Saturday, September 07, 2002

Internet Wine Sellers Still Woozy on Web Fumes

"As we comb through the dot-com rubble, we come across a lot of failed e-commerce companies that had everything going for them but nevertheless missed the mark. They faced bad timing. Bad management. Bad luck. Some combination of the three. Internet wine sellers have other demons to blame."

On E-Commerce Times



23 Kosher Wines, in Time for the Holidays

"Wine Spectator"

On Consumer: food and drink



Wine lakes

"Throwing away the Beaujolais"

On BBC Europe



New for September 5:

"Wine Spectator"

On Consumer: food and drink



Beringer Blass Buys Carmenet Brand

"Wine Spectator"

On Consumer: food and drink



Wining, Whining and Winning on EBay

"This month, EBay is testing sales of wine on its site, and also backing away from making its new "Checkout" system mandatory. How are these two things related? They are both examples of EBay's willingness to try new things and, even more important, to fail and/or admit when it is wrong."

On E-Commerce Times



T-Mobile SideKick - Integrated PDA-Phone from Danger

"T-Mobile Danger Integrated PDA-Phone
Sidekick Desktop
"

On bLOGical



Grid Compuring

"MSNBC .  Where do you think Grid computing is going?  I have three scenarios:
1) An application specific backwater.  Networks of voluntary PC networks slaved to work on specific projects/games and clusters of servers dedicated to specific apps.
2) Virtualized PCs.  People would run a terminal on their desk and connect with a pool of rack mounted 1U PCs that allocate resources via a grid.
3) Virtualized Servers.  People would continue to run PCs on their desktop but they would share resources with a central system that would crunch through tasks normally reserved for expensive server systems.  Apps would run against this generalized system depending on need.
Basically, the push here is being driven by companies (IBM and Sun) that see an increasing imbalance between centralized resources vs. decentralized.  For example, this year 140 m or so 1.5 GHz PCs with 60 Gb hard drives will be sold.  Only 4-5m servers will be sold, with capabilities not much greater on average than what is being sold to individual users.  The business opportunity for IBM and Sun is to get these desktop PCs (mostly built by Dell, Gateway, and a large number of independents) running software they have a hand in developing, customizing, and managing.  However, will this desire translate into a major change in the way we use computers (scenarios 2 and 3)?  Probably not (or at least not until Microsoft jumps in), but it is interesting to think about. [ John Robb's Radio Weblog ]
"

On bLOGical



Elvis Sighted (Several Times) at Sonoma Valley Auction

"Sunday's tenth annual auction sponsored by Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance was the centrepiece of a series of eight events which raised over US$1million for charity."

On Wine News



UK: Booths breaks Oddbins deadlock to win Wine Challenge

"Booths Supermarkets has been named Overall Wine Merchant of the Year in the 2002 International Wine Challenge - breaking Oddbins' four-year domination of the title."

On Wine News



New Zealand: A classic taste of summer

"The Golden Mile is the central route through the Rapaura area, a region renowned for its production of fine fruit and intense flavours."

On Wine News



Hardys Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2001 collects Gold

"A wine from South Australian vineyards first established 150 years ago at McLaren Vale has been voted "Best Value Wine in the World" at one of the largest global wine competitions...."

On Wine News



Ten Things You Didn't Know About Harvest

"1. Sometimes, winemakers look for a little help from above. No, we don't mean the sun. Throughout much of Europe, the church still plays a central role in harvest tradition..."

On Wine News



Red-wine headache a scientific mystery

"For some people, a glass of red wine is an invitation to a roaring headache. There are many theories about what causes the syndrome, but few facts, says Dr. Fred Freitag, associate director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago."

On Wine News



Thomas Coyne: Wit, whimsy, wine

"A I once again pass the multimillion dollar homes of Ruby Hill on Valecitos Road, I'm looking for one of those innocuous signs that -- I'm learning -- are the humble trademarks of many Livermore wineries. On my right, by a sign, is an old outhouse, a bed frame overgrown with weeds, a bathtub and a sink. The sign reads: "Iris Bed and Breakfast.""

