Three factors to ponder for the makers of fine Napa Valley Cabernet: First, the criticism by many wine critics on the high alcoholic content of Cabernet Sauvignon. This ball has been rolling along for a couple of years but it seems to have been gaining steam in recent weeks. The latest comes from wine writer Dan Berger’s “The Collapse of Cabernet,” his article appearing in the St. Helena Star last week. James Laube also addresses the issue in the latest Wine Spectator. Next, is the economy, still? All signs once again are pointing to a dismal year for wines priced above $20 and most Napa Valley Cabernets are well above that price point. The third factor and one I don’t think has been mentioned much is how the American diet is beginning to change. The American diet, especially among the fine-wine drinking crowd is shifting. What is in are soups, salads, fish, more grains, more vegetables and fruits. What’s out are eating lots of red meat, creamy sauces, etc. Not altogether out, but the creed is to cut down. Healthy meals are more easily paired with white wines, rosés, and lighter reds such as Pinot Noir. If this trend is true, will that translate into less Cabernet sales? Read the rest of this entry »

VinoVisit and Cellar Pass – Reservation system for tasting rooms

These two competing companies are battling toe-to-toe to sign up wineries with a new concept that is designed to attract wine country tourists to the tasting room. VinoVisit seems to have the head start with more wineries signed up plus a few publishers like our own Wine Country Getaways. The reservation widget for both companies will work much like widgets used by the Trip Adviser to find and book hotels or like Open Table to reserve a restaurant. With the tasting room widget the tourist will be able to book a tour, tasting, and other winery events. For VinoVisit, each winery in their system will have its own individual Widget on its Website, and publishers like Wine Country Getaways will eventually have a general Widget containing information on all the VinoVisit wineries. You can check out this page to see the current wineries using VinoVisit on WCG. Read the rest of this entry »

Remember all those rumors when Charles Shaw wine first appeared in 2002 on the shelves of Trader Joe’s stores? My favorite was the one about a major airline having to dump the Charles Shaw wines because new airline regulations after 9/11 would not allow wine corkscrews on board. So the rumor continues with Trader Joe’s purchasing all the wine for a song and then selling it for an amazing price of $1.99. Of course most of us all know by now that Napa Valley’s good friend, Fred Franzia, owns and produces Charles Shaw wine. But few people who walk out of Trader Joe’s with a case of Cabernet in hand know that there really is a Charles F. Shaw, who once had a real winery by that same name in St. Helena.

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Have you heard of Tudal Family Winery? I doubt it. Even though its first vintage was in 1979 and its vineyards are located in the famed St. Helena AVA, most visitors to wine country have never seen or visited this small family-run winery just north of St. Helena. Despite its fine reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tudal winery has been lost in the shuffle of big wineries, fancy tasting rooms, and its hidden location. All that may be about to change as Tudal Family Winery is revamping its image under the guidance of John Tudal, son of the founders Alma and the late Arnold Tudal.

The revamp began in 2009 when John hired Kirk Venge to be the Tudal winemaker. Kirk is a winemaker on the move. At 33, Kirk not only heads up his own winery, Venge Vineyards, but is consulting winemaker for several boutique wineries in the Valley. He is in demand and one to watch in the coming years. Kirk likes full-bodied wines that will certainly be a change of pace from the current offerings made by Tudal. Read the rest of this entry »