Vinous Views, Beer Banter and Other Musings
The BSFW blog offers a periodic airing of our staff's observations and musings about things we find in our market and, frankly, can't live without. This is not a dispensing of erudite information from high on the mount; this is us sharing with you the aspects of the fine wine, craft brew and gourmet worlds that pique our interest.
This congenial approach is something we take seriously - so please feel free to comment! Afterall,it's our customers that inspire us to do what we love to do - and do it even better than before at every opportunity.
Traditional Media Delivers the Goods
Are you plugged in, turned on, linked in, grouped on, kindled, twittered, scvng-d and is your face on a book? If so you are probably enjoying the many benefits of new media, social media and all of those other medias. News when and how you want it, social connections always connected, etc. When it comes to information on the topic of wine these sources can entertain and educate to a certain degree. Information (and misinformation) from blogs, websites and tweets can be downloaded from that touchscreen in your pocket or your purse in a nanosecond.
There are times, however, when the voice of experience can trump the quick and easy. Assesing a Bordeaux vintage is one of those instances. The 2009 vintage in that most heralded of French appellations is in full hype mode, with praise and hyperbole being tossed around like frisbees in Malibu. Is it the vintage of the decade? Our lifetime? Of all Time!!!? And what exactly does that mean to you?
I have been in the wine trade for twenty years and have seen many "great vintages" come and go. I take pride in my first hand experience but do not consider myself the final word on the subject.
British wine writer Steven Spurrier has been in the wine trade for two more years than I have been alive (since 1964, if you must know). He was the organizer of the famous Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 which put California on the quality wine map when the west coast entries trumped their French counterparts in a blind tasting. He also founded the Christies wine course, has written several wine books and has contributed countless articles to various wine publications. The guy knows his stuff.
His article in the Bordeaux Issue 2010 supplement to Decanter Magazine's August issue is an outstanding overview of "modern" Bordeaux vintages and a perfect perspective placement of the 2009 vintage. The writng is succinct and easy to understand, the understanding of the subject matter impeccable and the educational take-away invaluable. The article is not yet available online yet so do yourself a favor: put down the I-Pad, pick up a copy of Decanter August 2010 Issue (yes, we do sell it), pour yourself a nice glass of claret and learn from the Master. When you are finished reading the first page, simply put your finger in the top right corner of the page and turn to the next. Repeat.
Then tell us your thoughts!
Are you a fan of the 2005 vintage? Are you looking forward to trying 2009?
Do you pay attention to wine writers? If so do you follow them in new media, traditional media or both?
Aug 18, 2010 at 12:01 AM
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August Wines of the Month
Dan doesn't crave fame, but he's just so great on film! It was too much fun to have him give the 2 minute 411 on this month's Staff wine picks. Don't forget, these bad boys deliver extra savings for our Wine Club members each month.
And...
Starting this month, we're extending our 10% OFF a single bottle purchase policy.... Now you can sample our monthly picks (aka buy one or more of these special selections) and enjoy the 10% savings all month long. Same rules apply on a mix/match case of our monthly picks, or 20% OFF a purchase of twelve or more bottles.
Cheers to that!
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