Grape Expectations

As you may know, Fridays are a big day for The Vine Wine Club because we taste wines to place in our shop.  We look forward to it!  Last week was filled with as much anticipation as the others Fridays.  There is a child-like excitement in the room as our rep pulls the samples from her bag.  My favorites tend to be the reds that I know that she's opened early enough in the day that they've been allowed time to breathe.  Last Friday, she pulled out an Amarone.  My absolute favorite.  Known for its full-bodied mocha richness, ripeness beyond regular harvest, and relatively high alcohol volume, I was bracing myself for this little touch of heaven in a glass.  As I tasted through the rest of the offerings, my mind stayed on what awaited me...what was certain to be the last tasting of the evening...the bottle that I was assured to finish later on that evening.  The process of making Amarone sets this wine a part and places it in an elite category.  The grapes are allowed to hang on the vines a little longer than other grapes.  When they are finally harvested, the grapes are placed on a screen to dry out even more, allowing the sugar to become more concentrated and the grapes to lose water.  When the grapes are finally pressed, the resulting juice is normally aged about 5 years.  When my Amarone was poured, my mind had already made up in my mind that it was going to be the best thing that I would have today.  Even though it wasn't as dark in color as an Amarone typically is and poured a little light, I was still anticipating greatness.  I wasn't so pleased.  I didn't taste that rich glass of raisins that I expected.  I didn't get that mouthful of ripeness that I anticipated.  Disappointed, I realized that I had just had my first experience of a bad year.  My educated guess was that 2009 had possibly been a wet year which would have presented a challenge for winemakers.  But what do I know?  What I did know is that this wasn't what I expected and I will wait for a better vintage for my customers.  You're welcome!

In case you are curious, it was a wet year.  I did some homework.
http://italianwinereview.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/the-2009-amarone-to-be-approached-with-caution/

Benita

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Listen to the podcast of our premier show.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mwhyllc/2014/06/06/off-the-vine-with-benita-and-terricinia-premier-show

All That Sparkles isn't Champagne

Picky, picky, picky are those folks in a little town in France that make some of the finest sparkling wines in the world.  But hey, they have a right to be.  They have a process that has been proven to delight our taste buds and heighten our senses for centuries.  Champagne!  Even the name sounds rich.  In the season of celebrations, lots of bottles will be popped and the bubbles will fly.  But not all can afford to let the Champagne flow.  Thankfully, there are some great alternatives.  Each year for Mother's Day, we enjoy brunch with mimosas.  Now when I have Champagne, I won't add orange juice.  So I typically opt for a Cava, Spain's offering to sparkling wines.  Made mostly of xarel-lo, it is traditionally made in the champenoise method.  Because of its citrus notes, I think it is perfect with mimosas.  Another option is Prosecco, grown from grapes primarily from the Veneto region of Italy.  Like Champagne, it is a great aperitif.  Can I be frank?  Most of us who do not study wine or make this a part of our daily lives cannot blind taste the difference between Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco, and that's being real.  But where we all can see the difference is the price tag.  Cava and Prosecco are far more budget friendly.  So when you are celebrating with friends, family, at a wedding, or just because it's Monday, you don't have to bust the bank account.  Try a Cava or Prosecco.  Ain't nothing wrong with ballin' on a budget!

Congratulations to our newest Virginia State University Alumnus...Navi Lewis Johnson!

Mark your calendars!  June 6 kicks off "Off The Vine with Benita and Terricinia" on May We Help You Radio.  Our show will air weekly at 3:00 pm.  More details to come.

Benita

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How Much to Pay for a Rose'

We are still at it....selecting the best wines for our online club and store.  Yesterday, we were introduced to everything from a fruity, sparkling wine from Hungary to a bold red blend dominated by Zinfandel from California.  One of the wines that we tasted with a Rose' made of Grenache. When I asked the cost of the wine, I quickly realized at normal retail markup, this would have to retail for $30.  What!  A $30 Rose???  I had never paid $30 for a Rose' and wondered... would I?  And more importantly, could I sell it.  With yesterday's wine tasting, we had grilled foods that ran the gamut.  We had vegan black bean burgers with guacamole, lemon pepper salmon, and delectable New York Strip steaks as our showstoppers.  The Rose' held its own with the evening meal, not that we were actually trying to pair anything in particular.  But the question was raised...just how much would you pay for a Rose'?  This particular one had a great balance of acidity and the essence of strawberry.  Slightly chilled, it was a star under a beautiful sunset.  But at the end of the day, a decision had to be made.  This is business and as far as Rose' are concerned, I've tasted better for less! This one didn't make the cut.  But still looking!  So we want to know...what's your favorite Rose'?

Shout out to The Tipsy Sommelier for helping to make my job fun!  If you are looking for fun wine classes, visit her site at ttswine.com.

Benita

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Palate Pleasing Wines

One of the tasks of opening any new business is selecting quality products that you believe will attract and retain customers.  In the wine business, like others, that's a huge responsibility.  For about the last 45 days, my partner and I have tasted wines from every corner of the world.  Putting personal preferences aside, we taste and search for the descriptors that will help our customers understand what is in the bottle that they've selected.  First, let me clarify...I am no wine critic.  I like what I like, and I make an effort to discern my personal taste from the nuances that others find appealing when selecting wine.  My partner, on the other hand, has two categories when making selections...good or not good.  Together, we understand that our fans and future customers may not share our palates.  What we like is not directly related to what our members will enjoy.  Our hope is that when you become a part of The Vine Wine Club family, you will follow our blog and communicate with us on our various social medias and tell us what you like.  We promise to recommend something that will please your palate.

Upcoming Event:  Wine and White Party, July 5, 2014.  Tickets $40, Food, Wine, and Dancing

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-and-white-party-tickets-11440331339


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Benita

A Different Wine Club Experience

While wading through the "process" of opening an online wine club and retail shop, let me share a peek inside of "The Vine". The goal is to create an interactive experience for our members.  Each month, our members will receive two bottles of wine.  As a member, you will also be offered special discounts on our featured wines and other products.  Like other wine clubs, you will have the opportunity to buy top quality wines produced by some of the world's finest wine makers.  Our members will be invited to share knowledge, personal preferences, and taste through our blog (Something to Wine About) and on our live radio show "Off The Vine with Benita and Terricinia" that will air on Fridays at 3:00 pm starting June 6.  We are going places, literally, with wine trips planned to festivals and wineries both domestically and abroad.  Membership packages go on sale June 9 with special discounts offered for those who enroll early!

(I am looking for another word to use for our members because I am tired of writing the word "member" and you must be tired of reading it!  I will have a name next week but will gladly take your suggestions.)

Remember to follow us on Twitter, Google +, and Pinterest at TheVineWineClub.  We promise to keep you informed.  The first wine trip is being planned now.  Information coming soon.

Benita

The Vine Wine Club is Coming!!!

I miss my wine friends!!!!  Closing down Grapes & Barley in December 2009 was bittersweet.  I met so many people who have since become family to me.  We went on the best "business" trips to Napa, Italy, The Biltmore, and many other places disguised as excuses to drink wine.  What an experience!  Well, now I am coming back to the profession that I have missed tremendously.  Talk about turning your love into your living! This is the countdown to The Vine Wine Club!  The website will launch in July.  In the meantime, I am building my social media accounts and setting everything in motion for a successful launch.  Details of how you can join are coming soon.  So join me on Google + at Vine Wine.  Give me a few days and I will have Pinterest and Twitter accounts too.  I will keep you posted.

The Vine Wine Club

www.thevinewineclub.com

Site launch in July.

Follow the blog for updates on pre-launch parties and early membership deals!

Benita