On Wine News



New Zealand: Wine Tourism Venture given go ahead

"The Big Picture, a wine tourism venture that will include a restaurant, wine outlet, bar, an aroma area, and an auditorium, has been approved by the Central Otago District Council...."

On Wine News



South Africa: Wine bottle battle goes to court

"Liquor giant Distell and supermarket group Shoprite Checkers are set to meet in court over a bottle of wine. Not just any kind of wine, but a brand with the hearty label "Muchas Gracias"."

On Wine News



Australia: Pialligo paves the way for new cellar

"Canberra's newest cellar door must surely have one of the most unique locations of any vineyard in the world...."

On Wine News



Wine Co. program educates restaurant waiters and waitresses

"Michael Peacock has witnessed wait staff with "shaky" wine confidence in his 20 years as a chef. Now that he's got his own restaurant in Mickey's Chophouse, at 5 Beeman St., Peacock and his wife, Debbie, have put a premium on wine knowledge. Aside from planned wine seminars for their staff, Peacock plans on taking advantage of Canandaigua Wine Co.'s crash course in serving wine."

On Wine News



Land of liqueurs

"Travel along the N74 road in Burgundy, through towns whose names appear on the world's greatest wine labels, and the view is vineyards, vineyards, vineyards, as far as the eye can see."

On Wine News



Hopelessly Devoted to ... Shiraz and Chardonnay

"Australian wines are red, white and now -- Koala Blue. Australian superstar Olivia Newton-John is giving wine lovers something to sing about with her Koala Blue Shiraz and Koala Blue Chardonnay. Both wines come in a distinctive blue bottle."

On Wine News



Bring on the grapes

"A growing breed of hobbyists are getting serious about the quality of wine they make at home. Before very long, Eugene Osentoski's well-appointed ranch in Northville will smell like a California winery, and in fact, you could almost call his homestead a wine chateau -- on a small scale..."

On Wine News



Tuesday, September 03, 2002

Wine Co. program educates restaurant waiters and waitresses

"Michael Peacock has witnessed wait staff with "shaky" wine confidence in his 20 years as a chef. Now that he's got his own restaurant in Mickey's Chophouse, at 5 Beeman St., Peacock and his wife, Debbie, have put a premium on wine knowledge. Aside from planned wine seminars for their staff, Peacock plans on taking advantage of Canandaigua Wine Co.'s crash course in serving wine."

On Wine News





"British Wine Site to Charge for Advice: Superplonk.com, the website set up by The Guardian's wine expert, Malcolm Gluck, is to launch a subscription service..."

On PAID: the economics of content



Wine prevents repeat heart attack

"Scientists say they have found a way for coronary patients to minimise the risk of a second heart attack - drink wine every day."

On BBC Health



Bring on the grapes

"A growing breed of hobbyists are getting serious about the quality of wine they make at home. Before very long, Eugene Osentoski's well-appointed ranch in Northville will smell like a California winery, and in fact, you could almost call his homestead a wine chateau -- on a small scale..."

On Wine News



Australian wine exports face Europe threat - report

"CANBERRA: Australia's wine industry, which has enjoyed phenomenal growth in the past decade, faces lower sales growth as European producers pull out all stops to protect their home markets, the nation's commodity bureau said yesterday."

On Stuff - Business News



Why red wine is healthier

On BBC Health



EC urges more wine barriers

On The Age: Business



Red wine 'protects from colds'

On BBC Health



A little wine for the wounded heart?

"CNN"

On Drinks and Beverages



Wine cheer

"Regular drinking reduces second heart attack risk"

On BBC Health



Wisconsin University students show their stuff in a Food and Wine study tour.

On ABC News



Who Spilled Merlot on the E-Book?

"Electronic wine lists help diners at Aureole restaurants in Vegas and New York match their meals with the perfect vintage. Also: E-publish in minutes.... E-books en español.... and more in M.J. Rose's notebook."

