It’s a short week this week for those of us in the US, and I hope everyone has some way they’ll be enjoying the time off. Of course, celebrating our country’s heritage is a bit bitter sweet this year—for many reasons—so, I’d like to highlight a few positive pieces that came out in this week’s wine-related news. Wine Industry Advisor speaks to Sonoma viticulturist Brenae Royal, who speaks to how racial inclusivity within the wine business means creating a simultaneously broader, yet more intimate and meaningful, wine consumer base. For more on that kind of perspective, check out the Forbes piece that profiles three Black wine experts—including one of my favorite local producers Theodora Lee. And for those of you in the biz who are looking to hire, work or network with, or just become familiar with qualified Black wine industry pros, Julie Coney has spearheaded, and officially launched, the Black Wine Professionals website just this past week.
Need a bit of a laugh? Well, there’s a company making wine bottles out of paper. Yeah…
Oh, and for my wine nerds out there, check out Tim Gaiser’s blog post on deductive tasting and Young Gun of Wines’ dive into ageable Aussie Chard.
That’s some of the good/fun news. However, I do want to say that if you have outdoor plans for this Fourth of July weekend, please stay safe. Here in California Newsom has shutdown indoor businesses (including bars, restaurants, wineries, and tasting rooms) in 19 counties, as well as state beaches from Monterey to Sonoma. But before you get any ideas about packing up the truck and heading toward the North Bay, be warned: Sonoma County is not immune and is, in fact, probably next on that list.
So, again, wherever you are, however you choose to celebrate, please make smart decisions, stay safe, protect yourself and others. That’s all from me for now. Have a happy weekend and drink some good wine.
Wine Industry Advisor: Solutions and Words of Wisdom from Black Female Vineyard Manager, Brenae Royal
“When the Black Lives Matter campaign first started,” says Brenae, “I was a little bitter. Racism didn’t just start yesterday. It’s been happening forever. However, now my stance has changed. Instead, I see it as a giant opportunity to make a difference, to educate people, and to give true and authentic feedback on how the industry can be better as whole.” READ MORE…
Forbes: 3 Black Wine Experts On Diversity, Representation And Inclusion Within The Industry
We spoke to three Black wine experts on their journeys within the industry. From confronting and overcoming social biases and racial injustice to amplifying Black voices on matters of race, representation and inclusion in every aspect of the wine world, here is what they had to say. READ MORE…
SF Chronicle: Newsom orders new shutdown of restaurants, other indoor business in 19 California counties
Newsom implored Californians to practice social distancing and wear masks as they mingle and travel for the holiday. He said people must “disabuse” themselves of any notion that people have stopped dying of COVID-19, noting that statewide, Tuesday’s toll was 110. READ MORE…
Press Democrat: Sonoma County adds two more coronavirus deaths, bringing toll to nine residents
Sonoma County is likely to experience the kind of increase in coronavirus cases already causing other parts of California to yank the chain back on indoor activities like restaurant dining that put people in close contact with others. READ MORE…
Wine Spectator: Tony Terlato, a Giant in the U.S. Wine Industry, Dies at 86
From working in his dad’s retail store to building a leading wine distribution and import firm to producing wines in four countries, Terlato focused on giving consumers quality
As founder and chairman of the Chicago-based Terlato Wine Group, an importer that markets top producers including Gaja, M. Chapoutier, Piper-Heidsieck and Nino Franco, Tony introduced Americans to high-quality wine for decades, particularly Italian wines. He almost single-handedly put Pinot Grigio on the map in the United States. READ MORE…
Decanter: Paper wine bottle launched—What is it like?
A wine bottle made from recycled paperboard has been launched by the Frugalpac company in the UK, and we got hold of a sample to try it out.
Frugal bottle is made from 94% recycled paperboard, with a plastic food-grade liner to contain the wine or spirits within, similar in concept to a bag-in-box. READ MORE…
Blogs Worth a Read
Taken from the list of Blogs I follow regularly, here are just a few posts from this past week I think are worth a read. Shoot me a note if you have suggestions or want your blog included.
Black Wine Professionals: Allow Me to Introduce Myself, My Name Is…
Julia Coney
@juliaconey
BWP is a space to give more than names and credentials, although that’s great. We like those things. It is for brands, wineries, conferences, public relations companies, marketing firms, and more to realize, “we have no excuse for not finding a qualified Black Wine Professional.” READ MORE…
Eater: This Restaurant Critic Isn’t Dining Out Right Now
Critic Ryan Sutton, who was sickened by COVID-19 in March, argues that the leisure of dining out doesn’t justify the health risks to workers
I’m a restaurant critic. It’s my job to dine out. Yet even though the restaurant shutdown ended nearly a month ago on Long Island, where I’ve been living since March, I still haven’t ordered anything except takeout. In fact I haven’t sat down for dine-in service in over 122 days, with no plans to change course. Resurgent COVID-19 infections prompted Gov. Andrew Cuomo to announce today that he’s pushing back the onset of indoor dining in the city. That’s a good start, but if you care about the safety of your fellow humans amid a pandemic that has killed over half a million globally and sickened many more — myself included — you should consider a stronger measure. You might consider not drinking or dining out at all, not even outdoors. READ MORE…
Deborah Parker Wong: The Anosmia Threat
Anosmia, or the loss of one’s sense of smell, has previously been identified as an early warning sign of the mild cognitive impairment that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Now, along with ageuisa—the loss of taste—it’s been cited as one of the most common symptoms experienced by those who have contracted COVID-19. READ MORE…
Jancis Robinson: South Africa – fewer halos?
Over the last week I have been contacted by numerous people of colour in South African wine eager to demonstrate that things are not nearly as rosy for them as my article suggested. A common complaint was that, while Black engagement in the wine industry may have improved a bit quantitatively (the number of Black-owned wine labels, etc), qualitatively there is still a great deal to be done. READ MORE…
Tim Gaiser, MS: Cause and Effect—The “Why” Behind Deductive Tasting
Why questions are valuable in the context of deductive tasting. They speak to cause and effect in terms of why a wine looks, smells, and tastes the way it does. These cause and effect relationships are both useful and valuable for the student learning about classic grapes and wines in their tasting practice. Here are potential cause-effect relationships for all the criteria in the deductive tasting grid. READ MORE…
Young Gun of Wine: Aging Chardonnay
Not so long ago, it was deemed a short-term cellaring prospect, but Australian chardonnay today is anything but, with recognition that the best examples age gracefully for many years. READ MORE…
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**Please note: all reviews and opinions are my own and are not associated with any of my places of business. I will always state when a wine has been sent as a sample for review. Sending samples for review on my personal website in no way guarantees coverage in any other media outlet I may be currently associated with.**