sonoma wine country. It got me thinking about whether I had possibly broken one or multiple rules. More on this in just a minute. It's been a while since I've visited California tasting rooms. In fact, since my last visits, I've planted a vineyard and am more active in making wine from either my own or local grapes. My knowledge of the winemaking process has grown. I quickly realized to get the most out of our CA visit it would be best to focus on small production wineries, and make reservations ahead of time. The type of reservation with a fee (sometimes substantial), with greater learning potential. This would help ensure our interactions would be more genuine, with the opportunity to talk with actual growers and makers. This turned out to be true. So if I broke any etiquette rules, I'd be embarrassed in retrospect! Bottom line, I didn't. I suppose I've been around enough tasting experiences in Colorado and other places over the years that the unwritten rules are baked into my psyche. However, one item did bug me, especially when interacting with winery owners/makers—the sales pitch. Join the club, buy wine. That you join and/or purchase is certainly a sign of respect, honoring both the wine and the maker. I'm sensitive to this sentiment, and for the most part, most of the CA wines we experienced were wonderful. We just weren't in a position to buy wine (with one small exception) due to our limited time in CA, and our budget. We were always respectful of what was being provided and expressed our gratitude for the experiences. And don't forget, we did pay for the experiences!

𝐀 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞 Wine is a wondrous thing. Get some insight into the Vaal Wine Route, and seize the opportunity to join in the fun before this year’s event ends on 6 August. Read more: https://shrturl.app/kb0Wpp Hamilton's Property Portfolio holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate issued by the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority. #HamiltonsPropertyPortfolio #RealEstate #Property #PropertyPractitioners #VaalWineRoute #WineLover #Vaal #WineTasting #Wine #Advice

Today the co-vintners of Graton’s Paul Mathew Vineyards are still talking nonstop about food, wine and travel, with their boutique winery as the focus of their creative pursuit. Most people in the wine industry define boutique wineries like Paul Mathew Vineyards as those producing 5,000 cases or less cases a year. Yet this category of small producers accounts for the lion’s share of all the wineries in the United States — 82%, or 9,454 of the 11,545 wineries in the U.S., according to market data site Statista.com. Despite the challenges they face as boutique producers, the Gustafsons say they prefer their independence so they can be true artisans. They refuse to have company directives interfering with the quality of their wine. What’s more, they see winemaking as a way of life; they don’t mind putting in long hours because they’re living a life immersed in food and wine adventures. With boutique wineries the fabric of American winemaking, we take a close look at two: Paul Mathew Vineyards and Healdsburg’s Leo Steen. The vintners behind these brands have stood the test of time with more than two decades of success. How does their business model enable them to compete with larger wineries? And just what is this passion, the engine driving it all?

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