On Wired News



Hopelessly Devoted to ... Shiraz and Chardonnay

"Australian wines are red, white and now -- Koala Blue. Australian superstar Olivia Newton-John is giving wine lovers something to sing about with her Koala Blue Shiraz and Koala Blue Chardonnay. Both wines come in a distinctive blue bottle."

On Wine News



Wine Co. program educates restaurant waiters and waitresses

"Michael Peacock has witnessed wait staff with "shaky" wine confidence in his 20 years as a chef. Now that he's got his own restaurant in Mickey's Chophouse, at 5 Beeman St., Peacock and his wife, Debbie, have put a premium on wine knowledge. Aside from planned wine seminars for their staff, Peacock plans on taking advantage of Canandaigua Wine Co.'s crash course in serving wine."

On Wine News



Land of liqueurs

"Travel along the N74 road in Burgundy, through towns whose names appear on the world's greatest wine labels, and the view is vineyards, vineyards, vineyards, as far as the eye can see."

On Wine News



Hopelessly Devoted to ... Shiraz and Chardonnay

"Australian wines are red, white and now -- Koala Blue. Australian superstar Olivia Newton-John is giving wine lovers something to sing about with her Koala Blue Shiraz and Koala Blue Chardonnay. Both wines come in a distinctive blue bottle."

On Wine News



Bring on the grapes

"A growing breed of hobbyists are getting serious about the quality of wine they make at home. Before very long, Eugene Osentoski's well-appointed ranch in Northville will smell like a California winery, and in fact, you could almost call his homestead a wine chateau -- on a small scale..."

On Wine News



Cliff sets date for wine and song

"The man who put the "ever" in evergreen, Sir Cliff Richard, has two wineries on his gig itinerary for his Australian tour early next year."

On Wine News



Hawke's Bay Wine Country comes to Auckland

"The Hawke's Bay Wine Country Food Group is joining forces this month with five-star hotel Stamford Plaza Auckland, to celebrate the Best of the Bunch extravaganza. A fabulous line up of Hawke's Bay tour operators, winemakers, food providers, artists, and musicians will take part in the Best of the Bunch, which begins on 6 September until the end of the month."

On Wine News



Washington's wineries came of age quickly

"The Washington wine industry is now recognized internationally by leading wine authorities as producing wines that rival the best the world has to offer. The challenge remains to share the news - and the beauty of the region ó with the rest of the world..."

On Wine News



Little pretense at wine auction

"As if slipping through a porthole, the auction-goers at the Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction on Sunday found themselves in the 1950s, mingling with Elvis in stripped-down leather and Marilyn Monroe in a white flyaway dress. The 10th annual wine auction raised $586,390 this year, slightly less than last year's $592,100."

On Wine News



Wine and Vine: Has chard met its match?

"As a dry white wine, Chardonnay is the current international best-seller in its field - deservedly so, since it is a grape of great adaptability, which can yield a decent wine in a range of climates and locations. Whether it be France, the Americas or Down Under, the finished product should be recognisable as Chardonnay, though the style may differ radically...."

On Wine News



New Zealand: Savvys make it in record time

"The Marlborough selection of 2002 sauvignon blanc wines made it to Wellington on Saturday in record time. Thirty-six different Marlborough sauvignon blancs were raced across Cook Strait on 26 yachts to officially launch this year's vintage."

On Wine News



Real opinions from real people in the Real Cork debate

"Throughout June and July 2002, over 4,000 people visited corkmasters.com site to share their thoughts on wine closures. There was a wide range of opinions and a huge number of comments from professionals and wine lovers alike. Here's a summary of the results..."

On Wine News



Sudden impact

"There are many ways of classifying wines - white and red, oak-aged or not, old world versus new world. In terms of understanding why the wines we like don't always shine in competitions, an equally useful distinction - often made by the winemakers themselves - is between "impact" wines and "subtle" wines...."

