What’s the Future of Virtual Wine Tastings?

Published on July 28, 2020

While the present is still grim in some areas (such as South Africa), many wine regions have open up their tasting rooms even in a limited, socially distant capacity. That’s been sure relief for cash-strapped wineries and a welcome respite for wine lovers who need to digitally detox. (Provided they feel safe and welcomed.) But make no mistake. There is still a lot of value and a healthy market for online wine events. The folks…

Published on July 28, 2020
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60 Second Wine Review – Domaine of the Bee

Published on July 24, 2020

Note: This was a sample wine. A few quick thoughts on the 2017 Domaine of the Bee red blend from the Côtes du Roussillon-Villages AOC. The Geekery Justin Howard-Sneyd is a Master of Wine who, after a long career as a wine buyer for Safeway/Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Laithwaites, founded Domaine of the Bee with his wife, Amanda, and friend, Philippe Sacerdot. From the first vintage in 2007, the flagship red is a blend of…

Published on July 24, 2020
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Wine and Syrup Bottles – It’s time to do more

Published on July 3, 2020

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the need for change and diversity in the wine industry. Many folks have stood up to put that change into action–most notably Julia Coney’s Black Wine Professionals resource page and DLynn Proctor, Martin R. Reyes MW & Mary Margaret McCamic MW’s Wine Unify mentorship platform. However, there’s so much more that still needs to be done. The obstacles in the wine industry that hinder the growth of…

Published on July 3, 2020
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Talking Virtual Wine Events Next Week at FOMENT 2020 and on IG Live with Tablas Creek Vineyards

Published on June 27, 2020

It’s been a busy spring and early summer for me since the launch of VirtualWineEvents.com. I’ve been invited to several interviews and panels, mostly to talk about the industry’s adoption of these new digital tools. Two exciting ones coming up is the FOMENT Conference this Tuesday, June 30th, which I’ll follow the next day with by joining Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyards for a chat on his weekly Instagram live broadcast. I’ve posted the…

Published on June 27, 2020
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60 Second Wine Reviews – 2016 Domaine de Cébène Felgaria

Published on June 25, 2020
by  in 60 Second Reviews
Note: This was a sample from the Languedoc Outsiders. A few quick thoughts on the 2016 Domaine de Cébène Felgaria from Faugères. The Geekery After working many years with Jean-Luc Thunevin of Chateau Valandraud in St. Emilion, Brigitte Chevalier founded Domaine de Cébène in 2006. Most of the Languedoc sits on a broad alluvial plain, but it was the unique schist soils of Faugères that caught Chevalier’s attention. For Grenache and Syrah, Chevalier focuses on…
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How NOT to Respond to a Guest’s Concerns About COVID

Published on June 22, 2020
by  in General
These are unprecedented times for the wine industry. Some bumps and missteps are to be expected as wineries reopen after long lockdowns. But stuff like what I’m sharing below needs to be called out and nipped in the bud. Earlier today, I had this exchange with a friend in Washington State. She does not work in the wine industry but is an avid wine lover who belongs to several wine clubs. I asked her permission…
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Why the Wine Industry Shouldn’t Be Color Blind

Published on June 19, 2020
by  in General
In the last few weeks, I’ve listened to a lot of very moving testimony from Black wine professionals about their experiences in the wine industry. One that hit me particularly hard was Tahiirah Habibi of the Hue Society recounting her story of taking the Introductory Level 1 course & examination with the Court of Master Sommeliers.   View this post on Instagram   If you are in positions of power, check yourself on how you…