June and July Wine Travels

I haven't been blogging much in the early summer but am committed to updating this wine blog more often.

Of notice lately is how the wine business is somewhat recession proof in this tough economy.

An article from Business Week on ALCOHOL'S ECONOMIC RESILIENCE:

*Business Week issued an interesting write up that sums up several reports and themes over the past couple of months in the industry.

1. For example, alcoholic beverages are pretty recession resistant and are not as affected by the economy as other consumer-discretionary products.

2. Premium and ultra-premium spirits continue to outperform the rest of the market.

3. Although Fortune issued a profit warning yesterday, analysts generally agree that its spirits division is less sensitive to the slowing economy than its home and hardware and golf divisions.

4. Spirits has been taking back market share from the beer industry since 2001, but is expected to moderate.

"We think wine and spirits will be the last to be impacted, so some of this may be a delay. But there's enough strength in that income [group] that they can probably weather this pretty well," said Richard Hurst says Richard Hurst of Nielsen, as quoted in the article.

Music Changes the Way you Taste Wine?

Of note, a May Post:

May I Suggest Jimi Hendrix With Your Red Wine, Sir?

LONDON, May 13/PRNewswire/ -- Research by Chilean wine producer Montes has revealed a world scientific first - music has a direct impact on taste. Research carried out by the Department of Applied Psychology at Heriot Watt University has shown that the style of music we listen to whilst drinking wine affects how the wine actually tastes.

Montes winemaker Aurelio Montes plays monastic chants to his maturing wines, convinced that the gentle vibrations improve the quality and energy of the wine. Indeed, his Feng Shui designed barrel room is even built in the form of an amphitheatre, allowing each barrel of wine the optimum musical experience.

Commenting on the research, Montes said: "I've always believed that playing Gregorian chants aids in the maturation of our wines - it was therefore a natural extension to link with Heriot Watt and to scientifically determine the impact that music has on how wine tastes."

The research, conducted by Professor Adrian North, head of the Dept of Applied Psychology at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, is based on the cognitive priming theory. When a particular style of music is heard, it stimulates or 'primes' specific areas in the brain. Subsequently, when wine is tasted, these areas of the brain are already active and prime us to taste the wine in a corresponding way.

Professor North explains: "I was intrigued by Montes' approach of incorporating music in the winemaking process, and was keen to explore whether music could actually influence the taste of their wines. This is the first time it has been scientifically proven that music can affect perception in other senses and change the way wine tastes."

The research could have wide reaching implications on how wine is marketed and sold with supermarkets, bar owners and restaurants tailoring their music selection to ensure consumers get the most from their wine.

Note to editors:

Extra material available

Images: Montes barrel room, Prof Adrian North, Aurelio Montes, bottle images, people enjoying music and wine

Interview: Professor Adrian North - Tel: +44(0)131-451-8239 / +44(0)7811-121950

Research: Original research document from Heriot Watt University

Date: 13th May 2008


For further information, please contact:
Scott Burton,
CUBE Communications
Tel: +44(0)20-8401-5505
E-mail: scott@cubecom.co.uk

Source: Montes

For further information, please contact: Scott Burton, CUBE Communications, Tel: +44(0)20-8401-5505, E-mail: scott@cubecom.co.uk

January Wine Humor

"French Wine Club Promo - Hilarious!"

Holiday Newsletter

This is a sample of what was sent out on December 5th

b>What I'm drinking this Holiday Season (Seeking something interesting and off-the-beaten-track for my holiday table,) I received a shipment of interesting Wisconsin wines at my Florida home. Here is a peek at what I will be enjoying with my friends and family:


Wollersheim Winery, Deeper Exploration sampler case

Prairie Fume Seyval Blanc, their delicious Domaine du Sac Marechal Foch, and their multi-award winning Prairie Blush Marechal Foch Rose (highly recommended on Appellation America).

This week, I'll also be ordering some EXCELLENT wines from Texas for my Atlanta, Georgia entertaining. You can count on the editorial team at Appellation America to source some great deals, like this one:

My top recommendation this newsletter is a 6-pack sampler of Fall Creek Vineyards wines, perfect to have on hand as the holidays rush towards us!

You still have time to discover for yourself the truly distinctive taste of Texas with your own sampler pack from this outstanding Texas winery.

Atlanta Wine Chef Blog

I just left a post on my friend Harry Haff's blog "Wine With A Chef"

He's got an excellent piece on wine filtration and fining still driving from November.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Thanksgiving Day Newsletter just came out for Wine Explorer Society members. Even if you're not a member, view it HERE!

Anyone who loves wine and wants to EXPLORE American wines can join the Wine Explorer Society (it's free) and get these newsletters FREE!

Gotta go, the Turkey's in the oven and I hope everyone out there has a safe and wonderful Holiday.

DT

Corkology - A Wine Discovery Blog: Comments Welcome!

Corkology - A Wine Discovery Blog: Blog Launch

Here's my number one wine for Thanksgiving: RayLen Vineyards (North Carolina) VIOGNIER










DETAILED TASTING NOTES:

RayLen Vineyards and Winery

2004 Viognier - $13.00 - click here to buy now at Appellation America

This brilliant yellow-gold wine appears rich, and it is! Perhaps a little darker than most Viogniers upon release with a light rim and noticeable viscosity.

NOTE: Let this wine warm up about 10 degrees from your "fridge" temperature (52 - 60 degrees is ideal).

OLFACTORY SENSATIONS: Pears, apricots, peach, honey, lychee, honeydew melon, a slight cooked-fruit smell.

FIRST SIP: Nicely weighted, it seemed a little "flabby" (lack of acid) at first, but then nice crisp acids attacked the sides of my tongue.

OVERALL: Wonderful fruit flavors come out and cover the mid-palate with complex repeats of the pear and melon flavors found in the aromas, along with bright, crisp, lemony-citrus, minerals and light-but-balanced finish!

This wine will pair perfectly with Roast Poultry (especially Thanksgiving Turkey!)

> 11/12/07 DT