On Wine News



Hot dry summer bad for cranberries, good for grapes

"The hot, dry Massachusetts summer, which followed a practically snowless winter, has cranberry growers worried they won't be able to flood their bogs for the harvest. However, vinifera grapes -- table wine-producing vintages like chardonnay and merlot -- flourish in such conditions."

On Wine News



Why a wine's taste can be in the glass

"What wine snobs have been telling you for years really is true: the shape of a glass does make a difference to how wine tastes. The reason is that some wine glasses allow more of the subtle chemical reactions with air because a greater surface is exposed to it."

On Wine News



Klein Constantia Judged One Of The World's Great Vineyards

"Up there, with Clos du Mesnil, Lafite Rothschild, La Tache and Yquem, that's where you'll find Klein Constantia. The Constantia wine estate was listed as one of the world's twenty-five great vineyards by US Wine & Spirits magazine in their summer 2002 issue."

On Wine News



Michigan State Uni professor launches winemaking program

"Blended into the pastoral landscape on the fringes of the Michigan State University campus is a flourishing 3-acre vineyard, along with a 3,500-square-foot winery lab, for the country's only intensive winemaking and viticultural program this side of the Rockies."

On Wine News



Wright kind of wine

"AS a businessman, Michael Wright seems to have it all ñ he earns about $11 million a year from a Rio Tinto mine he's never worked at. He also owns the revered Voyager Estate winery in Margaret River, although he doesn't drink wine, and, with $220 million in personal wealth, he isn't worried that the winery isn't making money..."

On Wine News



Wine fails to shake "intimidating" image with drinkers

"Almost 50% of Canadians find wine intimidating, a recent survey has found. A consumer poll sponsored by E&J Gallo Winery found that while consumers were keen to build knowledge of wine it is still often viewed as a drink for the "the elite" or "for special occasions only"."

On Wine News



Harrier Rise Vineyard: Country Reds of Auckland

"The country reds of Auckland from the late 1960's were one of the inspirations for Harrier Rise Vineyard. Back then, well before New Zealand wine became respectable, most local wine was fortified and sweetened, and labelled as sherry or port."

On Wine News



China Wants Wine

"The government in Beijing estimates that within eight years, China's population will stand at an incredible 1.4 billion people, with the number exploding by some 14 million a year. Michael Parr, Wente Vineyards' export manager and an old China hand, says that just the core target of potential wine drinkers is roughly equal to the entire population of the United States."

On Wine News



California: Quality up, quantity down

"The 2002 Northern California wine grape harvest, just underway, will likely be remembered as much for the fruit that wasn't picked as for the clusters that were."

On Wine News



Farmers have less than grape expectations

"On the rich farmlands along Lake Erie, grape farmers were expecting a banner crop this year. Temperatures had soared to 80 degrees in mid-April, promising vines heavy with grapes come the September harvest. But with the harvest less than a month away, many of those same farmers anticipate devastating losses."

On Wine News



Some 'ugly duckling' grapes surpass their reputes

"Grapes such as chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon are known to the wine world as "noble" grape varieties. Chardonnay - a classic white wine grape grown all over the world - is most famous in the Burgundy and Champagne regions in France. Cabernet sauvignon is one of the main grape varieties..."

On Wine News



Wine New Zealand a success

"Wine New Zealand, reconfirmed its standing last week as the wine industry's premier sampling forum, with its impressive offering of over 1,300 wines enjoyed by 2, 212 trade and public (up 1.4% on last year)."

On Wine News



Winemaking in Pictures

"All wines, from the most sought-after Bordeaux to the simplest table wine, navigate a series of steps along the journey from vine to bottle. It's a complex process, full of science and mystery, and this slide show makes no claim to cover it comprehensively."

On Wine News



Winegrowers smash hundreds of bottles in supermarket attacks

"Around 200 French wine growers, protesting at cheap imports, targeted two supermarket chains, smashing several hundred of bottles of wine."

On Wine News