• Recession-related woes? The recession is not a short-term problem and wineries should expect it to last beyond this year, says one of the wine industry’s top financial experts. “This is not a fear mongering, the world is coming-to-an-end scenario, but it is a real bump in the road,” says Rob McMillan, founder of Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division. “We are going to be bumping around in a rocky business climate for a number of years.” McMillan says to expect more layoffs and more labels to go away.
• Bordeaux futures squabble: Yes, this doesn’t apply to most of us, but it is fun to watch. Decanter, which follows the ins and outs of futures pricing the way ESPN covers sports, reports that many British wine merchants are furious with Robert Parker, who sent prices for the 2008 Chateau Lafite futures soaring after a positive review. Said one: “No one else believes this vintage is outstanding.”
• Mother’s Day gift: Stuck for an idea? And apparently, many of you are. Then how about the Corkeeper? The Wine Curmudgeon can’t vouch for it personally, but does seem an improvement over throwing wine corks in a kitchen drawer. I’ll have Mother’s Day wine ideas on Thursday, plus a Mother’s Day wine of the week on Wednesday.
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