• The other Mondavi turns 95: Peter Mondavi, Robert's less famous brother, has celebrated his 95th birthday -- and 80 years in the wine business. Peter's business is Charles Krug Winery, which makes some well-priced and well-turned out wines. And what does Peter think of the way the wine business is run today? "A $1,500 bottle of wine?" he says, shaking his head and laughing. Speaks volumes, doesn't it?
• Sonoma wineries want to change labels: Sonoma County's wineries want a state law requiring wines from its sub-appellations like Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill to also print “Sonoma County” on their wine labels to better promote the winemaking region. Their thinking is that a similar law in Napa helped that region grow in popularity, so why not Sonoma? Federal labeling regulations currently don't require a producer of Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley or Knights Valley wines to mention anything about Sonoma County on the labels. Most do not. I'm curious: If business was good, would the wineries bother with this, given that it will confuse most of us even more than we're confused about appellation?
• Common sense about vintages: From the great Bill Daley at the Chicago Tribune: "Given the American propensity to drink wine as soon as it's bought, age should not be an issue." This is a very nice piece, looking at an issue that almost always confuses most wine drinkers. Generally, as Bill notes, if you're buying inexpensive wine, the vintage is irrelevant. Most wine that we buy is not made to age; it's made to drink right away.
Comments