by Lorri | Jan 20, 2010 | Lorri's Wine Diary
Professional Wine Judges Award Gold to Three California Wines and One New Zealand Pinot Noir in Early Morning at Second U.S. Professional Wine Buyers Competition™.
Santa Rosa, CA — In early results at the second U.S. Professional Wine Buyers Competition, Judges awarded Gold medals to the following wines:
California
- Big Dog Vineyards, San Francisco Bay, California 2006 Cabernet Franc, $29.50
- Forchini Vineyards & Winery, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley Estate Grown Proprietor’s Reserve 2007 Pinot Noir, $32.00
- Summerland Winery, Santa Maria Valley, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Single Vineyard Collection, 2008 Pinot Noir, $45.00
New Zealand
- Crown Range, South Pacific Wines LLC, New Zealand, Central Otago, 2008 Pinot Noir, $19.99
“The purpose of this competition is to allow professional wine buyers an opportunity to determine which wines should be on the retail shelf, restaurant wine lists, and in the hands of private collectors,” said Lea Pierce, Founder and Managing Director of Wine Competition Management, LLC. Wine Competition Management also produces The National Women’s Wine Competition (March 22-23, 2010), the new Organic & Biodynamic Wine Competition, May 17, 2010, and the new NextGen Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers, to be held June 13-15, 2010. All competitions are held at the Fountaingrove Hotel in Santa Rosa. St. Gobain Containers and Fountaingrove Inn and Hotel are sponsors of the event.
The Buyer’s Guide™ will be available January 25 as a free download at www.prowinebuyerscomp.info or by email request to info@prowinebuyerscomp.info. For answers to your questions, please call the competition at +1 707-568-3900.
by Lorri | Jan 18, 2010 | Lorri's Wine Diary
I am in California today judging for the Professional Wine Buyers Competition. We are finishing up, and I am eagerly awaiting the results.
This competition is unique in that the wines are scored based on recommendation to consumers. The recommendations are scored on quality and (as I always preach) price! Will post results as soon as they are in my hand!
Lorri
by Lorri | Nov 26, 2009 | Lorri's Wine Diary
By now you guys know wine is a central part of my life and very personal. From value bottles I grab at the retail stores to collector bottles found on weekend get aways, I am always plotting to match the right bottle with the right occasion.
Last week a few friends dropped by our home before going out to dinner. We were given a beautiful cult Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa. I am sure my eyes twinkled when my friend handed me the bottle. I thanked him and began to plot in my mind – who, when, where, what time? Would I cellar it for 1 more year or 5?
Then reality kicked in, “Should we open it now?”
Why is it when wines are given as gifts – it is so personal? If you are a collector of hundreds of bottles or even a few, you understand the feeling.
Of course we opened it immediately … thanks Brian & Jess. See you soon!
by Lorri | Nov 14, 2009 | Lorri's Wine Diary
I usually stray from label names and designs marketing as if a bottle priced under $15 has to have uncouth wording, an animal or bright colors to catch a buyers attention.
But this one was so funny I had to pick it up, walk to the register and actually buy it! (Yes, a little embarrassed at check out and even told the clerk, “I heard Pinot Grigio’s from Italy are very good values.”)
I’ve past this wine many times at my retailer but this time I took a closer look at the label. The wine is Mommy’s Time Out, but it’s the graphics that made me laugh out loud in the wine shop. A wooden chair is turned to the corner with a bottle and glass sitting on a table. If only mom’s were so lucky! The wine is a Pinot Grigio from Italy and a smart value for around $10.
I can’t wait for a friend to tell me a story of the not so always joyous day in the life of motherhood so I can wrap this one up as a gift.
by Lorri | Nov 8, 2009 | Lorri's Wine Diary
We had a wonderful dinner party last night. It was perfect except for one thing … I poured a wine into a glass; and it smelled like a wet dog, soggy cardboard and mildewed wool!
I tried not to panic knowing I had other red wines we could open. But I had been saving this wine and really wanted to share this bottle with friends. I smelled again … same smell. I grabbed another glass poured a small taste … no smells! Same wine … different glasses.
I learned a lesson I am always preaching … soap and detergents even in minuscule amounts on a wine glass can completely change the aromas of wine. Looks like no more cheating with the dishwasher, and I am back to hand washing all my glasses in hot water.
by Lorri | Nov 7, 2009 | Lorri's Wine Diary
The carton wine I tasted is the 2007 Bandit Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s not a “growth Bordeaux” but is clean and fresh and works great for anyone looking for inexpensive, simple wines.
I like the wine but love the packaging. The back of the wine carton is smart and catchy, Why Bandit? Here are 10 reasons:
- taste good
- 33% more wine (1 liter versus 750 m.l.)
- Lower shipping weight = less fuel emissions
- 96% wine, 4% packaging.
- No corked wine.
- Wine to go-go
- 1 truckload of empty Bandit cartons = 26 truckloads of glass
- Made from renewable resources
- You can toss it in your cooler
- You can crush it on your forehead when you are finished.
